Exodus 20:24—Was the altar made of earth or of wood?

Problem: Here the altar is constructed of earth, but in Exodus 27:1 it was constructed of “acacia wood.”

Solution: The altar itself was only a hollow case made of acacia wood and covered with bronze (Ex. 27:2). But when it was used it was filled with earth or stones so as to form a bed for the coals.

This excerpt is from When Critics Ask: A Popular Handbook on Bible Difficulties (Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books, 1992). © 2014 Norman Geisler and Thomas Howe. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Click here to purchase this book.