Topical Encyclopedia The Tabernacle, also known as the Tent of Meeting, was a portable earthly dwelling place of God among the Israelites during their journey through the wilderness. It was meticulously constructed according to the divine instructions given to Moses on Mount Sinai, as recorded in the Book of Exodus. The Tabernacle served as the central place of worship and sacrifice, symbolizing God's presence among His people.Role of the Levites The Levites, one of the twelve tribes of Israel, were set apart for the service of the Tabernacle. Their duties were distinct from those of the priests, who were also Levites but specifically from the line of Aaron. The Levites were responsible for the care, transportation, and maintenance of the Tabernacle and its furnishings during the Israelites' travels. Carrying the Tabernacle The task of carrying the Tabernacle was a significant responsibility assigned to the Levites. This duty was divided among the three main Levitical families: the Kohathites, the Gershonites, and the Merarites, each with specific roles. 1. The Kohathites: The Kohathites were entrusted with the most sacred objects of the Tabernacle, including the Ark of the Covenant, the table of showbread, the lampstand, the altars, and the sacred utensils. Numbers 4:4-15 outlines their responsibilities, emphasizing the need for utmost care and reverence. The Kohathites were not allowed to touch the holy objects directly; instead, they carried them using poles inserted into rings on the sides of the items. Numbers 4:15 states, "After Aaron and his sons have finished covering the holy objects and all their articles of the sanctuary, the Kohathites are to come and carry them, but they must not touch the holy objects, or they will die." 2. The Gershonites: The Gershonites were responsible for the curtains, coverings, and hangings of the Tabernacle. Numbers 4:24-26 describes their duties: "This is the service of the Gershonite clans regarding work and transport: They are to carry the curtains of the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting with its covering and the outer covering of fine leather, the curtains for the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, the curtains of the courtyard, the curtain for the entrance to the courtyard surrounding the tabernacle and altar, and their ropes—all the equipment for their service." 3. The Merarites: The Merarites were tasked with transporting the structural components of the Tabernacle, such as the frames, crossbars, posts, and bases. Numbers 4:31-32 details their responsibilities: "This is what they are responsible to carry as the whole of their service for the Tent of Meeting: the frames of the tabernacle, its crossbars, posts, and bases, as well as the posts of the surrounding courtyard with their bases, tent pegs, and ropes, including all their equipment and everything related to their use." Significance of the Levites' Service The Levites' role in carrying the Tabernacle was not merely logistical but deeply spiritual. Their service ensured that the presence of God, symbolized by the Tabernacle, remained central to the life and worship of the Israelite community. The meticulous care with which the Levites handled the sacred objects underscored the holiness of God and the reverence due to Him. The division of labor among the Levitical families highlights the organized and communal nature of worship in ancient Israel, with each family contributing to the greater purpose of honoring and serving God. Torrey's Topical Textbook Numbers 4:15,25,31And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the sanctuary, and all the vessels of the sanctuary, as the camp is to set forward; after that, the sons of Kohath shall come to bear it: but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die. These things are the burden of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Glad Givers and Faithful Workers The First Part Several Laws. How Solomon Removed the Ark into the Temple How He Made ... Importance of Small Things in Religion In the Borders of Canaan. Following the Cloud. The First vision "In Heaven": Chapters 4-5 The Temple and Its Dedication Book 5 Footnotes 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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