What are the key instructions given for building the tabernacle in Exodus?

The instructions for building the tabernacle, as detailed in the Book of Exodus, are among the most intricate and symbolically rich passages in the entire Bible. These instructions, given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai, are found primarily in Exodus chapters 25 through 31 and then reiterated in chapters 35 through 40 as the Israelites carry out the construction. The tabernacle, also known as the "Tent of Meeting," served as the portable earthly dwelling place of God among the Israelites during their journey through the wilderness. The detailed instructions reflect not only God's desire for a place of worship but also His attention to holiness, order, and beauty.

The initial command for the construction of the tabernacle is found in Exodus 25:8-9, where God says, "And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst. Exactly as I show you concerning the pattern of the tabernacle, and of all its furniture, so you shall make it." This sets the stage for a series of detailed instructions that encompass the tabernacle's structure, its furnishings, and the priestly garments.

The Ark of the Covenant

The first item described is the Ark of the Covenant, which would reside in the Most Holy Place, the innermost part of the tabernacle. According to Exodus 25:10-22, the Ark was to be made of acacia wood and overlaid with pure gold inside and out. It was to be 2.5 cubits long, 1.5 cubits wide, and 1.5 cubits high. The Ark would have a gold molding around it and four gold rings through which poles made of acacia wood, also overlaid with gold, would be inserted for carrying. The cover of the Ark, known as the mercy seat, was to be made of pure gold with two cherubim of gold at its ends. The cherubim were to face each other with their wings spread upward, overshadowing the mercy seat. This mercy seat would be the place where God would meet with Moses and give him commands for the Israelites.

The Table for the Bread of the Presence

Next, in Exodus 25:23-30, instructions are given for the table for the Bread of the Presence. This table was also to be made of acacia wood and overlaid with pure gold. It would be 2 cubits long, 1 cubit wide, and 1.5 cubits high. Like the Ark, it would have a gold molding and be equipped with rings and poles for carrying. The table would hold the Bread of the Presence, which was to be set before God regularly.

The Golden Lampstand

The golden lampstand, or menorah, is described in Exodus 25:31-40. It was to be made of pure gold and fashioned as a single piece with a central shaft and six branches, three on each side. The lampstand would have cups shaped like almond blossoms, each with a bud and flower. It was to be made with seven lamps, and its tongs and trays were also to be made of pure gold. The lampstand was to provide light in the Holy Place, the outer room of the tabernacle.

The Tabernacle Structure

Exodus 26 gives a detailed description of the tabernacle's structure. The tabernacle was to be made of ten curtains of fine twisted linen, blue, purple, and scarlet yarn with cherubim worked into them by a skilled craftsman. Each curtain was to be 28 cubits long and 4 cubits wide. The curtains were to be joined together in sets of five. Fifty loops of blue material were to be made along the edge of the end curtain in each set, and fifty gold clasps were used to join the curtains together so that the tabernacle would be a single unit.

Additionally, eleven curtains of goat hair were to be made for a tent over the tabernacle. These curtains were to be 30 cubits long and 4 cubits wide. They were to be joined in sets of five and six, with fifty loops and fifty bronze clasps to connect them. The tent would also have a covering of ram skins dyed red and another covering of durable leather.

The frames for the tabernacle were to be made of acacia wood, each frame being 10 cubits long and 1.5 cubits wide, with two tenons to fit together. Twenty frames were to be made for the south side and twenty for the north, with forty silver bases under them. Six frames were to be made for the west end, plus two frames for the corners, all with silver bases.

The Veil and the Screen

Exodus 26:31-37 describes the veil that would separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. The veil was to be made of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen, with cherubim worked into it by a skilled craftsman. It was to be hung on four posts of acacia wood overlaid with gold and set in silver bases. The screen for the entrance to the tent was to be made similarly, with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen, and it was to hang on five posts with gold hooks and bronze bases.

The Altar of Burnt Offering

The altar of burnt offering is described in Exodus 27:1-8. It was to be made of acacia wood and overlaid with bronze. It was to be 5 cubits long and 5 cubits wide, and 3 cubits high. The altar was to have horns on its four corners, and all its utensils—pots, shovels, basins, forks, and firepans—were to be made of bronze. A grating, a network of bronze, was to be made for it, and the altar was to be hollow, with boards inside.

The Courtyard

The courtyard of the tabernacle is described in Exodus 27:9-19. It was to be 100 cubits long and 50 cubits wide, with curtains of finely twisted linen, 20 cubits long, on each side. The entrance to the courtyard was to be on the east side, with a curtain 20 cubits long made of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen, with four posts and four bases. All the posts around the courtyard were to have silver bands and hooks, and their bases were to be bronze.

The Priestly Garments

In Exodus 28, God provides detailed instructions for the priestly garments, particularly for Aaron and his sons. The garments included a breastpiece, an ephod, a robe, a woven tunic, a turban, and a sash. These garments were to be made of gold, blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and finely twisted linen. The ephod was to have shoulder pieces with onyx stones engraved with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. The breastpiece was to be made of the same materials and have twelve stones, each representing one of the tribes. The robe was to be made entirely of blue cloth, with pomegranates of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn around the hem, and gold bells between them. The turban was to have a plate of pure gold with the inscription "HOLY TO THE LORD."

The Anointing Oil and Incense

In Exodus 30:22-38, God gives instructions for making the anointing oil and the incense. The anointing oil was to be made from myrrh, cinnamon, calamus, cassia, and olive oil. It was to be used to anoint the tabernacle, the Ark of the Covenant, the table and all its utensils, the lampstand and its accessories, the altar of incense, the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, and the basin with its stand. The incense was to be made from gum resin, onycha, galbanum, and pure frankincense, and it was to be pure and sacred.

The Sabbath

Finally, in Exodus 31:12-17, God emphasizes the importance of the Sabbath as a sign between Him and the Israelites. The Israelites were to observe the Sabbath as a day of rest, holy to the Lord. Anyone who desecrated it was to be put to death, and anyone who did any work on that day was to be cut off from their people. The Sabbath was a lasting covenant for the generations to come.

The instructions for building the tabernacle are not merely a set of architectural blueprints but a profound theological statement. They emphasize God's holiness, His desire to dwell among His people, and the need for proper worship. Each element of the tabernacle, from the Ark of the Covenant to the priestly garments, carries deep symbolic meaning, pointing ultimately to the greater reality fulfilled in Jesus Christ. As the writer of Hebrews explains, the tabernacle was "a copy and shadow of what is in heaven" (Hebrews 8:5), and its detailed instructions reveal the meticulous care with which God prepared a way for His people to approach Him.