Exodus 20:24
An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee.
Original Language Analysis
תַּֽעֲשֶׂה
thou shalt make
H6213
תַּֽעֲשֶׂה
thou shalt make
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
3 of 23
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
וְזָֽבַחְתָּ֣
unto me and shalt sacrifice
H2076
וְזָֽבַחְתָּ֣
unto me and shalt sacrifice
Strong's:
H2076
Word #:
5 of 23
to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice)
עָלָ֗יו
H5921
עָלָ֗יו
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
6 of 23
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עֹֽלֹתֶ֙יךָ֙
thereon thy burnt offerings
H5930
עֹֽלֹתֶ֙יךָ֙
thereon thy burnt offerings
Strong's:
H5930
Word #:
8 of 23
a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
שְׁלָמֶ֔יךָ
and thy peace offerings
H8002
שְׁלָמֶ֔יךָ
and thy peace offerings
Strong's:
H8002
Word #:
10 of 23
properly, requital, i.e., a (voluntary) sacrifice in thanks
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
11 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
צֹֽאנְךָ֖
thy sheep
H6629
צֹֽאנְךָ֖
thy sheep
Strong's:
H6629
Word #:
12 of 23
a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
13 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְּקָרֶ֑ךָ
and thine oxen
H1241
בְּקָרֶ֑ךָ
and thine oxen
Strong's:
H1241
Word #:
14 of 23
a beeve or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd
בְּכָל
H3605
בְּכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
15 of 23
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַמָּקוֹם֙
in all places
H4725
הַמָּקוֹם֙
in all places
Strong's:
H4725
Word #:
16 of 23
properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
17 of 23
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
אַזְכִּ֣יר
where I record
H2142
אַזְכִּ֣יר
where I record
Strong's:
H2142
Word #:
18 of 23
properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
19 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
שְׁמִ֔י
my name
H8034
שְׁמִ֔י
my name
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
20 of 23
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
Cross References
Deuteronomy 12:5But unto the place which the LORD your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put his name there, even unto his habitation shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come:2 Chronicles 6:6But I have chosen Jerusalem, that my name might be there; and have chosen David to be over my people Israel.1 Kings 9:3And the LORD said unto him, I have heard thy prayer and thy supplication, that thou hast made before me: I have hallowed this house, which thou hast built, to put my name there for ever; and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually.2 Chronicles 7:16For now have I chosen and sanctified this house, that my name may be there for ever: and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually.Deuteronomy 12:11Then there shall be a place which the LORD your God shall choose to cause his name to dwell there; thither shall ye bring all that I command you; your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, your tithes, and the heave offering of your hand, and all your choice vows which ye vow unto the LORD:Deuteronomy 16:11And thou shalt rejoice before the LORD thy God, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite that is within thy gates, and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are among you, in the place which the LORD thy God hath chosen to place his name there.Deuteronomy 26:2That thou shalt take of the first of all the fruit of the earth, which thou shalt bring of thy land that the LORD thy God giveth thee, and shalt put it in a basket, and shalt go unto the place which the LORD thy God shall choose to place his name there.2 Chronicles 12:13So king Rehoboam strengthened himself in Jerusalem, and reigned: for Rehoboam was one and forty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which the LORD had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, to put his name there. And his mother's name was Naamah an Ammonitess.Ezra 6:12And the God that hath caused his name to dwell there destroy all kings and people, that shall put to their hand to alter and to destroy this house of God which is at Jerusalem. I Darius have made a decree; let it be done with speed.1 Kings 8:29That thine eyes may be open toward this house night and day, even toward the place of which thou hast said, My name shall be there: that thou mayest hearken unto the prayer which thy servant shall make toward this place.
Historical Context
Before the tabernacle centralized worship, patriarchs built altars at divine encounter sites (Bethel, Moriah). God initially permitted multiple worship sites before centralizing at Jerusalem. Earth altars predate Solomon's ornate temple.
Questions for Reflection
- What does God's preference for simple earth altars over elaborate gold structures teach about worship?
- How does God 'coming to bless' where He records His name shape your expectations in corporate worship?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee.
God prescribes simple worship—earth altars, not elaborate structures. 'Altar of earth' (מִזְבַּח אֲדָמָה, mizbeach adamah) emphasizes humility and accessibility—earth is abundant, free, unstained by human art. The contrast with gold idols (v. 23) is deliberate. Burnt offerings (עֹלֹת, olot) ascend wholly to God; peace offerings (שְׁלָמִים, shelamim) are shared meals expressing fellowship. 'In all places where I record my name' (בְּכָל הַמָּקוֹם אֲשֶׁר אַזְכִּיר אֶת־שְׁמִי, bekhol hamaqom asher azkhir et-shemi)—God designates where He'll meet them. The promise 'I will come and bless' shows worship's purpose: encounter with God resulting in blessing.