Topical Encyclopedia The Tabernacle, as described in the Old Testament, served not only as the central place of worship for the Israelites but also as a significant location for the administration of justice and the resolution of disputes. The Tabernacle, also known as the Tent of Meeting, was the portable earthly dwelling place of Yahweh among the people of Israel during their journey through the wilderness and until the construction of Solomon's Temple.Biblical Context The Tabernacle was established following the Israelites' exodus from Egypt, as detailed in the Book of Exodus. God provided Moses with specific instructions for its construction, emphasizing its role as a sacred space where He would dwell among His people (Exodus 25:8-9). The Tabernacle was divided into distinct areas, including the Outer Court, the Holy Place, and the Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies), each serving specific functions in the religious and communal life of Israel. Judicial Functions The Tabernacle also functioned as a place where causes and disputes were tried, particularly those requiring divine guidance or intervention. The priests, who served as mediators between God and the people, played a crucial role in this judicial process. They were responsible for interpreting the Law and ensuring its application in various cases. One of the key elements in the judicial process at the Tabernacle was the use of the Urim and Thummim, sacred lots used by the high priest to discern God's will in difficult cases. The exact nature of the Urim and Thummim is not fully understood, but they were considered a means of receiving divine judgment (Exodus 28:30; Numbers 27:21). Scriptural References Several passages in the Old Testament highlight the role of the Tabernacle in the administration of justice: 1. Exodus 18:13-26: Moses, acting as the primary judge for the Israelites, would sit to judge the people from morning until evening. However, following the advice of his father-in-law Jethro, Moses appointed capable men to serve as judges for minor disputes, reserving the more difficult cases for himself. This system of delegation likely involved the Tabernacle as the central place for resolving significant disputes. 2. Numbers 5:11-31: The trial of jealousy, a specific case involving a husband suspecting his wife of infidelity, was conducted at the Tabernacle. The priest would administer a ritual involving holy water and dust from the Tabernacle floor, seeking a divine verdict on the matter. 3. Deuteronomy 17:8-13: In cases too difficult to be decided locally, such as those involving bloodshed, legal rights, or assaults, the matter was to be brought to the place the Lord would choose, which initially was the Tabernacle. The priests and the judge in office would render a decision, and their judgment was to be followed without deviation. Role of the Priests The priests, particularly the high priest, were integral to the judicial process at the Tabernacle. They were tasked with teaching the Law (Leviticus 10:11) and ensuring its correct application. Their role extended beyond religious duties to include the administration of justice, reflecting the theocratic nature of Israelite society, where civil and religious laws were intertwined. Significance The Tabernacle's function as a place where causes were tried underscores its centrality in the life of the Israelite community. It was not only a place of worship but also a symbol of God's presence and authority, where divine justice was sought and administered. The integration of worship and justice at the Tabernacle highlights the holistic nature of the covenant relationship between God and His people, where spiritual and communal life were deeply interconnected. Nave's Topical Index Deuteronomy 12:5,6,11-14But to the place which the LORD your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put his name there, even to his habitation shall you seek, and thither you shall come: Nave's Topical Index Library The Gospel Cordial Discouragement The Transfiguration Hiram, the Inspired Artificer The Broken Column Songs of Deliverance Psalm XLII. Seven "I Wills" of Christ. All Joy in all Trials The Bliss of the Glorified 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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