25 If you make an altar of stones for me, do not build it with dressed stones, for you will defile it if you use a tool on it.

Other Translations of Exodus 20:25

King James Version

25 And if thou wilt make me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build build...: Heb. build them with hewing it of hewn stone: for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it.

English Standard Version

25 If you make me an altar of stone, you shall not build it of hewn stones, for if you wield your tool on it you profane it.

The Message

25 If you use stones to make my Altar, don't use dressed stones. If you use a chisel on the stones you'll profane the Altar.

New King James Version

25 And if you make Me an altar of stone, you shall not build it of hewn stone; for if you use your tool on it, you have profaned it.

New Living Translation

25 If you use stones to build my altar, use only natural, uncut stones. Do not shape the stones with a tool, for that would make the altar unfit for holy use.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Exodus 20:25

Commentary on Exodus 20:22-26

(Read Exodus 20:22-26)

Moses having entered into the thick darkness, God there spake in his hearing all that follows from hence to the end of chap. 23, which is mostly an exposition of the ten commandments. The laws in these verses relate to God's worship. The Israelites are assured of God's gracious acceptance of their devotions. Under the gospel, men are encouraged to pray every where, and wherever God's people meet in his name to worship him, he will be in the midst of them; there he will come unto them, and will bless them.