Exodus 20:25

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.

And if thou wilt make {H6213} me an altar {H4196} of stone {H68}, thou shalt not build {H1129} it of hewn stone {H1496}: for if thou lift up {H5130} thy tool {H2719} upon it, thou hast polluted {H2490} it.

If you do make me an altar of stone, you are not to build it of cut stones; for if you use a tool on it, you profane it.

Now if you make an altar of stones for Me, you must not build it with stones shaped by tools; for if you use a chisel on it, you will defile it.

And if thou make me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stones; for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it.

Commentary

Exodus 20:25 is a specific instruction regarding the construction of altars for worship, given immediately after the Ten Commandments and the broader principles for worship. This verse states, "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." It emphasizes purity, simplicity, and the sanctity of divine worship.

Context

This command follows the foundational laws given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai. It is part of a series of instructions concerning the proper way to approach and worship the Lord. Exodus 20:24 first permits an altar of earth or unhewn stones, and verse 25 elaborates on the stone altar, strictly prohibiting the use of tools to shape the stones. This instruction contrasts sharply with the elaborate, often carved, altars used in pagan religions of the time, which frequently featured human artistry and imagery.

Key Themes

  • Purity and Simplicity in Worship: The core message is that God desires worship that is unadulterated by human effort, pride, or embellishment. The natural, unhewn stone symbolized a pure and unadorned approach to God, relying solely on His instruction rather than human ingenuity.
  • Avoidance of Human Pride: By forbidding the use of tools to shape the stones, God minimized human involvement in the altar's construction. This prevented the worshiper from taking pride in their craftsmanship or artistic skill, ensuring that the focus remained entirely on God and His holiness.
  • Sanctity and Consecration: The act of applying a tool to the natural stone was considered to "pollute" or profane (`chalal` in Hebrew) it, rendering it unfit for sacred use. This highlights the strictness of God's standards for holy things and the sacred space of worship. Anything touched by human tools, which could introduce imperfection or human glory, was deemed impure for divine service.
  • Distinction from Idolatry: This command served to distinguish Israelite worship from the practices of surrounding nations. Pagan altars were often intricately carved and adorned with idols or symbolic figures, which were an abomination to the Lord. By commanding plain, unhewn altars, God reinforced the singularity and spiritual nature of His worship. This principle is reinforced in later commands, such as Deuteronomy 27:5-6, where the Israelites are again commanded to build an altar of unhewn stones upon entering the Promised Land.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "polluted" is chalal (Χ—ΦΈΧœΦ·Χœ), which means to profane, defile, or make common. In this context, it signifies rendering something holy as unholy or unfit for sacred use. The intervention of human tools, though seemingly harmless, was seen as an act that stripped the natural stone of its divinely ordained simplicity and therefore profaned its sacred purpose.

Practical Application

While Christians no longer build physical altars for sacrifice, the principle of Exodus 20:25 remains profoundly relevant to our approach to worship and faith. It teaches us:

  1. Humility in Worship: True worship should be characterized by humility and sincerity, not by human performance, elaborate rituals, or self-aggrandizement. Our focus should be on God's grace and His glory, not on our own efforts or achievements.
  2. Reliance on God's Design: God desires our worship to be according to His divine instructions, not our own inventions or preferences. This applies to how we approach Him, how we study His Word, and how we live our lives as acts of worship.
  3. Purity of Heart: The command against "hewn stone" can be seen as a metaphor for the heart. God seeks a heart that is not "hewn" or shaped by worldly influences, but one that is simple, natural, and fully devoted to Him, free from the defilement of human pride or self-reliance.

This verse serves as a timeless reminder that genuine worship is about drawing near to a holy God on His terms, with a spirit of reverence and simplicity, trusting in His provision rather than human ingenuity.

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Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 27:5

    And there shalt thou build an altar unto the LORD thy God, an altar of stones: thou shalt not lift up [any] iron [tool] upon them.

  • Deuteronomy 27:6

    Thou shalt build the altar of the LORD thy God of whole stones: and thou shalt offer burnt offerings thereon unto the LORD thy God:

  • Joshua 8:31

    As Moses the servant of the LORD commanded the children of Israel, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses, an altar of whole stones, over which no man hath lift up [any] iron: and they offered thereon burnt offerings unto the LORD, and sacrificed peace offerings.
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