Genesis 8:20

And Noah builded an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar.

Noah builded an altar - literally, 'a high place:' probably a mound of earth or of unhewn stones (Exodus 20:24-25; Joshua 8:31), on which a sacrifice was offered. This is the first notice of an altar in Scripture; and it is noticed particularly because the Paradisiacal place of worship (Genesis 4:3; Genesis 4:16) had probably been removed by the flood. There is something exceedingly beautiful and interesting to know that the first care of this devout patriarch was to return thanks for the signal instance of mercy and goodness which he and his family had experienced.

Took of every clean beast, and ... fowl - for so unparalleled a deliverance, a special acknowledgment was due. х `olaah (H5930), holocaust, the victim being wholly consumed.] The primitive meaning of the word is ascent, referring either to the sacrifices being carried up to the altar, or to the smoke ascending to heaven. In patriarchal times the head of a family acted as priest; and as this solemn act of devotion on the part of Noah for himself and his small household was designed to be a full expression of his religious feelings-an acknowledgment of demerit and profession of repentance, faith in the great propitiation, and thanksgiving for temporal as well as spiritual mercies-every kind of animal was included in the sacrificial offering that was required to give completeness to the ritual design. The sacrifice was both expiatory and a thank-offering. It is observable that the sacrifice was offered not to God ( 'Elohiym (H430)), the Creator and Judge, but to the Lord ( Yahweh (H3068)), the God of grace, who, by the instructions given to Noah, had Himself provided the materials (see the note at Genesis 7:1-5).