Dictionary of Bible Themes: 7459 tabernacle, in OT

7459 tabernacle, in OT

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 7000 God's people » 7300 Institutions and culture of OT » 7458 tabernacle, the » 7459 tabernacle, in OT

A prefabricated portable structure that was used for worship from the wilderness period until Solomon built the Jerusalem temple.

The tabernacle was the place of God's presence

Exodus 33:9-10 See also Exodus 25:8; Exodus 40:34-35

The construction of the tabernacle

It was built at God's command

Exodus 25:9 See also Exodus 25:40; Exodus 39:32,43

The materials used in its construction

Exodus 25:3-7 Many of these materials were available in the desert. Others, such as gold, would have been obtained from the Egyptians (Ex 12:35-36); Exodus 35:21-24

The plan for its construction

Exodus 26:1,7,14-15,26

The skilled labour employed in its construction

Exodus 31:1-6 pp Exodus 35:30-35 See also Exodus 35:10,26; Exodus 36:1-2

The tabernacle courtyard and its contents

Its dimensions and construction

Exodus 27:9,12,18

The altar of burnt offering

Exodus 27:1

The laver

Exodus 30:17-18

The tabernacle's Holy Place and its contents

Its construction

Exodus 26:36-37

The incense altar

Exodus 30:1,5

The lampstand

Exodus 25:31

The golden table for the bread of the Presence

Exodus 25:23,30; Exodus 26:35

The tabernacle's Most Holy Place and its contents

It was separated from the Holy Place by a curtain

Exodus 26:31-33 It was designed as a perfect cube with sides of 10 cubits (4.5 metres).

It contained the ark of the covenant

Exodus 26:33-34

The Levites were responsible for the tabernacle

Numbers 1:50-51

The non-religious functions of the tabernacle

As a reference point for locating the different tribes in camp

Numbers 2:1-2 Symbolising that God was central to the life of the nation.

The movement of the cloud of glory showed when it was time to make or break camp

See also Exodus 40:36-38

Places where the tabernacle was sited

The tabernacle was dedicated at Sinai:

Exodus 40:1-2,9-11

Shiloh:

Joshua 18:1; 1 Samuel 1:3; Psalm 78:60 1 Samuel 21:1 Nob; 1 Chronicles 16:39 Gibeon; 2 Chronicles 5:2-6 Jerusalem