הַרְאֵל

mount of God; figuratively, the altar of burnt-offering

Definition

The Hebrew word הַרְאֵל (harʼêl) is a compound noun meaning 'mount of God' or 'mountain of God.' It is used figuratively in the Old Testament to refer to the altar of burnt-offering, specifically the altar in the temple. This symbolic usage connects the physical altar with the divine presence, as seen in Ezekiel 43:15, where it describes the upper part of the altar. The term emphasizes the altar's elevated, holy status as a place where God meets humanity, blending the concepts of a sacred mountain and a site of sacrifice.

Biblical Usage

This word appears only once in the Old Testament, in Ezekiel 43:15, within a detailed vision of the future temple. Here, הַרְאֵל is used to designate the upper altar or hearth of the altar of burnt-offering. Its singular occurrence in a prophetic, architectural context highlights its specialized, symbolic role in Ezekiel's restoration imagery, rather than in narrative or poetic texts.

Etymology

The word is a compound of הַר (har, H2022), meaning 'mountain' or 'hill,' and אֵל (ʼēl, H410), meaning 'God.' Thus, it literally translates to 'mountain of God.' This construction parallels other Hebrew terms that combine natural features with divine names to denote sacred spaces. It is compared to אֲרִיאֵל (ʼărîʼēl, H739), another term for 'altar hearth' or 'lion of God,' found in Isaiah 29:1-2, 7, though with distinct nuances.

Semantic Range

Theologically, הַרְאֵל enriches understanding of worship and God's presence. By linking the altar to a 'mount of God,' it recalls sacred mountains like Sinai or Zion, where God revealed Himself. This underscores the altar as a point of divine-human encounter, central to atonement and sacrifice in Israel's cult. For modern readers, it highlights how physical worship spaces symbolize spiritual realities, emphasizing holiness and access to God through prescribed means.

In ancient Israelite culture, altars were central to religious practice, often built on elevated sites to signify closeness to the divine. The term 'mount of God' would resonate with experiences of mountain theophanies, such as at Sinai. This cultural connection reinforced the altar's role as a mediated, holy space where sacrifices were offered, differing from modern abstract views of worship by tying spirituality to tangible, elevated locations.

אֲרִיאֵל (ʼărîʼēl, H739) — another term for altar hearth, used in Isaiah for Jerusalem; מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbēach, H4196) — the common Hebrew word for altar, without the 'mountain of God' imagery.

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