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God’s communication -

Earlier reports of God communicating with people didn’t happen in a specific place. Rather, God spoke to his people in a number of ways, from visions to burning bushes.

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God’s communication -

But then God instructed Moses to build a place where he and his people would dwell: the tabernacle.

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What does the word mean? -

The tabernacle is mentioned in the Bible as the mishkan. The word translates to “residence” or “dwelling place” in English. The word tabernacle itself comes from the Latin tabernāculum, which means "tent" or "hut."

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The meaning of mishkan -

Mishkan derives from the Hebrew root for “to dwell,” meaning that this was the place where God and his people would be together.

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Another word for tabernacle -

The Bible also makes reference to Ohel Moed, or the “tent of meeting,” which is also a reference to the tabernacle (Exodus 39:32).

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What was its purpose? -

As mentioned previously, the tabernacle was a physical space where God could manifest his presence among his people. Because Israelites were wandering through the desert, God instructed Moses to build a temporary structure.

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What was its purpose? -

This structure was a symbolic home for all Israelites, a place where they knew God would always be present, regardless of where they were geographically.

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How did the Israelites serve God in the tabernacle? -

Israelites served God in a number of ways. Animal sacrifice was one of them. Others included burning incense and offering showbread.

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The role of the menorah -

The seven-branched menorah would be lit by priests every day, which would be a source of light inside the tabernacle.

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Festivities -

The tabernacle would be the place where most festivities would be centered around. These included the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), Passover, Shavuot (Pentecost), and the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot).

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Gathering place -

The tabernacle was the place where people gathered to obtain guidance from God. It was also the meeting place for leaders.

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What does the Bible say about it? -

In Exodus 25:8, we find reference to the exact moment God instructed Moses to build the tabernacle. It reads: “Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them.”

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What does the Bible say about it? -

Then in Exodus 29:42-46, there is mention of the spiritual purpose of the tabernacle. It reads: “For the generations to come this burnt offering is to be made regularly at the entrance to the tent of meeting, before the Lord. There I will meet you and speak to you; there also I will meet with the Israelites, and the place will be consecrated by my glory.”

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What does the Bible say about it? -

It continues: “So I will consecrate the tent of meeting and the altar and will consecrate Aaron and his sons to serve me as priests. Then I will dwell among the Israelites and be their God. They will know that I am the Lord their God, who brought them out of Egypt so that I might dwell among them. I am the Lord their God.”

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Instructions -

Then the book of Exodus delves deeper into how the tabernacle should be built. Exodus 26 details how the tabernacle should be made, which includes “ten curtains of finely twisted linen and blue, purple and scarlet yarn, with cherubim woven into them by a skilled worker.”

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Instructions -

Other instructions mentioned in Exodus 26 include “curtains of goat hair” and “upright frames of acacia wood,” among others.

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Who built the tabernacle? -

As mentioned previously, the instruction to build the tabernacle was given to Moses, but the construction of it was actually a joint effort by the Israelites.

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Who built the tabernacle? -

Exodus 35:29 tells us that all materials were donated: “All the Israelite men and women who were willing brought to the Lord freewill offerings for all the work the Lord through Moses had commanded them to do.”

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People brought more than was needed -

People were so excited about building the tabernacle that they brought more offerings than needed. The workers said to Moses: “The people are bringing more than enough for doing the work the Lord commanded to be done,” (Exodus 36:5).

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Moses had to stop them -

“Then Moses gave an order and they sent this word throughout the camp: 'No man or woman is to make anything else as an offering for the sanctuary.' And so the people were restrained from bringing more, because what they already had was more than enough to do all the work,” (Exodus 36:6-7).

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Completion -

When the tabernacle was completed, God came to dwell with his people. “Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle,” (Exodus 40:34).

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What did it look like? -

The tabernacle was a rectangular portable tent. It was built around a wooden frame and its curtains were in shades of purple, indigo, and scarlet. The tent was surrounded by a fence made of fabric, and a bronze altar was found in the courtyard.

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Measurements -

The original measurements were made in cubits (1 cubit is approximately 18 inches / 45.72 cm). In today's measurements, it would be the equivalent to 45 feet (35.71 m) long by 15 feet (4.57 m) wide and 15 feet (4.57 cm) high.

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Rooms -

The tabernacle had two rooms, separated by a curtain made of goat hair: the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies (or the Most Holy Place), respectively.

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The Holy Place -

The Holy Place had an altar of incense, a seven-branched menorah, and a table for the showbread.

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The Holy of Holies -

The Holy of Holies was a smaller room where the Ark of the Covenant was kept. The golden ark contained the Ten Commandments tablets.

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Moving -

The Israelites traveled through the desert and carried the tabernacle with them. Exodus 40:36-38 describes how this was done. “In all the travels of the Israelites, whenever the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle, they would set out; but if the cloud did not lift, they did not set out—until the day it lifted. So 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 Israelites during all their travels.”

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Who was responsible for the tabernacle contents when moving? -

The Levites (particularly the Kohathites, one of their divisions) were the tribesmen responsible for assisting and guarding the tabernacle. According to Numbers 4:4: “This is the work of the Kohathites at the tent of meeting: the care of the most holy things.”

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Historical locations -

The tabernacle was erected in numerous locations, including Mount Sinai, Kadesh-barnea, Gilgal, Shiloh, Bethel, Nob, and Gibeon.

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Legacy -

Following the destruction of the Temple by the Babylonians, the tabernacle is nowhere to be found in the Bible, but its legacy lives on. To this day, synagogues are inspired by its layout.

Sources: (International Fellowship of Christians and Jews) (My Jewish Learning) (Bible Gateway)

See also: Historic synagogues from around the world

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