The Tabernacle, as described in the Old Testament, served as the portable earthly dwelling place of God among the Israelites during their journey through the wilderness. It was a sacred structure that was meticulously designed according to divine instructions given to Moses on Mount Sinai. The Tabernacle was divided into two main sections: the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place, also known as the Holy of Holies.

The Most Holy Place

The Most Holy Place was the innermost and most sacred area of the Tabernacle. It was separated from the Holy Place by a veil, a curtain of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and finely twisted linen with cherubim worked into it (Exodus 26:31-33). This veil symbolized the separation between God and humanity due to sin, emphasizing the holiness of God and the need for atonement.

Dimensions and Structure

The Most Holy Place was a perfect cube, measuring ten cubits by ten cubits by ten cubits (approximately 15 feet in each dimension). It was the smallest section of the Tabernacle but held the greatest significance, as it was the dwelling place of the presence of God, often referred to as the Shekinah glory.

Contents

The primary and sole piece of furniture within the Most Holy Place was the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark was a gold-covered wooden chest containing the two stone tablets of the Ten Commandments, Aaron's rod that budded, and a golden jar of manna (Hebrews 9:4). The Ark was topped with the Mercy Seat, a solid gold lid with two cherubim facing each other, their wings spread upward, overshadowing the Mercy Seat. It was here that God promised to meet with Moses and communicate His commands for the Israelites (Exodus 25:21-22).

Significance

The Most Holy Place was the focal point of the Day of Atonement, the most solemn day in the Jewish calendar. On this day, the high priest alone was permitted to enter the Most Holy Place, and only after making specific preparations and sacrifices for his own sins and the sins of the people (Leviticus 16:2-34). The high priest would sprinkle the blood of the sacrificial animal on the Mercy Seat to atone for the sins of Israel, symbolizing the need for a mediator between God and humanity.

Theological Implications

The Most Holy Place represented the ultimate presence of God and the hope of reconciliation between God and His people. It foreshadowed the coming of Jesus Christ, who, through His sacrificial death and resurrection, tore the veil that separated humanity from God, granting believers direct access to the Father (Matthew 27:51; Hebrews 10:19-20). The Most Holy Place thus serves as a profound symbol of God's holiness, justice, and mercy, and the fulfillment of His redemptive plan through Christ.Exodus 26:34
And you shall put the mercy seat on the ark of the testimony in the most holy place.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Hebrews 9:3,7
And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Whether Sufficient Reason Can be Assigned for the Ceremonies ...
... all things according to the pattern which was shown thee on the mount." But that
is most reasonable, which ... Now the tabernacle was divided into two parts ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether sufficient reason can be.htm

Annunciation to Zacharias of the Birth of John the Baptist.
... priest named Zacharias, of the course [David divided the priests ... office, his lot
was to enter into the temple ... which took the place of the tabernacle of the ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/v annunciation to zacharias of.htm

The Building of the Golden House.
... Each stone was ready to fit into its place, and each piece of wood to fit another. ...
He divided the temple in two parts, as the Tabernacle had been, with a ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xxvi the building of.htm

Leviticus.
... from the time of the completion of the Tabernacle. ... several ways, among which the
most instructive is ... general division, the offerings are divided into two kinds ...
/.../the way of salvation in the lutheran church/chapter iii leviticus.htm

Concerning Sacerdotal Consecrations.
... conductors; in reference to which holy tabernacle,"when describing ... sacerdotal Order,
which is divided into a purifying ... who are brought nigh, into the most ...
/.../dionysius/ecclesiastical hierarchy/caput v i concerning sacerdotal.htm

Concerning Things Accomplished in the Synaxis.
... and adorned the formless with Godlike beauties; the tabernacle [257] of ... veiled and
undivided Bread, and divided it into many, and has divided the Oneness ...
/.../dionysius/ecclesiastical hierarchy/caput iii i concerning things.htm

God's Law Immutable.
... blaspheme His name, and His tabernacle, and them ... The most fearful threatening ever
addressed to mortals ... contest, all Christendom will be divided into two great ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /25 gods law immutable.htm

God's Law Immutable
... blaspheme His name, and His tabernacle, and them ... The most fearful threatening ever
addressed to mortals ... contest all Christendom will be divided into two great ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 25 gods law immutable.htm

Scriptural Types.
... The tabernacle itself was divided by a vail supported ... 3.) The typical character of
the tabernacle appears very ... sin-offering, he carried its blood into the most ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxvii scriptural types.htm

The Annunciation
... half of one of the supports (which was divided), so that ... The Most High has sanctified
His own tabernacle; God is ... Anna with the other women came into Mary's room ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/viii the annunciation.htm

What was the significance of the bronze laver? | GotQuestions.org

What 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