The function and importance of the Tent of Meeting is explicitly stated in Exodus 33:7-11. In simple terms, it was a place where the Israelites would meet with the LORD. Moses had the tent pitched outside the camp some distance away from the camp and anyone inquiring of the LORD would go to the tent — v7.
- Whenever Moses went out to the tent all the people would rise and stand at the entrances to their tents — v8.
- As Moses would enter the tent of meeting a pillar of cloud would come down and stay at the entrance (as the LORD spoke to him) — v9. The LORD would speak with Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend — v11.
- As the cloud was at the entrance the people would all stand up and worship, each at the entrance of their tent — v10.
Design
The design of the tabernacle was given to Moses by the LORD while he was up in the cloud on Mount Sinai. The details are in Exodus 26. It was to be made exactly as specified — Exodus 25:9 & 26:30.
Tabernacle Curtains
- Had 10 curtains — v1.
- Each made of finely twisted linen and blue, purple and scarlet yarn — v1.
- Had cherubmim worked onto them by skilled worksmen — v1.
- Were all same size; 28 cubits long x 4 cubits wide — v2.
- Each set of 5 curtains were joined together — v3.
- Each set had a 50 loops of blue material along the edges with the loops opposite each other — v4,5.
- The curtains were fastened together using 50 gold clasps to make one unit — v6.
Curtains Over The Tabernacle
- Made from goat hair — v7.
- 11 in number — v7.
- Of the same size; 30 cubits long x 4 cubits wide — v8.
- Were joined in two sets of 5 and 6 each — v9.
- The 6th curtain was folded double at the front of the tent — v9.
- 50 loops were made along the edge of the end of the curtain in each set — v10.
- 50 bronze clasps were put in loops to fasten the tent as a unit — v11.
- The additional length of the curtain that is left over is to be hang down at the rear of the tabernacle — v12.
- The tent curtains were shorter were 1 cubit longer on both side — v13.
- What was left was to hnag over the sides of the tabernacle so as to cover it — v13.
Tent Covering
- Covering was made of ram skins dyed red and over that covering of hides of sea cows.
Frames
- Made of upright acacia wood — v15.
- Each was 10 cubits long and 1½ cubits wide — v16.
- With two projections set parallel to each other — v17.
- 20 frames for the south side — v18.
- 20 frames for the north side as well — v20.
- 6 frames for the west side — v22.
- All frames in the north and south were to have 2 silver bases under them, i.e. 40 in total — v19,21.
- 2 frames for the far end (the west end) — v23.
- Corners must be double from the bottom, all the way up fitted into a single ring — v24.
- Overlain with gold — v29.
Crossbars
- Made of acacia wood — v26.
- The crossbar is to extend from end to end at the middle of the frames — v28.
- Overlain with gold — v29.
- Held to the frames using gold rings — v29.
The Separating Curtain
- Made of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen — v31.
- Cherubim worked into it by a skilled craftsman — v31.
- Hang on 4 posts using made of acacia wood (overlain with gold and standing on 4 silver bases) using gold hooks — v32.
- The ark of the Testimony was placed behind this curtain — v33.
- This curtain separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place — v34.
- A table was placed outside it on the north side — v35.
- A lampstand was then placed opposite the table on the south side — v35.
The Entrance To The Tent
- Had a curtain made of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen — v36.
- Hang on 5 posts made of acacia wood (overlain with gold and standing on 5 bronze bases) using gold hooks — v37.
- Worship In The Earthly Tabernacle — Hebrews 9:1-10
- The Blood Of Christ — Hebrews 9:11-14
- What was the tent of meeting? (gotquestions.org)
- The Tabernacle In The Wilderness (keyway.ca)
- Exodus 26 - Coverings and Curtains for the Tabernacle (enduringword.com)