Topical Encyclopedia The Tabernacle, also known as the Tent of Meeting, holds a significant place in the history of Israel as the portable earthly dwelling place of Yahweh among the Israelites. It was constructed under the direct command of God, who provided Moses with a detailed blueprint for its design and construction. This sacred structure served as the center of Israelite worship and the focal point of God's presence during their wilderness journey.Divine Command and Pattern The instructions for the Tabernacle were given to Moses on Mount Sinai, as recorded in the Book of Exodus. God commanded Moses to build the Tabernacle according to a specific pattern shown to him on the mountain. 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." This divine pattern was not merely a set of architectural guidelines but a heavenly model that symbolized deeper spiritual truths. The meticulous details underscored the holiness and perfection of God, and the Tabernacle itself was a shadow of heavenly realities (Hebrews 8:5). Structure and Furnishings The Tabernacle was comprised of three main sections: the Outer Court, the Holy Place, and the Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies). Each section had specific furnishings and purposes: 1. The Outer Court: This area contained the Bronze Altar for burnt offerings and the Bronze Basin for ceremonial washing. It was accessible to all Israelites and symbolized the need for atonement and purification. 2. The Holy Place: Only the priests could enter this section, which housed the Table of Showbread, the Golden Lampstand (Menorah), and the Altar of Incense. These elements represented God's provision, light, and the prayers of His people. 3. The Most Holy Place: This innermost chamber was separated by a veil and contained the Ark of the Covenant, which held the stone tablets of the Law, Aaron's rod, and a jar of manna. The Mercy Seat atop the Ark was the earthly throne of God, where He met with the high priest once a year on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). Symbolism and Significance The Tabernacle was a microcosm of God's covenant relationship with Israel. It was a tangible reminder of His presence, holiness, and the need for obedience and worship. The sacrificial system conducted within its courts foreshadowed the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who fulfilled the Law and the Prophets. The Tabernacle's design and function also pointed to the future Temple in Jerusalem and ultimately to the New Covenant, where believers become the living temple of God through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16). Construction and Dedication The construction of the Tabernacle was a communal effort, with the Israelites contributing materials and skilled labor. Exodus 35-40 details the assembly and dedication of the Tabernacle, emphasizing the obedience of the people to God's commands. Upon its completion, the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle, signifying His approval and presence among His people (Exodus 40:34-35). The Tabernacle served as the center of Israelite worship until the building of Solomon's Temple. Its legacy endures as a profound symbol of God's desire to dwell with His people and the means by which He provided for their redemption and relationship with Him. Torrey's Topical Textbook Exodus 25:9According to all that I show you, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall you make it. Torrey's Topical Textbook Exodus 26:30 Hebrews 8:5 Library Prayer and the House of God What is the Sanctuary? What is the Sanctuary? Whether Sufficient Reason Can be Assigned for the Ceremonies ... The Temple and Its Dedication The New Covenant. On the Management of the Resources Collected for the Support of ... That the Scriptures are Divinely Inspired. A Short Essay Toward the Improvement of Psalmody: Importance of Small Things in Religion 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: 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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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