Topical Encyclopedia The Tabernacle, as described in the Old Testament, served as the portable earthly dwelling place of Yahweh among the Israelites during their journey through the wilderness. Central to its construction were the curtains, which played a crucial role in the structure and symbolism of the Tabernacle.Biblical Description and Construction The instructions for the construction of the Tabernacle and its curtains are detailed in the Book of Exodus. According to Exodus 26:1-6 , the Tabernacle was to be made with ten curtains of finely twisted linen, along with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, featuring cherubim skillfully worked into them. These curtains were to be joined together in sets of five, with loops of blue material on the edge of the end curtain in each set. Fifty gold clasps were used to join the curtains, making the Tabernacle a single unit. In addition to the inner curtains, there were also curtains made of goat hair, as described in Exodus 26:7-13 . These were to be eleven in number, longer than the inner curtains, and were to cover the Tabernacle as a tent. The goat hair curtains were joined in sets of five and six, with fifty bronze clasps to connect them. The excess length of the curtains was to hang over the sides of the Tabernacle, providing additional covering. Furthermore, Exodus 26:14 specifies additional coverings for the Tabernacle: a layer of ram skins dyed red and a covering of fine leather, providing protection from the elements. Symbolism and Significance The curtains of the Tabernacle were rich in symbolism, reflecting the holiness and majesty of God. The use of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, along with the depiction of cherubim, signified the heavenly nature of God's dwelling. The cherubim, often associated with the presence of God, underscored the sacredness of the space within the Tabernacle. The materials and colors used in the curtains also held significant meaning. Blue often symbolized divinity, purple represented royalty, and scarlet was associated with sacrifice and atonement. The fine linen indicated purity and righteousness, qualities befitting the dwelling place of the Holy One. Function and Purpose The curtains served both practical and spiritual purposes. Practically, they provided a physical barrier, separating the sacred space of the Tabernacle from the outside world. Spiritually, they represented the separation between a holy God and sinful humanity, a theme that is echoed throughout Scripture. The inner curtains formed the walls and ceiling of the Tabernacle, creating the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies), where the Ark of the Covenant was kept. The veil, a special curtain described in Exodus 26:31-33 , separated these two areas, emphasizing the holiness of the Most Holy Place, where only the high priest could enter once a year on the Day of Atonement. New Testament Fulfillment In the New Testament, the Tabernacle and its elements, including the curtains, are seen as foreshadowing the coming of Christ. Hebrews 9:11-12 speaks of Christ as the High Priest of the good things to come, who entered the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made by human hands. The tearing of the temple veil at the moment of Christ's death (Matthew 27:51) symbolizes the removal of the barrier between God and humanity, granting believers direct access to the Father through the atoning work of Jesus Christ. Nave's Topical Index Exodus 26:1-14,31-37Moreover you shall make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet: with cherubim of cunning work shall you make them. Nave's Topical Index Exodus 27:9-16 Exodus 35:15,17 Exodus 36:8-19,35,37 Library Concerning the Tabernacle which Moses Built in the Wilderness for ... Every Inch a King. The True Tabernacle, and Its Glory of Grace and Peace The Child Samuel. 'Three Tabernacles' Whether Sufficient Reason Can be Assigned for the Ceremonies ... That the Church which Before had Been Barren Should have More ... The Copies of Things in the Heavens Of the Purifications. Folly of the Arguments Derived by the Heretics from Numbers ... Resources What was the tabernacle of David? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was the tabernacle of Moses? | GotQuestions.org What were the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place in the temple / tabernacle? | 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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