Topical Encyclopedia The Tabernacle, also known as the Tent of Meeting, was the portable sanctuary that served as the dwelling place of God among the Israelites during their journey through the wilderness. It was a central element of Israelite worship and religious life, meticulously constructed according to divine specifications given to Moses on Mount Sinai (Exodus 25-31). The Levites, one of the twelve tribes of Israel, were divinely appointed to oversee and maintain the Tabernacle, ensuring that the sacred rituals and services were conducted according to God's commands.Divine Appointment of the Levites The Levites were set apart for their sacred duties by God Himself. In Numbers 3:5-10 , the Lord instructed Moses: "Bring the tribe of Levi and present them to Aaron the priest to assist him. They are to perform duties for him and for the whole congregation before the Tent of Meeting, attending to the service of the tabernacle. They are to take care of all the furnishings of the Tent of Meeting and fulfill the obligations of the Israelites by doing the work of the tabernacle." This passage underscores the Levites' role as assistants to the priests and caretakers of the Tabernacle, highlighting their unique position among the tribes of Israel. Responsibilities and Duties The Levites were entrusted with various responsibilities related to the Tabernacle. They were charged with its transportation, assembly, and disassembly as the Israelites moved from place to place. Numbers 4 provides a detailed account of the specific duties assigned to different Levitical families. The Kohathites, for example, were responsible for carrying the most sacred items, such as the Ark of the Covenant, the table, the lampstand, and the altars, all of which were to be covered by Aaron and his sons before the Kohathites could transport them (Numbers 4:4-15). The Gershonites were tasked with carrying the curtains, coverings, and other fabric elements of the Tabernacle, while the Merarites were responsible for the frames, crossbars, posts, and bases (Numbers 4:21-33). Each family had a specific role, ensuring that the Tabernacle was properly maintained and that the worship of God could continue uninterrupted. Spiritual Significance The Levites' service in the Tabernacle was not merely a matter of physical labor; it was a sacred duty that required spiritual dedication and purity. As intermediaries between God and the people, the Levites played a crucial role in facilitating the Israelites' worship and maintaining the holiness of the Tabernacle. Their service was a constant reminder of God's presence among His people and His desire for a holy and consecrated community. In Deuteronomy 10:8-9 , Moses reiterates the special calling of the Levites: "At that time the LORD set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to minister, and to pronounce blessings in His name, as they still do today. That is why Levi has no portion or inheritance among his brothers; the LORD is his inheritance, as the LORD your God promised him." This passage highlights the Levites' unique inheritance and their perpetual role in the spiritual life of Israel. The Levites' appointment over the Tabernacle and their charge of its sacred duties exemplify their integral role in the religious life of ancient Israel. Their service was a testament to their dedication to God and their commitment to upholding His commandments, ensuring that the Tabernacle remained a holy place where God could dwell among His people. Torrey's Topical Textbook Numbers 1:50But you shall appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of testimony, and over all the vessels thereof, and over all things that belong to it: they shall bear the tabernacle, and all the vessels thereof; and they shall minister to it, and shall encamp round about the tabernacle. Torrey's Topical Textbook Numbers 8:24 Numbers 18:2-4 Library The Charge of the Watchers in the Temple A New Order of Priests and Levites On the Management of the Resources Collected for the Support of ... Were Christ and the Apostles Mistaken? The Great Slaughters and Sacrilege that were in Jerusalem. How, after the Death of Joshua their Commander, the Israelites ... Of the Five Sacraments, Falsely So Called. Their Spuriousness ... Church Fabrics and Services. A Sermon on Isaiah xxvi. By John Knox. The Historical Books. Resources What was the brazen altar? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was the bread of the Presence (Exodus 25:30)? | GotQuestions.org What did the Law mean when it referred to a lasting ordinance? | 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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