Lexical Summary tabnith: Pattern, form, likeness, model Original Word: תַּבְנִית Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Tibni From banah; structure; by implication, a model, resemblance -- figure, form, likeness, pattern, similitude. see HEBREW banah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom banah Definition construction, pattern, figure NASB Translation copy (1), form (4), image (1), likeness (5), model (2), pattern (4), plan (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs תַּבְנִית noun feminine construction, pattern, figure ֯׳תּ absolute 1 Chronicles 28:19; construct Exodus 25:9 (twice in verse) + 14 t. + Ezekiel 8:10 (strike out Co); תַּבְנִיתוֺ 2 Kings 16:10, תַבְנִיתָם Exodus 25:40 — 1 apparently originally construction, structure, yet only P & late: ׳תַּבְנִית מִזְבַּה י Joshua 22:28; compare Psalm 144:12 in simile הֵיכָל ׳בְּנוֺתֵינוּ כְזָוִיּוֺת מְחֻטָּבִים תּ carved according to the construction of a palace, palace-fashion. 2 pattern, according to which anything is to be constructed (P & late), of tabernacle Exodus 25:9, utensils of tabernacle Exodus 25:9; Exodus 25:40; an altar 2 Kings 16:10 תַּבְנִיתוֺ לְכָלֿ מַעֲשֵׂהוּ (distinguished from דְּמוּת); temple 1 Chronicles 28:11 compare 1 Chronicles 28:12 chariot, i.e. cherubim 1 Chronicles 28:18; ׳מַלְאֲכוֺת הַתּ 1 Chronicles 28:19 i.e. objects of which the patters is given. 3 figure, image, Hexateuch only D, of idols in form of animals Deuteronomy 4:16,17 (twice in verse); Deuteronomy 4:18 (twice in verse); elsewhere late Isaiah 44:13; Ezekiel 8:10 (strike out B Co) Psalm 106:20; compare יָד ׳תּ Ezekiel 8:3; Ezekiel 10:8 i.e. something like a hand. בנט (assumed as √ of אַבְנֵט, Thes Sta§ 257). Topical Lexicon Overview of Scriptural Usage תַּבְנִית appears twenty times across the Old Testament, describing a tangible “pattern,” “model,” or “form.” In the Torah it conveys the God-given blueprint for the Tabernacle (Exodus 25:9, 40) and stands in stark contrast to forbidden man-made images (Deuteronomy 4:16-18). Historical narratives apply the word to copies of altars and the comprehensive plans for Solomon’s Temple (Joshua 22:28; 2 Kings 16:10; 1 Chronicles 28:11-19). Poetic and prophetic books employ the term both for idolatrous shapes (Psalm 106:20; Isaiah 44:13; Ezekiel 8:10) and for visionary glimpses of heavenly realities (Ezekiel 10:8). Thus, תַּבְנִית unites two great biblical themes: God’s gracious self-revelation in prescribed worship and His severe prohibition of self-invented forms. Divine Patterns for Worship 1. The Tabernacle. “See that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain” (Exodus 25:40). The sanctuary’s architecture, furniture, and priestly garments rested on a heavenly archetype. Faithful construction signified covenant obedience and allowed God’s presence to dwell among His people (Exodus 25:8). Warnings Against Idolatrous Forms Deuteronomy 4 underscores the contrast between God’s unseen glory at Sinai and the visible likenesses He forbids: “so that you do not act corruptly and make for yourselves an idol in the form of any figure” (Deuteronomy 4:16-18). Israel’s later exchange of God’s glory “for an image of a bull that eats grass” (Psalm 106:20) epitomizes this corruption. Isaiah 44:13 portrays the craftsman who “shapes it with chisels” according to a human pattern, a sharp rebuke of idolatry’s man-centered origin. Architectural and Liturgical Implications Joshua 22:28 records the Trans-Jordan tribes constructing a replica altar—not for sacrifice, but as a witness—to affirm unity with the central altar at Shiloh. Conversely, King Ahaz copied a pagan altar in Damascus and “sent the pattern of it” to Jerusalem (2 Kings 16:10), illustrating how deviation from God’s pattern leads to syncretism. These narratives highlight that even well-intentioned innovations must be tested against divine prescription. Typological Foreshadowing of the Heavenly Hebrews 8:5 cites Exodus 25:40 to explain that the earthly sanctuary is “a copy and shadow of the heavenly things.” תַּבְנִית therefore anticipates the incarnation, priesthood, and atoning work of Jesus Christ, the true Tabernacle (John 1:14) and cornerstone of a living Temple (Ephesians 2:19-22). Fidelity to the scriptural pattern keeps worship Christ-centered and eschatologically oriented toward the New Jerusalem, whose measurements likewise descend from God (Revelation 21:15). Ethical and Pastoral Applications • Authority: Worship, doctrine, and church order derive their legitimacy from God’s revealed pattern, not cultural preference. Summary תַּבְנִית functions as a theological plumb line, measuring all human constructs—physical or conceptual—against the heavenly original. It both legitimizes God-ordained worship and exposes the folly of idols. The theme reaches its fullness in Jesus Christ, in whom the true pattern of dwelling with God is perfectly revealed and eternally secured. Forms and Transliterations בְּתַ֨בְנִיתָ֔ם בְּתַבְנִ֥ית בתבנית בתבניתם הַתַּבְנִֽית׃ התבנית׃ וְתַבְנִ֗ית וּלְתַבְנִ֣ית ולתבנית ותבנית כְּתַבְנִ֣ית כתבנית תַּבְנִ֕ית תַּבְנִ֛ית תַּבְנִ֜ית תַּבְנִ֣ית תַּבְנִ֥ית תַּבְנִית֖וֹ תַּבְנִית֙ תַּבְנִית֩ תבנית תבניתו bə·ṯaḇ·nî·ṯām bə·ṯaḇ·nîṯ bəṯaḇnîṯ bəṯaḇnîṯām betavNit beTavniTam hat·taḇ·nîṯ hattaḇnîṯ hattavNit kə·ṯaḇ·nîṯ kəṯaḇnîṯ ketavNit taḇ·nî·ṯōw taḇ·nîṯ taḇnîṯ taḇnîṯōw tavNit tavniTo ū·lə·ṯaḇ·nîṯ ūləṯaḇnîṯ uletavNit vetavNit wə·ṯaḇ·nîṯ wəṯaḇnîṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 25:9 HEB: אוֹתְךָ֔ אֵ֚ת תַּבְנִ֣ית הַמִּשְׁכָּ֔ן וְאֵ֖ת NAS: that I am going to show you, [as] the pattern of the tabernacle KJV: According to all that I shew thee, [after] the pattern of the tabernacle, INT: I am to show you the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern Exodus 25:9 Exodus 25:40 Deuteronomy 4:16 Deuteronomy 4:17 Deuteronomy 4:17 Deuteronomy 4:18 Deuteronomy 4:18 Joshua 22:28 2 Kings 16:10 1 Chronicles 28:11 1 Chronicles 28:12 1 Chronicles 28:18 1 Chronicles 28:19 Psalm 106:20 Psalm 144:12 Isaiah 44:13 Ezekiel 8:3 Ezekiel 8:10 Ezekiel 10:8 20 Occurrences |
    |