(Click on photo to enlarge it)
The first horned animal altar
unearthed in ancient Israel was excavated at Tel Be'er-Sheva. This four-horned
altar dates to the 8th century BC and possibly earlier.
Altars with horns at each of their
four corners are mentioned frequently in the Bible (see Lev. 4:7, 18; Ex.
29:12, 30:2; 38:2; 1st Kings 1:50, 2:28, etc.)
Without question, the
horns are the holiest part of the altar. The expiatory blood of the sacrifice
was sprinkled seven times on the horns. A fugitive who managed to catch hold of
the horns of the altar would obtain asylum (see 1st Kings 1:50). However, that
protection did not apply to a murderer, as Joab learned to his sorrow (1st Kings
2:28)
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