2 Chronicles 4:1

KJV

¶ Moreover he made an altar of brass, twenty cubits the length thereof, and twenty cubits the breadth thereof, and ten cubits the height thereof.

KJV (with Strong's)

Moreover he made {H6213} an altar {H4196} of brass {H5178}, twenty {H6242} cubits {H520} the length {H753} thereof, and twenty {H6242} cubits {H520} the breadth {H7341} thereof, and ten {H6235} cubits {H520} the height {H6967} thereof.

Complete Jewish Bible

He made an altar of bronze thirty-five feet long, thirty-five feet wide and seventeen-and-a-half feet high.

Berean Standard Bible

He made a bronze altar twenty cubits long, twenty cubits wide, and ten cubits high.

American Standard Version

Moreover he made an altar of brass, twenty cubits the length thereof, and twenty cubits the breadth thereof, and ten cubits the height thereof.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Chronicles 4:1 meticulously describes the construction of the grand bronze altar for Solomon's Temple, specifying its impressive dimensions: twenty cubits in length, twenty cubits in breadth, and ten cubits in height. This colossal structure, positioned prominently in the Temple courtyard, was the central and indispensable feature for all sacrificial offerings, underscoring its vital role in Israelite worship and the atonement system.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a detailed architectural and furnishing description of Solomon's newly completed Temple. Following the account of the two massive bronze pillars, Jachin and Boaz, which stood at the Temple's entrance ([2 Chronicles 3:15-17](/2_chronicles/3-15 "2 Chronicles 3:15-17 - The Bronze Pillars")), the Chronicler shifts focus to the primary implements within the Temple courtyard. The altar's description immediately precedes that of the "molten sea" ([2 Chronicles 4:2](/2_chronicles/4-2 "2 Chronicles 4:2 - The Molten Sea")), the lavers, and other vessels, indicating a logical progression from the building's exterior features to its essential cultic instruments. The Chronicler's emphasis on these details highlights the Temple's functionality as a place of worship and sacrifice, central to Israel's covenant relationship with God.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Solomon's reign (c. 970-931 BC) marked a period of unprecedented peace, prosperity, and architectural achievement in ancient Israel. The construction of the Temple in Jerusalem was the crowning achievement of his reign, fulfilling David's desire to build a permanent dwelling place for the Ark of the Covenant and the Lord's presence. The bronze altar, known as the altar of burnt offering, was a direct descendant of the smaller bronze altar of the Tabernacle ([Exodus 27:1-8](/exodus/27-1 "Exodus 27:1-8 - The Bronze Altar of the Tabernacle")), but its vastly increased size reflected the grandeur of the permanent Temple and the anticipated scale of national worship. Sacrifices were the core of Israelite worship, serving as the divinely appointed means for atonement, purification, and communion with God, making the altar the most frequently used and symbolically potent object in the Temple courtyard.

* **Key Themes:** The construction of this immense altar underscores several key themes woven throughout 2 Chronicles and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Worship and Sacrifice**, emphasizing the centrality of offerings for maintaining Israel's covenant relationship with God and providing a means of atonement for sin. Secondly, the sheer scale of the altar, far exceeding that of the Tabernacle, speaks to the **Divine Grandeur and Majesty** of God, whose dwelling place required such magnificent and substantial furnishings. It also reflects the **Continuity and Development** of Israelite worship, transitioning from the portable sanctuary to a permanent, glorious edifice. Finally, the meticulous detail given to the altar's dimensions points to the theme of **Obedience to Divine Instruction** and the importance of proper, prescribed worship, a recurring emphasis in the Chronicler's theology, echoing the divine patterns given for the Tabernacle in [Exodus 25](/exodus/25 "Exodus 25 - Instructions for the Tabernacle").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Altar (Hebrew, _mizbeach'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to slaughter" or "to sacrifice," this term specifically denotes a place for offering sacrifices, particularly burnt offerings. In the context of the Temple, it was the primary point of access for the people to bring their offerings before God, symbolizing atonement, consecration, and communion. Its very name encapsulates its fundamental purpose in Israelite worship.
* **Brass (Hebrew, _nechoshet'_):** While often translated as "brass," the term more accurately refers to "bronze," an alloy of copper and tin. Bronze was a durable, heat-resistant metal, making it ideal for an altar that would constantly be exposed to fire. The use of bronze also carried symbolic weight, often associated with divine judgment, purification by fire, and strength, fitting for an object that facilitated the removal of sin through sacrifice.
* **Cubit (Hebrew, _ammah'_):** This was a standard ancient unit of linear measurement, typically the length from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger, varying slightly but generally around 18-21 inches (45-53 cm). The precise mention of "twenty cubits" and "ten cubits" underscores the exactness of the divine specifications or the meticulousness of Solomon's adherence to a grand design, emphasizing the deliberate and substantial nature of the structure.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Moreover he made an altar of brass":** This opening phrase attributes the construction directly to Solomon ("he made"), highlighting his role in fulfilling the vision for the Temple. The material, "brass" (bronze), immediately conveys the altar's durability, strength, and suitability for its fiery purpose, setting it apart as a permanent and robust fixture.
* **"twenty cubits the length thereof, and twenty cubits the breadth thereof":** These dimensions establish the altar's square base, indicating a massive footprint. At approximately 30 feet by 30 feet (assuming an 18-inch cubit), this base was significantly larger than the Tabernacle altar's 7.5 feet by 7.5 feet ([Exodus 27:1](/exodus/27-1 "Exodus 27:1 - Dimensions of the Tabernacle Altar")), signifying a vastly expanded capacity for offerings and a grander scale appropriate for a permanent national sanctuary.
* **"and ten cubits the height thereof":** This final dimension specifies the altar's considerable height, roughly 15 feet. Such an imposing height would have made the altar a prominent and visible feature in the Temple courtyard, towering over worshippers and emphasizing its central and elevated role in the sacrificial system. It would have required ramps, rather than steps, for the priests to ascend, in accordance with Mosaic law ([Exodus 20:26](/exodus/20-26 "Exodus 20:26 - No Steps to the Altar")).

#### Literary Devices
The Chronicler employs several literary devices to convey the significance of the bronze altar. **Symbolism** is paramount, as the altar itself symbolizes the means of atonement, the place of divine encounter, and the seriousness of sin requiring sacrifice. The material, bronze, further symbolizes durability, purification through fire, and divine judgment. The detailed enumeration of the altar's colossal dimensions (twenty by twenty by ten cubits) serves as a form of **Emphasis through Scale**, highlighting the grandeur of God, the importance of the Temple, and the vastness of the provision for sin. This immense size also creates an implicit **Contrast** with the much smaller altar of the Tabernacle, underscoring the shift from a portable, temporary sanctuary to a permanent, magnificent one. The precise, almost formulaic, repetition of the dimensions reinforces the idea of meticulous construction and adherence to a divinely ordained pattern.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The bronze altar in 2 Chronicles 4:1 stands as a powerful theological symbol, central to the Old Covenant's system of worship and atonement. Its immense size not only reflects the majesty of God but also the profound seriousness of human sin, which required such a substantial and continuous outpouring of sacrificial blood for propitiation. The altar was the place where the life of the offering was given in exchange for the life of the sinner, a tangible representation of God's provision for reconciliation. It taught Israel that access to a holy God was only possible through a divinely appointed sacrifice, a principle foundational to their understanding of sin, holiness, and divine mercy. This physical structure, therefore, embodies the core Old Testament truth that "the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one's life" ([Leviticus 17:11](/leviticus/17-11 "Leviticus 17:11 - The Life is in the Blood")).

* [Leviticus 17:11](/leviticus/17-11 "Leviticus 17:11 - The Life is in the Blood")
* [Hebrews 9:22](/hebrews/9-22 "Hebrews 9:22 - Without Shedding of Blood")
* [Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Living Sacrifices")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The ancient bronze altar, with its imposing presence and singular purpose, serves as a profound reminder for believers today about the nature of God, the gravity of sin, and the pathway to reconciliation. While we no longer offer animal sacrifices, the principles embodied by the altar remain eternally relevant. Its immense size should impress upon us the vastness of God's holiness and the infinite cost required to bridge the chasm of sin. It challenges us to approach God not casually, but with reverence, humility, and a deep appreciation for the sacrifice that has been made on our behalf. Our worship, prayers, and service should be offered with intentionality, recognizing the immense spiritual reality behind our communion with the living God. The altar calls us to a life of consecrated devotion, where our entire being is presented as a "living sacrifice" in response to God's ultimate provision.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the immense size and central placement of the bronze altar inform our understanding of God's holiness and the seriousness of sin?**
* **In what ways does the concept of "sacrifice" continue to be relevant in our Christian walk, even without a physical altar?**
* **How can the meticulous detail given to the Temple's construction, including the altar, challenge us to be more intentional and reverent in our personal and corporate worship today?**

### FAQ
**Why was the altar in Solomon's Temple so much larger than the one in the Tabernacle?**

Answer: The significant increase in size from the Tabernacle's altar (approximately 7.5 x 7.5 x 4.5 feet) to Solomon's Temple altar (30 x 30 x 15 feet) was primarily due to the shift from a portable, wilderness sanctuary to a permanent, national worship center. The larger altar was necessary to accommodate the vast number of sacrifices offered, especially during major festivals when the entire nation would gather. This scale reflected the grandeur of God and the expanded scope of Israel's worship, symbolizing the immense provision for atonement for a numerous people. It also visually emphasized the central importance of sacrifice in the Temple's function, a focal point for all who approached [the house of the Lord](/1_kings/8 "1 Kings 8 - Dedication of the Temple").

**What was "brass" in this biblical context, and why was it chosen for the altar?**

Answer: In ancient biblical texts, the Hebrew word _nechoshet_ (translated as "brass" in the KJV) almost always refers to "bronze," an alloy of copper and tin, not modern brass (an alloy of copper and zinc). Bronze was a common and highly valued metal in the ancient Near East, known for its strength, durability, and resistance to high temperatures. These properties made it an ideal material for the altar of burnt offering, which would constantly endure intense heat from the sacrificial fires. Symbolically, bronze was also associated with judgment and purification by fire, fitting for an object central to the atonement process.

**How did the priests access the top of such a high altar to perform sacrifices?**

Answer: While the Bible doesn't explicitly state how priests ascended the Temple altar, it is widely understood from rabbinic tradition and archaeological parallels that they would have used a ramp. Mosaic law explicitly forbade the use of steps for altars, stating, "You must not build my altar with steps, so that your nakedness will not be exposed on it" ([Exodus 20:26](/exodus/20-26 "Exodus 20:26 - No Steps to the Altar")). A ramp would have allowed the priests to ascend to the top of the 15-foot high altar while maintaining modesty and dignity, ensuring that the sacred rituals were performed according to divine prescription.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The bronze altar of Solomon's Temple, with its immense size and central role in Israel's worship, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. This physical structure, where the blood of animals was shed for the temporary covering of sins, was a powerful type pointing to the once-for-all, perfect sacrifice of the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Just as the altar was the sole means of atonement in the Old Covenant, so too is Christ the exclusive means of reconciliation with God in the New. His body, broken on the cross, serves as the ultimate altar, and His shed blood, "without blemish or defect" ([1 Peter 1:19](/1_peter/1-19 "1 Peter 1:19 - Redeemed by Precious Blood")), provides complete and eternal forgiveness for all who believe. The sacrifices offered on the bronze altar were imperfect and had to be repeated daily and yearly, but Christ's sacrifice was "once for all" ([Hebrews 7:27](/hebrews/7-27 "Hebrews 7:27 - Christ's Once-for-All Sacrifice")), rendering the physical Temple altar obsolete. Now, through Him, we have direct access to God's presence, not through the blood of bulls and goats, but through the precious blood of Jesus, our perfect High Priest and eternal sacrifice ([Hebrews 10:19-20](/hebrews/10-19 "Hebrews 10:19-20 - Access Through Christ's Blood")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Kings 8:64

The same day did the king hallow the middle of the court that [was] before the house of the LORD: for there he offered burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings: because the brasen altar that [was] before the LORD [was] too little to receive the burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings.

Ezekiel 43:13

¶ And these [are] the measures of the altar after the cubits: The cubit [is] a cubit and an hand breadth; even the bottom [shall be] a cubit, and the breadth a cubit, and the border thereof by the edge thereof round about [shall be] a span: and this [shall be] the higher place of the altar.

Ezekiel 43:17

And the settle [shall be] fourteen [cubits] long and fourteen broad in the four squares thereof; and the border about it [shall be] half a cubit; and the bottom thereof [shall be] a cubit about; and his stairs shall look toward the east.

1 Kings 8:22

¶ And Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven:

2 Chronicles 1:5

Moreover the brasen altar, that Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, had made, he put before the tabernacle of the LORD: and Solomon and the congregation sought unto it.

1 Kings 9:25

And three times in a year did Solomon offer burnt offerings and peace offerings upon the altar which he built unto the LORD, and he burnt incense upon the altar that [was] before the LORD. So he finished the house.

Exodus 27:1

¶ And thou shalt make an altar [of] shittim wood, five cubits long, and five cubits broad; the altar shall be foursquare: and the height thereof [shall be] three cubits.