Topical Encyclopedia The Tabernacle, also known as the "Tent of Meeting," was a portable sanctuary that served as the dwelling place of God among the Israelites during their journey through the wilderness. It was instituted by Moses following the divine instructions given to him on Mount Sinai. This sacred structure is often referred to as the "Tabernacle of Testimony" because it housed the Ark of the Covenant, which contained the tablets of the Law, or the Testimony, given to Moses by God.Biblical Foundation and Construction The instructions for building the Tabernacle are detailed in the Book of Exodus, chapters 25 through 31. God commanded Moses, "And 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 precise pattern shown to Moses on the mountain (Exodus 25:9). The materials for the Tabernacle were provided by the Israelites as freewill offerings, including gold, silver, bronze, fine linen, and various precious stones (Exodus 25:1-7). Skilled artisans, led by Bezalel and Oholiab, were appointed to oversee the construction (Exodus 31:1-6). Structure and Furnishings The Tabernacle was comprised of several key components: 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 (Exodus 27:9-19). 2. The Holy Place: This section housed the table of showbread, the golden lampstand, and the altar of incense. The priests entered the Holy Place daily to perform their duties (Exodus 26:33-35). 3. The Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies): Separated by a veil, the Most Holy Place contained the Ark of the Covenant, which was the central focus of the Tabernacle. The Ark was a gold-covered wooden chest that held the tablets of the Testimony, Aaron's rod, and a jar of manna (Exodus 25:10-22; Hebrews 9:4). The mercy seat, or the atonement cover, was placed atop the Ark, and it was here that God's presence was said to dwell (Exodus 25:17-22). Significance and Function The Tabernacle served as the focal point of Israelite worship and the center of their religious life. It was the place where sacrifices were offered, and where the priests interceded on behalf of the people. The presence of God, symbolized by the cloud by day and the fire by night, rested upon the Tabernacle, guiding the Israelites on their journey (Exodus 40:34-38). The term "Tabernacle of Testimony" underscores the covenantal relationship between God and Israel, as the Testimony within the Ark represented God's law and His promises to His people. The Tabernacle was a constant reminder of God's holiness, His desire to dwell among His people, and the need for atonement and obedience. Theological Implications The Tabernacle prefigures the coming of Jesus Christ, who is described in the New Testament as the true Tabernacle. The Gospel of John states, "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us" (John 1:14), using the Greek word "skenoo," which means "to tabernacle." This signifies that Christ is the ultimate fulfillment of God's desire to dwell with humanity. Furthermore, the Tabernacle's sacrificial system foreshadows the perfect and final sacrifice of Christ, who entered the heavenly sanctuary once for all, securing eternal redemption (Hebrews 9:11-12). The Tabernacle thus serves as a profound symbol of God's redemptive plan and His enduring presence with His people. Nave's Topical Index Exodus 38:21This is the sum of the tabernacle, even of the tabernacle of testimony, as it was counted, according to the commandment of Moses, for the service of the Levites, by the hand of Ithamar, son to Aaron the priest. Nave's Topical Index Numbers 1:50 Library Were Christ and the Apostles Mistaken? Whether Sufficient Reason Can be Assigned for the Ceremonies ... Of the Five Sacraments, Falsely So Called. Their Spuriousness ... Scriptural Types. At the Feast of the Dedication of the Temple. Ten Reasons Demonstrating the Commandment of the Sabbath to be ... The Institution of Deacons, and the History of Stephen. Of the Sacraments. The Old Testament Canon from Its Beginning to Its Close. Questions. Resources What was the significance of the bronze laver? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was the tent of meeting? | GotQuestions.org Who were Bezalel and Oholiab in the Bible? | 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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