TABERNACLE

[sources: NAVE'S TOPICAL AND EASTON'S ILLUSTRATED DICTIONARY]

In Ex 40:2 the Hebrew word transliterated "Mishkan" is a noun meaning "dwelling place" or "tabernacle." There the context is an earthly sanctuary divinely designed to represent God's dwelling among His people in the sense of manifesting His presence, (cf. Exodus 25:8; 29:43; Hebrews 9:1). It served Israel as a "tent of meeting" (ref. Numbers 4:25) with God and portrayed the proper way for man to approach and relate to God (Exodus 25:8-9; Hebrews 8:1-10:22). The tabernacle included three main areas, each of which was separated by a doorway with a curtain or veil (Exodus 26:31-35; 36:35, 37; 40:8, 28; Hebrews 9:3. The outermost area was the court enclosed with curtains (Exodus 27:9-19; 38:9-20). The tabernacle proper consisted of the holy place and the inner sanctuary (or holy of holies) that contained only the ark of the covenant, (Exodus 26:33-34; Hebrews 9:2-7). Once a year on the day of atonement, the high priest entered the holy of holies to sprinkle blood on the mercy seat of the ark for his own sins and for the sins of the people (Leviticus 16:1-34; Hebrews 9:7, 25). The tabernacle was the primary place where God manifested His presence and gave revelation to His people (Exodus 25:8). His presence and guidance were indicated through the cloud by day and the fire by night associated with the tabernacle (Exodus 40:34-38; Numbers 9:15-23). The shekinah glory cloud distinguished Israel's tabernacle and later their temple from all other religious structures. Also, it was the place where people could approach God through sacrificial offerings and express or restore their relationship with God in response to His blessings and offer of forgiveness.

The tabernacle is also referred to as "the tabernacle of the congregation," or "the tabernacle of meeting", i.e., where God promised to meet with Israel (Ex 29:42); and the "tabernacle of the testimony" (Ex 38:21; Num 1:50), which does not, however, designate the whole structure, but only the enclosure which contained the "ark of the testimony" (Ex 25:16, 22; Num 9:15); the "tabernacle of witness" (Num 17:8); the "house of the Lord" (Deut 23:18); the "temple of the Lord" (Jos 6:24); a "sanctuary" (Ex 25:8).

A particular account of the materials which the people provided for the erection and of the building itself is recorded in Ex 25-40. The execution of the plan mysteriously given to Moses was intrusted to Bezaleel and Aholiab, who were specially endowed with wisdom and artistic skill, probably gained in Egypt, for this purpose (Ex 35:30-35). The people provided materials for the tabernacle so abundantly that Moses was under the necessity of restraining them (Ex 36:6). These stores, from which they so liberally contributed for this purpose, must have consisted in a great part of the gifts which the Egyptians so readily bestowed on them on the eve of the Exodus (Ex 12:35, 36).

The tabernacle was a rectangular enclosure, in length about 45 feet (i.e., reckoning a cubit at 18 inches) and in breadth and height about 15. Its two sides and its western end were made of boards of acacia wood, placed on end, resting in sockets of brass, the eastern end being left open (Ex 26:22). This framework was covered with four coverings, the first of linen, in which figures of the symbolic cherubim were wrought with needlework in blue and purple and scarlet threads, and probably also with threads of gold (Ex 26:1-6; Ex 36:8-13). Above this was a second covering of twelve curtains of black goats'-hair cloth, reaching down on the outside almost to the ground (Ex 26:7-11). The third covering was of rams' skins dyed red, and the fourth was of badgers' skins (Heb. tahash, i.e., the dugong, a species of seal), Ex 25:5; Ex 26:14; Ex 35:7, 23; Ex 36:19; Ex 39:34.

The Tabernacle in the Wilderness

A. The Tabernacle Covered ...B. Brazen Laver ...C. Altar of Burnt-Offering ...D. Court of the Tabernacle

Internally it was divided by a veil into two chambers, the exterior of which was called the holy place, also "the sanctuary" (Heb 9:2) and the "first tabernacle" (6); and the interior, the holy of holies, "the holy place," "the Holiest," the "second tabernacle" (Ex 28:29; Heb 9:3, 7). The veil separating these two chambers was a double curtain of the finest workmanship, which was never passed except by the high priest once a year, on the great Day of Atonement. The holy place was separated from the outer court which enclosed the tabernacle by a curtain, which hung over the six pillars which stood at the east end of the tabernacle, and by which it was entered.

The order as well as the typical character of the services of the tabernacle are recorded in Heb 9; Heb 10:19-22.

The holy of holies, a cube of 10 cubits, contained the "ark of the testimony", i.e., the oblong chest containing the two tables of stone, the pot of manna, and Aaron's rod that budded.

The holy place was the western and larger chamber of the tabernacle. Here were placed the table for the shewbread, the golden candlestick, and the golden altar of incense.

Round about the tabernacle was a court, enclosed by curtains hung upon sixty pillars (Ex 27:9-18). This court was 150 feet long and 75 feet broad. Within it were placed the altar of burnt offering, which measured 7 1/2 feet in length and breadth and 4 1/2 feet high, with horns at the four corners, and the laver of brass (Ex 30:18), which stood between the altar and the tabernacle.

The whole tabernacle was completed in seven months. On the first day of the first month of the second year after the Exodus, it was formally set up, and the cloud of the divine presence descended on it (Ex 39:22-43; Ex 40:1-38). It cost 29 talents 730 shekels of gold, 100 talents 1,775 shekels of silver, 70 talents 2,400 shekels of brass (Ex 38:24-31).

The tabernacle was so constructed that it could easily be taken down and conveyed from place to place during the wanderings in the wilderness. The first encampment of the Israelites after crossing the Jordan was at Gilgal, and there the tabernacle remained for seven years (Jos 4:19). It was afterwards removed to Shiloh (Jos 18:1), where it remained during the time of the Judges, till the days of Eli, when the ark, having been carried out into the camp when the Israelites were at war with the Philistines, was taken by the enemy (1Sa 4), and was never afterwards restored to its place in the tabernacle. The old tabernacle erected by Moses in the wilderness was transferred to Nob (1Sa 21:1), and after the destruction of that city by Saul (1Sa 22:9; 1Ch 16:39, 40), to Gibeon. It is mentioned for the last time in 1Ch 21:29. A new tabernacle was erected by David at Jerusalem (2Sa 6:17; 1Ch 16:1), and the ark was brought from Perez-uzzah and deposited in it (2Sa 6:8-17; 2Ch 1:4).

The word thus rendered ('ohel) in Ex 33:7 denotes simply a tent, probably Moses' own tent, for the tabernacle was not yet erected.

The Tabernacle Unveiled

(H) The Holy of Holies containing the Ark (A) of the Covenant with the Shechinah Glory of God emanating (G); (V) The Veil separating the Holy of Holies from the Holy Place. (H P) The Holy Place, containing the Golden Candlestick (C); the Table of Shewbread (T); and the Altar of Incense (N).

View of Tabernacle in the wilderness

View of Tent Covering the Tabernacle