The meaning of “מִזְבֵּחַ”
Understanding mizbêach reveals the original theological depth often simplified in translation.
altar. - an altar 1) altar
מִזְבֵּחַ
altar. - an altar 1) altar
Occurrences in the Bible
| Reference | Text | |
|---|---|---|
| Genesis 22:9 | “And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood.” Word: מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbêach) | |
| Joshua 22:19 | “Notwithstanding, if the land of your possession be unclean, then pass ye over unto the land of the possession of the Lord, wherein the Lord’s tabernacle dwelleth, and take possession among us: but rebel not against the Lord, nor rebel against us, in building you an altar beside the altar of the Lord our God.” Word: מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbêach) | |
| 2 Kings 18:22 | “But if ye say unto me, We trust in the Lord our God: is not that he, whose high places and whose altars Hezekiah hath taken away, and hath said to Judah and Jerusalem, Ye shall worship before this altar in Jerusalem?” Word: מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbêach) | |
| Psalms 51:19 | “Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar. ” Word: מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbêach) | |
| Hosea 10:2 | “Their heart is divided; now shall they be found faulty: he shall break down their altars, he shall spoil their images.” Word: מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbêach) |
Usage Statistics
Related Words
Cross-referenced Strong's numbers with semantic or etymological connections.
Theological Word Study: Altar
Old Testament Usage
Meaning: Altar, place of sacrifice
The Hebrew mizbeach (מִזְבֵּחַ) means altar—from the root 'to slaughter.' Altars were places where sacrifices were offered to God, pointing forward to Christ's ultimate sacrifice.
New Testament Usage
Meaning: Altar
The Greek thusiastērion (θυσιαστήριον) denotes an altar for sacrifice. Hebrews 13:10 declares 'We have an altar' from which temple priests cannot eat—referring to Christ's sacrifice outside the camp.