Topical Bible: Tabernacle: The Holy Place of

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The Tabernacle, often referred to as the "Tent of Meeting," served as the central place of worship and the dwelling place of God among the Israelites during their wilderness journey and until the construction of Solomon's Temple. It was a portable sanctuary, meticulously designed according to divine instructions given to Moses on Mount Sinai. The Tabernacle's significance is deeply rooted in its role as a symbol of God's presence and His covenant with Israel.

Biblical Description and Structure

The Tabernacle was constructed based on the detailed specifications provided by God, as recorded in the Book of Exodus. It consisted of three main areas: the Outer Court, the Holy Place, and the Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies).

1. The Outer Court: This area was enclosed by a linen fence and contained the Bronze Altar for burnt offerings and the Bronze Basin for ceremonial washing. The altar was the site of sacrifices, symbolizing atonement and reconciliation with God.

2. The Holy Place: This section of the Tabernacle was accessible only to the priests and contained three key furnishings:
· The Table of Showbread: Located on the north side, it held twelve loaves of bread, representing the twelve tribes of Israel. This bread was a continual offering, symbolizing God's provision and fellowship with His people.
· The Golden Lampstand (Menorah): Positioned on the south side, it provided light within the Holy Place. The lampstand, with its seven branches, symbolized the light of God's presence and guidance.
· The Altar of Incense: Situated before the veil leading to the Most Holy Place, it was used for burning incense, representing the prayers of the people ascending to God.

3. The Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies): Separated by a veil, this innermost sanctuary housed the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark contained the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments, Aaron's rod that budded, and a jar of manna. The mercy seat atop the Ark was considered the earthly throne of God, where His presence dwelt. Only the High Priest could enter the Most Holy Place, and only once a year on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), to make atonement for the sins of the people.

Theological Significance

The Tabernacle served as a tangible representation of God's desire to dwell among His people. It was a place where heaven and earth met, and where the Israelites could approach God through prescribed rituals and sacrifices. The detailed instructions for its construction and the specific roles of the priests underscored the holiness and orderliness required in worshiping a holy God.

The Tabernacle also foreshadowed the coming of Jesus Christ, who is described in the New Testament as the true "tabernacle" or dwelling place of God among men. In John 1:14 , it is written, "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us." The Greek word for "dwelling" is "σκηνόω" (skenoo), which is related to the word for "tabernacle," indicating that Christ embodied the presence of God on earth.

Scriptural References

· Exodus 25-31: Detailed instructions for the construction of the Tabernacle and its furnishings.
· Exodus 35-40: The actual construction and completion of the Tabernacle.
· Leviticus 16: The Day of Atonement and the role of the High Priest in the Most Holy Place.
· Hebrews 9: The New Testament interpretation of the Tabernacle as a foreshadowing of Christ's redemptive work.

The Tabernacle, with its intricate design and sacred function, remains a profound testament to God's holiness, His desire for relationship with His people, and His ultimate plan of redemption through Jesus Christ.

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Exodus 26:31-37
And you shall make a veil of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen of cunning work: with cherubim shall it be made:
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Exodus 40:22-26
And he put the table in the tent of the congregation, on the side of the tabernacle northward, without the veil.
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Hebrews 9:2-6,8
For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the show bread; which is called the sanctuary.
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Library

The Mystic Meaning of the Tabernacle and Its Furniture.
... Chapter VI."The Mystic Meaning of the Tabernacle and Its Furniture ... put off the linen
robe, which he had put on when he entered into the holy place; and shall ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter vi the mystic meaning of.htm

The Day of Atonement
... It is not, however, all employed there, but part of it is carried out into the other
divisions of the Tabernacle; and first, the holy place, which the priests ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the day of atonement.htm

Eighth Day. Holiness and Indwelling.
... of the court of the tabernacle was greater: uncleanness which did not exclude from
the camp would not be tolerated there. Then the holy place was still holier ...
/.../murray/holy in christ/eighth day holiness and indwelling.htm

The Copies of Things in the Heavens
... The threefold division into court of the worshippers, holy place for the priests,
and holiest of all, was not peculiar to the Tabernacle. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the copies of things in.htm

Fifth Sunday in Lent
... the good things to come, through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made ...
his own blood, entered in once for all into the holy place, having obtained ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/epistle sermons vol ii/fifth sunday in lent.htm

The Child Samuel.
... at the leaping fires on the brass altar, now watching the clouds of sweet smoke
rolling out from behind the blue curtains of the holy place of the tabernacle. ...
/.../anonymous/children of the old testament/the child samuel.htm

The Kingdom Forming
... The description of the Tabernacle is in Exodus 25 to 30, but its services form the
contents of ... a) What two things must Aaron do before entering the Holy Place? ...
/.../palmer/a birds-eye view of the bible/ii the kingdom forming.htm

Obedience: Its Place in Holy Scripture.
... Lev.8 and 9, you have, with reference to the consecration of the priests and the
tabernacle, the same ... Such is the place obedience has in Holy Scripture, in ...
/.../murray/the school of obedience/i obedience its place in.htm

Bezaleel and Aholiab.
... God showed Moses the pattern of this tabernacle, with its coverings, its holy place
and most holy place, its ark of the covenant with the cherubims and mercy ...
/.../anonymous/mother stories from the old testament/bezaleel and aholiab.htm

'Three Tabernacles'
... and these three, if I may say so, are like the triple division of that ancient
Tabernacle in the wilderness: the Outer Court; the Holy Place; the Holiest of all ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/three tabernacles.htm