Topical Encyclopedia The Tabernacle of Testimony, also known as the Tent of Meeting, holds a significant place in the religious and cultural history of the Israelites as described in the Old Testament. It served as the portable earthly dwelling place of Yahweh (God) among the Israelites during their journey through the wilderness after the Exodus from Egypt. The term "Tabernacle of Testimony" emphasizes its role as a witness to the covenant between God and His people, housing the Ark of the Covenant which contained the tablets of the Law.Biblical Description and Construction The instructions for the construction of the Tabernacle are detailed in the Book of Exodus, chapters 25 through 31, and its actual construction is described in chapters 35 through 40. God commanded Moses to build the Tabernacle according to the pattern shown to him on Mount Sinai (Exodus 25:9: "You must make it according to all that I show you—the design of the tabernacle and the design of all its furnishings."). The Tabernacle was to be a sacred space where God would dwell among His people and where they could offer sacrifices and worship. The structure of the Tabernacle included the Outer Court, the Holy Place, and the Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies). The Most Holy Place housed the Ark of the Covenant, which contained the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments, Aaron's rod that budded, and a jar of manna (Hebrews 9:4). The Ark was considered the earthly throne of God, and the mercy seat atop the Ark was where God's presence would appear. Function and Significance The Tabernacle served multiple functions: it was a place of worship, a center for sacrificial offerings, and a symbol of God's presence and guidance. It was also a place where Moses and the priests would communicate with God. The cloud of God's glory, known as the Shekinah, would rest upon the Tabernacle, signifying His presence (Exodus 40:34-35: "Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. Moses was unable to enter the Tent of Meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle."). The Tabernacle was a constant reminder to the Israelites of God's covenant and His faithfulness. It was a place where the Israelites could seek atonement for their sins through the sacrificial system, which foreshadowed the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ in the New Testament. Theological Implications Theologically, the Tabernacle of Testimony is seen as a precursor to the Temple in Jerusalem and ultimately to the coming of Jesus Christ, who is described in the New Testament as the true Tabernacle (John 1:14: "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us."). The Tabernacle's design and function pointed to the holiness of God and the need for a mediator between God and humanity, a role fulfilled by Christ. The Tabernacle also illustrates the concept of God dwelling among His people, a theme that is carried throughout the Bible and culminates in the New Testament with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in believers. The presence of God with His people is a central theme in both the Old and New Testaments, emphasizing His desire for a relationship with humanity. Historical Context Historically, the Tabernacle was used throughout the Israelites' 40-year journey in the wilderness and during their conquest of Canaan. It was eventually replaced by Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem, which became the permanent dwelling place for the Ark of the Covenant and the center of Jewish worship. The Tabernacle of Testimony remains a profound symbol of God's covenant, His holiness, and His desire to dwell among His people, serving as a testament to His enduring faithfulness and love. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia Tabernacle of Testimony WitnessTABERNACLE OF TESTIMONY (WITNESS) (Numbers 9:15 2 Chronicles 24:6, the Revised Version (British and American) "the tent of the testimony"). Greek 3142. marturion -- a testimony, a witness ... something evidential, ie (genitive case) evidence given or (specially), the Decalogue (in the sacred Tabernacle) -- to be testified, testimony, witness. ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3142.htm - 6k Library The Testimony of Jesus Christ The Levites Ought to be Utterly Free from all Earthly Desires. ... The Copies of Things in the Heavens John Chapter v. 19-40 The Sixth vision "In Heaven" Of the Times of Moses and Joshua the Son of Nun, of the Judges ... The Story of the Baptist, from his Last Testimony to Jesus to his ... Were Christ and the Apostles Mistaken? 1 John i. 1-ii. 11 The Tabernacle of the Most High 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 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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 |