And you shall not go up by steps to my altar, that your nakedness be not exposed on it.’
English Standard Version (ESV)
This prohibition isn't just about avoiding embarrassment; it underscores that God's presence demands reverence and purity, even in the physical actions associated with worship. The instruction to avoid steps for the altar, while practical for preventing accidental exposure with their clothing, highlights that every detail of Israel's worship was designed to be distinctly holy and separate from pagan practices.
And you shall not go up by steps to my altar, that your nakedness be not exposed on it.’
English Standard Version (ESV)
This instruction comes right after the Ten Commandments, emphasizing holiness in worship and distinguishing Israel's practices from surrounding pagan rituals. It's a divine directive aimed at preserving modesty and reverence, particularly for the priests who would serve at the altar, preventing any accidental indecency due to their flowing garments. Later biblical accounts and interpretations show how these principles were adapted for larger altars and priestly attire, always prioritizing a pure and dignified approach to approaching God.
Why would God care about how someone walked up to His altar? It wasn't just about avoiding embarrassment; it was about respecting the sacred space and the God who resided there.
This command about not using steps to reach the altar is a powerful reminder of the reverence God expects in His presence.
Maintaining Purity
God is infinitely holy. When approaching Him, especially for the solemn act of sacrifice, everything must reflect that holiness. The loose garments common at the time posed a risk: ascending steps could easily lead to an accidental exposure of the body. This would be indecent and disrespectful, detracting from the awe due to God.
Avoiding Idolatry
Some scholars also suggest this prohibition served to distance Israelite worship from pagan practices. Certain idolatrous rituals involved shameful acts or exposed bodies. By forbidding steps, which might be associated with other, impure worship forms, God was setting His people apart, ensuring their worship was distinct and pure.
Humility Over Grandeur
While later altars were larger and might have necessitated some form of ramp or incline, the principle remains: worship isn't about impressing with height or elaborate construction. It's about a humble, pure heart approaching a holy God. The focus is on the offering and the worshipper's inner state, not on the architectural grandeur.
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Think about the clothes you wear for important occasions. God cared deeply about what His priests wore – and what they didn't want people to see during worship.
The command against steps is directly linked to the practicalities of priestly attire and the need for modesty.
Practical Modesty
Ancient Near Eastern garments were often flowing robes. Climbing stairs, especially if they were steep or widely spaced, could easily cause these robes to shift or be lifted, exposing the legs and lower body. This was considered immodest and indecent.
God's Provision
To further ensure this wasn't an issue, God later specifically commanded that priests wear linen breeches (or 'drawers') when serving at the Tabernacle and Temple (Exodus 28:42). This direct provision highlights God's attention to detail in ensuring His worship was conducted with the utmost propriety and dignity, even covering the priests from head to toe when needed.
Preventing Scandal
The goal was to prevent any physical or spiritual 'nakedness' from appearing before the people during sacred service. Such exposure would not only be a personal embarrassment but would also undermine the people's respect for God and His ordained worship.
Understand the original words
mizbeach · Hebrew Noun
A place of sacrifice, typically constructed for the offering of animals or incense to God, symbolizing the meeting point between the holy God and sinful humanity where atonement is made.
ervah · Hebrew Noun
The state of being unclothed or uncovered, often associated in Scripture with shame, vulnerability, or a lack of righteousness before God following the Fall.
galah · Hebrew Verb
To be revealed, uncovered, or laid bare; in a legal or covenantal sense, it often implies the removal of protection or the revealing of that which should remain hidden or private.
This passage describes a future altar with a ledge, implying a different method of access than steps, and also mentions steps as part of its structure, highlighting the evolving designs of altars and the continued concern for access and reverence.
Exodus 28:42This verse directly addresses the need for priests' linen undergarments, which served the same purpose of preventing indecent exposure during worship as the prohibition of steps on the altar.
Leviticus 10:1-2The immediate aftermath of this event, where Nadab and Abihu offered unauthorized fire and died, underscores the extreme seriousness of approaching God's presence with improper reverence and method.
1 Samuel 2:12-17The description of the wicked sons of Eli acting disrespectfully at the altar, including taking meat before the fat was offered, shows the negative consequences when holiness and proper conduct in worship are disregarded.
gillExodus 20:26: "Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar, that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon."
Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar,.... That is, you priests, the sons of Aaron, as the Targums of Jonathan and Jerusalem paraphrase the words; the altar of burnt offering built when the tabernacle was seemed not to require any, being but three cubits high, Exodus 27:1 but that in Solomon's temple did, being ten cubits high, 2 Chronicles 4:1 and therefore some method m…
clarkeExodus 20:26: "Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar, that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon."
Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar - The word altar comes from altus, high or elevated, though the Hebrew word מזבח mizbach, from זבח zabach, to slay, kill, etc., signifies merely a place for sacrifice; see Genesis 8:20 . But the heathens, who imitated the rites of the true God in their idolatrous worship, made their altars very high; whence they derived their name a…
This prohibition isn't just about avoiding embarrassment; it underscores that God's presence demands reverence and purity, even in the physical actions associated with worship. The instruction to avoid steps for the altar, while practical for preventing accidental exposure with their clothing, highlights that every detail of Israel's worship was designed to be distinctly holy and separate from pagan practices.
This instruction comes right after the Ten Commandments, emphasizing holiness in worship and distinguishing Israel's practices from surrounding pagan rituals. It's a divine directive aimed at preserving modesty and reverence, particularly for the priests who would serve at the altar, preventing any accidental indecency due to their flowing garments. Later biblical accounts and interpretations show how these principles were adapted for larger altars and priestly attire, always prioritizing a pure and dignified approach to approaching God.
This instruction comes right after the Ten Commandments, emphasizing holiness in worship and distinguishing Israel's practices from surrounding pagan rituals. It's a divine directive aimed at preserving modesty and reverence, particularly for the priests who would serve at the altar, preventing any accidental indecency due to their flowing garments. Later biblical accounts and interpretations show how these principles were adapted for larger altars and priestly attire, always prioritizing a pure and dignified approach to approaching God.
"And you shall not go up by steps to my altar, that your nakedness be not exposed on it.’" — This prohibition isn't just about avoiding embarrassment; it underscores that God's presence demands reverence and purity, even in the physical actions associated with worship. The instruction to avo…
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Last reviewed October 2026