The Bible describes the Tabernacle (Hebrew for "dwelling place") as God's mobile home among the Israelites in the wilderness, a portable sanctuary built by Moses according to divine patterns, symbolizing heaven on earth where God's glory resided, serving as the central place for worship, sacrifice, and communion with God, with its structure (outer court, holy place, Holy of Holies) and furnishings (Altar of Incense, Menorah, Table of Showbread, Ark of the Covenant) mirroring heavenly realities and foreshadowing Christ, as detailed heavily in Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Hebrews.
It was where God's glory dwelt among His people, uniting heaven and earth.
Built exactly as shown to Moses on Mount Sinai (Exodus 25:40), it was a copy of a heavenly reality.
It was the only place for prescribed sacrifices and meeting God during the 40 years in the desert.
Each part represented aspects of God's holiness, creation, and the path to Him, with the veil separating humans from God's direct presence until Christ.
Structure & Furnishings (Exodus 25-31, 35-40):
Enclosed area with bronze pillars, containing the Altar of Burnt Offering (sacrifices) and the Bronze Laver (cleansing).
Holy Place (First Room): Gold-plated structure with the golden Menorah (light/presence), Table of Showbread (God's provision), and Altar of Incense (prayer).
Holy of Holies (Inner Room): Separated by a veil, it housed the Ark of the Covenant with the Mercy Seat, where God's presence manifested as a cloud.
Significance in the New Testament (Hebrews): Christ as the True Tabernacle: The book of Hebrews emphasizes that the earthly Tabernacle was a shadow, pointing to Jesus Christ, the ultimate High Priest who entered the true heavenly sanctuary on our behalf (Hebrews 8:1-2, 9:11-12). Believers as Temples: In Christ, believers become the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19), reflecting a new reality where God dwells with His people in a deeper way.