{
  "entry_id": "TSP-ENT-000020",
  "slug": "altar",
  "url_path": "/types-symbols/altar/",
  "canonical_name": "Altar",
  "entry_classifications": [
    "ORDINARY_DESCRIPTION",
    "SYMBOL",
    "MOTIF"
  ],
  "modules": [
    "TABERNACLE_TEMPLE",
    "SACRIFICES",
    "CULTURAL_PRACTICES"
  ],
  "aliases": [],
  "legacy_present": true,
  "legacy_raw_wording_public": false,
  "senses": [
    {
      "sense_id": "TSP-SNS-000039",
      "label": "Literal cultic altar functions",
      "classification": "ORDINARY_DESCRIPTION",
      "definition": "Biblical altars are real cultic structures associated with sacrifice, blood, burning, incense, memorial acts, and worship depending on the altar and covenantal setting.",
      "not_always": "The physical function itself is not automatically a symbol; distinct altars and rites must not be collapsed.",
      "scope_note": "Begin with historical-cultic function before considering later metaphorical or apocalyptic reuse.",
      "claims": [
        {
          "claim_id": "TSP-CLM-000039",
          "statement": "The legacy altar definition is primarily a description of literal cultic functions - sacrifice/slaughter at one altar and incense at another - and therefore requires reclassification before symbolic meanings are added.",
          "asserted_classifications": [
            "ORDINARY_DESCRIPTION"
          ],
          "type_kinds": [],
          "evidence_grade": 1,
          "grade_basis": "G1_EXPLICIT_BIBLICAL_INTERPRETATION",
          "status": "REQUIRES_RECLASSIFICATION",
          "public_wording_class": "CATEGORY_OR_RECLASSIFICATION_NOTICE",
          "scope_limitation": "Different altars perform different cultic functions; sacrifice and incense must not be collapsed into one symbolic equation.",
          "strongest_alternative_explanation": null,
          "residual_uncertainty": "The legacy wording is substantially accurate as function, but its S. label is too broad.",
          "theological_intersections": [
            "ATONEMENT",
            "COVENANT"
          ],
          "scripture_references": [
            {
              "passage_ref_id": "TSP-PAS-000077",
              "osis_start": "Exod.27.1",
              "osis_end": "Exod.27.8",
              "display_label": "Exodus 27:1-8",
              "versification_system": "ENGLISH_STANDARD"
            },
            {
              "passage_ref_id": "TSP-PAS-000078",
              "osis_start": "Exod.30.1",
              "osis_end": "Exod.30.10",
              "display_label": "Exodus 30:1-10",
              "versification_system": "ENGLISH_STANDARD"
            },
            {
              "passage_ref_id": "TSP-PAS-000080",
              "osis_start": "Rev.6.9",
              "osis_end": "Rev.6.11",
              "display_label": "Revelation 6:9-11",
              "versification_system": "ENGLISH_STANDARD"
            },
            {
              "passage_ref_id": "TSP-PAS-000081",
              "osis_start": "Rev.8.3",
              "osis_end": "Rev.8.5",
              "display_label": "Revelation 8:3-5",
              "versification_system": "ENGLISH_STANDARD"
            }
          ],
          "source_citations": [
            {
              "source_id": "TSP-SRC-000022",
              "author_editor": null,
              "title": "Canonical Scripture: MT/LXX/NA28 with NET/ESV comparison",
              "publication_data": "Text loci verified for TSP-S0F Batch 4",
              "locator": null,
              "verification_level": "V4_QUOTATION_VERIFIED",
              "source_function": [
                "CANONICAL_AUTHORITY",
                "TEXT_ESTABLISHMENT"
              ],
              "locator_targets": []
            },
            {
              "source_id": "TSP-SRC-000032",
              "author_editor": "Brian J. Tabb",
              "title": "Revelation Commentary",
              "publication_data": "The Gospel Coalition Bible Commentary",
              "locator": "https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/revelation/",
              "verification_level": "V3_CLAIM_VERIFIED",
              "source_function": [
                "SCHOLARLY_ARGUMENT"
              ],
              "locator_targets": [
                {
                  "kind": "EXTERNAL_URL",
                  "target": "https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/revelation/"
                }
              ]
            }
          ],
          "s8_wording_provenance": null
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "sense_id": "TSP-SNS-000040",
      "label": "Hebrews 13 Christian altar language",
      "classification": "METAPHOR",
      "definition": "Hebrews 13:10 says believers have an altar and immediately develops Day of Atonement and Jesus-outside-the-camp imagery.",
      "not_always": "The text does not institute a physical Christian altar and interpreters differ on whether altar refers specifically to Christ, his sacrifice, the cross, or the benefits of his atonement.",
      "scope_note": "Present the Christological-sacrificial referent as probable, not as an explicit one-to-one symbol.",
      "claims": [
        {
          "claim_id": "TSP-CLM-000040",
          "statement": "Hebrews 13:10 probably uses altar language metaphorically for Christian participation in the benefits of Christ's once-for-all sacrificial work rather than teaching a physical Christian altar.",
          "asserted_classifications": [
            "METAPHOR"
          ],
          "type_kinds": [],
          "evidence_grade": 5,
          "grade_basis": "G5_CONTEXTUALLY_PROBABLE",
          "status": "PROBABLE",
          "public_wording_class": "PROBABLE",
          "scope_limitation": "The conclusion is limited to Hebrews 13:10-12 and does not establish altar = Christ or altar = cross as a universal symbol.",
          "strongest_alternative_explanation": "The altar may denote the sacrificial provision/benefits available in the Christian covenantal order rather than Christ personally or the cross as an object.",
          "residual_uncertainty": "Conservative commentators commonly identify the altar with Christ or his sacrifice, but the precise referent is not explicitly defined in the verse.",
          "theological_intersections": [
            "CHRISTOLOGY",
            "ATONEMENT",
            "ECCLESIOLOGY"
          ],
          "scripture_references": [
            {
              "passage_ref_id": "TSP-PAS-000079",
              "osis_start": "Heb.13.10",
              "osis_end": "Heb.13.12",
              "display_label": "Hebrews 13:10-12",
              "versification_system": "ENGLISH_STANDARD"
            }
          ],
          "source_citations": [
            {
              "source_id": "TSP-SRC-000022",
              "author_editor": null,
              "title": "Canonical Scripture: MT/LXX/NA28 with NET/ESV comparison",
              "publication_data": "Text loci verified for TSP-S0F Batch 4",
              "locator": null,
              "verification_level": "V4_QUOTATION_VERIFIED",
              "source_function": [
                "CANONICAL_AUTHORITY",
                "TEXT_ESTABLISHMENT"
              ],
              "locator_targets": []
            },
            {
              "source_id": "TSP-SRC-000031",
              "author_editor": null,
              "title": "Hebrews 13",
              "publication_data": "Bible.org",
              "locator": "https://bible.org/book/export/html/21449",
              "verification_level": "V3_CLAIM_VERIFIED",
              "source_function": [
                "SCHOLARLY_ARGUMENT"
              ],
              "locator_targets": [
                {
                  "kind": "EXTERNAL_URL",
                  "target": "https://bible.org/book/export/html/21449"
                }
              ]
            }
          ],
          "s8_wording_provenance": null
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "lexeme_mappings": [
    {
      "lexeme_link_id": "TSP-LEX-000033",
      "language": "HEBREW",
      "lemma_unicode": "מִזְבֵּחַ",
      "transliteration": "mizbeach",
      "strongs_id": "H4196",
      "owner_tier": "TSP_MAPPING_ONLY",
      "semantic_domain_ids": []
    },
    {
      "lexeme_link_id": "TSP-LEX-000034",
      "language": "GREEK",
      "lemma_unicode": "θυσιαστήριον",
      "transliteration": "thysiasterion",
      "strongs_id": "G2379",
      "owner_tier": "TSP_MAPPING_ONLY",
      "semantic_domain_ids": []
    }
  ],
  "canonical_relationships": [],
  "negative_guardrails": []
}