Tabernacle (25-31, 35-40)

E. Tabernacle (25-31, 35-40)

The covenant established with Israel from Mount Sinai was foundational. And for the Priestly writer, the most important aspect of the Mount Sinai experience was receiving the gift of the tabernacle, a portable tent shrine that served as God's place of residence among his people throughout their wilderness travels and on into the Promised Land. The Priestly source in Exodus devotes two extended passages to the tabernacle because the main duty of the priesthood was to facilitate the fellowship of Yahweh and his people. The tabernacle assured the Israelites that God would be present to them throughout their history.
    The first tabernacle passage details the design of the worship center (Exodus 25-31) and the second narrates its construction (Exodus 35-40). The narrative itself is ordered as seven divine speeches each introduced with the formula "YHWH said to Moses." The seventh features the Sabbath, suggesting a parallel with the Priestly creation narrative of Genesis 1 (see Kearney 1977). The design is presented as a divine blueprint, a notion attested as early as 2200 B.C.E. when Gudea of Lagash was given divine instructions to build a sanctuary (see Hurowitz 1985).

Creation and Tabernacle. Parallels between the creation and the priesthood-sanctuary complex of the Priestly source suggest that worship derives from the order of creation and is designed to bring humanity into conformity with it. The construction of the tabernacle sanctuary and its management by the priesthood is the completion of the work of God in creation.

See Table 3.W for parallels between the Priestly creation story and the construction of the tabernacle.

    The tabernacle complex (Figure 3.6) was divided into three distinct zones of increasing holiness: the outer courtyard, the holy place of the tabernacle, and the most holy place. Note the symmetry of the overall layout and the placement of the ark of the covenant within the most holy place at the precise point of intersection. The most holy place is itself perfectly symmetrical, a cube of 10 cubits by 10 by 10. For a complete description of the tabernacle and its symbolism, including the way the temple of Solomon mirrors the tabernacle, see Haran (1978).

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Figure 3.6 The Tabernacle Complex

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    In addition to the portable tent shrine, the Israelites constructed the many implements, utensils, and articles of ceremonial clothing they would need to perform their ritual service. Included in the list are the ark of the covenant to store the covenant documents, the table for the bread of the presence, the lampstand (menorah in Hebrew), and the altars of incense and burnt offering.

 Tabernacle Components for a list of design elements and utensils associated with the tabernacle.

Tabernacle Symbolism. Specifically Yahweh sat enthroned between the cherubim (Psalm 80:1; Isaiah 37:16), who represent the Divine Council (see Chapter 1). The symmetry and symbolism of the tabernacle reflect the perfection of God and his relationship to creation. The most holy place represents heaven, and the holy place represents the earth. The outer courtyard with its massive water basin may symbolize the waters of chaos, where one is most distant from God.

    The climax of the Priestly tabernacle narrative comes in 40:34-38 when the cloud of God's presence descends on the tabernacle and the glory of Yahweh fills it. The reality of God which once resided on Mount Sinai now enters the sanctuary. God's presence would accompany the Israelites throughout their travels, and would eventually take up residence in the temple built in Jerusalem during the time of Solomon.