2 2 Tabernacle Tent of Meeting the Tabernacle

2. 2 Tabernacle: Tent of Meeting & the Tabernacle BOT 640/BHE 640 Exegesis of Numbers

Introduction • Two Problems: 1. Many different terms to describe the Tabernacle: 1. 1 vdqm = Sanctuary 1. 2 d[m lha = Tent of Meeting 1. 3 lhah = The Tent; hwhy lhah = The Tent of YHWH 1. 4 !kvm = Tabernacle 1. 5 twd[h ~kvm = Tabernacle of the Testimony

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”

The Tent of Meeting

The Tent of Meeting 1 The Tent of Meeting = d[m lha 1. 1 The name: 1. 1. 1 The “tent of meeting” or “reunion” 1. 1. 2 d[m = 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

The Tent of Meeting 3. Theology of the Tent of Meeting 3. 1 A Prophetic Institution 3. 2 Oracular Institution 3. 3 Political Institution

The Tabernacle

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.

2. Construction 2. The Tent: 2. 1 General size: 30 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: 28 X 4 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 = 30 X 4 cu. with a total of 11 panels rather than the 10 of the Cherubim. However the same 50 loops but it uses bronze clasps.

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 vx; T; 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]

2. Construction 2. 5 Boards: Ex 26. 15 -30 (kereshin) 2. 5. 1 10 cu. high, 1 1/2 cu. wide; 46 frames; 20 X 6; 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.

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 > 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.

2. Construction 2. 7 Court of Tabernacle: Ex 27. 9 -19 2. 7. 1 And enclosure of 100 X 50 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.

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

2. The Tent 2. 2 Cherubim Curtains: Ex 26. 1 -6

2. The Tent

2. The Tent 2. 3 Goat's Hair Curtain: Ex 26. 7 -13 = 30 X 4 cu.

2. The Tent • 2. 4 Ram's Skin and Dugong: Ex 26. 14

2. The Tent • 2. 5 Boards: Ex 26. 15 -30 (kereshin)

2. The Tent • 2. 6 Curtains: Ex 26. 31 -37

2. The Tent 2. 7 Court of Tabernacle: Ex 27. 9 -19

3. 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 > Most Holy Place > in Ark > 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!

3. 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. 111 / 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

3. 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 ka 4 bo=d of YHWH caps the whole narrative. And sets the stage for the continued story of Israel in the wilderness.

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.

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.

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 theme of God's guidance and leadership of his people in the wilderness, and exile.