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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0;"/><title>Topical Bible: The Tent of Meeting</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/topical/t/the_tent_of_meeting.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/newtopical.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/topical/vmenus/exodus/25-9.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/bmcde/t/tent.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/topical/">Topical</a> > The Tent of Meeting</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/topical/t/the_tent_of_jael.htm" title="The Tent of Jael">◄</a> The Tent of Meeting <a href="/topical/t/the_tent_of_meeting_as_a_place_of_encounter.htm" title="The Tent of Meeting as a Place of Encounter">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse">Jump to: <a href="#sub" title="Subtopics">Subtopics</a> • <a href="#rel" title="Related Terms">Terms</a></div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><a name="te" id="te"></a><div class="vheading2">Topical Encyclopedia</div>The Tent of Meeting, also known as the Tabernacle, holds significant importance in the biblical narrative as the portable earthly dwelling place of God among the Israelites during their journey through the wilderness. It served as a central place of worship and a symbol of God's presence with His people.<br><br><b>Biblical Description and Construction</b><br><br>The instructions for the construction of the Tent of Meeting are detailed in the Book of Exodus. God commanded Moses to build the Tabernacle according to the specific pattern shown to him on Mount Sinai (<a href="/exodus/25-9.htm">Exodus 25:9</a>). The structure was to be made of fine materials, including gold, silver, bronze, and various fabrics, symbolizing the holiness and majesty of God.<br><br>The Tent of Meeting consisted of several key components:<br><br>1. <b>The Outer Court</b>: Enclosed by a fence of linen curtains, the outer court contained the bronze altar for burnt offerings and the bronze basin for ceremonial washing (<a href="/exodus/27-9.htm">Exodus 27:9-19</a>).<br><br>2. <b>The Holy Place</b>: Inside the Tabernacle, the Holy Place housed the table of showbread, the golden lampstand, and the altar of incense (<a href="/exodus/26-33.htm">Exodus 26:33-35</a>).<br><br>3. <b>The Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies)</b>: Separated by a veil, this innermost chamber contained the Ark of the Covenant, which held the tablets of the Ten Commandments. The Ark was covered by the mercy seat, where God's presence was believed to dwell (<a href="/exodus/26-33.htm">Exodus 26:33-34</a>).<br><br><b>Function and Significance</b><br><br>The Tent of Meeting served as the focal point for Israelite worship and the administration of the sacrificial system. It was here that the priests, led by Aaron and his descendants, performed their duties, offering sacrifices and maintaining the sacred rituals prescribed by the Law.<br><br>The Tent of Meeting was also the place where God communicated with Moses. <a href="/exodus/33-7.htm">Exodus 33:7-11</a> describes how Moses would pitch the tent outside the camp, and the pillar of cloud would descend, indicating God's presence. "The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend" (<a href="/exodus/33-11.htm">Exodus 33:11</a>).<br><br><b>Theological Themes</b><br><br>1. <b>God's Presence</b>: The Tent of Meeting symbolized God's desire to dwell among His people. It was a tangible representation of His covenant relationship with Israel, emphasizing His holiness and accessibility.<br><br>2. <b>Atonement and Sacrifice</b>: The sacrificial system conducted at the Tent of Meeting foreshadowed the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The rituals underscored the need for atonement and the seriousness of sin.<br><br>3. <b>Mediation</b>: The role of the priests as mediators between God and the people prefigured the mediatory work of Christ, the ultimate High Priest.<br><br><b>Transition to the Temple</b><br><br>The Tent of Meeting served as the central place of worship until the construction of Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem. The transition from the portable Tabernacle to the permanent Temple marked a new phase in Israel's religious life, yet the foundational principles established in the Tent of Meeting continued to influence Israelite worship and theology.<br><br><b>Legacy and Christian Interpretation</b><br><br>For Christians, the Tent of Meeting is seen as a precursor to the incarnation of Jesus Christ, who "tabernacled" among humanity (<a href="/john/1-14.htm">John 1:14</a>). It also serves as a reminder of the believer's call to be a living temple of the Holy Spirit, reflecting God's presence in the world.</div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="sub" id="sub"></a><div class="vheading2">Subtopics</div><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/t/tent.htm">Tent</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/t/tent_by_abraham.htm">Tent by Abraham</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/t/tent_by_arabians.htm">Tent by Arabians</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/t/tent_by_cushites.htm">Tent by Cushites</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/t/tent_by_lot.htm">Tent by Lot</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/t/tent_by_moses.htm">Tent by Moses</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/t/tent_by_noah.htm">Tent by Noah</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/t/tent_by_shepherds.htm">Tent by Shepherds</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/t/tent_by_the_midianites.htm">Tent by the Midianites</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/t/tent_by_the_people_of_israel.htm">Tent by the People of Israel</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/t/tent_used_for_a_dwelling.htm">Tent used for a Dwelling</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/t/tent_used_for_cattle.htm">Tent used for Cattle</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/t/tent--the_manufacture_of.htm">Tent: The Manufacture of</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/t/tent--women_had_separate_tents_from_men.htm">Tent: Women had Separate Tents from Men</a></p><a name="rel" id="rel"></a><div class="vheading2">Related Terms</div><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/t/tent-circle.htm">Tent-circle (45 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/chamber.htm">Chamber (73 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/t/tent.htm">Tent (333 Occurrences)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/topical/t/the_tent_of_jael.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="The Tent of Jael"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="The Tent of Jael" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/topical/t/the_tent_of_meeting_as_a_place_of_encounter.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="The Tent of Meeting as a Place of Encounter"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="The Tent of Meeting as a Place of Encounter" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div> <div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"><script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></div></td></tr></table></div></div></div> <br /><br /> <div align="center"> <div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>