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.

EXODUS 20:25KJV
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Exodus 20:25 (KJV)

What does Exodus 20:25 mean?

Exodus 20:25 instructs that if the Israelites build an altar of stone for worship, they must not use cut or shaped stones; using tools to shape the stones would make the altar unsuitable for God. The verse emphasizes that altering the stones with human tools would make the altar "polluted" or unfit.

In this verse, God is speaking to the Israelites through Moses right after giving the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai. The instruction is about how to build an altar for sacrifices, stressing simplicity and respect for what God has made. The idea is that using human effort to shape the stones (rather than using them as found) would take away from the altar’s purity and set-apartness.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 20:25

  • "altar" (מִזְבֵּחַ, mizbeach): This word refers to a place of sacrifice or offering. The instructions here show that even the construction of the altar is to reflect reverence for God.
  • "hewn stone" (גָּזִית, gazit): This means stones that have been shaped or cut by tools. The verse specifically forbids these, highlighting a preference for natural, unworked materials.
  • "tool" (חֶרֶב, cherev): While often meaning "sword," here it refers to any iron tool used to shape the stones. The use of such a tool is said to "pollute" the altar, suggesting that human alteration is not fitting for something dedicated to God.
  • "polluted" (חָלַל, chalal): This word means to make something common, defile, or profane. Using tools on the stones would make the altar ordinary rather than holy.

Why Exodus 20:25 matters

  • This verse clarifies that God values what He has created as it is, and that worship should not rely on human skill or decoration to be acceptable.
  • Exodus 20:25 connects to the surrounding laws about worship, showing that the way something is offered to God matters as much as the offering itself.
  • The instruction helps prevent the Israelites from adopting the elaborate altar-building practices of neighboring peoples, keeping their worship distinct and focused on God rather than human artistry.