Topical Encyclopedia The Tabernacle, also known as the Tent of Meeting, holds a significant place in the history of Israel as the portable earthly dwelling place of Yahweh among the Israelites. Its construction was a direct command from God to Moses, as recorded in the Book of Exodus, and it was to be made from the free-will offerings of the people.Divine Command and Purpose The command to build the Tabernacle is found in Exodus 25:1-9. The LORD instructed Moses, saying, "Tell the Israelites to bring Me an offering. You are to receive My offering from every man whose heart compels him" (Exodus 25:2). This directive highlights the voluntary nature of the contributions, emphasizing that the offerings were to come from those whose hearts were moved to give. The purpose of the Tabernacle was to provide a sacred space where God could dwell among His people. As stated in Exodus 25:8, "And they are to make a sanctuary for Me, so that I may dwell among them" . This dwelling was not merely symbolic but represented the tangible presence of God with His chosen people during their journey through the wilderness. Materials and Contributions The materials required for the construction of the Tabernacle were diverse and included gold, silver, bronze, blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, fine linen, goat hair, ram skins dyed red, and hides of sea cows, among others (Exodus 25:3-7). These materials were to be provided by the Israelites as free-will offerings, reflecting their devotion and commitment to the covenant with God. The response of the people was overwhelming. In Exodus 35:21, it is recorded, "Everyone whose heart stirred him and whose spirit prompted him came and brought an offering to the LORD for the work on the Tent of Meeting, for all its service, and for the sacred garments" . This enthusiastic participation demonstrated the collective dedication of the Israelites to the divine command. Craftsmanship and Construction The construction of the Tabernacle was entrusted to skilled artisans, notably Bezalel and Oholiab, who were filled with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, understanding, and knowledge in all kinds of craftsmanship (Exodus 31:1-6). Their work was a testament to the importance of using God-given talents for His glory. The detailed instructions for the Tabernacle's construction, including its dimensions, furnishings, and the priestly garments, are meticulously outlined in Exodus chapters 25 through 40. The precision of these instructions underscores the holiness and sanctity of the Tabernacle as a place of worship and divine encounter. Significance in Israelite Worship The Tabernacle served as the central place of worship for the Israelites, where sacrifices were offered, and the priesthood conducted their sacred duties. It was the focal point of the Israelite camp, symbolizing God's presence at the heart of His people. The Ark of the Covenant, housed within the Most Holy Place of the Tabernacle, represented the throne of God on earth. The Tabernacle's role extended beyond its physical structure; it was a foreshadowing of the coming of Christ, who "tabernacled" among us (John 1:14). It also prefigured the ultimate dwelling of God with His people in the New Jerusalem, as described in Revelation 21:3, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man" . In summary, the Tabernacle, constructed from the free-will offerings of the Israelites, was a divinely ordained structure that facilitated the worship and presence of God among His people. It stands as a testament to the faithfulness and generosity of the Israelites and the meticulous care with which God instructed His people to approach Him. Torrey's Topical Textbook Exodus 25:1-8And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, Torrey's Topical Textbook Exodus 35:4,5,21-29 Library In his Temple Princely Service. On the Management of the Resources Collected for the Support of ... Results of Transgression The Tabernacle of the Most High Another Royal Procession The Consecration of Joy Scriptural Types. The Catholic Apostolic Church (Called Irvingites. ) Authorship of the Pentateuch. 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 |