1883 Haydock Douay Rheims Bible
Presents commentary in a tabular format for ease of reading.Click to learn more.
| Exodus 20:25 | *And if thou make an altar of stone unto me, thou shalt not build it of hewn stones; for if thou lift up a tool upon it, it shall be defiled. Deuteronomy 27:5.; Josue 8:31. | Defiled; because done in opposition to God's order, who required, on this occasion, the utmost simplicity, to prevent any undue veneration. Iron was not used about the tabernacle or temple, as brass was more common. Altars raised in haste, like that, (Deuteronomy 27.; and Josue 8:30.) and that which was designed for the ratification of the covenant, (chap. 24:4,) were required to be of this construction, unpolished and simple, as was the altar erected, 1 Machabees 4:47. But other altars were not built after this model. (Calmet) |