WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT THE TABERNACLE?

The Tabernacle

(Ex 25-31; 33:7-11; 35-40; Lev 17; Num 11-12; Dt 31:14ff; 1 Chr 16:39; 21:29; 2 Chr 1:3; 5:5),

Cloud & Fire (Exodus 40:34-38 ESV) [34] Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. [35] And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled on it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. [36] Throughout all their journeys, whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out. [37] But if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not set out till the day that it was taken up. [38] For the cloud of the LORD was on the tabernacle by day, and fire was in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel throughout all their journeys.

Travels From Mount Sinai (Ex 40:18-19; Num 10:11-12), they carried it to Gilgal (Josh 5:10-11), and then to Shiloh (Josh 18:1; 19:51).  When the Philistines defeated the Israelite army, they took the Ark of the Covenant (1 Sam 7:1), which eventually was returned to Kiriath Jearim.  Meanwhile, the tabernacle was taken to Nob (1 Samuel 21) and then to Gibeon (1 Chr 16:39; 21:29).  It was probably taken to King Solomon’s newly-erected temple in Jerusalem in 966 B.C., where it was reunited with the ark (1 Chr 6:16-17).

The Sacrificial Altar (Ex 27:1-8) The sacrificial altar at the tabernacle was to be the only place of sacrifice for the Israelites, as commanded by the Lord (Lev 17:8).  It was 7.5 feet square and 4.5 feet high, was made of acacia wood overlaid with bronze, and had a horn on each corner.  The fire on the altar was to be kept burning at all times (Lev 6:8-13); daily sacrifices were offered in the morning and afternoon (Ex 29:38-42; Num 28:3-8).  Animals were slain north of the altar and the priest probably stood on a ledge projecting from the base of the altar to arrange the parts of the animals and to pour the ashes to the east of the altar (Lev 1:16).  

The Screen Exodus 26:36 (KJV) “And thou shalt make an hanging for the door of the tent, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, wrought with needlework.”  This outer screen was made of the same materials as the inner veil, but it required less-skilled workmanship.  Only the priests, all of whom were Levites, could pass through this screen and into the tabernacle (Num 18:3, 5), where they performed their services (Num 3:10; 18:1, 2; Heb 8:2; 9:6).

The Frame (Ex 26:15-30) The upright frames of the tabernacle itself were made of acacia (“shittim”) wood overlaid with gold.  They rested on silver bases, and there were 20 on each side and six in back (with two extra on the back corners).

The Outer Court (Ex 27:9-19) 

The Bronze Laver (Exodus 30:18-20) “You shall also make a basin of bronze, with its stand of bronze, for washing. You shall put it between the tent of meeting and the altar, and you shall put water in it, [19] with which Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet. [20] When they go into the tent of meeting, or when they come near the altar to minister, to burn a food offering to the LORD, they shall wash with water, so that they may not die.

Altar     (Exodus 27:4-5)

The Holy Place (Ex 26:33; Heb 9:2-6) 

The Table of Showbread (Ex 25:23-30)

The Altar of Incense (Ex 30:1-10)

The Menorah (Ex 25:31-40; Lev 24:1-4; Num 8:1-4)

The High Priest - Exodus 28 & 29

The Veil - Exodus 26:31-33

The Ark of the Covenant (Ex 25:10-22)

The Holy of Holies - The only object in the Holy of Holies, the sacred ark (Ex 25:10-22) contained the two tablets with the Ten Commandments, the rod of Aaron that blossomed (Num 17:10, 23-26), and the pot of manna (Ex 16:33-34).

How We Enter the Holy Places (Hebrews 10:19-25)] Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, [20] by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, [21] and since we have a great priest over the house of God, [22] let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. [23] Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. [24] And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, [25] not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Jesus – Tabernacled Among Us(John 1:14)  And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Church(1 Corinthians 3:16-17) Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? [17] If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple.

Body(1 Corinthians 6:19) Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,

Better Covenant(Hebrews 8:1-7) Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, [2] a minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set up, not man. [3] For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices; thus it is necessary for this priest also to have something to offer. [4] Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, since there are priests who offer gifts according to the law. [5] They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, “See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain.” [6] But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises. [7] For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second.

Christ’s Redemption (Hebrews 9:11-14)  But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) [12] he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. [13] For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, [14] how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.