Topical Encyclopedia
The Tabernacle, also known as the Tent of Meeting, holds a central place in the religious life of ancient Israel as described in the Old Testament. It served as the portable earthly dwelling place of Yahweh, the God of Israel, during the period of wandering in the wilderness and until the construction of Solomon's Temple. The holiness and sacredness of the Tabernacle are emphasized throughout the Pentateuch, particularly in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers.
Divine Instructions and ConstructionThe instructions for the construction of the Tabernacle were given directly by God to Moses on Mount Sinai. The detailed account is found in
Exodus 25-31, where God specifies the materials, dimensions, and furnishings of the Tabernacle. The sacredness of the Tabernacle is underscored by the divine origin of its design: "Then have them make a sanctuary for Me, so that I may dwell among them. You must make the tabernacle and design all its furnishings according to the pattern I will show you" (
Exodus 25:8-9).
The materials used in the construction were of the finest quality, including gold, silver, bronze, blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, fine linen, and acacia wood. These materials were contributed by the Israelites as freewill offerings, reflecting the communal participation in creating a holy space for God’s presence.
The Presence of GodThe Tabernacle was the focal point of Israelite worship and the manifestation of God's presence among His people. The innermost part of the Tabernacle, the Most Holy Place, housed the Ark of the Covenant, which was considered the earthly throne of God. The holiness of this space was so profound that only the high priest could enter, and only once a year on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), as described in
Leviticus 16.
The presence of God was visibly demonstrated by the cloud that covered the Tabernacle by day and the fire that appeared by night: "For the cloud of the LORD was over the tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel during all their travels" (
Exodus 40:38). This constant presence signified God’s guidance and protection.
Ritual Purity and SacrificesThe holiness of the Tabernacle required strict adherence to laws of ritual purity and sacrificial offerings. The book of Leviticus outlines various offerings, including burnt offerings, grain offerings, peace offerings, sin offerings, and guilt offerings, each with specific regulations to maintain the sanctity of the Tabernacle and the people. The priests, who served in the Tabernacle, were consecrated through elaborate rituals to ensure their purity and readiness to minister before the Lord.
The sacredness of the Tabernacle was such that any violation of its sanctity could result in severe consequences. For instance, the sons of Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, were consumed by fire from the Lord for offering unauthorized fire before Him (
Leviticus 10:1-2).
Symbolism and TypologyThe Tabernacle is rich in symbolism and typology, pointing to deeper spiritual truths. The layout and furnishings of the Tabernacle, from the outer court to the Most Holy Place, symbolize the progression of approaching God, emphasizing the need for atonement and purification. The Tabernacle foreshadows the coming of Jesus Christ, who is described in the New Testament as the true tabernacle: "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us" (
John 1:14). The Greek word for "dwelling" (σκηνόω, skēnoō) is related to the word for "tabernacle," highlighting the fulfillment of God’s presence with humanity through Christ.
In summary, the holiness and sacredness of the Tabernacle are foundational to understanding the relationship between God and His people in the Old Testament. It served as a tangible representation of God’s desire to dwell among His people and the means by which they could approach Him in worship and obedience.
