"an altar, Mt. 5:23, 24; Lk. 1:11; spc. the altar of burnt-offering, Mt. 23:35; Lk. 11:51; meton. a class of sacrifices, Heb. 13:10"
Definition and meaning
an altar, Mt. 5:23, 24; Lk. 1:11; spc. the altar of burnt-offering, Mt. 23:35; Lk. 11:51; meton. a class of sacrifices, Heb. 13:10
In the original Greek the word is written: θυσιαστήριον
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of thusiasterion (G2379) across the King James Bible.
Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty.
Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?
Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon.
That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.
And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished between the altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation.
Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.
Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?
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Common questions
Strong's G2379 (thusiasterion) is a Greek word that means: an altar, Mt. 5:23, 24; Lk. 1:11; spc. the altar of burnt-offering, Mt. 23:35; Lk. 11:51; meton. a class of sacrifices, Heb. 13:10 It appears 21 times in the King James Bible.
The word thusiasterion (G2379) appears 21 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G2379 is thusiasterion, a Greek word defined as: an altar, Mt. 5:23, 24; Lk. 1:11; spc. the altar of burnt-offering, Mt. 23:35; Lk. 11:51; meton. a class of sacrifices, Heb. 13:10. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
thusiasterion is a Greek word found in the New Testament.