Exodus 20:25
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Exodus 20:25
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.
Chapter Context
Exodus 20 is a legal covenant chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of redemption, mercy, obedience. Written during the Egyptian bondage and wilderness wandering (c. 1446-1406 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Egypt was the dominant superpower with a complex polytheistic religion and a god-king pharaoh.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-26: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it presents the Decalogue (Ten Commandments) as the cornerstone of biblical law. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Exodus and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Exodus 20:25
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.
Analysis
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.
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.
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?
Word Studies
- Altar: מִזְבֵּחַ (Mizbeach) H4196 - Altar, place of sacrifice
Cross-References
- Sacrifice: Joshua 8:31