What is the significance of the horns of the altar?

Quick answer

The horns of the altar in the Bible served as a sacred refuge. Today, our refuge is not found in an altar but in Jesus Christ.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The horns of the altar, mentioned throughout the Old Testament, served as a sacred refuge and symbol of divine presence and protection. In Exodus, they were part of the consecration of priests and a place where God promised to meet His people. Adonijah and Joab sought safety by clinging to these horns in times of peril, although Joab was not spared because of his sin. The horns were a place where mercy was sought and divine justice awaited. In Psalm 118, they symbolize celebration and praise. Ezekiel envisions their future presence in a millennial temple, while Amos prophesies their destruction in contexts of idolatry. Though not mentioned in the New Testament, the concept of finding refuge in Christ transcends physical locations, offering believers eternal security and peace amid life's uncertainties, as Hebrews 13:6 assures: "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?"

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

The horns of the altar were first mentioned in Exodus as part of the furnishings of the tabernacle. In Exodus 29 they were used in the consecration of the priests (see verse 12). Exodus 29:37 describes the altar as "most holy." After giving instructions as to what must be offered on the altar, God said, "There I will meet with the people of Israel, and it shall be sanctified by my glory. I will consecrate the tent of meeting and the altar. Aaron also and his sons I will consecrate to serve me as priests. I will dwell among the people of Israel and will be their God. And they shall know that I am the LORD their God, who brought them out of the land of Egypt that I might dwell among them. I am the LORD their God" (Exodus 29:43–46).
In 1 Kings 1:50 Adonijah ran for the horns of the altar for safety. No one would dare kill a person at the same place where offerings were made to the Lord. From this secure location, Adonijah, fearing Solomon would kill him, begged for his life.
Interestingly, in 1 Kings 2 Joab likewise ran to the horns of the altar in an attempt to escape death. However, in this case, his life was not spared: "The king replied to him, 'Do as he has said, strike him down and bury him, and thus take away from me and from my father's house the guilt for the blood that Joab shed without cause. The LORD will bring back his bloody deeds on his own head, because, without the knowledge of my father David, he attacked and killed with the sword two men more righteous and better than himself, Abner the son of Ner, commander of the army of Israel, and Amasa the son of Jether, commander of the army of Judah'" (1 Kings 2:31–32).
In Psalm 118:27 we read, "The LORD is God, and he has made his light to shine upon us. Bind the festal sacrifice with cords, up to the horns of the altar!" The idea here includes a time of festivity and praise at the tabernacle.
In Ezekiel 43 a mention is also made of the horns of the altar that will exist in the future millennial temple. Verses 13–27 describe this future altar in much detail.
Amos 3:14 mentions the horns of the altar, saying, "the horns of the altar shall be cut off and fall to the ground." Used in connection with the altars of Bethel, this reference describes the altars of pagan worship in the divided kingdom of northern Israel.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

The horns of the altar are not mentioned in the New Testament.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

The horns of the altar represented a holy place and were used twice in Scripture as a refuge for fugitives. However, today our refuge is found in Jesus Christ. As Hebrews 13:6 promises, "We can confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?’" (cf. Psalm 56:4; 118:6). Just as fugitives sought sanctuary by grasping the horns, we find solace and security by clinging to Christ. This assurance brings us peace in the face of uncertainty, grounding our faith with the conviction that nothing earthly can ultimately harm us. Therefore, in all circumstances, we can choose not to fear, trusting in the unfailing protection and providence of our Savior.

UNDERSTAND

The horns of the altar signified sanctity and encountering God in the tabernacle and temple.
The horns of the altar provided sanctuary for those seeking mercy and protection, such as Adonijah and Joab, although Joab was not spared because of his sin.
Featured in Old Testament texts like Psalm 118 and Ezekiel 43, the horns of the altar symbolized both worship and divine justice.

REFLECT

How does finding refuge in the horns of the altar resonate with your understanding of seeking God's mercy and protection in your life today?
Reflect on a time when you felt God's presence as a refuge in a challenging situation. How did this experience deepen your faith?
How can the symbolism of the horns of the altar, as a place of both sanctuary and justice, shape your understanding of God's character and His dealings with humanity?

ENGAGE

How do the Old Testament references to the horns of the altar inform our understanding of worship and justice in biblical times?
Discuss the implications of finding refuge in Jesus Christ today, compared to seeking sanctuary at the horns of the altar in ancient Israel.
How do the insights of the prophetic references to the horns of the altar impact our view of God's plans for justice and redemption throughout history?