Dedication of the Tabernacle
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The Dedication of the Tabernacle is a significant event in the history of Israel, marking the establishment of a central place of worship for the Israelites during their wilderness journey. This event is detailed primarily in the book of Exodus and further elaborated in Leviticus and Numbers.

Biblical Context

The Tabernacle, also known as the Tent of Meeting, was constructed according to the divine instructions given to Moses on Mount Sinai. It served as the dwelling place of God among His people and was the focal point of Israelite worship and sacrificial practices. The dedication of the Tabernacle is recorded in Exodus 40, where Moses sets up the Tabernacle on the first day of the first month in the second year after the Israelites' exodus from Egypt.

Ceremonial Dedication

The dedication involved a series of specific rituals and ceremonies. Moses, following God's commands, anointed the Tabernacle and all its furnishings with holy oil, consecrating them for sacred use (Exodus 40:9-11). Aaron and his sons were also consecrated as priests, marking the beginning of the Levitical priesthood (Exodus 40:12-15).

The Book of Leviticus provides additional details on the offerings made during the dedication. Leviticus 8 describes the ordination of Aaron and his sons, which included sin offerings, burnt offerings, and fellowship offerings. These sacrifices were essential for atonement and symbolized the purification and sanctification necessary for approaching a holy God.

Divine Presence

A pivotal moment in the dedication was the manifestation of God's presence. "Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the Tabernacle" (Exodus 40:34). This visible sign of God's glory signified His approval and His dwelling among the Israelites. The cloud by day and the fire by night over the Tabernacle guided the Israelites throughout their wilderness journey (Exodus 40:36-38).

Tribal Offerings

Numbers 7 provides a detailed account of the offerings brought by the leaders of the twelve tribes of Israel during the dedication. Each leader presented identical offerings over twelve days, including silver plates, gold bowls, grain offerings, and various animals for burnt offerings, sin offerings, and peace offerings. These offerings underscored the communal participation and unity of the tribes in dedicating the Tabernacle to the LORD.

Significance

The Dedication of the Tabernacle was a foundational event for the Israelite community, establishing a pattern of worship and sacrifice that would continue throughout their history. It emphasized the holiness of God, the necessity of atonement, and the centrality of divine presence in the life of the covenant community. The Tabernacle served as a precursor to the Temple in Jerusalem and foreshadowed the ultimate dwelling of God with His people through Jesus Christ, as described in the New Testament.
Nave's Topical Index
Numbers 7:1
And it came to pass on the day that Moses had fully set up the tabernacle, and had anointed it, and sanctified it, and all the instruments thereof, both the altar and all the vessels thereof, and had anointed them, and sanctified them;
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Consecration and Dedication
... In the dedication of the tabernacle we have a beautiful type of the dedication
of ourselves to this "reasonable service" of God. ...
/.../byers/sanctification/chapter iii consecration and dedication.htm

And First, of the Phials Generally.
... from the glory of God, and from his power, so that no man could enter therein,"
(and here there is an allusion both to the dedication of the tabernacle, Exod. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/mede/a key to the apocalypse/and first of the phials.htm

The Temple and Its Dedication
... The time chosen for the dedication was a most favorable one"the seventh month ... on
the heights of Gibeon had been transferred the ancient "tabernacle of the ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 2 the temple and.htm

Exodus.
... 6. The covenant broken and renewed, Chs.32-34. 7. The erection and dedication
of the Tabernacle, 35-40. For Study and Discussion. ...
/.../gerberding/the way of salvation in the lutheran church/chapter ii exodus.htm

Scriptural Types.
... God repeatedly promised that he would meet with Moses at the mercy-seat
(Exod.30:36; Lev.16:2; Numb.17:4); and after the dedication of the tabernacle and ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxvii scriptural types.htm

The Dedication
... In the deliverance of Israel from Egypt, the dedication of the first-born was ... After
the tabernacle service was established, the Lord chose the tribe of Levi in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 5 the dedication.htm

At the Feast of the Dedication of the Temple.
... be illuminated for eight days on the anniversary of its Dedication.' [4389] The ... the
Jewish legend, according to which the making of the Tabernacle had been ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xiv at the feast.htm

Let the Bodies Rejoice which the Evil one had Made Naked, that in ...
... of thy temples is in the ministration;"The dedication of thy sons is in the
anointing."Blessed art thou that at once.....the tabernacle for them ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn xi let the bodies.htm

What is Sanctification?
... In the Old Testament it meant but a dedication, a setting apart to a holy use, as
in the example of the sanctification of the tabernacle and its contents"the ...
/.../byers/sanctification/chapter i what is sanctification.htm

Results of Transgression
... that the God of perfection required of the builders of the earthly tabernacle; yet
in ... before the assembled hosts of Israel at the time of the dedication of the ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 4 results of transgression.htm

Resources
What is Hanukkah? Should a Christian celebrate Hanukkah (Christmaskah)? | GotQuestions.org

What is a solemn assembly in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What was Zerubbabel's temple/the second temple? | GotQuestions.org

Dedication: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Christening

Dedication

Dedication by Idolaters in Setting up Idols

Dedication of Houses

Dedication of Property often Perverted

Dedication of Samuel by his Mother

Dedication of Self: Feast of Dedication

Dedication of the Tabernacle

Dedication of the Wall of Jerusalem

Dedication: Consecration of a Place of Worship

Dedication: Devoting Any Thing to Sacred Uses

Dedication: Illustrated of Devotedness to God

Dedication: Law Concerning Dedicated Things

Dedication: Must be Without Blemish

Dedication: Not Redeemable

Dedication: Offering Must be Voluntary

Dedication: Second Temple

Dedication: Solemn Confirmation of a Covenant

Dedication: Solomon's Temple

Dedication: Subjects of Houses when Built

Dedication: Subjects of Persons

Dedication: Subjects of Property

Dedication: Subjects of Second Temple

Dedication: Subjects of Spoils of War

Dedication: Subjects of Tabernacle

Dedication: Subjects of Temple of Solomon

Dedication: Subjects of Tribute from Foreigners

Dedication: Subjects of Walls of Cities

Dedication: Things Dedicated to God for Support of Priests

Dedication: Things Dedicated to God: Applied to the Repair and Maintenance of the Temple

Dedication: Things Dedicated to God: Esteemed Holy

Dedication: Things Dedicated to God: Given to Propitiate Enemies

Dedication: Things Dedicated to God: Law Respecting the Release of

Dedication: Things Dedicated to God: Levites Place Over

Dedication: Things Dedicated to God: Placed With the Treasures of the Lord's House

Dedication: Things Dedicated to God: Special Chambers Prepared For

Related Terms

Dedication-offering (3 Occurrences)

Dedication-gift (3 Occurrences)

Dedication-song (1 Occurrence)

Eriaku

Eri-aku

Ezra (28 Occurrences)

Shemaiah (40 Occurrences)

Fasts (3 Occurrences)

Feasts (45 Occurrences)

Justices (2 Occurrences)

Lyres (21 Occurrences)

Lutes (16 Occurrences)

Firstling (8 Occurrences)

Thanksgivings (6 Occurrences)

Treasurers (5 Occurrences)

Deputies (14 Occurrences)

Dedicate (17 Occurrences)

Magistrates (18 Occurrences)

Psalteries (16 Occurrences)

Provincial (7 Occurrences)

Prefects (18 Occurrences)

Burnt (392 Occurrences)

Celebrated (24 Occurrences)

Counsellors (21 Occurrences)

Counselors (21 Occurrences)

Accompaniment (1 Occurrence)

Firstborn (119 Occurrences)

Stringed (34 Occurrences)

Sheriffs (2 Occurrences)

Sherifs (2 Occurrences)

Satraps (12 Occurrences)

Solomon's (56 Occurrences)

Advisers (22 Occurrences)

Cymbals (15 Occurrences)

Hymns (6 Occurrences)

Princes (324 Occurrences)

Nehemiah (9 Occurrences)

Anointed (132 Occurrences)

Gladness (83 Occurrences)

Psalms (44 Occurrences)

Judah (802 Occurrences)

Leaders (167 Occurrences)

Nazirite (10 Occurrences)

Thanksgiving (49 Occurrences)

Crown (94 Occurrences)

Nebuchadnez'zar (55 Occurrences)

Zechariah (55 Occurrences)

Bullocks (50 Occurrences)

Singing (65 Occurrences)

Festival (62 Occurrences)

Governors (43 Occurrences)

He-goats (38 Occurrences)

Feast (209 Occurrences)

Bulls (68 Occurrences)

Celebrate (66 Occurrences)

Worship (332 Occurrences)

Provinces (40 Occurrences)

Psalm (213 Occurrences)

Honourable (72 Occurrences)

Rams (81 Occurrences)

Temple (614 Occurrences)

Fire (602 Occurrences)

Oblation (208 Occurrences)

Hallel

200 (6 Occurrences)

100 (8 Occurrences)

60 (1 Occurrence)

400 (1 Occurrence)

Nethaneel (14 Occurrences)

Nethanel (14 Occurrences)

Uzzi (11 Occurrences)

Jehohanan (9 Occurrences)

Ladles (3 Occurrences)

Gilalai (1 Occurrence)

Gloat (11 Occurrences)

Wake (34 Occurrences)

Winter (22 Occurrences)

Dedication of the Levites
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