Topical Encyclopedia The Tabernacle, as described in the Old Testament, served as the portable earthly dwelling place of God among the Israelites during their journey through the wilderness. It was meticulously constructed according to divine instructions given to Moses on Mount Sinai. The Tabernacle was divided into two main sections: the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place (or Holy of Holies). This entry focuses on the Holy Place, which held significant religious and symbolic importance in the worship practices of ancient Israel.Structure and Furnishings The Holy Place was the first section of the Tabernacle that priests entered after passing through the outer court. It was a rectangular room measuring approximately 20 cubits long, 10 cubits wide, and 10 cubits high. The Holy Place was separated from the outer court by a curtain or veil, known as the screen, and from the Most Holy Place by another veil. Within the Holy Place were three primary pieces of sacred furniture, each with its own symbolic meaning and function: 1. The Table of Showbread: Positioned on the north side of the Holy Place, the Table of Showbread was made of acacia wood overlaid with pure gold. It held twelve loaves of bread, representing the twelve tribes of Israel. These loaves, known as the "bread of the Presence," were placed before the Lord as a continual offering and were replaced every Sabbath (Exodus 25:23-30; Leviticus 24:5-9). The bread symbolized God's provision and sustenance for His people. 2. The Golden Lampstand (Menorah): Located on the south side, the Golden Lampstand was crafted from a single piece of pure gold. It featured seven branches, each adorned with almond-shaped cups, buds, and blossoms. The lampstand provided light within the Holy Place, symbolizing the illumination and guidance of God (Exodus 25:31-40). The priests were responsible for keeping the lamps burning continually, signifying the perpetual presence of God among His people. 3. The Altar of Incense: Situated directly in front of the veil leading to the Most Holy Place, the Altar of Incense was made of acacia wood overlaid with gold. Incense was burned on this altar every morning and evening, representing the prayers of the Israelites ascending to God (Exodus 30:1-10). The fragrant smoke symbolized the pleasing aroma of worship and intercession. Priestly Duties and Symbolism Only the priests, descendants of Aaron, were permitted to enter the Holy Place to perform their sacred duties. These included tending to the lampstand, replacing the showbread, and burning incense. The Holy Place served as a space of mediation between God and His people, where the priests acted as intermediaries, maintaining the rituals that facilitated communion with the Divine. The Holy Place, with its rich symbolism and prescribed rituals, pointed to deeper spiritual truths. It foreshadowed the coming of Christ, who is the true Light of the world (John 8:12), the Bread of Life (John 6:35), and our eternal High Priest who intercedes on our behalf (Hebrews 7:25). The elements within the Holy Place underscored the holiness and majesty of God, as well as His desire to dwell among His people and provide for their spiritual needs. Biblical References · Exodus 25:23-40: Instructions for the Table of Showbread and the Golden Lampstand. · Exodus 30:1-10: Instructions for the Altar of Incense. · Leviticus 24:5-9: Regulations concerning the Showbread. · Hebrews 9:1-2: New Testament reference to the Holy Place and its furnishings. The Holy Place of the Tabernacle remains a profound testament to the intricate design of God's covenant relationship with Israel, reflecting His holiness, provision, and the promise of redemption through Jesus Christ. Torrey's Topical Textbook Exodus 26:33And you shall hang up the veil under the clasps, that you may bring in thither within the veil the ark of the testimony: and the veil shall divide to you between the holy place and the most holy. Torrey's Topical Textbook Hebrews 9:2-6 Library Whether Sufficient Reason Can be Assigned for the Ceremonies ... Leviticus. Annunciation to Zacharias of the Birth of John the Baptist. Our Inheritance The Building of the Golden House. Concerning Things Accomplished in the Synaxis. Passages from Moses, which the Heretics Pervert to the Support of ... Cannot be Proved from Scripture, that Believers under the Old ... The Annunciation The Ark of his Covenant 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 |
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