Topical Bible: Tabernacle: The Furniture of

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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. The furniture within the Tabernacle was meticulously designed and crafted according to divine instructions given to Moses on Mount Sinai. Each piece held significant symbolic and functional roles in the worship and sacrificial system of ancient Israel.

The Ark of the Covenant

The Ark of the Covenant was the most sacred piece of furniture in the Tabernacle, housed within the Holy of Holies. Constructed of acacia wood and overlaid with pure gold, the Ark measured approximately 2.5 cubits long, 1.5 cubits wide, and 1.5 cubits high (Exodus 25:10-11). It contained the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments, Aaron's rod that budded, and a golden jar of manna (Hebrews 9:4). The Ark was covered by the Mercy Seat, a solid gold lid with two cherubim facing each other, where God's presence would appear (Exodus 25:17-22).

The Table of Showbread

Located in the Holy Place, the Table of Showbread was also made of acacia wood and overlaid with gold. It measured 2 cubits long, 1 cubit wide, and 1.5 cubits high (Exodus 25:23-24). The table held twelve loaves of bread, representing the twelve tribes of Israel, which were replaced every Sabbath (Leviticus 24:5-9). The bread symbolized God's provision and covenant with His people.

The Golden Lampstand

The Golden Lampstand, or Menorah, was crafted from a single piece of pure gold and featured a central shaft with six branches, three on each side, making a total of seven lamps (Exodus 25:31-37). It was placed in the Holy Place and provided light within the Tabernacle. The lampstand symbolized the light of God's presence and guidance.

The Altar of Incense

Positioned before the veil separating the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies, the Altar of Incense was made of acacia wood and overlaid with gold, measuring 1 cubit square and 2 cubits high (Exodus 30:1-3). Incense was burned on this altar every morning and evening, symbolizing the prayers of the people ascending to God (Psalm 141:2; Revelation 8:3-4).

The Bronze Altar

The Bronze Altar, also known as the Altar of Burnt Offering, was located in the Tabernacle's outer court. Constructed of acacia wood and overlaid with bronze, it measured 5 cubits square and 3 cubits high (Exodus 27:1-2). This altar was used for animal sacrifices, which were central to the atonement rituals and worship practices of Israel.

The Bronze Basin

The Bronze Basin, or Laver, was situated between the Tent of Meeting and the Bronze Altar. Made of bronze, it was used by the priests for ceremonial washing before performing their duties (Exodus 30:17-21). This act of washing symbolized purification and readiness to serve in the presence of God.

Each piece of furniture within the Tabernacle was not only functional but also rich in theological significance, pointing to the holiness of God, the need for atonement, and the covenant relationship between God and His people. The detailed instructions and craftsmanship underscore the importance of worship and reverence in the life of the Israelites.

Nave's Topical Index

Exodus 25:10-40
And they shall make an ark of shittim wood: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof.
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Exodus 27:1-8,19
And you shall make an altar of shittim wood, five cubits long, and five cubits broad; the altar shall be foursquare: and the height thereof shall be three cubits.
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Exodus 37:1
And Bezaleel made the ark of shittim wood: two cubits and a half was the length of it, and a cubit and a half the breadth of it, and a cubit and a half the height of it:
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Exodus 38:1-8
And he made the altar of burnt offering of shittim wood: five cubits was the length thereof, and five cubits the breadth thereof; it was foursquare; and three cubits the height thereof.
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Library

The Mystic Meaning of the Tabernacle and Its Furniture.
... The Stromata, or Miscellanies. Book IV. Chapter VI."The Mystic Meaning
of the Tabernacle and Its Furniture. It were tedious to ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter vi the mystic meaning of.htm

The New Covenant.
... not satisfy conscience. A description of the tabernacle, its furniture and
ordinances of Divine service, follows. At first it appears ...
/.../chapter viii the new covenant.htm

The Copies of Things in the Heavens
... first stood there! Our present purpose is simply to try to bring out the
meaning of the Tabernacle and its furniture. It was both ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the copies of things in.htm

Books of the Hebrew Canon.
... The passage deals with the building and furniture of the Tabernacle, and the attire
of the Priesthood: The following rough table will enable the student to see ...
/.../chapter ii books of the.htm

Exodus
... to the construction of the sanctuary, for which the most minute directions are given
(xxv.-xxxi.), concerning the tabernacle with all its furniture, the ark ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/exodus.htm

Consecration and Dedication
... The erection of the tabernacle, the placing of all the furniture, and the arrangement
of the entire structure had to be made in every respect "according to the ...
/.../byers/sanctification/chapter iii consecration and dedication.htm

The Tabernacle of the Most High
... The Tabernacle of the Most High. A Sermon (No.267). ... The Ceremony of Laying the First
Stone of the New Tabernacle. FOR THE CONGREGATION OF THE REV. CH SPURGEON. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the tabernacle of the most.htm

On the Management of the Resources Collected for the Support of ...
... 2710] Let him not be luxurious in diet, or fond of idle furniture, but contented ...
which was also the case of the Levites, who served in the tabernacle of the ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec iv on the management of.htm

How to Read the Bible
... They are all about the tribes and their standards, the stations in the wilderness
and the halts of the march, the tabernacle and furniture, or about golden ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 25 1879/how to read the bible.htm

Were Christ and the Apostles Mistaken?
... The whole tabernacle and its furniture was necessary to complete the symbolism
that should represent the Messiah. The altar, the ...
/.../concerning the assumptions of destructive criticism/iv were christ and the.htm