The first altar mentioned in the Word was the one built by Noah after he came out of the ark, after being saved from the great flood. On that altar, he sacrificed clean animals to the Lord.

Mountains represent the Lord because of their height; we need to raise our thoughts above worldly things when "talking" with the Lord. An altar is a small artificial mountain. When it's used in worship, it can call to mind this raising of thought. The fire and smoke that rise from an altar are symbolically being sent to the Lord.

Most altars were made from unhewn stones. Stones represent truths. Unhewn stones - ones that have not been shaped by men - represent truths from the Word, truths that have not been adulterated.

The clean beasts to be sacrificed represent good things, charitable acts done because they are right. The clean birds represent thoughts about doctrine and actions, and about what is right. Presenting these things is an acknowledgment that we have them from the Lord, and a giving thanks to Him for them.

In the Israelitish Tabernacle, the altar of burnt offering represented the acknowledgment of good and the altar of incense that of truth. For this reason this larger altar, which was outside by the door, was made of brass which signifies natural good, while the altar of incense was made of gold, which signifies love to the Lord from whom comes truth.

4933. The reason why the hands, arms, and shoulders correspond to power in the Grand Man is that the strength and powers of the whole body and of all its internal organs are linked to them, in that the body employs the arms and hands to exercise its strength and powers. This also is the reason why in the Word powers are meant by 'the hands', 'the arms', and 'the shoulders'. As regards 'the hands' having this meaning, see 878, 3387, and as regards 'the arms' meaning the same, this is evident from many places, such as the following,

Be their arm every morning. Isaiah 33:2.

The Lord Jehovih is coming with might, and His arm will exercise dominion for Him. Isaiah 40:10.

He works it by means of His arm of strength. Isaiah 44:12.

My arms will judge the peoples. Isaiah 51:5.

Put on strength, O arm of Jehovah. Isaiah 51:9.

I looked around, and there was no helper, therefore My own arm brought salvation to Me. Isaiah 63:5.

Cursed is he who trusts in man (homo) and makes flesh his arm. Jeremiah 17:5.

I have made the earth, man, and beast, by My great strength and by My outstretched arm. Jeremiah 27:5; 32:17.

The horn of Moab has been cut off and his arm broken. Jeremiah 48:25.

I am breaking the arms of the king of Egypt, but I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babel. Ezekiel 30:22, 24-25.

O Jehovah, break the arm of the wicked. Psalms 10:15.

According to the greatness of Your arm preserve those who are appointed to die. ¹ Psalms 79:11.

They were brought out of Egypt by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Deuteronomy 7:19; 11:2-3; 26:8; Jeremiah 32:21; Psalms 136:12.

From these places it may also be recognized that by the right hand in the Word superior power is meant, and by 'sitting on the right hand of Jehovah' almighty power, Matthew 26:63-64; Luke 22:69; Mark 14:61-62; 16:19.

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