Antonio Mcgowan
The altar of incense, also known as the golden altar of incense, is described in the Bible as having four horns, one at each corner, overlaid with pure gold. According to the Bible, the horns of the altar served several purposes. They were used to catch the blood of sacrifices to atone for sin, they provided refuge for fugitives, and they symbolised power and strength. The horns linked God's provision for humanity with humanity's expression of gratitude.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of horns | Four |
| Material | Gold |
| Position | On a level with the altar hearth |
| Function | Sacred refuge, symbol of divine presence and protection |
| Rituals | Consecration of priests, sin offerings, burnt offerings |
| Symbolism | Power, dignity, strength, thanksgiving |
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What You'll Learn
The horns symbolise power and dignity
The horns on the altar of incense symbolise power and dignity, with the four horns pointing to the four intermediate directions. This signifies that the altars' efficacy, strength, and power apply universally, with equal value to all the children of Israel.
The horns on the altar of incense are mentioned in Exodus 30:2,3, and Exodus 37:25,26. The altar of incense, like the brazen altar, has horns integral to its structure. The Bible states: "the horns thereof shall be of the same. And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold." The number of horns is not specified, but it is assumed that there were four horns in total, one at each corner.
The horns were overlaid with pure gold, and the altar was constructed from acacia wood. The gold crowns on the horns served a functional purpose, preventing the coals and incense from slipping or losing their holy fragrance.
The horns of the altar were also used for atonement. Once a year, on the Day of Atonement, the high priest would sprinkle blood on the horns of the altar of incense. This act of atonement served to cleanse and hallow the altar, as described in Leviticus 16:18,19.
Additionally, the horns provided a place of refuge for fugitives. In the Bible, Adonijah and Joab, who had acted dishonourably, sought asylum by clinging to the horns of the altar. This act of holding onto the horns of the altar granted them protection, as described in 1 Kings 1:50-53.
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The horns are linked to God's provision of earthly sustenance
The horns of the altar are linked to God's provision of earthly sustenance. The bull seems to have been a favoured animal of Yahweh. The altar in the temple of Jerusalem had bronze oxen that supported the "molten sea", which provided water for the priests. The altar linked God's provision of sustaining grace with humanity's expression of thanksgiving.
The horn of the altar also hints at the idea that the God of Israel and Judah fed his people with horned animals, providing them with meat, hides, sinew, wool, and milk, which were all key necessities of life at the time. In return, the people offered him the sacrifice of horned animals as a sign of their gratitude and loyalty.
The horns of the altar were also linked to God's provision of earthly sustenance in that they served as a refuge for fugitives. Adonijah, for example, sought refuge by clinging to the horns of the altar when Solomon became king. Those who caught hold of the horns of the altar were granted asylum.
The horns of the altar were also linked to God's provision of atonement for sin. Priests were consecrated for temple service by putting the blood of a sacrifice on the horns of the altar. This was done to remind the worshippers that they could only be acceptable before God when a blood payment was made.
The horns of the altar also ensured the security of the offering. Psalm 118:27 notes that special feast day sacrifices were bound to the horns of the altar, ensuring that the sacrifice was dedicated to the task at hand.
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The horns were used for atonement for sin
The horns of the altar, mentioned throughout the Old Testament, served as a sacred refuge and symbol of divine presence and protection. In Exodus, they were part of the consecration of priests and a place where God promised to meet His people. The altar of incense, standing in the outer chamber of the sanctuary, had four horns, which were covered with gold. These were touched with blood in the case of a sin offering for a high priest or for the whole congregation if they had sinned unwittingly.
The horns of the altar linked God's provision of sustaining grace with humanity's expression of thanksgiving. They represent a meeting point of God and human beings, heaven and earth. As with Hebrews 10, Psalm 51 recognizes that God does not want the sacrifice of sinners but the sincere offering of a faithful heart.
In Leviticus 4, different procedures are outlined for different types of people who have sinned. For a priest versed in the Divine requirements, it is not possible to sin through ignorance, whereas in the case of the other categories they have sinned through ignorance yet later discover their guilt. In the case of the priest and the whole congregation, the blood of the requisite sin offering is taken into the holy place and sprinkled seven times before the Lord, before the veil of the sanctuary. The priest then puts some of the blood upon the horns of the altar of incense before the Lord.
In Exodus 30, Aaron is instructed to make atonement on the horns of the altar once a year: "With the blood of the sin offering of atonement, he shall make atonement for it once in the year throughout your generations. It is most holy to the Lord."
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The horns provided refuge for fugitives
The horns of the altar, mentioned throughout the Old Testament, served as a sacred refuge and symbol of divine presence and protection. In the Bible, the horns of the altar provided sanctuary for those seeking mercy and protection. The altar was a holy place where God promised to meet his people.
The act of seeking refuge by grasping the horns is mentioned twice in Scripture. Adonijah and Joab sought safety by clinging to these horns in times of peril, as recounted in 1 Kings 1:50-53. Adonijah, fearing that Solomon would kill him, ran for the horns of the altar and begged for his life. Similarly, Joab fled to the horns of the altar to escape death. However, his life was not spared due to his sins.
The horns of the altar were also used for making atonement. Once a year, on the Day of Atonement, the high priest would sprinkle the blood of a bullock and a ram towards the mercy seat and then apply the blood to the horns of the altar to cleanse and sanctify it. This ritual symbolized the purification of sin and the meeting point between God and humanity, heaven and earth.
The altar of incense, specifically mentioned in Exodus 30, was constructed of acacia wood and overlaid with pure gold. It featured four horns, one at each corner, that were also covered in gold. The horns of this altar, like others, held symbolic significance. In the Bible, horns represent power and strength. For instance, in Daniel's dream, the last beast with ten horns represented kings and their power and authority.
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The horns were used to secure the offering
The horns of the altar, mentioned throughout the Old Testament, served as a sacred refuge and symbol of divine presence and protection. The altar of incense, standing in the outer chamber of the sanctuary, had four horns, which were covered with gold. The horns were used to secure the offering.
Psalm 118:27 notes that special feast day sacrifices were bound to the horns of the altar. This ensured that the sacrifice wasn't going anywhere. The animal was dedicated to the task at hand and was as good as offered at this point. The horns were the most sacred part of the altar. In the case of the bronze altar of burnt offering, the blood of the sin offering was applied to the horns. Similarly, Aaron the High Priest was to make atonement on the horns of the golden altar once per year.
The altar of incense was cleansed and hallowed for another year from "the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions in all their sins" (Lev. 16:16). Incense ascending past the horns of this altar assured that intercession and worship were accepted in all the value of the blood applied. The horns of the altar linked God's provision of sustaining grace with humanity's expression of thanksgiving. They represent a meeting point of God and human beings, heaven and earth.
In Exodus, the horns were part of the consecration of priests and a place where God promised to meet His people. Adonijah and Joab sought safety by clinging to these horns in times of peril, although Joab was not spared because of his sin. The horns were a place where mercy was sought and divine justice awaited.
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Frequently asked questions
The horns on the altar of incense are a symbol of strength and power. The altar has four horns, one at each corner, made of pure gold.
The number four in Hebrew is associated with the earth. The four horns and four sides of the altar represent a place of intercession for every believer worldwide.
The horns were used in various rituals. For instance, during the consecration of Aaron and his sons, the horns were touched with sacrificial blood. The horns also provided refuge for fugitives.
The horns symbolise the meeting point of God and humanity, heaven and earth. The horns of the altar linked God's provision of earthly sustenance with humanity's expression of gratitude.
