📖 Biblical Definition
The horns of the altar were the four upraised projections at the corners of the bronze altar of burnt offering (Exodus 27:2) and the smaller golden altar of incense (Exodus 30:2-3). Sacrificial blood was smeared on them on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:18) and on every sin offering (Leviticus 4:7, 18, 25, 30, 34), marking the altar as the meeting place between blood and God. Fugitives clung to them as last refuge: Adonijah (1 Kings 1:50-51) and Joab (1 Kings 2:28) both fled there in fear. The horns prefigure Christ: He is the altar, the sacrifice, and the sanctuary — the only refuge to which sinners may flee and find covenant safety.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
The four corner-projections of the altar; place of refuge.
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The four upraised projections at the corners of the tabernacle altars where sacrificial blood was applied; also where fugitives clung as a final plea for mercy. Adonijah and Joab both fled to them in the early monarchy.
📖 Key Scripture
Exodus 27:2 — "And thou shalt make the horns of it upon the four corners thereof: his horns shall be of the same."
1 Kings 1:50 — "And Adonijah feared because of Solomon, and arose, and went, and caught hold on the horns of the altar."
1 Kings 2:28 — "Then tidings came to Joab... and Joab fled unto the tabernacle of the LORD, and caught hold on the horns of the altar."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Forgotten architectural detail; missing the rich symbolism of horn-as-strength and altar-as-refuge.
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Horns in Scripture symbolize strength; the altar's horns make the place of sacrifice the place of strongest refuge. Adonijah and Joab both fled there. The image teaches: the place where blood was shed is the place where mercy is found.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Hebrew qeren — horn.
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['Hebrew', 'H7161', 'qeren', 'horn']
['Hebrew', 'H4196', 'mizbeach', 'altar']
Usage
"Cling to the horns of the altar."
"The cross is the horn of mercy."