The Mishkan, or Tabernacle, is first mentioned in the Hebrew Scriptures in the 25th chapter of Exodus. Moses had just mediated a covenant between God and the Israelites; the Ten Commandments had been delivered to the people and the people had confirmed their devotion to the Lord. Moses was then invited by God to go up on Mount Sinai and live there, receiving revelation for forty days. During this time he was given a vision of a sacred tent to be built by the Israelites to house God's presence with them. God proclaimed to Moses:

"There I will meet with you, and from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim that are on the Ark of the Covenant, I will deliver to you all my commandments for the Israelites." (Exodus 25:22)

What follows is a lengthy description of the Tabernacle; its materials and measurements are calculated to an exacting degree. The entire process of building the Tabernacle is described with great detail and precision, not just once, but two separate times in the last chapters of Exodus. It is described for the first time in the context of God's instruction to Moses (Exodus 25-31). It is described again, just a few chapters later, in the context of the act of building the structure and crafting its furnishings (Exodus 35-40).

Interestingly, the two accounts are separated by the famous story of the golden calf. The Israelites fell short of their covenant with God almost immediately. They grew impatient while Moses stayed on the mountaintop, and broke the second commandment by erecting the image of a golden deity to more concretely represent their Lord. In response, God nearly destroyed the Israelites for their infidelity, and would have were it not for the intercession of Moses on their behalf. But God's jealousy was appeased, and the covenant was renewed. Moses then left for another forty days on the mountain, and God once again appeared to him before construction began on the Tabernacle. Thus, the descriptions of the Tabernacle are given in the context of a people newly wedded to their God, and a prophet glowing with a holy countenance. The structure was both prescribed and built in a tone of eager loyalty, reverence and awe.

While the Tabernacle is described in great detail, there is still much left to the imagination. Moses was simply instructed to build the tent and its furnishings according the pattern shown to him on Mt. Sinai. The reader can only imagine what this vision looked like, and is left to try and work out how exactly the structure was put together. Many questions remain unanswered, as we will see. For instance, how were the two extra boards for the corners arranged? There are several ways they could have been set, and consequently several possible lengths and widths of the Tabernacle. What was the outer curtain made of? Wouldn't the fire of the sacrifices melt the bronze on the altar? What were the dishes and vessels on the table used for? Scholars and novices alike still debate these questions. But there is certainly enough description given to stimulate the imagination, and countless models have been built to try and capture the image of this majestic dwelling place.

Holy of Holies | The Holy Place | The Court | The Boards and Curtains
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