Topical Encyclopedia The Tabernacle, often referred to as the "House of the Lord," 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, the God of Israel, during their journey through the wilderness after the Exodus from Egypt. The Tabernacle was a central place of worship and a symbol of God's presence among His people.Biblical Description and Construction The instructions for building the Tabernacle were given to Moses on Mount Sinai, as recorded in the Book of Exodus. The Lord commanded Moses, "And they are to make a sanctuary for Me, so that I may dwell among them" (Exodus 25:8). The detailed plans included specifications for the materials, dimensions, and furnishings, emphasizing the importance of holiness and divine order. The Tabernacle was constructed with a framework of acacia wood overlaid with gold, and it was covered with layers of curtains made from fine linen and animal skins. The interior was divided into two main sections: the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place (or Holy of Holies). The Holy Place contained the Table of Showbread, the Golden Lampstand, and the Altar of Incense. The Most Holy Place housed the Ark of the Covenant, which was the focal point of God's presence and the place where the high priest would enter once a year on the Day of Atonement to make atonement for the sins of the people (Leviticus 16). Significance and Symbolism The Tabernacle was not merely a physical structure but a profound symbol of God's covenant relationship with Israel. It represented God's desire to dwell among His people and to be their God. The presence of the Tabernacle in the midst of the Israelite camp signified that God was at the center of their community and their lives. The Tabernacle also foreshadowed the coming of Jesus Christ, who is described in the New Testament as the true and ultimate dwelling place of God among men. The Gospel of John states, "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us" (John 1:14), using the Greek word "σκηνόω" (skenoo), which means "to tabernacle" or "to pitch a tent." Worship and Rituals The Tabernacle was the center of Israelite worship and the site of various sacrifices and offerings. The Levitical priests, descendants of Aaron, were responsible for performing the rituals and maintaining the sanctity of the Tabernacle. The sacrificial system, including burnt offerings, grain offerings, and peace offerings, was integral to the worship practices, serving as a means of atonement and reconciliation with God. The Tabernacle also played a crucial role in the religious festivals and holy days prescribed in the Law of Moses. These included the Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Tabernacles, each with its own significance and rituals. Transition to the Temple The Tabernacle served as the primary place of worship for the Israelites until the construction of Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem. King David expressed his desire to build a permanent house for the Lord, but it was his son Solomon who fulfilled this vision. The Temple, often referred to as the "House of the Lord," became the central place of worship and the dwelling place of God's presence in Israel. The transition from the Tabernacle to the Temple marked a significant development in Israel's religious life, yet the Tabernacle's legacy continued to influence Jewish worship and theology. The concept of God dwelling among His people remained a central theme in the biblical narrative and continues to hold theological significance in Christian thought. Torrey's Topical Textbook Joshua 6:24And they burnt the city with fire, and all that was therein: only the silver, and the gold, and the vessels of brass and of iron, they put into the treasury of the house of the LORD. Torrey's Topical Textbook 1 Samuel 1:7,24 Library The Building of the Golden House. The Dissolution of Our Tabernacle Consistent with the Resurrection ... Prayer and the House of God Every Inch a King. The Story of Solomon and his Temple The Temple and Its Dedication The Child Prophet The True Tabernacle, and Its Glory of Grace and Peace Whether Sufficient Reason Can be Assigned for the Ceremonies ... The Old House and the New 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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