Topical Bible: Tabernacle: Called The: Temple of the Lord

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Topical Encyclopedia

The Tabernacle, often referred to as the "Temple 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 among the people of Israel from the time of the Exodus until the building of Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem.

Biblical Description and Purpose

The Tabernacle was constructed according to divine specifications given to Moses on Mount Sinai. In Exodus 25:8-9 , God commands, "And they are to make a sanctuary for Me, so that I may dwell among them. You must make it according to all that I show you—the pattern of the tabernacle as well as the pattern of all its furnishings." This directive underscores the Tabernacle's role as a sacred space where God would manifest His presence and meet with His people.

Structure and Components

The Tabernacle was a tent-like structure with several key components, each with symbolic and ritual significance. It consisted of the Outer Court, the Holy Place, and the Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies). The Outer Court contained the Bronze Altar for burnt offerings and the Bronze Basin for ceremonial washing. The Holy Place housed the Table of Showbread, the Golden Lampstand, and the Altar of Incense. The Most Holy Place, separated by a veil, contained the Ark of the Covenant, which held the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments.

Theological Significance

The Tabernacle served as a tangible representation of God's covenant relationship with Israel. It was a place of worship, sacrifice, and divine revelation. The presence of God, symbolized by the Shekinah glory cloud, would fill the Tabernacle, as described in 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."

Transition to the Temple

The Tabernacle's role as the central place of worship continued until the reign of King Solomon, who constructed the First Temple in Jerusalem. This transition is noted in 1 Kings 8:4 , where the Ark of the Covenant is brought into the newly built Temple: "and they brought up the ark of the LORD and the Tent of Meeting with all its sacred furnishings. The priests and Levites carried them up."

Symbolism and Typology

In Christian theology, the Tabernacle is often seen as a foreshadowing of Jesus Christ and His redemptive work. The Gospel of John 1:14 states, "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us," with the term "dwelling" echoing the concept of the Tabernacle. This typology emphasizes the belief that Christ is the ultimate fulfillment of God's desire to dwell among His people.

The Tabernacle, as the "Temple of the Lord," remains a profound symbol of God's presence, holiness, and the means by which He established a relationship with His chosen people. Its legacy continues to influence Christian worship and theology, reflecting the enduring significance of God's desire to dwell with humanity.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Samuel 1:9
So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat on a seat by a post of the temple of the LORD.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Samuel 3:3
And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Samuel --The Child of the Temple.
... The Tabernacle that was built in the wilderness, and was brought ... come to Shiloh to
stay it was called the temple ... was at Shiloh she prayed in the temple, and Eli ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xvii samuelthe child of.htm

Whether Sufficient Reason Can be Assigned for the Ceremonies ...
... unity of the Church, so also the division of the tabernacle or temple signified
the ... Now the tabernacle was divided into two parts: one was called the "Holy ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether sufficient reason can be.htm

The Story of Solomon and his Temple
... This house was to be called "The Temple"; and it ... great store of precious things for
the temple; also stone ... Zadok, the priest, took from the Tabernacle the horn ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of solomon and.htm

In his Temple
... The priests and rulers were called to be the representatives ... Heb.8:2. Men reared
the Jewish tabernacle; men builded ... He shall build the temple of the Lord; and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 16 in his temple.htm

Every Inch a King.
... Then King David went in to the Tabernacle and thanked the ... were set to music and sung
by the temple choirs. ... He called Ziba, who had been Saul's servant and said ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xxiii every inch a.htm

What is the Sanctuary?
... itself consisted of two apartments called the holy ... The matchless splendor of the
earthly tabernacle reflected to ... the prophet: "He shall build the temple of the ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /23 what is the sanctuary.htm

What is the Sanctuary?
... itself consisted of two apartments called the holy ... The matchless splendor of the
earthly tabernacle reflected to ... the prophet: "He shall build the temple of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the great controversy/chapter 23 what is the.htm

The Promised King and Temple-Builder
... so say, He preferred the less solid Tabernacle, as corresponding ... the Branch,' who
'shall build the Temple of the ... declared that her Son 'shall be called the Son ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture f/the promised king and temple-builder.htm

The Temple and Its Dedication
... the holy vessels that were in the tabernacle" (2 Chronicles 5 ... this house which I
have built is called by Thy ... The priests could not enter the temple because "the ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 2 the temple and.htm

The Child Prophet
... And the Lord came, and stood, and called as at other ... artless description of the night
in the Tabernacle is broken ... does, that Samuel slept in the 'Temple of the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the child prophet.htm