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.
25 And if thou wilt make me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build
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.
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.
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.
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.
5 Build there an altar to the Lord your God, an altar of stones. Do not use any iron tool on them.
5 And there shalt thou build an altar unto the Lord thy God, an altar of stones: thou shalt not lift up any iron tool upon them.
5 And there you shall build an altar to the Lord your God, an altar of stones. You shall wield no iron tool on them;
5 Build an Altar of stones for God, your God, there on the mountain. Don't use an iron tool on the stones;
5 And there you shall build an altar to the Lord your God, an altar of stones; you shall not use an iron tool on them.
5 "Then build an altar there to the Lord your God, using natural, uncut stones. You must not shape the stones with an iron tool.
(Read Deuteronomy 27:1-10)
As soon as they were come into Canaan, they must set up a monument, on which they must write the words of this law. They must set up an altar. The word and prayer must go together. Though they might not, of their own heads, set up any altar besides that at the tabernacle; yet, by the appointment of God, they might, upon special occasion. This altar must be made of unhewn stones, such as they found upon the field. Christ, our Altar, is a stone cut out of the mountain without hands, refused by the builders, as having no form or comeliness, but accepted of God the Father, and made the Head of the corner. In the Old Testament the words of the law are written, with the curse annexed; which would overcome us with horror, if we had not, in the New Testament, an altar erected close by, which gives consolation. Blessed be God, the printed copies of the Scriptures among us, do away the necessity of such methods as were presented to Israel. The end of the gospel ministry is, and the end of preachers ought to be, to make the word of God as plain as possible. Yet, unless the Spirit of God prosper such labours with Divine power, we shall not, even by these means, be made wise unto salvation: for this blessing we should therefore daily and earnestly pray.
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.