Usual though it may be to point out, at the commencement of an article such as this, the principal reasons for making such a study, we prefer to leave others to bring forward those reasons, and merely content ourselves with the fact that this unique building, of which we write, has proved of sufficient interest to merit the attention of many notable scholars over a considerable period of years. The word unique, in connection with the tabernacle, is used advisedly. For we find no less an authority on the history of architecture than Sir Banister Fletcher, in his book entitled “A History of Architecture on the Comparative Basis” (a purely secular book) making a statement to this effect, “Tents of sheepskins speak for themselves and are still as much in use among Bedouin Arabs and other nomadic tribes as they can have been in historic times; and our thoughts turn naturally to the Tabernacle for the Ark of the Covenant with its sheepskins and many woven hangings of silk and linen, which was carried by the Israelites through the desert, and was the apotheosis of the tent of shepherds in the dawn of man’s life on the earth.” Such words, found as they are in the opening chapters of a book which subsequently deals with the outstanding religious buildings of all ages, show very clearly that the Tabernacle is worthy of more than passing interest. To say that it merits the word unique is to the student of the Word of God most obvious.
Perhaps the fact that it was constructed from a plan which was the work of the greatest of all architects has much to do with the interest which this building has aroused. This is especially true with respect to those who are interested in architecture or building, for, as a basic principle, they have learned that from the well conceived plan springs the structure possessing those three requirements of good building, “Commodity, Firmness and Delight.”1 To say that the Tabernacle exhibits the first and last of these three conditions seems almost unnecessary. But may we suggest that the quality of Firmness or strength was also apparent therein; for while the Tabernacle must needs be of a portable nature, nevertheless the details of its construction were such as to assure that its structural stability was beyond question.
May we suggest that it is helpful in considering a description of the Tabernacle to have access to two Bibles so that one may readily compare the two records, “Thou shalt make” (Exodus 27) and “He made” (Exodus 38).
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Author: J. B. Parkin
Keywords: Tent of meeting, Tabernacle, Construction of the tabernacle, Construction of the tent of meeting, Erection of the tabernacle, Erection of the tent of meeting, Holy of holies, Sanctuary, Ark of the covenant, Most holy place, Inner sanctuary, Materials of the tabernacle, Materials of the tent of meeting, mishkan, cubit
Bible reference(s): Exodus 25, Exodus 26, Exodus 27, Exodus 28:43, Exodus 29:4, Exodus 29:10, Exodus 29:11, Exodus 29:30, Exodus 29:32, Exodus 29:42, Exodus 29:44, Exodus 30:16, Exodus 30:18, Exodus 30:20, Exodus 30:26, Exodus 30:36, Exodus 31:7, Exodus 33:7, Exodus 35, Exodus 36, Exodus 37, Exodus 38, Exodus 39, Exodus 40, Leviticus 1:1, Leviticus 1:3, Leviticus 1:5, Leviticus 3:2, Leviticus 3:8, Leviticus 3:13, Leviticus 4:4, Leviticus 4:5, Leviticus 4:7, Leviticus 4:14, Leviticus 4:16, Leviticus 4:18, Leviticus 6:16, Leviticus 6:26, Leviticus 6:30, Leviticus 8:3, Leviticus 8:4, Leviticus 8:10, Leviticus 8:31, Leviticus 8:33, Leviticus 8:35, Leviticus 9:5, Leviticus 9:23, Leviticus 10:7, Leviticus 10:9, Leviticus 12:6, Leviticus 14:11, Leviticus 14:23, Leviticus 15:14, Leviticus 15:29, Leviticus 15:31, Leviticus 16:7, Leviticus 16:16, Leviticus 16:17, Leviticus 16:20, Leviticus 16:23, Leviticus 16:33, Leviticus 17:4, Leviticus 17:5, Leviticus 17:6, Leviticus 17:9, Leviticus 19:21, Leviticus 24:3, Numbers 1:1, Numbers 1:50, Numbers 1:51, Numbers 1:53, Numbers 2:2, Numbers 2:17, Numbers 3:7, Numbers 3:8, Numbers 3:23, Numbers 3:25-26, Numbers 3:38, Numbers 4:3, Numbers 4:4, Numbers 4:15-16, Numbers 4:23, Numbers 4:25-26, Numbers 4:28, Numbers 4:30, Numbers 4:31, Numbers 4:33, Numbers 4:35, Numbers 4:37, Numbers 4:39, Numbers 4:41, Numbers 4:43, Numbers 4:47, Numbers 5:17, Numbers 6:10, Numbers 6:13, Numbers 6:18, Numbers 7:1, Numbers 7:3, Numbers 7:5, Numbers 7:89, Numbers 8:9, Numbers 8:15, Numbers 8:19, Numbers 8:22, Numbers 8:24, Numbers 8:26, Numbers 9:15, Numbers 9:18-20, Numbers 9:22, Numbers 10:3, Numbers 10:11, Numbers 10:17, Numbers 10:21, Numbers 11:16, Numbers 12:4, Numbers 14:10, Numbers 16:9, Numbers 16:18, Numbers 16:19, Numbers 16:42, Numbers 16:43, Numbers 16:50, Numbers 17:4, Numbers 17:13, Numbers 18:4, Numbers 18:6, Numbers 18:21, Numbers 18:22, Numbers 18:23, Numbers 18:31, Numbers 19:4, Numbers 19:13, Numbers 20:6, Numbers 25:6, Numbers 27:2, Numbers 31:30, Numbers 31:47, Numbers 31:54, Deuteronomy 31:14, Joshua 18:1, Joshua 19:51, Joshua 22:19, Joshua 22:29, 1 Samuel 2:22, 1 Kings 8:4, 1 Chronicles 6:32, 1 Chronicles 6:48, 1 Chronicles 9:21, 1 Chronicles 16:39, 1 Chronicles 21:29, 1 Chronicles 23:26, 1 Chronicles 23:32, 2 Chronicles 1:3, 2 Chronicles 1:5-6, 2 Chronicles 1:13, 2 Chronicles 5:5, Judith 9:8, Sirach/Ecclesiasticus 24:10, Sirach/Ecclesiasticus 24:15
Source: “Construction of the Tabernacle,” The Testimony, Vol. 8, No. 87, March 1938, pp. 131-5.
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