Lexical Summary
mishkan: tabernacle, dwelling places, dwellings
Original Word:מִשְׁכָּן
Part of Speech:Noun Masculine
Transliteration:mishkan
Pronunciation:mish-KAHN
Phonetic Spelling:(mish-kawn')
KJV: dwelleth, dwelling (place), habitation, tabernacle, tent
NASB:tabernacle, dwelling places, dwellings, dwelling place, dwelling, resting place, tents
Word Origin:[fromH7931 (שָׁכַן - dwell)]
1. a residence (including a shepherd's hut, the lair of animals, figuratively, the grave
2. also the Temple)
3. specifically, the Tabernacle (properly, its wooden walls)
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
dwelling place, habitation, tabernacle, tent
Fromshakan; a residence (including a shepherd's hut, the lair of animals, figuratively, the grave; also the Temple); specifically, the Tabernacle (properly, its wooden walls) -- dwelleth, dwelling (place), habitation, tabernacle, tent.
see HEBREWshakan
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
shakanDefinitiondwelling place, tabernacle
NASB Translationdwelling (1), dwelling place (8), dwelling places (9), dwellings (9), resting place (1), tabernacle (109), tents (1), where...dwells (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
Exodus 26:6 ; —
Exodus 25:9 +; construct
Exodus 38:21 +, etc.; plural construct Ex 46:6 ( Bae Du , < ); suffix
Ezekiel 25:4 (< , "" ),
Habakkuk 1:6;
Psalm 132:5; construct
Psalm 87:2 +, etc.; —
dwelling-place: ;Numbers 16:24,27 (P) [but here originally ; see Commentaries]; in poetry =tomb,Isaiah 22:16.
elsewhere in singular always of :
in General, ,Isaiah 46:5;Isaiah 26:8; Isa 74:7.
Isa 78:60.
in P, of s 'dwelling' (Exodus 25:9 RVm; rendered conventionally 'tabernacle'), of planks lined with vari-coloured tapestry, with a 'tent' () over it, filled withExodus 40:34,35; over it cloudNumbers 9:18,22 (during the wanderings); its plan given byExodus 25:9;Exodus 26:30; distinguished from the 'tent' over it (compare ),Exodus 26:7,12,13;Exodus 36:14;Exodus 40:19;Leviticus 17:4 (H),Numbers 16:9;Numbers 17:28;Numbers 19:13;Numbers 31:30,47;Joshua 22:19 (see also ),1 Chronicles 16:39;1 Chronicles 21:29; 2Chronicles 1:5; 29:6;Exodus 38:21;Numbers 1:50,53 (twice in verse);Numbers 10:11;Exodus 39:32;Exodus 40:2,6,29;1 Chronicles 6:17, v.1 Chronicles 6:23, compare1 Chronicles 23:26; compare (probably gloss on ),2 Samuel 7:6 ""1 Chronicles 17:5, + 76 t. P.
plural ,dwellings (only in poetry):
of Israel,Numbers 24:5 (poem; "" ),Jeremiah 30:18;Isaiah 54:2 4t.; of other nationsJeremiah 51:30;Habakkuk 1:6, compareEzekiel 25:4 (see above);Job 18:21;Job 21:28; of wild assJob 39:6("" ); shepherdsSongs 1:8; = tombPsalm 49:12 (compare ).
God's abode in ZionEzekiel 37:27;Psalm 132:5;Psalm 132:7, comparePsalm 43:3;Psalm 84:2 ("" ).
[ compare ] (Biblical Hebrew , ); —
Imperfect3feminine pluralDaniel 4:18dwell, of birds, location
Perfect3masculine singularEzra 6:12, of God,cause his name to dwell there.
Topical Lexicon
Overviewמִשְׁכָּן (mishkan) is the principal Old Testament term for the Tabernacle—the portable sanctuary that mediated the presence of God among the tribes of Israel from Sinai until the construction of Solomon’s Temple. Occurring about 139 times, the word is concentrated in Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Joshua, with additional appearances in historical, poetic, and prophetic books. Scripture consistently presents the Mishkan as both the literal dwelling place of Yahweh and a typological foreshadowing of the fuller revelation of His presence in Jesus Christ and in the gathered church.
Primary Pentateuchal Usage: The Mobile Sanctuary
Exodus 25–40 provides the fullest treatment. After the giving of the covenant, God commands, “And they are to make a sanctuary for Me, so that I may dwell among them” (Exodus 25:8). The term mishkan is intertwined with the covenantal promise of divine indwelling. Its repeated coupling with אָהֶל (ohel, tent) underscores two complementary truths: the sanctity of the structure and its mobility.
In Leviticus the word frames the priestly ministry: “So Moses and Aaron went into the Tent of Meeting, and when they came out, they blessed the people, and the glory of the LORD appeared to all the people” (Leviticus 9:23). Numbers narrates its centrality to camp order (Numbers 2:2, 17) and to the daily rhythm of Israel’s sojourn: cloud by day, fire by night (Numbers 9:15-23). Thus the Mishkan is the heart of Israel’s worship, governance, and guidance.
Structure and Furnishings
The Mishkan comprised:
• An outer courtyard with bronze altar and laver.
• The Holy Place housing the lampstand, table of the Bread of the Presence, and altar of incense.
• The Most Holy Place containing the Ark of the Covenant beneath the atoning cover (mercy seat).
Every detail—materials, measurements, colors—was revealed by God “according to the pattern” (Exodus 25:9, 40). Precious metals and priestly vestments proclaimed divine glory, while woven goats’ hair and acacia wood affirmed accessibility in the wilderness context.
Historical Journey of the Mishkan
After Sinai, the Tabernacle traveled through the wilderness (Numbers 10:17, 21), crossed the Jordan (Joshua 3:14-17) and was set up at Gilgal (Joshua 4:19). It remained at Shiloh for generations (Joshua 18:1;1 Samuel 1:3), moved to Nob (1 Samuel 21:1-6), and later to Gibeon where Solomon worshiped before the Temple was built (1 Chronicles 16:39;2 Chronicles 1:3-6). Its relocation history shows both continuity of worship and anticipation of a permanent house.
Worship and Ministry Function
1. Sacrificial Atonement: At the altar “a continual burnt offering” (Exodus 29:42) reconciled Israel to God.
2. Mediation: High priestly entry into the Most Holy Place on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16) typified ultimate redemption.
3. Revelation: Moses received divine instruction at the Tent of Meeting (Exodus 33:9-11).
4. Corporate Identity: Tribes camped around the Mishkan, symbolizing community centered on God.
Prophetic and Poetic Echoes
The prophets employ mishkan imagery to promise restored fellowship. “My dwelling place will be with them; I will be their God, and they will be My people” (Ezekiel 37:27). The Psalms turn the historical sanctuary into devotional longing: “How lovely is Your dwelling place, O LORD of Hosts!” (Psalm 84:1). These references transfer the Tabernacle’s hope from canvas and poles to eschatological reality.
Typological and Theological Significance
1. Incarnation: “The Word became flesh and tabernacled among us” (John 1:14, literal), echoing mishkan language and asserting that Jesus embodies the divine presence once carried in the desert.
2. Atonement:Hebrews 9 contrasts the earthly mishkan with the “greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made by hands,” entered by Christ with His own blood.
3. Ecclesiology: Paul calls believers “a dwelling place for God in the Spirit” (Ephesians 2:22), shifting the concept from physical structure to spiritual community while preserving the Mosaic ideal of God-with-us.
4. Eschatology: Revelation closes with the proclamation, “Behold, God’s dwelling place is now among men” (Revelation 21:3), completing the trajectory begun at Sinai.
Contemporary Relevance
Understanding mishkan enriches Christian worship by illuminating God’s desire to dwell with His people, the cost of mediated access, and the call to holiness. It urges believers to approach with reverent boldness, assured that the once-temporary sanctuary finds its fulfillment in the crucified and risen Christ and in the gathered body that bears His name.
Forms and Transliterations
הַ֨מִּשְׁכָּ֔ן הַמִּשְׁכָּ֑ן הַמִּשְׁכָּ֔ן הַמִּשְׁכָּ֖ן הַמִּשְׁכָּ֗ן הַמִּשְׁכָּ֛ן הַמִּשְׁכָּ֡ן הַמִּשְׁכָּ֤ן הַמִּשְׁכָּ֥ן הַמִּשְׁכָּֽן׃ הַמִּשְׁכָּן֒ הַמִּשְׁכָּן֙ המשכן המשכן׃ וּֽבְמִשְׁכְּנוֹת֙ וּֽמִשְׁכְּנוֹתָ֥יו וּבְמִשְׁכָּֽן׃ וּמִמִּשְׁכָּֽן׃ וּמִשְׁכְּנֹתָ֖יו וּמִשְׁכַּ֣ן ובמשכן׃ ובמשכנות וממשכן׃ ומשכן ומשכנותיו ומשכנתיו לְמִשְׁכְּנֹתָֽיו׃ לְמִשְׁכְּנוֹתָ֑יו לְמִשְׁכַּ֣ן לְמִשְׁכַּן־ לַמִּשְׁכָּ֑ן לַמִּשְׁכָּ֖ן לַמִּשְׁכָּ֣ן לַמִּשְׁכָּ֧ן לַמִּשְׁכָּֽן׃ למשכן למשכן־ למשכן׃ למשכנותיו למשכנתיו׃ מִ֝שְׁכָּנ֗וֹת מִ֭שְׁכְּנֹתָם מִֽשְׁכַּן־ מִמִּשְׁכַּ֥ן מִשְׁכְּנ֣וֹת מִשְׁכְּנ֥וֹת מִשְׁכְּנ֬וֹת מִשְׁכְּנֵ֥י מִשְׁכְּנֵיהֶ֑ם מִשְׁכְּנֹתֶ֖יהָ מִשְׁכְּנֹתֶ֖יךָ מִשְׁכְּנוֹתֵֽינוּ׃ מִשְׁכְּנוֹתֶ֗יךָ מִשְׁכְּנוֹתֶֽיךָ׃ מִשְׁכְּנוֹתַ֛יִךְ מִשְׁכַּ֖ן מִשְׁכַּ֣ן מִשְׁכַּ֤ן מִשְׁכַּ֥ן מִשְׁכַּ֨ן מִשְׁכַּן־ מִשְׁכָּ֥ן מִשְׁכָּנ֥וֹת מִשְׁכָּנִ֖י מִשְׁכָּנִי֙ מִשְׁכָּנֽוֹ׃ ממשכן משכן משכן־ משכנו׃ משכנות משכנותיך משכנותיך׃ משכנותינו׃ משכני משכניהם משכנתיה משכנתיך משכנתם ham·miš·kān hammishKan hammiškān lam·miš·kān lammishKan lammiškān lə·miš·kan lə·miš·kan- lə·miš·kə·nō·ṯāw lə·miš·kə·nō·w·ṯāw lemishKan lemishkenoTav ləmiškan ləmiškan- ləmiškənōṯāw ləmiškənōwṯāw mim·miš·kan mimishKan mimmiškan miš·kā·nî miš·kā·nō·wṯ miš·kā·nōw miš·kan miš·kān miš·kan- miš·kə·nê miš·kə·nê·hem miš·kə·nō·ṯām miš·kə·nō·ṯe·hā miš·kə·nō·ṯe·ḵā miš·kə·nō·w·ṯa·yiḵ miš·kə·nō·w·ṯe·ḵā miš·kə·nō·w·ṯê·nū miš·kə·nō·wṯ mishKan mishkaNi mishkaNo mishkaNot mishkeNei mishkeneiHem mishkeNot mishkenoTayich mishkenoTeicha mishkenoTeiha mishkenoTeinu Mishkenotom miškan miškān miškan- miškānî miškānōw miškānōwṯ miškənê miškənêhem miškənōṯām miškənōṯehā miškənōṯeḵā miškənōwṯ miškənōwṯayiḵ miškənōwṯeḵā miškənōwṯênū ū·ḇə·miš·kān ū·ḇə·miš·kə·nō·wṯ ū·mim·miš·kān ū·miš·kan ū·miš·kə·nō·ṯāw ū·miš·kə·nō·w·ṯāw ūḇəmiškān ūḇəmiškənōwṯ umimishKan ūmimmiškān umishKan umishkenoTav ūmiškan ūmiškənōṯāw ūmiškənōwṯāw uvemishKan uvemishkenOt
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