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Model of the tabernacle in Timna Valley Park, Israel

According to the Tanakh, the tabernacle (Hebrew: מִשְׁכַּן‎, mishkan, "residence" or "dwelling place") was the portable earthly dwelling place of Yahweh among the children of Israel from the time of the Exodus from Egypt through the conquering of the land of Canaan. Built of woven layers of curtains along with 48 boards overlaid with polished gold standing like vertical blinds held in place by five bars per side with a middle bar shooting through from end to end and furnished with items made from the gold, silver, brass, furs, jewels, and other valuable materials taken out of Egypt at Yahweh's orders, and according to specifications revealed by Yahweh to Moses at Mount Sinai, it was transported ^[1] by the Israelites on their journey through the wilderness and their conquest of the Promised Land. Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem superseded it as the dwelling-place of God some 440 years later.

The main source for the account of the construction of the tabernacle is the biblical Book of Exodus, specifically Exodus 25–31 and 35–40. It describes an inner sanctuary, the Holy of Holies, which housed the Ark of the Covenant, which was placed behind the veil of the covering suspended by four pillars and an outer sanctuary (the "Holy Place"), containing a beaten gold lamp-stand or candlestick featuring a central shaft incorporating four almond-shaped bowls and six branches, each with three bowls shaped like almonds and blossoms, seven lamps thereof. It was standing opposite the table that is on the side of the tabernacle toward the south that held the showbread and with the Menorah containing seven oil lamps over against it on the side of the tabernacle toward the north to give light, along with the golden altar of incense.^[2] that is directly ahead on the west side of the Holy Place, before the veil, that is in front of the ark of the testimony, and the mercy seat that covers the ark of the testimony, which had Cherubims on top of the Mercy Seat that faced each other with their wings outstretched.

This description is generally identified as part of the Priestly source ("P"),^[2] written in the sixth or fifth century BCE. However while the first Priestly source takes the form of instructions, the second is largely a repetition of the first in the past tense, i.e., it describes the execution of the instructions.^[3] Many scholars contend that it is of a far later date than the time of Moses, and that the description reflects the structure of Solomon's Temple, while some hold that the description derives from memories of a real pre-monarchic shrine, perhaps the sanctuary at Shiloh.^[2] Traditional scholars contend that it describes an actual tabernacle used in the time of Moses and thereafter.^[4] According to historical criticism, an earlier, pre-exilic source, the Elohist ("E"), describes the tabernacle as a simple tent-sanctuary.^[2]

Meaning

The English word "tabernacle" is derived from the Latin tabernāculum meaning "tent" or "hut", which in ancient Roman religion was a ritual structure.^[5][6][7]

The word sanctuary is also used for the biblical tabernacle, as is the phrase "tent of meeting". The Hebrew word mishkan implies "dwell", "rest", or "to live in", that dwelt within this divinely ordained structure.^[4][8]

Description

Tabernacle Mishkan Tent - The Desert tabernacle

Historical criticism has identified two accounts of the tabernacle in Exodus, a briefer Elohist account and a longer Priestly one. Traditional scholars believe the briefer account describes a different structure, perhaps Moses' personal tent.^[4] The Hebrew nouns in the two accounts differ, one is most commonly translated as "tent of meeting," while the other is usually translated as "tabernacle."

Elohist account

Exodus 33:7-10 refers to "the tabernacle of the congregation", which was set up outside of camp with the "cloudy pillar" visible at its door. The people directed their worship toward this center.^[2] Historical criticism attributes this description to the Elohist source (E),^[2] which is believed to have been written about 850 BCE or later.^[9]

Priestly account

The more detailed description of a tabernacle, located in Exodus chapters 25–27 and Exodus chapters 35–40, refers to an inner shrine (the most holy place) housing the ark and an outer chamber (holy place), with a six-branch seven-lamp menorah (lampstand), table for showbread, and altar of incense.^[2] An enclosure containing the sacrificial altar and bronze laver for the priests to wash surrounded these chambers.^[2] This description is identified by historical criticism as part of the Priestly source (P),^[2] written in the 6th or 5th century BCE.

Some scholars believe the description is of a far later date than Moses' time, and that it reflects the structure of the Temple of Solomon; others hold that the passage describes a real pre-monarchic shrine, perhaps the sanctuary at Shiloh,^[2] while traditional scholars contend that it describes an actual tabernacle used in the time of Moses and thereafter.^[4] This view is based on Exodus 36, 37, 38 and 39 that describe in full detail how the actual construction of the tabernacle took place during the time of Moses.^[10]

The detailed outlines for the tabernacle and its priests are enumerated in the Book of Exodus:

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  Exodus 25: Materials needed: the Ark, the table for 12 showbread, the menorah.


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  Exodus 26: The tabernacle, the bars, partitions.


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  Exodus 27: The copper altar, the enclosure, oil.


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  Exodus 28: Vestments for the priests, ephod garment, ring settings, the breastplate, robe, head-plate, tunic, turban, sashes, pants.


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  Exodus 29: Consecration of priests and altar.


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  Exodus 30: Incense altar, washstand, anointing oil, incense.

Builders

The erection of the tabernacle and the Sacred vessels, as in Exodus 40:17-19; from the 1728 Figures de la Bible

In Exodus 31, the main builder and maker of the priestly vestments is specified as Bezalel, son of Uri son of Hur of the tribe of Judah, who was assisted by Aholiab and a number of skilled artisans.^[3]

Restrictions

There is a strict set of rules to be followed for the carriage of the tabernacle laid out in the Hebrew Bible. For example: "You must put the Levites in charge of the tabernacle of the Covenant, along with its furnishings and equipment. They must carry the tabernacle and its equipment as you travel, and they must care for it and camp around it. Whenever the Tabernacle is moved, the Levites will take it down and set it up again. Anyone else who goes too near the tabernacle will be executed.'" (Numbers 1:48-51 NLT). As well, individuals with the Tzaraat skin affliction were not permitted entry to the tabernacle.

Plan

The tabernacle during the Exodus, the wandering in the desert and the conquest of Canaan was in part a portable tent, and in part a wooden enclosure draped with ten curtains, of indigo (tekhelet תְּכֵלֶת), purple (argaman אַרְגָּמָן), and scarlet (shani שָׁנִי) fabric. It had a rectangular, perimeter fence of fabric, poles and staked cords. This rectangle was always erected when the Israelite tribes would camp, oriented to the east as the east side had no frames. In the center of this enclosure was a rectangular sanctuary draped with goat-hair curtains, with the roof made from rams' skins.^[3]

Beyond this curtain was the cube-shaped inner room, the "Holy of Holies". This area housed the Ark of the Covenant, inside which were the two stone tablets brought down from Mount Sinai by Moses on which were written the Ten Commandments, a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron's rod which had budded and borne ripe almonds. (Hebrews 9:2-5, Exodus 16:33-34, Numbers 17:1-11, Deuteronomy 10:1-5.)

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  Top view, parallel projection of tabernacle.
  

  
  

  
  


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  Tabernacle Tent dimensions according to the Book of Exodus
  

  
  

  
  


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  Tabernacle Tent and Courtyard dimensions according to the Book of Exodus
  

  
  

  
  

Rituals

Twice a day, a priest would stand in front of the golden prayer altar and burn fragrant incense.^[11] Other procedures were also carried out in the tabernacle:

• The Daily Meal-Offering: Leviticus 6:8-30
  


• Guilt Offerings and Peace Offerings: Leviticus 7
  


• Ceremony of Ordination: Leviticus 8
  


• Octave of Ordination: Leviticus 9
  


• Wine forbidden to priests in the tabernacle: Leviticus 10:8-15
  


• Day of Atonement: Leviticus 16
  


• Sacrifice only at the tabernacle: Leviticus 17
  


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  Ordeal for suspected adulteresses: Numbers 5:11-29
  


• Dedication of Nazirites: Numbers 6:1-21
  


• Preparation of the ashes of a red heifer for the Water of Purification: Numbers 19
  

The door of the tabernacle marked a ritual boundary: an Israelite healed of tzaraath would be presented by the priest who had confirmed his healing 'at the door of the tabernacle of Meeting',^[12] and a woman healed of prolonged menstruation would present her offering (two turtledoves or two young pigeons) to the priest 'at the door of the tabernacle of Meeting'.^[13] It was at the door of the tabernacle that the community wept in sorrow when all the men who had joined in worship to Baal of Peor were condemned to death.^[14]

Dust from the floor of the tabernacle was mixed with water to create the ordeal of the bitter water for a suspected adulteress.^[15]

Subsequent history of the tabernacle

During the conquest of Canaan, the main Israelite camp was at Gilgal, (Joshua 4:19; 5:8-10) and the tabernacle was probably erected within the camp: Joshua 10:43ESV "...and returned into the camp." (see Numbers 1:52-2:34 "...they shall camp facing the tent of meeting on every side.")

After the conquest and division of the land among the tribes, the tabernacle was moved to Shiloh in Ephraimite territory (Joshua's tribe) to avoid disputes among the other tribes (Joshua 18:1; 19:51; 22:9; Psalm 78:60). It remained there during the 300-year period of the biblical judges (the rules of the individual judges total about 350 years [1 Kings 6:1; Acts 13:20], but most ruled regionally and some terms overlapped).^[16][17] According to Judges 20:26-28, the Ark, and thus possibly the tabernacle, was at Bethel while Phinehas, grandson of Aaron, was still alive.

The subsequent history of the structure is separate from that of the Ark of the Covenant. After the Ark was captured by the Philistines, King Saul moved the tabernacle to Nob, near his home town of Gibeah, but after he massacred the priests there (1 Samuel 21-22), it was moved to Gibeon. (1 Chronicles 16:39; 21:29; 2 Chronicles 1:2-6, 13). Just prior to David's moving the ark to Jerusalem, the ark was located in Kiriath-Jearim (1 Chronicles 13:5-6).

The Ark was eventually brought to Jerusalem, where it was placed "inside the tent David had pitched for it" (2 Samuel 6:17; 1 Chronicles 15:1), not in the tabernacle, which remained at Gibeon. The altar of the tabernacle at Gibeon was used for sacrificial worship (1 Chronicles 16:39; 21:29; 1 Kings 3:2-4), until Solomon finally brought the structure and its furnishings to Jerusalem to furnish and dedicate the Temple. (1 Kings 8:4)

There is no mention of the tabernacle in the Tanakh after the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple by the Babylonians in c. 587 BCE.

Relationship to the golden calf

Some rabbis have commented on the proximity of the narrative of the tabernacle with that of the episode known as the sin of the golden calf recounted in Exodus 32:1-6. Maimonides asserts that the tabernacle and its accoutrements, such as the golden Ark of the Covenant and the golden Menorah were meant as "alternates" to the human weakness and needs for physical idols as seen in the golden calf episode.^[18] Other scholars, such as Nachmanides disagree and maintain that the tabernacle's meaning is not tied in with the golden calf, but instead symbolizes higher mystical lessons that symbolize God's constant closeness to the Children of Israel.^[19]

Blueprint for synagogues

The Mishkan Shilo synagogue in Shilo is a replica of the Jewish Temple

Synagogue construction over the last two thousand years has followed the outlines of the original tabernacle.^[20][21] Every synagogue has at its front an ark, aron kodesh, containing the Torah scrolls, comparable to the Ark of the Covenant which contained the tablets with Ten Commandments. This is the holiest spot in a synagogue, equivalent to the Holy of Holies.

There is also usually a constantly lighted lamp, Ner tamid, or a candelabrum, lighted during services, near a spot similar to the position of the original Menorah. At the center of the synagogue is a large elevated area, known as the bimah, where the Torah is read. This is equivalent to the tabernacle's altars upon which incense and animal sacrifices were offered. On the main holidays the priests gather at the front of the synagogue to bless the congregation as did their priestly ancestors in the tabernacle from Aaron onwards (Numbers 6:22-27).^[22]

New Testament and Islamic references

The tabernacle is mentioned several times in the Epistle to the Hebrews in the New Testament. For example, according to Hebrews 8:2-5 and 9:2-26 Jesus serves as the true climactic high priest in heaven, the true tabernacle, to which its counterpart on earth was just a symbol and foreshadow of what was to come (Hebrews 8:5).

In the Islamic tradition, the tabernacle can relate to the Kaaba in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The Muslims claim this to be the House of God and the epicentre to which their entire population prays towards as one unified body.^[23]

See also

• Church tabernacle


• Priestly covenant


• Replicas of the Jewish Temple


• Tabernacle (LDS Church)


• Tabernacle (Methodist)

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Tabernacles.

• Precise reconstruction of the Tabernacle


• Full color, 3d, printable model of the tabernacle


• A study of the Tabernacle


• The offerings of the Tabernacle


• Jewish Encyclopedia article


• 3D Model of the Tabernacle and all internal components.