Architectural Design and Layout of the Tabernacle: The Church Building in the Wilderness
The Tabernacle (also known as the Tent of Meeting) was the portable earthly dwelling place of God, as described in the Book of Exodus in the Bible. It was constructed by the Israelites under God’s instructions during their journey through the wilderness after leaving Egypt. The Tabernacle was designed to serve as a sacred space where God’s presence dwelled among His people, a place of worship, sacrifice, and communion with God. The architectural design and layout of the Tabernacle are highly detailed and symbolic, with specific instructions given in Exodus 25-40.
General Layout and Structure of the Tabernacle:
1. Outer Courtyard:
- The Outer Courtyard was the first part of the Tabernacle complex and was the public area where Israelites could gather. It was an open-air space surrounded by a fence made of linen curtains.
- Dimensions: The courtyard was 150 feet long and 75 feet wide (approximately 45 meters by 22 meters).
- Entrance: There was a single entrance to the courtyard on the east side, which was a 30-foot-wide gate (approximately 9 meters). The entrance was adorned with a screen made of fine linen and colorful embroidery.
- Altar of Burnt Offering: Just inside the gate, there was the Altar of Burnt Offering (Exodus 27:1-8). This was a large bronze altar where sacrifices were made by the priests on behalf of the people.
- Laver (Basin): Next to the altar, there was a bronze laver (Exodus 30:17-21), a large basin used for the priests to wash their hands and feet before entering the Tabernacle to maintain ritual cleanliness.
2. The Tabernacle Structure (Tent of Meeting):
- The Tabernacle itself was a rectangular tent-like structure made of fabrics, leather, and wood. It was divided into two main sections: the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies).
- Dimensions: The Tabernacle was 45 feet long, 15 feet wide, and 15 feet high (approximately 13.5 meters by 4.5 meters by 4.5 meters).
- Materials: The walls of the Tabernacle were made of acacia wood boards overlaid with gold, and the roof was made of layers of fine linen, goat hair, ram skins, and badger skins to provide shelter and protection from the elements.
3. Holy Place:
- The Holy Place was the first section of the Tabernacle, located just inside the entrance. Only priests were allowed to enter this area.
- Furniture in the Holy Place:
- The Golden Lampstand (Menorah): The lampstand was placed on the left side of the Holy Place (Exodus 25:31-40). It had seven branches, each holding an oil lamp. The Menorah symbolized the presence of God.
- The Table of Showbread: The table was on the right side (Exodus 25:23-30). It held twelve loaves of bread, symbolizing the twelve tribes of Israel. The bread was replaced weekly by the priests.
- The Altar of Incense: This was placed directly in front of the veil leading into the Holy of Holies (Exodus 30:1-10). Incense was burned here as an offering to God, representing the prayers of the people ascending to God.
4. Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies):
- The Most Holy Place was the inner sanctum of the Tabernacle, where the presence of God was believed to dwell in a special way. It was separated from the Holy Place by a thick veil.
- Dimensions: It was a cube, measuring 15 feet long, 15 feet wide, and 15 feet high (approximately 4.5 meters by 4.5 meters by 4.5 meters).
- The Ark of the Covenant: The Ark was placed in the Holy of Holies (Exodus 25:10-22). It was a gold-covered wooden chest containing the tablets of the Ten Commandments, Aaron’s rod, and a pot of manna. The Ark symbolized God’s covenant with Israel.
- The Mercy Seat: The cover of the Ark, known as the Mercy Seat, had two cherubim (angelic figures) made of gold on either side. It was considered the place where God would meet with the High Priest.
Key Symbolism and Significance:
- God’s Presence: The Tabernacle served as a place where God’s presence would dwell among His people. The thick veil separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place represented the separation between God and humanity due to sin, with the High Priest acting as an intermediary.
- Sacrifice and Atonement: The Tabernacle was also the center for sacrificial rituals, where the people of Israel could seek atonement for their sins through offerings and sacrifices.
- Holiness and Purity: The design emphasized purity and holiness, with strict guidelines for the priests’ behavior and cleanliness. Only those who were ritually clean could enter the Tabernacle, and only the High Priest could enter the Most Holy Place, and only once a year (on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement).
- The Veil: The veil that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place was significant, as it symbolized the barrier between God and mankind due to sin. It was torn when Jesus Christ died on the cross, symbolizing the removal of that barrier and the direct access to God that believers have through Jesus.
Conclusion:
The Tabernacle, or the Tent of Meeting, was not only a physical structure but also a symbol of God’s relationship with the Israelites. Its design and layout were filled with rich meaning and specific purposes, reflecting God’s holiness, His dwelling among His people, and the means of atonement. The Tabernacle set the stage for later worship in the Temple in Jerusalem and remains a significant topic of study for understanding ancient Israelite worship practices.
