And Noah builded an Altar vnto the LORD, and tooke of euery cleane beast, and of euery cleane fowle, and offred burnt offrings on the Altar. Genesis 8:20 (KJV)
Genesis 8:20 is situated in the narrative of Noah after the floodwaters receded and the ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat. Noah and his family emerged from the ark and, in response to God’s preservation of their lives and the animal kingdom, built an altar and offered sacrifices.
Noah’s altar represented a sacred place of worship and communion with God. By constructing the altar, Noah expressed reverence and thanksgiving for the deliverance he had experienced. The altar became the focal point for offering gratitude to the LORD for safeguarding his family and the creatures during the catastrophic judgment of the flood.
The verse specifies that Noah took “of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl” for the burnt offerings. The distinction between clean and unclean animals would later be codified in Israelite law (see Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14). Although the legal framework was not yet given, the reference to clean animals indicates that Noah selected those suitable for sacrifice according to the future standards of holiness.
Burnt offerings involved the complete consumption of the animal by fire on the altar. This type of sacrifice symbolised total surrender, devotion, and atonement, and was regarded as a pleasing aroma to God. By offering burnt sacrifices, Noah demonstrated his desire to give wholly to the LORD.
The spiritual significance of Noah’s altar and burnt offerings is manifold. They reveal his faith, obedience, and worship after witnessing divine judgment. Moreover, the burnt offerings prefigure the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross, which would fulfil the need for a perfect, once‑for‑all offering.
Application of this passage calls believers to a posture of worship, gratitude, and surrender. Like Noah, Christians are urged to acknowledge God’s faithfulness, give thanks, and present themselves as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1), recognizing that true worship flows from a heart that trusts in God’s sovereign care.
In summary, Genesis 8:20 portrays Noah’s act of building an altar, selecting clean animals, and offering burnt sacrifices as an expression of worship and gratitude after the flood. It reminds us of the enduring importance of worship, surrender, and thanksgiving in our relationship with God, urging us to draw near to Him with reverent hearts.
