Tabernacle

The Tabernacle (Hebrew: מִשְׁכַּן‎, mishkan, "residence" or "dwelling place"), according to the Hebrew Bible, was the portable dwelling place for the divine presence, from the time of the Exodus from Egypt through the conquering of the land of Canaan. Built of gold, silver, brass, furs, jewels, and other valuable materials taken out of Egypt at God's orders, and according to specifications revealed by God (Yahweh) to Moses at Mount Sinai, it was transported by the Israelites on their journey through the wilderness and their conquest of the Promised Land. The First Temple in Jerusalem superseded it as the dwelling-place of God some 300 years later.

The fullest description of the Tabernacle describes an inner shrine (named Holy of Holies), which housed the Ark of the Covenant, which in turn was under the veil of the covering suspended by four pillars and an outer chamber (Holy Place), with beaten gold made into what is generally described as a lampstand or candlestick featuring a central shaft incorporating four almond-shaped bowls and six branches, each holding three bowls shaped like almonds and blossoms, 22 in all, as described in Exodus 25. It was standing diagonally, partially covering a table for showbread and with its seven oil lamps over against it to give light along with the altar of incense. This description is generally identified as part of the Priestly source (P), written in the 6th or 5th century BCE. Many scholars contend that it is of a far later date than the time of Moses, and that the description reflects the structure of the Temple of Solomon, while some hold that the description derives from memories of a real pre-monarchic shrine, perhaps the sanctuary at Shiloh. Traditional scholars contend that it describes an actual tabernacle used in the time of Moses and thereafter. According to historical criticism an earlier, pre-exilic source (E), describes the Tabernacle as a simple tent-sanctuary.

Mishkan (disambiguation)

Mishkan is the Hebrew word for the dwelling place of God, or the Tabernacle. It may refer to: