The spoons of the Tabernacle, also referred to as "censers" or "dishes" in some translations, are among the sacred utensils described in the Old Testament, specifically in the context of the construction and service of the Tabernacle. These spoons were integral to the rituals and offerings prescribed by God to the Israelites during their wilderness journey and subsequent worship practices.

Biblical References and Description

The spoons are first mentioned in the Book of Exodus, where God provides Moses with detailed instructions for the construction of the Tabernacle and its furnishings. In Exodus 25:29 , God commands, "And you are to make its plates and dishes, as well as its pitchers and bowls, with which to pour drink offerings. You shall make them of pure gold." The spoons, made of pure gold, were used in conjunction with other sacred vessels for the presentation of offerings.

In Numbers 7, during the dedication of the Tabernacle, the leaders of Israel brought offerings, including spoons filled with incense. Numbers 7:14 states, "one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense." Each leader's offering included a gold spoon, emphasizing the importance and sanctity of these utensils in worship.

Function and Symbolism

The primary function of the spoons was to hold incense, which was a significant element in the worship and sacrificial system of ancient Israel. Incense, often associated with prayer and the presence of God, was burned on the altar of incense, symbolizing the prayers of the people ascending to God. The use of gold for the spoons underscores their sacred purpose and the holiness required in approaching God.

The spoons also played a role in the grain offerings, as described in Leviticus. The priests would use these utensils to handle the offerings, ensuring that the rituals were conducted according to divine instructions. The meticulous care in crafting and using these spoons reflects the broader biblical theme of reverence and obedience to God's commands.

Theological Significance

From a theological perspective, the spoons of the Tabernacle highlight the importance of purity and holiness in worship. The use of gold, a symbol of purity and value, signifies the worthiness required in approaching the divine presence. The spoons, as part of the Tabernacle's furnishings, contribute to the overall narrative of God's desire for a sanctified people who worship Him in spirit and truth.

Moreover, the spoons' role in the offerings points to the mediatory function of the priesthood and the necessity of atonement and intercession. The incense carried in these spoons represents the prayers and devotion of the Israelites, reminding believers of the importance of prayer and the need for a mediator, ultimately fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ.

Historical and Cultural Context

In the ancient Near Eastern context, the use of spoons and other utensils in religious rituals was not unique to Israel. However, the specific instructions and materials prescribed for the Tabernacle's spoons set Israel's worship apart, emphasizing a distinct covenant relationship with Yahweh. The detailed craftsmanship and use of precious materials reflect the cultural value placed on religious artifacts and the centrality of worship in Israelite society.

The spoons of the Tabernacle, while seemingly minor in the grand scheme of the Tabernacle's construction, serve as a testament to the intricate and intentional design of Israel's worship system. They remind us of the care and reverence required in approaching God, a principle that continues to resonate in Christian worship today.Exodus 25:29
And you shall make the dishes thereof, and spoons thereof, and covers thereof, and bowls thereof, to cover with: of pure gold shall you make them.
Nave's Topical Index

Numbers 4:7
And on the table of show bread they shall spread a cloth of blue, and put thereon the dishes, and the spoons, and the bowls, and covers to cover with: and the continual bread shall be thereon:
Nave's Topical Index

Numbers 7:1
And it came to pass on the day that Moses had fully set up the tabernacle, and had anointed it, and sanctified it, and all the instruments thereof, both the altar and all the vessels thereof, and had anointed them, and sanctified them;
Nave's Topical Index

Princely Service.
... chapter were given in connection with the setting up of the Tabernacle, and had ... of
Israel: twelve chargers of silver, twelve silver bowls, twelve spoons of gold ...
/.../taylor/separation and service/part iii princely service.htm

The Building of the Golden House.
... He divided the temple in two parts, as the Tabernacle had been, with a rich ... made
many things for the use of the temple"candlesticks, and spoons, and censers ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xxvi the building of.htm

Glad Givers and Faithful Workers
... of the Lord, and of the congregation of Israel, for the tabernacle of witness ... the
Lord, even vessels to minister, and to offer withal, and spoons, and vessels ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/glad givers and faithful workers.htm

Solomon's Temple Spiritualized
The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/solomons temple spiritualized.htm

The Immaculate Conception
... in ecstasy, and had a vision of her womb opening like a tabernacle to enclose a ... I
saw many little white sticks, apparently made of bone, and spoons shaped like ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/ii the immaculate conception.htm

The Holy City; Or, the New Jerusalem:
... part of her stars are cast unto the earth; she is heaven also when the beast doth
open his throat against her, to blaspheme her God, his tabernacle, and those ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the holy city or the.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... extreme age to annoy those who came up to worship, and they were even accused of
improper behaviour towards the women who "served at the door of" the tabernacle ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

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