Topical Encyclopedia The Tabernacle, also known as the Tent of Meeting, holds a significant place in biblical history as the divinely ordained structure where God manifested His presence among the Israelites. It served as a central place of worship and a tangible symbol of God's covenant with His people during their wilderness journey after the Exodus from Egypt.Biblical Description and Construction The instructions for the construction of the Tabernacle are detailed in the Book of Exodus. God commanded Moses to build the Tabernacle according to the specific pattern shown to him on Mount Sinai (Exodus 25:9). The structure was to be portable, allowing the Israelites to carry it throughout their journey to the Promised Land. The Tabernacle was comprised of several key components: 1. The Outer Court: Enclosed by linen curtains, 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: Inside the Tabernacle, the Holy Place housed the table of showbread, the golden lampstand, and the altar of incense (Exodus 26:33-35). 3. The Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies): Separated by a veil, this innermost chamber contained the Ark of the Covenant, which held the stone tablets of the Law, Aaron's rod, and a jar of manna (Exodus 26:33-34; Hebrews 9:4). The mercy seat atop the Ark was the focal point of God's presence. Manifestation of God's Presence The Tabernacle was designed as a dwelling place for God among His people. The cloud of God's glory, known as the Shekinah, would descend upon the Tabernacle, signifying His presence (Exodus 40:34-35). This visible manifestation assured the Israelites of God's continual guidance and protection. The Tabernacle also served as the center of Israel's sacrificial system, where priests offered sacrifices to atone for the sins of the people. The high priest entered the Most Holy Place once a year on the Day of Atonement to make atonement for himself and the nation (Leviticus 16:2-34). Theological Significance Theologically, the Tabernacle prefigures the coming of Jesus Christ, who is described as the true Tabernacle. In the New Testament, the Gospel of John states, "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us" (John 1:14), using the Greek word "σκηνόω" (skenoo), meaning "to tabernacle." This indicates that Jesus embodied the presence of God on earth. Furthermore, the Tabernacle's design and function foreshadow the ultimate reconciliation between God and humanity through Christ's sacrificial death and resurrection. The tearing of the temple veil at Christ's crucifixion symbolizes the removal of the barrier between God and man, granting believers direct access to God's presence (Matthew 27:51; Hebrews 10:19-20). Cultural and Historical Context The Tabernacle was central to the religious and communal life of the Israelites. It was the place where God communicated His laws and instructions to Moses, and where the Israelites gathered for worship and guidance. The meticulous details of its construction and the specific materials used, such as acacia wood, gold, and fine linen, reflect the holiness and majesty of God. In summary, the Tabernacle was not merely a physical structure but a profound representation of God's desire to dwell among His people, guiding them and providing a means for atonement and worship. Its significance extends beyond its historical context, pointing to the ultimate fulfillment of God's presence through Jesus Christ. Torrey's Topical Textbook Exodus 25:8And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. Torrey's Topical Textbook Exodus 29:42,43 Library What is the Sanctuary? What is the Sanctuary? In his Temple Abram's Horror of Great Darkness. Scriptural Types. The Historical Books. Christ Glorified as the Builder of his Church "The Light of Life" Chapter viii The General Deliverance 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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