2.2 Tabernacle: Tent of Meeting

1
2.2 Tabernacle Tent of Meeting the Tabernacle

• BOT640/BHE640 Exegesis of Numbers

2
Introduction

• Two Problems
• 1. Many different terms to describe the
  Tabernacle
• 1.1 vdqm Sanctuary
• 1.2 dm lha Tent of Meeting
• 1.3 lhah The Tent hwhy lhah The Tent of YHWH
• 1.4 !kvm Tabernacle
• 1.5 twdh kvm Tabernacle of the Testimony

3
Introduction

• 2. Two different locations in relationship to the
  camp with implied differences of function and
  theology.
• 2.1 in the midst of the camp of Israel (Exod
  25.8 29.42-46)
• 2.2 outside of the camp

4
The Tent of Meeting
5
The Tent of Meeting

• 1 The Tent of Meeting dm lha
• 1.1 The name
• 1.1.1 The tent of meeting or reunion
• 1.1.2 dm means the date of an appointed
  meeting.
• 2. Basic Texts
• 2.1 Exodus 33.7-11
• 2.2 Num 11.24-30
• 2.3 Num 12
• 2.4 Deut 31.14-23

6
The Tent of Meeting

• 3. The Theology of the Tent of Meeting
• 3.1 A Prophetic Institution
• 3.2 Oracular Institution
• 3.3 Political Institution

7
The Tabernacle
8
(No Transcript)
9
The Tabernacle

• 1. Introduction
• 1.1 Tent type object which was not meant to last.
• 1.2 Ex 25-31 and parallel is very complex
  syntactically.
• 1.3 The use of technical language which is
  difficult to understand. Note especially Haran's
  many discussion in Temples and Temple Service in
  Ancient Israel.
• 1.4 One is never meant to forget the portability
  of the Tabernacle.

10
2. Construction

• 2. The Tent
• 2.1 General size 30 cu. by 10 cu. by 10 by. This
  brakes down into two segments, with the Holy of
  Holies being a perfect cube of 10 cu.
• 2.2 Cherubim Curtains Ex 26.1-6 Violet,
  purple, scarlet with cherubim 28X4 cu. with two
  series of 5 panels joined by 50 loops by gold
  clasps (note that the text does not say the usual
  pure gold used for those things that are in the
  tabernacle).
• 2.3 Goat's Hair Curtain Ex 26.7-13 30X4 cu.
  with a total of 11 panels rather than the 10 of
  the Cherubim. However the same 50 loops but it
  uses bronze clasps.

11
2. Construction

• 2.4 Ram's Skin and Dugong (yvix'T.) Ex 26.14
  Each one of them serves a different purpose.
  Ezekiel mentions both the vve and vxT as
  examples of expensive products in relation to
  what common people were used to (Eze 16.10). From
  him we infer that the first was used for wrapping
  up a head-dress, while with the second sandals
  were prepared. Similarly the linen is used for
  hangings in the tabernacle (and the priests use
  it for clothes), while the skins, being more
  hard-wearing, are placed on the roof, to act as a
  covering to the part most exposed to the
  elements. Haran, Temples and Temple Service in
  Ancient Israel, 163

12
2. Construction

• 2.5 Boards Ex 26.15-30 (kereshin)
• 2.5.1 10cu. high, 1 1/2cu. wide 46 frames
  20X20X6 gold plated 15 bars for each side with
  the middle going through the frames where placed
  in bases two per frame.
• 2.5.2 How were these structured? If solid, could
  they be carried at all? Note the A.R.S. Kennedy's
  reconstruction in Cross, p. 55, 57.

13
2. Construction

• 2.6 Curtains Ex 26.31-37
• 2.6.1 Blue, purple, crimson with cherubim to
  separate Holies of Holies from the Holy place.
  The description centers on the Ark gt Kapporet.
• 2.6.2 Entrance of tabernacle curtain is similar
  in material but without cherubim and seems to be
  made differently. The four entrance pillars
  mentioned at the same time.

14
2. Construction

• 2.7 Court of Tabernacle Ex 27.9-19
• 2.7.1 And enclosure of 100X50 cu.
• 2.7.2 Utilized 5 curtain hangings, 5 cu. high,
  hook were used to attach it to the 60 pillars
  with silver clap tops. The front of the curtain
  hanging was facing the east and was 20 cu. with a
  multi-colored screen.

15
2. The Tent

• General size 30 cu. by 10 cu. by 10 by. This
  brakes down into two segments, with the Holy of
  Holies being a perfect cube of 10 cu.

16
(No Transcript)
17
2. The Tent

• 2.2 Cherubim Curtains Ex 26.1-6

18
(No Transcript)
19
2. The Tent
20
(No Transcript)
21
2. The Tent

• 2.3 Goat's Hair Curtain Ex 26.7-13 30X4 cu.

22
2. The Tent

• 2.4 Ram's Skin and Dugong Ex 26.14

23
(No Transcript)
24
2. The Tent

• 2.5 Boards Ex 26.15-30 (kereshin)

25
(No Transcript)
26
(No Transcript)
27
(No Transcript)
28
(No Transcript)
29
(No Transcript)
30
(No Transcript)
31
2. The Tent

• 2.6 Curtains Ex 26.31-37

32
(No Transcript)
33
2. The Tent

• 2.7 Court of Tabernacle Ex 27.9-19

34
(No Transcript)
35
(No Transcript)
36
(No Transcript)
37
3. The Theology of the Tabernacle

• 1. A portable sanctuary of the Presence of the
  God of Sinai.
• 2. It is where God dwells in the midst of Israel,
  esp. their camp.
• 3. The fact that it was made from a divine
  pattern is important. (Ex 25.9)
• 4. The tablets of the Decalogue is placed within
  the Tabernacle Tent gt Most Holy Place gt in Ark gt
  under Kapporeth.
• 5. The constant reminder of the Holiness of God.
  The fact that the structures are graded by
  materials used, by local to the Ark and
  Kapporeth, and function. Note the description of
  Ezekiel's Temple verses the Solomonic and Second
  Temple!

38
3. The Theology of the Tabernacle

• 6. The Tabernacle was commanded by God and
  carried out by a freewill offering (Ex 25.1-9).
• 7. The detailed recording of the obedience of
  Moses and the people are crucial. The whole point
  of the repetition of Ex 25-31 in 35-40 finds it
  meaning here.
• 8. The special gifting of Bezael and Oholiab (Ex
  31.1-11 / 36.1-7).
• 9. The apostasy of Ex 32 is significant for
  understanding that the institution and the people
  that service in it are different. The failings of
  humans cause defilement and the presence of God
  in the midst of the peoples is threaten, however
  the purity of the institution does not come from
  the cult

39
3. The Theology of the Tabernacle

• functionaries. It comes from the God who
  commanded the institution.
• 10. The conclusion of Ex 40 with the coming of
  the ka4bod of YHWH caps the whole narrative. And
  sets the stage for the continued story of Israel
  in the wilderness.

40
4. The Priestly Theology of the Tabernacle

• 1. Reconciliation
• 1.1 God's existence in the midst of the people is
  based upon the establishment of a proper
  relationship with God.
• 1.2 The role of the Decalogue is important, since
  it is ultimately the object in the center-stage.
  (Ark as box)
• 1.3 Also the Kapporeth as the location of God's
  meeting with Israel is important as the
  alternative to a one-sided torah alone view.
• 1.4 The altar as central in the fore-grounds
  places the discussion in sacrificial terms.
  Significant here is not only the descriptive
  texts of Lev 1-7, Num 19, but also the Feasts of
  Israel.

41
4. The Priestly Theology of the Tabernacle

• 2. Holiness
• 2.1 The gradation of locations, materials,
  functions are significant for the priestly idea
  of holiness. Douglas' idea of abnormal/normal
  works in parallel here.
• 2.2 For a Holy God to dwell with people, there is
  a demand of holiness. The theology of priestly
  consecration in Lev 8-10 is rewarding for the
  perspectives of holiness and God's people, but
  the texts of Lev 11-16 and the Holiness Codes of
  Lev 17-27 places the onus on the people
  themselves.

42
4. The Priestly Theology of the Tabernacle

• 3. The Moveable Presence
• 3.1 The contrast with the normal ANE religions at
  this time point to the Nomadic origins. Note
  however Haran's argument of the tabernacle and
  its origins at Shiloh!
• 3.2. The moveable Presence parallels the theme of
  God's guidance and leadership of his people in
  the wilderness, and exile.