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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Exodus 20:25 Now if you make an altar of stones for Me, you must not build it with stones shaped by tools; for if you use a chisel on it, you will defile it.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/exodus/20-25.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/02_Exo_20_25.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Exodus 20:25 - The Altar of Sacrifice" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Now if you make an altar of stones for Me, you must not build it with stones shaped by tools; for if you use a chisel on it, you will defile it." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/exodus/20-25.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/exodus/20-25.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/exodus/">Exodus</a> > <a href="/exodus/20.htm">Chapter 20</a> > Verse 25</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad5.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/exodus/20-24.htm" title="Exodus 20:24">◄</a> Exodus 20:25 <a href="/exodus/20-26.htm" title="Exodus 20:26">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/exodus/20.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/exodus/20.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />If you make an altar of stones for me, do not build it with dressed stones, for you will defile it if you use a tool on it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/exodus/20.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />If you use stones to build my altar, use only natural, uncut stones. Do not shape the stones with a tool, for that would make the altar unfit for holy use.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/exodus/20.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />If you make me an altar of stone, you shall not build it of hewn stones, for if you wield your tool on it you profane it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/exodus/20.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now if you make an altar of stones for Me, you must not build it with stones shaped by tools; for if you use a chisel on it, you will defile it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/exodus/20.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And if thou wilt make me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stone: for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/exodus/20.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And if you make Me an altar of stone, you shall not build it of hewn stone; for if you use your tool on it, you have profaned it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/exodus/20.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And if you make an altar of stone for Me, you shall not build it of cut stones, for if you wield your chisel on it, you will profane it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/exodus/20.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8216If you make an altar of stone for Me, you shall not build it of cut stones, for if you wield your tool on it, you will profane it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/exodus/20.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />‘And if you make an altar of stone for Me, you shall not build it of cut stones, for if you wield your tool on it, you will profane it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/exodus/20.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And if you make an altar of stone for Me, you shall not build it of cut stones, for if you wield your tool on it, you will profane it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/exodus/20.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />If you make an altar of stone for Me, you shall not build it of cut stones, for if you use a chisel on it, you will profane it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/exodus/20.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />If you make a stone altar for me, do not build it out of cut stones. If you use your chisel on it, you will defile it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/exodus/20.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />If you make a stone altar for Me, you must not build it out of cut stones. If you use your chisel on it, you will defile it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/exodus/20.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And if thou make me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stones; for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/exodus/20.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />If you ever build an altar for me out of stones, do not use any tools to chisel the stones, because that would make the altar unfit for use in worship. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/exodus/20.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And if thou make me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stones: for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/exodus/20.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />If you build an altar for me made out of stones, never make it with cut stone blocks. If you use a chisel on it, you will make it unacceptable to me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/exodus/20.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />If you make an altar of stone for me, do not build it out of cut stones, because when you use a chisel on stones, you make them unfit for my use. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/exodus/20.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />If you make an altar of stone for me, you must not build it of cut stones, because if you strike it with your chisel, you will profane it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/exodus/20.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now if you make an altar of stones for Me, you must not build it with stones shaped by tools; for if you use a chisel on it, you will defile it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/exodus/20.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />If you make me an altar of stone, you must not build it of stones shaped with tools, for if you use your tool on it you have defiled it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/exodus/20.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />If you make me an altar of stone, you shall not build it of cut stones; for if you lift up your tool on it, you have polluted it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/exodus/20.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And if thou wilt make me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stone: for if thou shalt lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/exodus/20.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />If you make me an altar of stone, you shall not build it of cut stones; for if you lift up your tool on it, you have polluted it. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/exodus/20.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And if you make an altar of stones for Me, you do not build them of hewn work; when you have waved your tool over it, then you defile it;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/exodus/20.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 'And if an altar of stones thou dost make to Me, thou dost not build them of hewn work; when thy tool thou hast waved over it, then thou dost pollute it;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/exodus/20.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And if thou shalt make to me an altar of stones, thou shalt not build them, cutting, for didst thou lift up thy sword upon it, and thou shalt defile it.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/exodus/20.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And if thou make an altar of stone unto me, thou shalt not build it of hewn stones: for if thou lift up a tool upon it, it shall be defiled. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/exodus/20.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And if you make an altar of stone for me, you shall not build it from cut stones; for if you lift up a tool over it, it will be defiled.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/exodus/20.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />But if you make an altar of stone for me, do not build it of cut stone, for by putting a chisel to it you profane it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/exodus/20.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />But if you make for me an altar of stone, do not build it of hewn stones; for if you use a chisel upon it you profane it.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/exodus/20.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And if you make me a stone altar, you shall not build it of hewn stones; for if you lift a tool of iron upon it, you will have polluted it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/exodus/20.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And if you make to me an altar of stone, you shall not build it with cut stone because you have lifted up iron upon it and you have polluted it.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/exodus/20.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And if thou make Me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stones; for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast profaned it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/exodus/20.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And if thou wilt make to me an altar of stones, thou shalt not build them hewn <i>stones</i>; for thou hast lifted up thy tool upon them, and they are defiled.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/exodus/20-25.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kVae3PiKqhs?start=5132" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/exodus/20.htm">The Altar of Sacrifice</a></span><br><span class="reftext">24</span>You are to make for Me an altar of earth, and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and peace offerings, your sheep and goats and cattle. In every place where I cause My name to be remembered, I will come to you and bless you. <span class="reftext">25</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/518.htm" title="518: wə·’im- (Conj) -- If. A primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!">Now if</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: ta·‘ă·śeh- (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">you make</a> <a href="/hebrew/4196.htm" title="4196: miz·baḥ (N-msc) -- An altar. From zabach; an altar.">an altar</a> <a href="/hebrew/68.htm" title="68: ’ă·ḇā·nîm (N-fp) -- A stone. From the root of banah through the meaning to build; a stone.">of stones</a> <a href="/hebrew/lî (Prep:: 1cs) -- ">for Me,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">you must not</a> <a href="/hebrew/1129.htm" title="1129: ṯiḇ·neh (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- To build. A primitive root; to build.">build</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ·hen (DirObjM:: 3fp) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self.">it</a> <a href="/hebrew/1496.htm" title="1496: gā·zîṯ (N-fs) -- A cutting, hewing. From gazah; something cut, i.e. Dressed stone.">with stones shaped by tools;</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">for if</a> <a href="/hebrew/5130.htm" title="5130: hê·nap̄·tā (V-Hifil-Perf-2ms) -- To move to and fro, wave, sprinkle. A primitive root; to quiver; used in a great variety of applications.">you use</a> <a href="/hebrew/2719.htm" title="2719: ḥar·bə·ḵā (N-fsc:: 2ms) -- A sword. From charab; drought; also a cutting instrument, as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement.">a chisel</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘ā·le·hā (Prep:: 3fs) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">on it,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2490.htm" title="2490: wat·tə·ḥal·le·hā (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConsecImperf-2ms:: 3fs) -- A primitive root; properly, to bore, i.e. to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane, to break, to begin; denom. to play.">you will defile it.</a> </span><span class="reftext">26</span>And you must not go up to My altar on steps, lest your nakedness be exposed on it.’…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/27-5.htm">Deuteronomy 27:5-6</a></span><br />Moreover, you are to build there an altar to the LORD your God, an altar of stones. You must not use any iron tool on them. / You shall build the altar of the LORD your God with uncut stones and offer upon it burnt offerings to the LORD your God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/8-31.htm">Joshua 8:31</a></span><br />just as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded the Israelites. He built it according to what is written in the Book of the Law of Moses: “an altar of uncut stones on which no iron tool has been used.” And on it they offered burnt offerings to the LORD, and they sacrificed peace offerings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/6-7.htm">1 Kings 6:7</a></span><br />The temple was constructed using finished stones cut at the quarry, so that no hammer or chisel or any other iron tool was heard in the temple while it was being built.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/44-9.htm">Isaiah 44:9-20</a></span><br />All makers of idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Their witnesses fail to see or comprehend, so they are put to shame. / Who fashions a god or casts an idol which profits him nothing? / Behold, all his companions will be put to shame, for the craftsmen themselves are only human. Let them all assemble and take their stand; they will all be brought to terror and shame. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/18-31.htm">1 Kings 18:31-32</a></span><br />And Elijah took twelve stones, one for each tribe of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the LORD had come and said, “Israel shall be your name.” / And with the stones, Elijah built an altar in the name of the LORD. Then he dug a trench around the altar large enough to hold two seahs of seed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/16-10.htm">2 Kings 16:10-16</a></span><br />Then King Ahaz went to Damascus to meet Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria. On seeing the altar in Damascus, King Ahaz sent Uriah the priest a model of the altar and complete plans for its construction. / And Uriah the priest built the altar according to all the instructions King Ahaz had sent from Damascus, and he completed it before King Ahaz returned. / When the king came back from Damascus and saw the altar, he approached it and presented offerings on it. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/20-39.htm">Ezekiel 20:39</a></span><br />And as for you, O house of Israel, this is what the Lord GOD says: Go and serve your idols, every one of you. But afterward, you will surely listen to Me, and you will no longer defile My holy name with your gifts and idols.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/5-21.htm">Amos 5:21-24</a></span><br />“I hate, I despise your feasts! I cannot stand the stench of your solemn assemblies. / Even though you offer Me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; for your peace offerings of fattened cattle I will have no regard. / Take away from Me the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/17-24.htm">Acts 17:24-25</a></span><br />The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples made by human hands. / Nor is He served by human hands, as if He needed anything, because He Himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/9-11.htm">Hebrews 9:11-12</a></span><br />But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that have come, He went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made by hands and is not a part of this creation. / He did not enter by the blood of goats and calves, but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, thus securing eternal redemption.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-17.htm">Matthew 5:17-18</a></span><br />Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them. / For I tell you truly, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/4-21.htm">John 4:21-24</a></span><br />“Believe Me, woman,” Jesus replied, “a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. / You worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. / But a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father is seeking such as these to worship Him. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/12-1.htm">Romans 12:1</a></span><br />Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/3-16.htm">1 Corinthians 3:16-17</a></span><br />Do you not know that you yourselves are God’s temple, and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? / If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/2-5.htm">1 Peter 2:5</a></span><br />you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And if you will make me an altar of stone, you shall not build it of hewn stone: for if you lift up your tool on it, you have polluted it.</p><p class="hdg">and</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/27-5.htm">Deuteronomy 27:5,6</a></b></br> And there shalt thou build an altar unto the LORD thy God, an altar of stones: thou shalt not lift up <i>any</i> iron <i>tool</i> upon them… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joshua/8-31.htm">Joshua 8:31</a></b></br> As Moses the servant of the LORD commanded the children of Israel, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses, an altar of whole stones, over which no man hath lift up <i>any</i> iron: and they offered thereon burnt offerings unto the LORD, and sacrificed peace offerings.</p><p class="hdg">build it of hewn stone.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/exodus/20-24.htm">Altar</a> <a href="/genesis/35-3.htm">Build</a> <a href="/exodus/12-19.htm">Cut</a> <a href="/revelation/14-4.htm">Defile</a> <a href="/exodus/12-11.htm">Dressed</a> <a href="/luke/23-53.htm">Hewn</a> <a href="/exodus/15-20.htm">Instrument</a> <a href="/exodus/14-16.htm">Lift</a> <a href="/jude/1-8.htm">Pollute</a> <a href="/genesis/49-4.htm">Polluted</a> <a href="/revelation/21-27.htm">Profane</a> <a href="/malachi/2-11.htm">Profaned</a> <a href="/exodus/4-25.htm">Sharp</a> <a href="/exodus/17-12.htm">Stone</a> <a href="/genesis/31-52.htm">Stones</a> <a href="/genesis/4-22.htm">Tool</a> <a href="/exodus/19-13.htm">Touch</a> <a href="/exodus/6-30.htm">Unclean</a> <a href="/exodus/20-7.htm">Use</a> <a href="/acts/22-23.htm">Waved</a> <a href="/zechariah/9-13.htm">Wield</a> <a href="/exodus/18-18.htm">Wilt</a> <a href="/exodus/20-10.htm">Work</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/exodus/20-26.htm">Altar</a> <a href="/exodus/27-1.htm">Build</a> <a href="/exodus/22-6.htm">Cut</a> <a href="/leviticus/11-43.htm">Defile</a> <a href="/leviticus/7-9.htm">Dressed</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/6-11.htm">Hewn</a> <a href="/exodus/21-6.htm">Instrument</a> <a href="/exodus/23-1.htm">Lift</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-21.htm">Pollute</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-8.htm">Polluted</a> <a href="/leviticus/10-10.htm">Profane</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-8.htm">Profaned</a> <a href="/numbers/8-7.htm">Sharp</a> <a href="/exodus/21-18.htm">Stone</a> <a href="/exodus/23-24.htm">Stones</a> <a href="/exodus/32-4.htm">Tool</a> <a href="/leviticus/5-2.htm">Touch</a> <a href="/leviticus/5-2.htm">Unclean</a> <a href="/exodus/22-14.htm">Use</a> <a href="/exodus/29-24.htm">Waved</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/23-25.htm">Wield</a> <a href="/exodus/23-33.htm">Wilt</a> <a href="/exodus/22-8.htm">Work</a><div class="vheading2">Exodus 20</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/20-1.htm">The ten commandments are spoken by Jehovah</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/20-18.htm">The people are afraid, but Moses comforts them</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/20-21.htm">Idolatry is forbidden</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/20-23.htm">Of what sort the altar should be</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/exodus/20.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/exodus/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/exodus/20.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Now if you make an altar of stones for Me</b><br>In the ancient Near Eastern context, altars were central to worship practices. God instructs the Israelites to construct altars for sacrifices, which were a key component of their covenant relationship with Him. The use of natural stones signifies a return to simplicity and purity in worship, contrasting with the elaborate altars of surrounding pagan cultures. This command emphasizes the importance of worshiping God in a manner distinct from other religious practices of the time.<p><b>you must not build it with stones shaped by tools</b><br>The prohibition against using tools on the stones underscores the idea that human effort or craftsmanship should not alter what God has created. This reflects a theological principle that worship should be based on God's provision and not human innovation. The use of uncut stones symbolizes the unadulterated and unmodified nature of true worship, aligning with the biblical theme of God's holiness and the purity required in approaching Him.<p><b>for if you use a chisel on it</b><br>The mention of a chisel highlights the potential for human pride and self-reliance to infiltrate worship. In the cultural context, tools were often associated with human skill and artistry, which could lead to idolatry or the elevation of human achievement over divine provision. This instruction serves as a safeguard against the Israelites adopting the practices of surrounding nations, who often used ornate altars to honor their deities.<p><b>you will defile it</b><br>Defilement in the biblical sense refers to making something unclean or unfit for sacred use. By using tools, the altar would become tainted by human intervention, thus losing its sanctity. This reflects the broader biblical theme of holiness, where God calls His people to maintain purity in their worship and lives. The concept of defilement is echoed throughout Scripture, emphasizing the need for separation from sin and adherence to God's commands. This principle is seen in the New Testament, where believers are called to offer themselves as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God (<a href="/romans/12.htm">Romans 12:1</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God (Yahweh)</a></b><br>The speaker of the command, emphasizing His holiness and the proper way to worship Him.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The recipient of the commandments, serving as the mediator between God and the Israelites.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The people receiving the law, called to worship God in a manner that reflects His holiness.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/a/altar.htm">Altar</a></b><br>A structure for offering sacrifices to God, symbolizing worship and devotion.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/m/mount_sinai.htm">Mount Sinai</a></b><br>The location where God delivered the Ten Commandments and additional laws to Moses.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/h/holiness_in_worship.htm">Holiness in Worship</a></b><br>God’s command to use uncut stones for altars underscores the importance of approaching Him with reverence and purity. Our worship should reflect His holiness, free from human manipulation or pride.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/simplicity_and_obedience.htm">Simplicity and Obedience</a></b><br>The instruction to avoid using tools on the stones teaches us that God values obedience and simplicity over human craftsmanship. Our focus should be on His commands rather than our own embellishments.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/symbolism_of_the_altar.htm">Symbolism of the Altar</a></b><br>The altar represents a place of meeting with God, sacrifice, and atonement. In our lives, we should create spaces and times dedicated to encountering God, free from distractions and personal agendas.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/a/avoiding_defilement.htm">Avoiding Defilement</a></b><br>The use of tools would defile the altar, symbolizing how human efforts can taint pure worship. We must guard against allowing our own desires or cultural influences to corrupt our devotion to God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/christ_as_our_altar.htm">Christ as Our Altar</a></b><br>In the New Testament, Christ becomes the ultimate altar and sacrifice. Our worship now centers on Him, and we are called to offer spiritual sacrifices through lives dedicated to His service.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_exodus_20.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Exodus 20</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_ban_iron_tools_for_altars_evidence.htm">Why is the use of iron tools prohibited when constructing the altar in Deuteronomy 27:5, and does archaeology support this command? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_isn't_sacrifice_evidence_consistent.htm">If animal sacrifices were central (Leviticus 17), why does archaeological evidence not consistently support such frequent rituals across the entire region? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/when_to_scatter_or_gather_stones.htm">When is it time to scatter or gather stones?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_exodus_25_18_allow_cherubim.htm">If Exodus 20:4 forbids making graven images, why does Exodus 25:18 command crafting cherubim, appearing to contradict the earlier prohibition?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/exodus/20.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(25) <span class= "bld">If thou wilt make me an altar of stone.</span>--Among civilised nations altars were almost always of stone, which superseded earth, as more durable. God does not absolutely prohibit the employment of stone altars by the Israelites, who are found to use them upon certain occasions (<a href="/joshua/8-31.htm" title="As Moses the servant of the LORD commanded the children of Israel, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses, an altar of whole stones, over which no man has lift up any iron: and they offered thereon burnt offerings to the LORD, and sacrificed peace offerings.">Joshua 8:31</a>; <a href="/1_kings/18-32.htm" title="And with the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD: and he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two measures of seed.">1Kings 18:32</a>). He is content to forbid the shaping of the stones by an implement, that so they may not give rise to idolatry. (See Note on <a href="/exodus/20-24.htm" title="An altar of earth you shall make to me, and shall sacrifice thereon your burnt offerings, and your peace offerings, your sheep, and your oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come to you, and I will bless you.">Exodus 20:24</a>.)<p><span class= "bld">Thou hast polluted it.</span>--Nature is God's handiwork, and, therefore, pure and holy. Man, by contact with it, imparts to it of his impurity. The altar, whereby sin was to be expiated, required to be free from all taint of human corruption. For the construction of the altar afterwards sanctioned, see the comment on <a href="/exodus/27-1.htm" title="And you shall make an altar of shittim wood, five cubits long, and five cubits broad; the altar shall be foursquare: and the height thereof shall be three cubits.">Exodus 27:1</a>.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/exodus/20.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 25.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And if thou wilt make me an altar of stone</span> - <span class="accented">i.e.</span>, if, notwithstanding my preference expressed for an altar of earth, thou wilt insist on making me one of stone, as more permanent, and so more honourable, then I require that the stones shall be rough stones shaped by nature, not stones chiselled into shape by the art of man. <span class="cmt_word">For if thou lift</span> <span class="cmt_word">up thy tool upon it thou hast polluted it.</span> It is conjectured with reason that we have here an old traditional idea, which God thought fit under the existing circumstances to sanction. The real object was that altars should not be elaborately carved with objects that might superinduce idolatry. The widely prevalent notion, that nature is sacred, and that all man's interference with nature is a defilement, was made use of <span class="accented">economically</span>, to produce the desired result. No tool being allowed to be used, no forms of living creatures could be engraved, and so no idolatry of them could grow up. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/exodus/20-25.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Now if</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאִם־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’im-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_518.htm">Strong's 518: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you make</span><br /><span class="heb">תַּֽעֲשֶׂה־</span> <span class="translit">(ta·‘ă·śeh-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> </span><span class="str2">To do, make</span><br /><br /><span class="word">an altar</span><br /><span class="heb">מִזְבַּ֤ח</span> <span class="translit">(miz·baḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4196.htm">Strong's 4196: </a> </span><span class="str2">An altar</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of stones</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲבָנִים֙</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·ḇā·nîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_68.htm">Strong's 68: </a> </span><span class="str2">A stone</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for Me,</span><br /><span class="heb">לִּ֔י</span> <span class="translit">(lî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><br /><span class="word">you must not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹֽא־</span> <span class="translit">(lō-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">build</span><br /><span class="heb">תִבְנֶ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(ṯiḇ·neh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1129.htm">Strong's 1129: </a> </span><span class="str2">To build</span><br /><br /><span class="word">it</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶתְהֶ֖ן</span> <span class="translit">(’eṯ·hen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Direct object marker | third person feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_853.htm">Strong's 853: </a> </span><span class="str2">Untranslatable mark of the accusative case</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with stones shaped by tools;</span><br /><span class="heb">גָּזִ֑ית</span> <span class="translit">(gā·zîṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1496.htm">Strong's 1496: </a> </span><span class="str2">Something cut, dressed stone</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for if</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֧י</span> <span class="translit">(kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you use</span><br /><span class="heb">הֵנַ֥פְתָּ</span> <span class="translit">(hê·nap̄·tā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Perfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5130.htm">Strong's 5130: </a> </span><span class="str2">To move to and fro, wave, sprinkle</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a chisel</span><br /><span class="heb">חַרְבְּךָ֛</span> <span class="translit">(ḥar·bə·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2719.htm">Strong's 2719: </a> </span><span class="str2">Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword</span><br /><br /><span class="word">on it,</span><br /><span class="heb">עָלֶ֖יהָ</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·le·hā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you will defile it.</span><br /><span class="heb">וַתְּחַֽלְלֶֽהָ׃</span> <span class="translit">(wat·tə·ḥal·le·hā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - second person masculine singular | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2490.htm">Strong's 2490: </a> </span><span class="str2">To bore, to wound, to dissolve, to profane, to break, to begin, to play</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/exodus/20-25.htm">Exodus 20:25 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/exodus/20-25.htm">Exodus 20:25 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/exodus/20-25.htm">Exodus 20:25 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/exodus/20-25.htm">Exodus 20:25 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/exodus/20-25.htm">Exodus 20:25 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/exodus/20-25.htm">Exodus 20:25 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/exodus/20-25.htm">Exodus 20:25 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/exodus/20-25.htm">Exodus 20:25 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/exodus/20-25.htm">Exodus 20:25 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/exodus/20-25.htm">Exodus 20:25 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/exodus/20-25.htm">OT Law: Exodus 20:25 If you make me an altar (Exo. Ex) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/exodus/20-24.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Exodus 20:24"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Exodus 20:24" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/exodus/20-26.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Exodus 20:26"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Exodus 20:26" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>