Topical Encyclopedia The Tabernacle, often referred to as the "Tabernacle of the Congregation," holds a significant place in the religious and cultural history of the Israelites as described in the Old Testament. It served as the portable earthly dwelling place of Yahweh (God) among the people of Israel during their journey through the wilderness after the Exodus from Egypt.Biblical Description and Construction The instructions for the construction of the Tabernacle are detailed in the Book of Exodus. God commanded Moses to build the Tabernacle according to the specific pattern shown to him on Mount Sinai. Exodus 25:8-9 states, "And they are to make a sanctuary for Me, so that I may dwell among them. You must make it according to all that I show you—the pattern of the tabernacle as well as the pattern of all its furnishings." The Tabernacle was a tent-like structure that could be dismantled and transported as the Israelites moved. It was made from materials contributed by the people, including gold, silver, bronze, fine linen, and acacia wood. The structure consisted of three main areas: the Outer Court, the Holy Place, and the Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies). The Outer Court The Outer Court was enclosed by a fence made of linen curtains. Within this area stood the bronze altar for burnt offerings and the bronze laver for ceremonial washing. The altar was the place where sacrifices were made, symbolizing atonement and worship. The Holy Place The Holy Place was the first section of the Tabernacle tent itself. It contained the Table of Showbread, the Golden Lampstand (Menorah), and the Altar of Incense. The Table of Showbread held twelve loaves of bread, representing the twelve tribes of Israel. The Golden Lampstand provided light, symbolizing God's presence and guidance. The Altar of Incense was used for burning incense, representing the prayers of the people ascending to God. The Most Holy Place The Most Holy Place, or Holy of Holies, was the innermost and most sacred area of the Tabernacle. It was separated from the Holy Place by a veil. Inside the Holy of Holies was the Ark of the Covenant, which contained the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments, Aaron's rod that budded, and a jar of manna. The Ark was covered by the Mercy Seat, where God's presence was believed to dwell. Only the High Priest could enter the Holy of Holies, and only once a year on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), to make atonement for the sins of the people. Significance and Symbolism The Tabernacle served as a tangible symbol of God's presence among His people. It was a place of worship, sacrifice, and divine revelation. The detailed instructions and the sacred rituals associated with the Tabernacle underscored the holiness of God and the need for purity and obedience among the Israelites. The Tabernacle also foreshadowed the coming of Jesus Christ, who is seen as the ultimate fulfillment of God's dwelling among humanity. In the New Testament, John 1:14 states, "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us." The Greek word for "dwelling" is "σκηνόω" (skenoo), which is related to the word for "tabernacle," indicating that Christ is the true Tabernacle, God dwelling in human form. Historical Context The Tabernacle was used throughout the Israelites' 40-year journey in the wilderness and during their early years in the Promised Land. It was eventually replaced by the Temple in Jerusalem, built by King Solomon, which became the permanent place of worship for the Israelites. The concept of the Tabernacle as the "Tabernacle of the Congregation" emphasizes its role as the central place of assembly for the people of Israel, where they gathered to worship, offer sacrifices, and seek guidance from God. It was a unifying structure that represented the covenant relationship between God and His chosen people. Torrey's Topical Textbook Exodus 27:21In the tabernacle of the congregation without the veil, which is before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall order it from evening to morning before the LORD: it shall be a statute for ever to their generations on the behalf of the children of Israel. Torrey's Topical Textbook Exodus 33:7 Exodus 40:26 Library The Attack on the Book of Leviticus. The First Sermon in the Tabernacle Following the Cloud. The Angels with the Seven vials. The Day of Atonement What is the Sanctuary? The Burnt Offering a Picture and a Prophecy What is the Sanctuary? The Copies of Things in the Heavens Strange Fire Resources What was the tabernacle of David? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was the tabernacle of Moses? | GotQuestions.org What were the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place in the temple / tabernacle? | 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 |
    |