Topical Encyclopedia The Tabernacle, also known as the Tent of Meeting, was the portable earthly dwelling place of God among the Israelites during their journey through the wilderness. It was a central element of worship and religious life for the Israelites, as described in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. The Levites, one of the twelve tribes of Israel, were set apart for the service of the Tabernacle, performing duties that were considered essential yet subordinate to the priestly functions carried out by the descendants of Aaron.Role of the Levites The Levites were entrusted with the care and transportation of the Tabernacle and its furnishings. Their responsibilities were distinct from those of the Aaronic priests, who were tasked with performing sacrifices and other sacred rituals. The Levites' service was crucial for the maintenance and operation of the Tabernacle, ensuring that the worship of Yahweh was conducted in accordance with divine instructions. Biblical References 1. Numbers 1:50-53 : "Instead, appoint the Levites over the Tabernacle of the Testimony, all its furnishings, and everything that belongs to it. They are to carry the Tabernacle and all its articles, care for it, and camp around it. Whenever the Tabernacle is to move, the Levites are to take it down; and whenever the Tabernacle is to be set up, the Levites shall do it. Any outsider who approaches it must be put to death. The Israelites are to camp by their divisions, each man in his own camp and under his own standard. But the Levites are to camp around the Tabernacle of the Testimony and watch over it, so that wrath will not fall on the Israelite community." 2. Numbers 3:6-9 : "Bring the tribe of Levi and present them to Aaron the priest to assist him. They are to perform duties for him and for the whole congregation before the Tent of Meeting, attending to the service of the Tabernacle. They are to take care of all the furnishings of the Tent of Meeting and fulfill the obligations of the Israelites by doing the work of the Tabernacle. Give the Levites to Aaron and his sons; they have been given exclusively to him from among the Israelites." 3. Numbers 4:15 : "When Aaron and his sons have finished covering the holy objects and all their furnishings, as the camp sets out, the Kohathites are to come and do the carrying. But they must not touch the holy objects, or they will die. These are the duties of the Kohathites with regard to the Tent of Meeting." Duties and Divisions The Levites were divided into three main families: the Gershonites, the Kohathites, and the Merarites, each with specific responsibilities: · Gershonites: Responsible for the care of the Tabernacle's curtains, coverings, and entrance screens (Numbers 3:25-26). · Kohathites: Tasked with the care of the sanctuary's most sacred objects, including the Ark of the Covenant, the table, the lampstand, the altars, and the sacred utensils (Numbers 3:31-32). · Merarites: Charged with the maintenance of the Tabernacle's structural components, such as the frames, crossbars, posts, and bases (Numbers 3:36-37). Significance of the Levites' Service The service of the Levites was integral to the religious life of Israel, ensuring that the Tabernacle was properly maintained and that the sacred rituals could be performed without interruption. Their role underscored the importance of order and reverence in the worship of God, as well as the necessity of a dedicated group to support the priestly functions. The Levites' service, though considered "inferior" in terms of hierarchy, was nonetheless vital to the spiritual well-being of the Israelite community. Torrey's Topical Textbook Numbers 3:6-8Bring the tribe of Levi near, and present them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister to him. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library The Warfare of Christian Service Against the Jews on the Question of the Sabbath. The Only Atoning Priest The Day of Atonement Obadiah; Or, Early Piety Eminent Piety Book I. A Sermon on Isaiah xxvi. By John Knox. Letter cviii. To Eustochium. Letter Xlviii. To Pammachius. Concerning the Ministry. 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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