Exodus 20:24
What does Exodus 20:24 mean?
A plain-English look at Exodus 20:24 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Exodus 20:24 means
God instructs the Israelites to build simple altars of earth for sacrifices, specifically burnt offerings and peace offerings of sheep and oxen. This simplicity ensured that worship was accessible and focused on the act of sacrifice and the God being worshipped, not on elaborate human craftsmanship. God promises His presence and blessing in every place He chooses to record His name, indicating that He would meet His people graciously in their humble acts of worship, wherever He ordained.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt-offerings, and thy peace-offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in every place where I record my name I will come unto thee and I will bless thee.
KJV
King James Version · 1611An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt-offerings, and thy peace-offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in every place where I record my name I will come unto thee and I will bless thee.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Make for me an altar of earth, offering on it your burned offerings and your peace-offerings, your sheep and your oxen: in every place where I have put the memory of my name, I will come to you and give you my blessing.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`An altar of earth thou dost make for Me, and thou hast sacrificed on it thy burnt-offerings and thy peace-offerings, thy flock and thy herd; in every place where I cause My name to be remembered I come in unto thee, and have blessed thee.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752You shall make an altar of earth unto me, and you shall offer upon it your holocausts and peace offerings, your sheep and oxen, in every place where the memory of my name shall be: I will come to thee, and will bless thee.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890An altar of earth shalt thou make unto me, and shalt sacrifice on it thy burnt-offerings, and thy peace-offerings, thy sheep and thine oxen: in all places where I shall make my name to be remembered, I will come unto thee, and bless thee.
Context
This verse transitions from the prohibition of false gods to the proper method of worshipping the true God. It provides initial instructions for constructing altars and for offering sacrifices, following the general commands of the Decalogue. This context is crucial because it immediately provides a practical, authorized way for the Israelites to approach God and express their devotion, establishing the foundational elements of their worship system before more detailed laws are given.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Deuteronomy 14:23
And thou shalt eat before Jehovah thy God, in the place which he shall choose, to cause his name to dwell there, the tithe of thy grain, of thy new wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herd and of thy flock; that thou mayest learn to fear Jehovah thy God always.
- Psalms 134:3
Jehovah bless thee out of Zion; Even he that made heaven and earth.
- Psalms 132:13
For Jehovah hath chosen Zion; He hath desired it for his habitation.
- 2 Chronicles 6:6
but I have chosen Jerusalem, that my name might be there, and have chosen David to be over my people Israel.
- Deuteronomy 12:11
then it shall come to pass that to the place which Jehovah your God shall choose, to cause his name to dwell there, thither shall ye bring all that I command you: your burnt-offerings, and your sacrifices, your tithes, and the heave-offering of your hand, and all your choice vows which ye vow unto Jehovah.
- Deuteronomy 12:5
But unto the place which Jehovah your God shall choose out of all your tribes, to put his name there, even unto his habitation shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come;
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