Exodus 20:25
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.
Original Language Analysis
וְאִם
H518
וְאִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
1 of 14
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
תַּֽעֲשֶׂה
And if thou wilt make
H6213
תַּֽעֲשֶׂה
And if thou wilt make
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
4 of 14
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
6 of 14
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
אֶתְהֶ֖ן
H853
אֶתְהֶ֖ן
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
8 of 14
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כִּ֧י
H3588
כִּ֧י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
10 of 14
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
חַרְבְּךָ֛
thy tool
H2719
חַרְבְּךָ֛
thy tool
Strong's:
H2719
Word #:
11 of 14
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
הֵנַ֥פְתָּ
for if thou lift up
H5130
הֵנַ֥פְתָּ
for if thou lift up
Strong's:
H5130
Word #:
12 of 14
to quiver (i.e., vibrate up and down, or rock to and fro); used in a great variety of applications (including sprinkling, beckoning, rubbing, bastinad
Historical Context
Joshua later builds an altar of unhewn stones as commanded (Joshua 8:30-31). Solomon's temple used cut stones but the altar foundation was unhewn. The principle emphasizes God's sufficiency—human contribution doesn't improve divine provision.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does human craftsmanship 'pollute' the altar—what does this teach about works-based religion?
- How does the command for unhewn stones illustrate salvation by grace alone, apart from human works?
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Analysis & Commentary
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.
Even stone altars must be unhewn (לֹא־תִבְנֶה אֶתְהֶן גָּזִית, lo-tivneh ethen gazit)—natural stones, untouched by human tools. Why? 'Lift up thy tool...polluted it' (הֵנַפְתָּ חַרְבְּךָ עָלֶיהָ וַתְּחַלְלֶהָ, henafta charbeka aleha vatechaleha)—human shaping defiles. The word for 'tool' is literally 'sword' (charbekha)—instruments of violence shouldn't touch God's altar. The altar receives blood for sin; adding human craftsmanship suggests we contribute to atonement. We don't. Salvation is God's work alone. Hewn stones represent human achievement; unhewn stones represent divine provision. The gospel is 'not by works of righteousness which we have done' (Titus 3:5). God provides the altar and the sacrifice.