מִזְבֵּחַ (miz.be.ach)
miz.be.ach
altar
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 305 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun mizbeach refers to an altar, a raised structure built specifically for offering sacrifices to God. Derived from the root zabach, meaning "to slaughter," the word points directly to the act of killing an animal or presenting a gift at a sacred site. It appears over three hundred times in the Old Testament, marking the central place where ancient Israelites sought to connect with the divine through ritual.
Scripture distinguishes between different types of altars based on their location and purpose. The bronze altar stood in the outer court of the tabernacle for burnt offerings, while a smaller golden altar inside the holy place held burning incense. Patriarchs like Abraham built simple stone altars to mark moments of encounter, whereas later kings constructed elaborate ones within Solomon’s temple.
Translators consistently render this word as "altar," preserving its specific function in religious history. The term carries significant theological weight, representing the designated meeting point between heaven and earth where atonement was made.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word mizbeach points to a place where heaven meets earth. In ancient Israel, this was not just a stone structure but the designated spot for offering sacrifices and seeking God’s presence. When you read about patriarchs building altars, it shows a desire to pause, worship, and acknowledge God’s promises in their daily lives.
For your faith today, this reminds us that connection with God requires intentionality. Just as Noah built an altar after the flood or Abraham called on the Lord’s name at his altars, we are invited to create spaces in our hearts for prayer and gratitude. It is a tangible way to express dependence on God’s provision and grace.
While the specific rituals have changed, the heart behind the altar remains relevant. It represents a place of encounter, where burdens are laid down and blessings are received. This ancient practice invites us to approach God with reverence, knowing He meets us there in faithfulness.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 305 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ altar136×
- [the] altar of60×
- an altar38×
- the/ altar/ towards32×
- altars14×
- the/ altars11×
- altars/ their8×
- altar/ my8×
- on the/ altar5×
- an altar of5×
- altar/ your4×
- and/ [the] altar of3×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַ/מִּזְבֵּ֖חַ32×
- מִזְבַּ֣ח27×
- הַ/מִּזְבֵּ֑חַ21×
- הַ/מִּזְבֵּֽחַ\׃20×
- הַ/מִּזְבֵּ֔חַ20×
- הַ/מִּזְבֵּ֙חַ֙17×
- מִזְבַּ֥ח16×
- הַ/מִּזְבֵּ֔חָ/ה13×
- מִזְבֵּ֖חַ12×
- מִזְבֵּ֔חַ12×
- מִזְבַּ֤ח9×
- הַ/מִּזְבֵּ֑חָ/ה9×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 8:20
Noah built an altar to Yahweh, and took of every clean animal, and of every clean bird, and offered burnt offerings on the altar.
Noah’s altar marks a new beginning after judgment, showing worship as a response to God’s salvation.
-
Genesis 12:7
Yahweh appeared to Abram and said, “I will give this land to your offspring.” He built an altar there to Yahweh, who had appeared to him.
Abraham builds an altar immediately after God promises the land, linking worship with trust in divine promise.
-
Exodus 20:24
You shall make an altar of earth for me, and shall sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and your peace offerings, your sheep and your cattle. In every place where I record my name I will come to you and I will bless you.
God commands simple earthen altars, emphasizing that His presence is found where He records His name, not in elaborate human craftsmanship.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does mizbeach mean in the Bible?
Why did ancient Israelites build altars?
How is mizbeach different from other Hebrew words for sacrifice?
Every Occurrence (305 verses across 23 books)
Genesis 11 verses
Noah built an altar to Yahweh, and took of every clean animal, and of every clean bird, and offered burnt offerings on…
Genesis 12:7Yahweh appeared to Abram and said, “I will give this land to your offspring.” He built an altar there to Yahweh, who…
Genesis 12:8He left from there to go to the mountain on the east of Bethel and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and Ai…
Genesis 13:4to the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first. There Abram called on Yahweh’s name.
Genesis 13:18Abram moved his tent, and came and lived by the oaks of Mamre, which are in Hebron, and built an altar there to Yahweh.
Genesis 22:9They came to the place which God had told him of. Abraham built the altar there, and laid the wood in order, bound…
Genesis 26:25He built an altar there, and called on Yahweh’s name, and pitched his tent there. There Isaac’s servants dug a well.
Genesis 33:20He erected an altar there, and called it El Elohe Israel.
Genesis 35:1God said to Jacob, “Arise, go up to Bethel, and live there. Make there an altar to God, who appeared to you when you…
Genesis 35:3Let’s arise, and go up to Bethel. I will make there an altar to God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was…
Genesis 35:7He built an altar there, and called the place El Beth El; because there God was revealed to him, when he fled from the…