Exodus 20:25 - Printer Friendly

ESV: If you make me an altar of stone, you shall not build it of hewn stones, for if you wield your tool on it you profane it.

NIV: If you make an altar of stones for me, do not build it with dressed stones, for you will defile it if you use a tool on it.

NASB: And if you make an altar of stone for Me, you shall not build it of cut stones, for if you wield your chisel on it, you will profane it.

CSB: If you make a stone altar for me, do not build it out of cut stones. If you use your chisel on it, you will defile it.

NLT: If you use stones to build my altar, use only natural, uncut stones. Do not shape the stones with a tool, for that would make the altar unfit for holy use.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: And if you make Me an altar of stone, you shall not build it of hewn stone; for if you use your tool on it, you have profaned it.

Israelites were allowed to construct altars for sacrifice out of natural materials (Exodus 20:24). In practice, this meant dirt and stone. However, these stones could not be carved. The Lord prohibited making sculpted objects for worship (Exodus 20:3–6, 23). In parallel, sacrificial altars were not to be made by human design. Instead, they were to be made of stones kept in their natural shape. They were also to avoid being so large that they became excessive or risked exposing a worshipper (Exodus 20:26).

God will soon instruct Israel to build a single simple altar of wood and bronze for use in the tabernacle (Exodus 27:1–8). This is part of focusing Israel's corporate worship in a single place. Israel needs to know how to construct proper altars until that central location is established.

Exodus 20:22–26 records more details about God's covenant laws. The ones listed here reiterate the prohibition of idolatry and give instructions on how to create a proper altar. The Lord commands that His altars be made of earth or un-worked stones. They must be placed so they can be approached without using stairs. These requirements echo other laws emphasizing God's status as a holy Creator.

At Mount Sinai, God begins declaring the laws of His covenant with Israel. The first of these are the Ten Commandments. These establish core principles intended to guide the Lord's chosen people (Deuteronomy 7:6). Further details will come in other chapters and books. This chapter ends with specifics about altars and idols. The following chapters will address various social and civil issues (Exodus 21—23)

Centuries after being enslaved in Egypt (Exodus 1), Israel has been freed (Exodus 12). God leads the people across the Red Sea (Exodus 14) and into the wilderness of Sinai (Exodus 17—19). Here, He will give them laws which distinguish them from other nations. The first of these are the renowned Ten Commandments. The Lord will continue to provide details and statutes (Exodus 21—23) before confirming the covenant (Exodus 24) and establishing regulations for the tabernacle and priests (Exodus 25—31).

The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.

Accessed 8/21/2025 6:52:50 AM