Topical Encyclopedia The Tabernacle, as described in the Old Testament, served as the dwelling place of God among the Israelites during their journey through the wilderness. It was a sacred space, meticulously constructed according to divine instructions given to Moses on Mount Sinai (Exodus 25-31). The holiness of the Tabernacle was paramount, and any defilement of this sacred space was met with severe consequences, as it represented a direct affront to the presence of God.Biblical Instances of Defilement and Punishment 1. Nadab and Abihu: One of the most notable instances of defilement occurred with Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron. In Leviticus 10:1-2, they offered "unauthorized fire before the LORD, contrary to His command." As a result, "fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD" . This incident underscores the seriousness with which God regarded the sanctity of the Tabernacle and the proper observance of His commands. 2. Korah’s Rebellion: In Numbers 16, Korah, along with Dathan, Abiram, and 250 other leaders, challenged the authority of Moses and Aaron, thereby defiling the sanctity of the priestly office and the Tabernacle. The earth opened up and swallowed them, and fire from the LORD consumed the 250 men offering incense (Numbers 16:31-35). This event highlights the divine protection over the Tabernacle and the severe repercussions of rebellion against God's established order. 3. Uzzah and the Ark: Although not directly within the Tabernacle, the incident involving Uzzah and the Ark of the Covenant illustrates the broader principle of reverence for holy objects associated with the Tabernacle. In 2 Samuel 6:6-7, when Uzzah touched the Ark to steady it, "the anger of the LORD burned against Uzzah, and God struck him down on the spot for his irreverence, and he died there beside the ark of God" . This act of defilement, though seemingly well-intentioned, resulted in immediate divine judgment. Laws and Regulations The Mosaic Law contained specific regulations to prevent the defilement of the Tabernacle. Leviticus 15 outlines various bodily discharges that rendered individuals ceremonially unclean, requiring them to undergo purification before entering the Tabernacle. Leviticus 16 describes the Day of Atonement, an annual event where the high priest made atonement for the sins of the people, cleansing the Tabernacle from any defilement caused by the transgressions of the Israelites. Symbolic Significance The defilement and subsequent punishment associated with the Tabernacle serve as a powerful symbol of God's holiness and the necessity for purity among His people. The Tabernacle was not merely a physical structure but a representation of God's covenant relationship with Israel. Any defilement was a breach of this covenant, warranting divine retribution to maintain the sanctity of God's dwelling place. New Testament Perspective In the New Testament, the concept of the Tabernacle finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is described as the true Tabernacle (John 1:14, Hebrews 9:11). The emphasis shifts from a physical structure to the spiritual reality of God's presence among His people through Christ. However, the principle of reverence for God's holiness remains, as believers are called to be living temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20), maintaining purity and holiness in their lives. Nave's Topical Index Leviticus 15:31Thus shall you separate the children of Israel from their uncleanness; that they die not in their uncleanness, when they defile my tabernacle that is among them. Nave's Topical Index Numbers 19:13,20 Ezekiel 5:11 Ezekiel 23:38 Library The Open Fountain The Old, Old Story A Harp of Ten Strings The Doctrine of God Immeasurable Love The Priesthood of Christ "The Time of Trouble. " Book ii. The Time of Trouble Epistle Lxiii. Limenius, Bishop of Vercell??, Having Died, the See ... Resources What was the brazen altar? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was the bread of the Presence (Exodus 25:30)? | GotQuestions.org What did the Law mean when it referred to a lasting ordinance? | GotQuestions.org Tabernacle: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Tabernacle of Testimony Witness Tabernacle was a Moveable Tent Suited to the Unsettled Condition of Tabernacle was Set up by Moses at Mount Sinai Tabernacle was Set up in Shiloh Tabernacle was Set Up: At Gilgal Tabernacle was Set Up: Finally at Gibeon Tabernacle: (The Holy of Holies) Heaven Tabernacle: (The Vail) Christ's Body Tabernacle: (The Vail) the Obscurity of the Mosaic Age Tabernacle: A Permanent House Substituted For, when the Kingdom Was Tabernacle: All Males Required to Appear Before, Three Times Each Year Tabernacle: All offerings to be Made At Tabernacle: Anointed and Consecrated With Oil Tabernacle: Anointed With Holy Oil Tabernacle: Brought to the Temple by Solomon Tabernacle: Called The: House of the Lord Tabernacle: Called The: Tabernacle of Joseph Tabernacle: Called The: Tabernacle of Shiloh Tabernacle: Called The: Tabernacle of Testimony or Witness Tabernacle: Called The: Tabernacle of the Congregation Tabernacle: Called The: Tabernacle of the Lord Tabernacle: Called The: Temple of the Lord Tabernacle: Carried in Front of the People of Israel in the Line of March Tabernacle: Court of all the Pillars of, Filleted With Silver Tabernacle: Court of all the Vessels of, Made of Brass Tabernacle: Court of Contained the Brazen Altar and Laver of Brass Tabernacle: Court of One Hundred Cubits Long and Fifty Cubits Wide Tabernacle: Court of Surrounded by Curtains of Fine Line Suspended from Pillars Tabernacle: Court of The Gate of, a Hanging of Blue, Purple Twenty Cubits Tabernacle: Coverings of The First or Inner, Ten Curtains of Blue, Purple Joined Tabernacle: Coverings of The Fourth or Outward of Badgers' Skins Tabernacle: Coverings of The Second, Eleven Curtains of Goats' Hair Tabernacle: Coverings of The Third of Rams' Skins Dyed Red Tabernacle: Defilement of, Punished Tabernacle: Description of The Frame Tabernacle: Designed for Manifestation of God's Presence and for His Tabernacle: Divided by a Vail of Blue, Purple, Suspended from Four Tabernacle: Divided Into: The Holy Place Tabernacle: Divided Into: The Most Holy Place Tabernacle: Divine Wisdom Given to Bezaleel to Make Tabernacle: Filled With the Cloud of Glory Tabernacle: First Reared, on the First Day of the Second Year After The Tabernacle: Free-Will offerings Made at the Dedication of the Altar of Tabernacle: Free-Will offerings Made at the First Rearing of Tabernacle: had a Court Round About Tabernacle: How and by Whom Carried Tabernacle: How Prepared for Removal During the Travels of the Israelites Tabernacle: Israelites Worship At Tabernacle: Made of the Free-Will offerings of the People Tabernacle: Materials For, Voluntarily offered Tabernacle: Moses Was Commanded to Make After a Divine Pattern Tabernacle: Offerings Brought To Tabernacle: One Existed Before Moses Received the Pattern Authorized on Mount Sinai Tabernacle: Pattern of, Revealed to Moses Tabernacle: Pitched: At Gibeon Tabernacle: Pitched: At Gilgal Tabernacle: Pitched: At Shiloh Tabernacle: Punishment for Defiling Tabernacle: Renewed by David, and Pitched Upon Mount Zion Tabernacle: Sanctified by the Glory of the Lord Tabernacle: Solomon offers Sacrifice At Tabernacle: Sprinkled and Purified With Blood Tabernacle: Sprinkled With Blood Tabernacle: Strangers (Foreigners) Forbidden to Enter Tabernacle: Symbol of Spiritual Things Tabernacle: The Ark and Mercy-Seat Put in the Most Holy Place Tabernacle: The Boards of had Each Two Tenons Fitted Into Sockets of Silver Tabernacle: The Boards of Made of Shittim Wood Tabernacle: The Boards of Six, and Two Corner Boards for West Side Tabernacle: The Boards of Supported by Bars of Shittim Wood Resting in Rings of Gold Tabernacle: The Boards of Ten Cubits High by One and a Half Broad Tabernacle: The Boards of Twenty on North Side Tabernacle: The Boards of Twenty on South Side Tabernacle: The Boards of With the Bars, Covered With Gold Tabernacle: The Cloud of Glory Rested On, by Night and Day During Its Tabernacle: The Door of, a Curtain of Blue and Purple Suspended by Gold Tabernacle: The Journeys of Israel Regulated by the Cloud On Tabernacle: The Levites: Appointed Over, and had Charge of Tabernacle: The Levites: Carried Tabernacle: The Levites: did the Inferior Service of Tabernacle: The Levites: Pitched Their Tents Around Tabernacle: The Levites: Took Down, and Put Up Tabernacle: The Lord Appeared In, Over the Mercy-Seat Tabernacle: The Lord Reveals Himself At Tabernacle: The Most Holy Place Tabernacle: The One Instituted by Moses Was Called of Testimony Tabernacle: The One Instituted by Moses Was Called: House of the Lord Tabernacle: The One Instituted by Moses Was Called: Sanctuary Tabernacle: The One Instituted by Moses Was Called: Tabernacle (A. V.), Tent (R. V.) Tabernacle: The One Instituted by Moses Was Called: Tabernacle (A. V.), Tent of Meeting (R. V.) Tabernacle: The One Instituted by Moses Was Called: Temple of the Lord Tabernacle: The One Instituted by Moses Was Called: Tent of Testimony (R. V.) Tabernacle: The Outer Covering Tabernacle: The Priests were the Ministers of Tabernacle: The Priests: Alone Could Enter Tabernacle: The Priests: Performed all Services In Tabernacle: The Second Covering Tabernacle: The Table of Show-Bread, the Golden Candlestick, and The Tabernacle: Tribes Encamped Around, While in the Wilderness Tabernacle: Value of the Substance Contributed For Tabernacle: Workmen Who Constructed It Were Inspired Related Terms |
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