Objects & worship
Tabernacle
The tent sanctuary that Israel used while traveling in the wilderness.
Also called · tent of meeting · dwelling
What it means
God told Moses to make a sanctuary so that he could dwell among the people. They were to use the materials the people offered and follow the pattern God showed Moses for the tent and its furnishings.
The ark stood behind the veil in the Most Holy Place. The table, lampstand, and incense altar stood outside the veil in the Holy Place. A courtyard surrounded the tent and contained the burnt offering altar and a basin for washing.
How it appears in the Bible
When the tabernacle was set up, a cloud covered the tent of meeting and God’s glory filled the tabernacle. Numbers 9 describes Israel camping while the cloud remained and setting out when it rose.
Translation note
Exodus 40:2 calls the structure the tabernacle of the tent of meeting. Exodus 33:7 also calls the tent Moses pitched outside the camp the tent of meeting, so the setting helps identify the tent being described.