The Meaning of Exodus 20:26 Explained

Exodus 20:26

KJV: Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar, that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon.

YLT: neither dost thou go up by steps on Mine altar, that thy nakedness be not revealed upon it.

Darby: Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar, that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon.

ASV: Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar, that thy nakedness be not uncovered thereon.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Neither shalt thou go up  by steps  unto mine altar,  that thy nakedness  be not discovered  thereon. 

What does Exodus 20:26 Mean?

Context Summary

Exodus 20:18-26 - The People Fear Idols And Altars
When our Lord was on earth He was so attractive and winsome that the publicans and sinners drew near to hear Him, penitents wept at His feet, children nestled to His heart. But even then there were some who desired Him to depart out of their coasts. So here, while Moses drew near, the people stood afar off. Let us not be among those who avoid the near presence of God, but of those who are made nigh by the blood of Christ. Let us exercise our right to draw near to the throne of grace, and stand in the very presence of our Father-God, because we have a great High Priest, who is passed through the heavens.
At Exodus 20:22, we begin the Book of the Covenant, which extends to Exodus 23:33, containing a series of wholesome laws, and the first enactment deals with the worship of the Most High. Note that in all places He will record His Name. Everywhere we may worship Him. The altar had to be of earth, teaching us the lessons of humility, simplicity and self-abasement. See Hebrews 13:10. But always the adjustment with God precedes rightness toward man. [source]

Chapter Summary: Exodus 20

1  The ten commandments are spoken by Jehovah
18  The people are afraid, but Moses comforts them
21  Idolatry is forbidden
23  Of what sort the altar should be

What do the individual words in Exodus 20:26 mean?

Nor shall you go up by steps to My altar that not may be exposed your nakedness on it -
וְלֹֽא־ תַעֲלֶ֥ה בְמַעֲלֹ֖ת עַֽל־ מִזְבְּחִ֑י אֲשֶׁ֛ר לֹֽא־ תִגָּלֶ֥ה עֶרְוָתְךָ֖ עָלָֽיו פ

וְלֹֽא־  Nor 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Adverb, Negative particle
Root: הֲלֹא 
Sense: not, no.
תַעֲלֶ֥ה  shall  you  go  up 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, second person masculine singular
Root: סָלַק 
Sense: to go up, ascend, climb.
בְמַעֲלֹ֖ת  by  steps 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, feminine plural
Root: מַעֲלָה 
Sense: what comes up, thoughts.
מִזְבְּחִ֑י  My  altar 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, first person common singular
Root: מִזְבֵּחַ  
Sense: altar.
אֲשֶׁ֛ר  that 
Parse: Pronoun, relative
Root: אֲשֶׁר 
Sense: (relative part.).
תִגָּלֶ֥ה  may  be  exposed 
Parse: Verb, Nifal, Imperfect, third person feminine singular
Root: גָּלָה  
Sense: to uncover, remove.
עֶרְוָתְךָ֖  your  nakedness 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular construct, second person masculine singular
Root: עֶרְוָה  
Sense: nakedness, nudity, shame, pudenda.
עָלָֽיו  on  it 
Parse: Preposition, third person masculine singular
Root: עַל 
Sense: upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against.
פ  - 
Parse: Punctuation

What are the major concepts related to Exodus 20:26?

Loading Information...