Original Word: מִזְבֵּחַ
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: mizbeach
Pronunciation: miz-BAY-akh
Phonetic Spelling: (miz-bay'-akh)
Definition: Altar
Meaning: an altar

Word Origin: From the root זָבַח (zabach), meaning "to sacrifice" or "to slaughter."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: - G2379 θυσιαστήριον (thysiastērion) - altar

Usage: The term "mizbeach" refers to an altar, a structure upon which offerings or sacrifices are made to God. In the Hebrew Bible, altars are central to worship and are used for burnt offerings, peace offerings, sin offerings, and other sacrifices. They serve as a place of communion between God and His people, symbolizing atonement, thanksgiving, and dedication.

Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Israelite culture, altars were integral to religious life and worship. They were typically made of earth or uncut stones, as instructed in Exodus 20:24-25. The most significant altars were located in the Tabernacle and later in the Temple in Jerusalem. The altar of burnt offering was placed in the courtyard, while the altar of incense was inside the Holy Place. Altars were also erected by patriarchs like Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as they encountered God and sought to honor Him.

Word Origin
from zabach
Definition
an altar
NASB Translation
altar (349), altars (52).

מִזְבֵּחַ₄₀₁ noun masculine^{Joshua 22:10} altar (Arabic , place of slaughter, trench made by torrent, Sabean מדֿבח DHM^{Epigr. Denkm. 24}); ׳מ absolute 2 Kings 18:22 223t., הַמִּזְבֵּ֑חָה Exodus 29:13 31t.; construct מִזְבַּח Exodus 20:24 76t., suffix מִזְבְּחִי Exodus 20:26 7t., מִזְבַּחֲךָ 1 Kings 8:31 3t.,מִזְבְּחֶ֑ךָ Deuteronomy 33:10; מִזְבְּחוֺ Judges 6:31 2t.; plural מִזְבְּחֹת Numbers 23:1 5t., מִזְבְּחוֺת 2 Kings 21:3 23t., suffix מִזְבְּחוֺתֶיךָ Psalm 84:4, other suffixes 21 t.; —

1 J E narrate that altars were built by Noah after leaving the ark Genesis 8:20; by Abraham at Shechem Genesis 12:7, Bethel Genesis 12:8, Hebron Genesis 13:18, mountain in land Moriah Genesis 22:9; by Issac at Beersheba Genesis 26:25; by Jacob at Shechem Genesis 33:20 (yet this perhaps mistake for מַצֵּבָה, being object of וַיַּצֶּבשָֿׁם, not elsewhere with מזבח, compare also Di), at Bethel Genesis 35:7, by Moses at Rephidim Exodus 17:15, Horeb Exodus 24:4, by Balak at Bamoth Baal, Pisgah, & Peor Numbers 23:1,14,29; by Joshua on Mt. Ebal Joshua 8:30: the prophetic histories narrate that altars were built by Gideon at Ophra Judges 6:24; by a man of God at Bethel Judges 21:4; by Samuel at Ramah 1 Samuel 7:17; by Saul after Michmash 1 Samuel 14:35; by David on the threshing floor of Ornan 2 Samuel 24:25 = 1 Chronicles 21:18; 1 Chronicles 22:1; that Solomon sacrificed on the altar at Gibeon 1 Kings 3:4 and built altars in the temple at Jerusalem 1 Kings 6:20; 1 Kings 8:64; that Jeroboam built an altar at Bethel 1 Kings 12:32 (which was destroyed by Josiah 2 Kings 23:15); and that Elijah repaired an ancient altar on Carmel 1 Kings 18:30. An altar in Egypt is predicted Isaiah 19:19. All this accords with the law of the Covenant code Exodus 20:24-26 which recognises a plurality of altars and prescribes that they shall be built of אֲדָמָה, or of unhewn stones, and without steps. So אֲבָנִים Deuteronomy 27:6 (JE), אֲבָנִים שְׁלֵמוֺת Joshua 8:31, and twelve stones 1 Kings 18:30,32; compare Isaiah 27:9. The altar was also a place of refuge Exodus 21:24 (JE) 1 Kings 1:50,51; 1 Kings 2:28.

2 D prescribes one central altar Deuteronomy 12:5f. 27; but no attempt to enforce this principle appears before Hezekiah(2Kings 18:4,22), and Josiah, whose reform is more effectual, 2 Kings 23:8-20.

3 P limits sacrifices to the altars of the tabernacle. A great altar was built east of the Jordan, but it was according to P only as an עֵד after the pattern of the altar before the Tabernacle Joshua 22:10-34. P describes two altars:

a. the מִזְבַּח הָעֹלָה Exodus 30:28; Exodus 31:9; Exodus 35:16; Exodus 38:1; Exodus 40:6,10,29; Leviticus 4:7,10,25 (twice in verse); Leviticus 4:30,34 = הַנְּחשֶׁת ׳מ Exodus 38:30; Exodus 39:39, made of acacia wood plated with brass, 5*5*3 cubits in size, with four horns and a network of brass, on which all sacrifices by fire were made Exodus 27:1; Exodus 8; Exodus 38:1-7;

b. מִקְטַר קְטֹרֶת ׳מ made of acacia wood plated with gold, 1*1*2 cubits in size, with four horns and a crown of gold Exodus 30:1-6 = הקטרת ׳מ Exodus 30:27; Exodus 31:8; Exodus 35:15; Exodus 37:25 = הזהב ׳מ Exodus 39:38; Exodus 40:5,26; Numbers 4:11 = קטרת הַסַּמִּים ׳מ Leviticus 4:7; these altars are named elsewhere only in Chronicles: 1 Chronicles 6:34; 1 Chronicles 16:40; 1 Chronicles 21:29; 2Chronicles 1:5,6.

4 Solomon made two altars for the temple at Jerusalem:

a. הַנְּחשֶׁת ׳מ for the court 1 Kings 8:64 (which was laid aside by Ahaz 2 Kings 16:14,15, who made an altar after the model of one he saw in Damascus 2 Kings 16:11); in 2 Kings 16:14 ׳הַמִּזְבַּח הַנּ (construct form with article) is erroneous, read probably מִזְבַּח compare Ges^{§ 127}. 4 a near the end; this altar, according to Chronicles, measured 20*20*10 cubits 2 Chronicles 4:1; this מזבח (ה)נחשׁת also 2 Chronicles 7:7 & Ezekiel 9:2; = העולה ׳מ2Chronicles 29:18, repaired by Asa 2 Chronicles 15:8;

b. an altar of cedar, plated with gold, in the temple before the דְּבִיר 1 Kings 6:20,22; 1 Kings 7:48; = הזהב ׳מ2Chronicles 4:19; = הַקְּטֹרֶת ׳מ 1 Chronicles 28:18; 2Chronicles 26:16.

5 Ezekiel plans two altars for the new temple:

a. a table of wood 3*2 cubits Ezekiel 41:22;

b. an altar for the court, probably same dimensions as 4a, with stairs Ezekiel 43:13-17.

6 after the return Jeshua built an altar on the ancient site in the court of the temple Ezra 3:2.

7 besides these altars used in the worship of Yahweh, Ahab built an altar to Baal in Samaria 1 Kings 16:32; Ahaz made an altar on the roof of the upper chamber, and other kings of Judah made altars in the two courts, all of which were destroyed by Josiah 2 Kings 23:12.

8 the ancient and most common term for making altars was בָּנָה Genesis 35:7 (E) Genesis 8:20 (J) Deuteronomy 27:5,6; Exodus 32:5 (JE) +, implying building material; other verbs are הֵקִים 2 Samuel 24:18; 1 Kings 16:32; 2 Kings 21:3; 1 Chronicles 21:18; 2Chronicles 33:3; הֵכִין Ezra 3:3 (followed by עַלמְֿכוֺנֹתָו֯); שִׂים Jeremiah 11:13; וַיַּצֶּבֿ Genesis 33:20 (but compare

1); Numbers 23:4 (E) has עָרַךְ arrange, prepare; עָשָׂה Genesis 35:1,3; Exodus 20:24 (E) Genesis 13:4 (J) Judg 22:28; 1 Kings 12:33; 1 Kings 18:26; this becomes usual in P, Exodus 27:1; Exodus 30:1; Exodus 37:25; Exodus 38:1,30, Songs 2 Chronicles 4:1,19; 7:7; 28:24.

9 the dedication of the altar was חֲנֻכַּת המזבח Numbers 7:10,11,84,88; 2Chronicles 7:9; it was anointed with oil מָשַׁח Exodus 40:10; Leviticus 8:11; Numbers 7:10 (all P).

10 removal of unlawful altars is expressed by נָתַץ Exodus 34:13 (JE) Deuteronomy 7:5; Judges 2:2; Judges 6:30,31,32; 2 Kings 11:18; 2 Kings 23:12,15; נִתַּץ (Pi) Deuteronomy 12:3; 2Chronicles 31:1; 34:4,7; נֻתַּץ Judges 6:28; הָרַס Judges 6:25; 1 Kings 19:10,14; שִׁבַּר2Chronicles 23:17>; הֵסִיר 2 Kings 18:22 = Isaiah 36:7; 2Chron 14:2; 2 Chronicles 30:14; 32:12; 33:15.

11 ministry at the altar was ׳מִשְׁמֶרֶת הַמּ Numbers 18:5; Ezekiel 40:46, compare Numbers 3:31 (P), ׳מְשָֽׁרְתֵי מ Joel 1:13; עָמַד עַל is said of officiating priest 1 Kings 13:1, עָלָה עַל Exodus 20:26; 1 Samuel 2:28; 1 Kings 12:33 + (compare יָרַד Leviticus 9:22); sacrifices were usually offered עַלהַֿמִּזְבֵּחַ Genesis 22:9; Deuteronomy 12:27 +; see especially the phrases with זָרַק Exodus 29:16,20 + (see זרק); הִקְטִיר Leviticus 4:10 (see קטר Hiph`il); הֶעֱלָה Leviticus 6:3 + (see עלה

Hiph`il) לְבַעֵר Nehemiah 10:35; but בַּמִּזְבֵּחַ Genesis 8:20 (J) Numbers 23:2,4,14,30 (E); one touching the altar is ׳הַנֹּגֵעַ בַּמּ Exodus 29:37 (P); ׳לפני המ of placing, or standing before altar Deuteronomy 26:4; 1 Kings 8:22; as

accusative of location הַמִּזְבֵּ֫חָה in phrases especially with הִקְטִיר Exodus 29:13 +, and הֶעֱלָה Leviticus 14:20.

12 the horns of the altar were especially for the application of the blood of the sin-offering in the ritual; sin is represented as graven לְקַרְנוֺת מִזְבְּחוֺתֵיכֶם Jeremiah 17:1; therefore of blood for cleansing it was said ׳נָתַן על קרנות המ Exodus 29:12; Leviticus 4:7,18,25,30,34; Leviticus 8:15; Leviticus 9:9; Leviticus 16:18 (all P). An ancient custom is referred to, Psalm 118:27 אִסְרוחַֿג בַּעֲבֹתִ֑ים עַדקֿרנות המזבח bind the festal victim with cords, unto the horns of the altar: Ainsworth paraphrases: 'that is, all the court over, untill you come even to the hornes of the altar, intending hereby many sacrifices,' so De; but Che 'bind the procession with branches, (step on) to the altar-horns,' that is in sacred procession round the altar.

13 the יְסוֺד (q. v.) is also referred to in the ritual of the sin-offerings in the phrases יָצַק אל יסוד Leviticus 8:15; Leviticus 9:9 & שָׁפַךְ אל יסוד Exodus 29:12; Leviticus 4:7,18,25,30,34 (all P) יִמָּצֵה אל יסוד Leviticus 5:9.

14 the altar was קֹדֶשׁ קָדָשִׁים Exodus 29:37; Exodus 40:10 (P); but repeated sin-offerings were necessary to keep it pure and cleanse it from the pollution of the people in whose midst it was situated. This is expressed by חִטֵּא Leviticus 8:15 (P) Ezekiel 43:22; כִּמֶּר Leviticus 16:20,33 (P) Ezekiel 43:26; קִדַּשׁ Exodus 29:44; Exodus 40:10; Leviticus 8:15; Numbers 7:1 (P); טִהַר2Chronicles 29:18.

זַבַּי see below זבב.

altar

From zabach; an altar -- altar.

see HEBREW zabach

בַּמִּזְבֵּ֖חַ בַּמִּזְבֵּֽחַ׃ במזבח במזבח׃ הַֽמִּזְבְּח֑וֹת הַֽמִּזְבְּח֔וֹת הַֽמִּזְבְּח֖וֹת הַֽמִּזְבְּח֗וֹת הַֽמִּזְבְּח֡וֹת הַֽמִּזְבְּחֹ֞ת הַֽמִּזְבְּחֹת֙ הַֽמִּזְבְּחֽוֹת׃ הַֽמִּזְבְּחוֹת֙ הַֽמִּזְבֵּ֖חַ הַמִּזְבֵּ֑חַ הַמִּזְבֵּ֑חָה הַמִּזְבֵּ֔חַ הַמִּזְבֵּ֔חָה הַמִּזְבֵּ֖חַ הַמִּזְבֵּ֖חָה הַמִּזְבֵּ֗חַ הַמִּזְבֵּ֗חָה הַמִּזְבֵּ֙חַ֙ הַמִּזְבֵּ֛חַ הַמִּזְבֵּ֜חַ הַמִּזְבֵּ֡חַ הַמִּזְבֵּ֣חַ הַמִּזְבֵּ֣חַ ׀ הַמִּזְבֵּ֤חַ הַמִּזְבֵּ֥חַ הַמִּזְבֵּ֧חַ הַמִּזְבֵּֽחַ׃ הַמִּזְבֵּֽחָה׃ הַמִּזְבֵּחַ֒ הַמִּזְבֵּחַ֮ הַמִּזְבַּ֣ח הַמִּזְבַּ֥ח המזבח המזבח׃ המזבחה המזבחה׃ המזבחות המזבחות׃ המזבחת וְהַֽמִּזְבְּחֹ֔ת וְהַמִּזְבֵּ֖חַ וְהַמִּזְבֵּ֣חַ וְלַמִּזְבֵּ֔חַ וּלְמִזְבַּ֤ח וּלְמִזְבַּ֧ח וּמִזְבַּ֣ח וּמִזְבַּ֥ח וּמִזְבַּ֧ח והמזבח והמזבחת ולמזבח ומזבח לְהַמִּזְבֵּ֑חַ לְמִזְבַּ֥ח לַֽמִּזְבְּח֔וֹת לַמִּזְבֵּ֑חַ לַמִּזְבֵּ֔חַ לַמִּזְבֵּ֖חַ לַמִּזְבֵּ֙חַ֙ לַמִּזְבֵּֽחַ׃ להמזבח למזבח למזבח׃ למזבחות מִ֭זְבְּחוֹתֶיךָ מִּזְבֵּ֥חַ מִֽזְבַּחֲךָ֖ מִזְבְּח֖וֹת מִזְבְּח֛וֹת מִזְבְּח֣וֹת מִזְבְּח֣וֹתֵיכֶ֔ם מִזְבְּח֤וֹת מִזְבְּח֥וֹת מִזְבְּחִ֑י מִזְבְּחִ֔י מִזְבְּחִ֖י מִזְבְּחִ֗י מִזְבְּחִי֙ מִזְבְּחֶֽךָ׃ מִזְבְּחֹ֑ת מִזְבְּחֹ֔ת מִזְבְּחֹ֖ת מִזְבְּחֹ֜ת מִזְבְּחֹתֵיהֶ֣ם מִזְבְּחֹתֶ֣יךָ מִזְבְּחֹתָ֑יו מִזְבְּחֹתָ֔יו מִזְבְּחֹתָ֥יו מִזְבְּחֹתָם֙ מִזְבְּחֽוֹ׃ מִזְבְּחֽוֹתֵיהֶ֑ם מִזְבְּחֽוֹתֵיכֶ֗ם מִזְבְּחוֹ֙ מִזְבְּחוֹת֙ מִזְבְּחוֹתֵיהֶ֖ם מִזְבְּחוֹתֵיכֶֽם׃ מִזְבְּחוֹתָ֑ם מִזְבְּחוֹתָ֔ם מִזְבְּחוֹתָם֙ מִזְבֵּ֑חַ מִזְבֵּ֔חַ מִזְבֵּ֖חַ מִזְבֵּ֗חַ מִזְבֵּ֙חַ֙ מִזְבֵּ֜חַ מִזְבֵּ֣חַ מִזְבֵּ֥חַ מִזְבֵּ֧חַ מִזְבֵּֽחַ׃ מִזְבַּ֖ח מִזְבַּ֛ח מִזְבַּ֣ח מִזְבַּ֤ח מִזְבַּ֥ח מִזְבַּ֧ח מִזְבַּ֨ח מִזְבַּ֬ח מִזְבַּח֙ מִזְבַּחֲךָ֣ מִזְבְּחֹותָ֑ם מִזְבְּחֹתָ֤יו מִזְבּחֹתָ֗ם מזבח מזבח׃ מזבחו מזבחו׃ מזבחות מזבחותיהם מזבחותיך מזבחותיכם מזבחותיכם׃ מזבחותם מזבחי מזבחך מזבחך׃ מזבחת מזבחתיהם מזבחתיו מזבחתיך מזבחתם bam·miz·bê·aḥ bammizBeach bammizbêaḥ ham·miz·baḥ ham·miz·bê·aḥ ham·miz·bê·ḥāh ham·miz·bə·ḥō·wṯ ham·miz·bə·ḥōṯ hammizBach hammizbaḥ hammizBeach hammizbêaḥ hammizBechah hammizbeChot hammizbêḥāh hammizbəḥōṯ hammizbəḥōwṯ lam·miz·bê·aḥ lam·miz·bə·ḥō·wṯ lammizBeach lammizbêaḥ lammizbeChot lammizbəḥōwṯ lə·ham·miz·bê·aḥ lə·miz·baḥ lehammizBeach ləhammizbêaḥ lemizBach ləmizbaḥ miz·b·ḥō·ṯām miz·ba·ḥă·ḵā miz·baḥ miz·bê·aḥ miz·bə·ḥe·ḵā miz·bə·ḥî miz·bə·ḥō·ṯām miz·bə·ḥō·ṯāw miz·bə·ḥō·ṯê·hem miz·bə·ḥō·ṯe·ḵā miz·bə·ḥō·w·ṯām miz·bə·ḥō·w·ṯê·hem miz·bə·ḥō·w·ṯe·ḵā miz·bə·ḥō·w·ṯê·ḵem miz·bə·ḥō·wṯ miz·bə·ḥōṯ miz·bə·ḥōw mizBach mizbachaCha mizbaḥ mizbaḥăḵā mizbchoTam mizBeach mizbêaḥ mizbeChecha mizbeChi mizbeCho mizbeChot mizbechoTam mizbechoTav mizbechoTeicha mizbechoteiChem mizbechoteiHem mizbəḥeḵā mizbəḥî mizbəḥōṯ mizbəḥōṯām mizbəḥōṯāw mizbəḥōṯêhem mizbəḥōṯeḵā mizbəḥōw mizbəḥōwṯ mizbəḥōwṯām mizbəḥōwṯêhem mizbəḥōwṯeḵā mizbəḥōwṯêḵem mizbḥōṯām ū·lə·miz·baḥ ū·miz·baḥ ulemizBach ūləmizbaḥ umizBach ūmizbaḥ vehammizBeach vehammizbeChot velammizBeach wə·ham·miz·bê·aḥ wə·ham·miz·bə·ḥōṯ wə·lam·miz·bê·aḥ wəhammizbêaḥ wəhammizbəḥōṯ wəlammizbêaḥInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts