Deuteronomy 27:6
Thou shalt build the altar of the LORD thy God of whole stones: and thou shalt offer burnt offerings thereon unto the LORD thy God:
Original Language Analysis
שְׁלֵמוֹת֙
of whole
H8003
שְׁלֵמוֹת֙
of whole
Strong's:
H8003
Word #:
2 of 12
complete (literally or figuratively); especially friendly
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 12
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
לַֽיהוָ֖ה
of the LORD
H3068
לַֽיהוָ֖ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
6 of 12
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶֽיךָ׃
thy God
H430
אֱלֹהֶֽיךָ׃
thy God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
7 of 12
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
וְהַֽעֲלִ֤יתָ
and thou shalt offer
H5927
וְהַֽעֲלִ֤יתָ
and thou shalt offer
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
8 of 12
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
עָלָיו֙
H5921
עָלָיו֙
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
9 of 12
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
עוֹלֹ֔ת
burnt offerings
H5930
עוֹלֹ֔ת
burnt offerings
Strong's:
H5930
Word #:
10 of 12
a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)
Historical Context
Burnt offerings ('olah - that which ascends) were entirely consumed on the altar with nothing reserved for human consumption. This represented complete dedication and atonement for sin.
The Mount Ebal altar would be the first altar in the Promised Land, making it foundational for Israel's worship in their new home.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the requirement for 'whole' unhewn stones teach about foundations for worship?
- How does the altar belonging to God shape how it must be constructed?
- What does the burnt offering symbolize about complete consecration to God?
- How does Christ as burnt offering fulfill the type of complete self-giving?
- Why must worship foundations be unaltered by human manipulation?
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Analysis & Commentary
Thou shalt build the altar of the LORD thy God of whole stones: and thou shalt offer burnt offerings thereon unto the LORD thy God. Whole stones reinforces the unhewn requirement - the stones must be complete and unaltered. Fragmented or modified stones are inappropriate for God's altar, teaching that human brokenness and manipulation cannot serve as foundation for worship.
The designation altar of the LORD thy God emphasizes ownership - this is God's altar built according to His specifications. Though Israel constructs it, the altar belongs to God and must conform to His design, not human preferences.
The purpose offer burnt offerings thereon indicates this altar serves sacrificial worship. Burnt offerings represented complete consecration - the entire animal consumed by fire, symbolizing total dedication to God. The unhewn altar hosts offerings of complete surrender.
Reformed theology sees the burnt offering as type of Christ's complete self-offering. He gave Himself wholly to God in perfect obedience, providing the complete consecration we cannot achieve.