Topical Encyclopedia The Tabernacle, often referred to as the "Tent of Meeting," served as the central place of worship and the dwelling place of God among the Israelites during their wilderness journey and until the construction of Solomon's Temple. It was a portable sanctuary that accompanied the Israelites as they traveled from Egypt to the Promised Land, symbolizing God's presence and covenant with His people.Biblical Description and Construction The instructions for building the Tabernacle were given to Moses on Mount Sinai, as recorded in the Book of Exodus. God provided detailed specifications for its construction, emphasizing the importance of holiness and precision. Exodus 25:8-9 states, "Then have them make a sanctuary for Me, so that I may dwell among them. You must make it according to all that I will show you—the pattern of the tabernacle as well as the pattern of all its furnishings." The Tabernacle was comprised of several key components: the Outer Court, the Holy Place, and the Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies). The Outer Court contained the Bronze Altar for burnt offerings and the Bronze Basin for ceremonial washing. The Holy Place housed the Table of Showbread, the Golden Lampstand, and the Altar of Incense. The Most Holy Place, separated by a veil, contained the Ark of the Covenant, which held the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments, Aaron's rod, and a jar of manna. Significance in Israelite Worship The Tabernacle was the focal point of Israelite worship and religious life. It was here that the priests, descendants of Aaron, performed sacrifices and rituals to atone for the sins of the people and to maintain the covenant relationship with God. The sacrificial system, as outlined in Leviticus, was central to the worship practices conducted at the Tabernacle. The presence of God was manifested in the Tabernacle through the Shekinah glory, a visible sign of God's dwelling among His people. Exodus 40:34-35 describes this divine presence: "Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. Moses was unable to enter the Tent of Meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle." Role in the Israelite Community The Tabernacle was not only a place of worship but also a symbol of unity and identity for the Israelites. It was situated at the center of the Israelite camp, with the twelve tribes encamped around it, signifying that God was at the heart of their community. The arrangement underscored the theocratic nature of Israel, with God as their ultimate leader and king. The Tabernacle also served as a reminder of God's faithfulness and provision. It was a tangible representation of His promise to dwell among His people and guide them to the land He had promised to their forefathers. The rituals and ceremonies performed there reinforced the covenant relationship and the need for holiness and obedience. Transition to the Temple The Tabernacle remained the primary place of worship until the reign of King Solomon, who constructed a permanent temple in Jerusalem. The transition from the Tabernacle to the Temple marked a significant development in Israelite worship, as the Temple became the central and permanent dwelling place of God's presence. However, the principles and patterns established in the Tabernacle continued to influence Israelite worship and religious practice. The Tabernacle's legacy endures as a profound symbol of God's desire to dwell among His people and the means by which they could approach Him in worship and reverence. Nave's Topical Index Numbers 10:3And when they shall blow with them, all the assembly shall assemble themselves to you at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. Nave's Topical Index Numbers 16:19,42,43 Numbers 20:6 Numbers 25:6 1 Samuel 2:22 Psalm 27:4 Library Israel in Canaan. The True Tabernacle, and Its Glory of Grace and Peace Following the Cloud. Book 4 Footnotes The Appointment of a King Over the Israelites, Whose Name was Saul ... Concerning the Birth of Samuel; and How He Foretold the Calamity ... The Israelites Religious Zeal. Hannah Praying Before the Lord. The Meaning Resources What was the significance of the bronze laver? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was the tent of meeting? | GotQuestions.org Who were Bezalel and Oholiab in the Bible? | 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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