Topical Encyclopedia The Tabernacle, often referred to as the "Tent of Meeting," holds profound significance in biblical theology as a symbol of spiritual realities. It served as the portable earthly dwelling place of God among the Israelites during their journey through the wilderness, as described in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. The Tabernacle's design, construction, and function are meticulously detailed in the Scriptures, reflecting its importance as a divine institution.Divine Blueprint and Construction The instructions for the Tabernacle were given to Moses on Mount Sinai, as recorded in Exodus 25-31. God commanded, "They are to make a sanctuary for Me, so that I may dwell among them" (Exodus 25:8). The Tabernacle was to be constructed according to the pattern shown to Moses, emphasizing its heavenly origin and purpose. The materials used—gold, silver, bronze, fine linen, and acacia wood—were contributed by the Israelites as freewill offerings, symbolizing their devotion and participation in God's plan. Structure and Furnishings The Tabernacle consisted of three main areas: the Outer Court, the Holy Place, and the Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies). Each area and its furnishings held symbolic meaning: 1. The Outer Court: Enclosed by a linen fence, the Outer Court contained the Bronze Altar for burnt offerings and the Bronze Basin for ceremonial washing. These elements symbolized purification and atonement, essential for approaching a holy God. 2. The Holy Place: This area housed the Table of Showbread, the Golden Lampstand, and the Altar of Incense. The Table of Showbread, with its twelve loaves, represented God's provision and fellowship with His people. The Golden Lampstand, with its seven lamps, symbolized the light of God's presence and guidance. The Altar of Incense signified the prayers of the saints ascending to God. 3. The Most Holy Place: Separated by a veil, the Most Holy Place contained the Ark of the Covenant, which held the stone tablets of the Law, Aaron's rod, and a jar of manna. The Ark was the earthly throne of God, with the mercy seat as its cover, where the high priest would sprinkle the blood of atonement once a year on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:14-15). This act foreshadowed the ultimate atonement through Christ's sacrifice. Symbolism and Spiritual Significance The Tabernacle is rich in typology, pointing to deeper spiritual truths fulfilled in the New Testament. The Apostle John writes, "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us" (John 1:14), using the Greek word "σκηνόω" (skenoo), meaning "to tabernacle." This indicates that Jesus Christ is the ultimate fulfillment of the Tabernacle, embodying God's presence among humanity. The Book of Hebrews further expounds on the Tabernacle's symbolism, portraying it as a shadow of heavenly realities. Hebrews 9:11-12 states, "But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that have come, He went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made by hands, that is, not of this creation. He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, not by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood, thus securing eternal redemption" . Here, Christ is depicted as the true High Priest who enters the heavenly sanctuary, offering His own blood for the redemption of humanity. The Tabernacle and the Church In the New Testament, the Church is often described using imagery reminiscent of the Tabernacle. Believers are referred to as the "temple of the Holy Spirit" (1 Corinthians 6:19), indicating that God's presence now dwells within His people. The communal and individual aspects of the Tabernacle's symbolism find their fulfillment in the Church, which is called to be a holy and living sanctuary for God. The Tabernacle, therefore, serves as a profound symbol of spiritual truths, illustrating God's desire to dwell among His people, the necessity of atonement, and the ultimate fulfillment of these realities in Jesus Christ and His Church. Nave's Topical Index Psalm 15:1Lord, who shall abide in your tabernacle? who shall dwell in your holy hill? Nave's Topical Index Hebrews 8:2,5 Hebrews 9:1-12,24 Library The Copies of Things in the Heavens The Mystic Meaning of the Tabernacle and Its Furniture. Clement of Alexandria. The True Tabernacle, and Its Glory of Grace and Peace Is God in the Camp? The Axe at the Root --A Testimony against Puseyite Idolatry Scriptural Types. Christ's Resurrection and Our Newness of Life The Banquet of the Ten Virgins, or Concerning Chastity The Covenant Promise of the Spirit 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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