Faith & Reason Nexus

Ark of the Covenant: A rectangular, golden box containing the Ten Commandments. Represents God’s covenant with the people of Israel. Positioned in the Most Holy Place. Also known as the Atonement Cover or the Mercy Seat, symbolizing God’s presence among His people.

Curtain: Divides the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place. Symbolizes the separation between people and God due to sin.

Table: Wooden table in the Holy Place. Used for the Bread of the Presence and various utensils. The twelve loaves represent spiritual nourishment from God.

Bread of the Presence: Twelve loaves, each for a tribe of Israel. Symbolizes the spiritual nourishment offered by God.

Lampstands & Lamps: A golden lampstand in the Holy Place with seven burning oil lamps. Illuminates the Holy Place for the priests.

Altar of Incense: Located in the Holy Place in front of the curtain. Used for burning special incense, symbolizing prayer.

Anointing Oil: Special oil for anointing priests and Tabernacle pieces.
Signifies being set apart for God.

Altar of Burnt Offering: Bronze altar outside the Tabernacle for sacrifices. Symbolizes how sacrifice restores one’s relationship with God.

Basin: Large washbasin outside the Tabernacle for priests’ cleansing. Symbolizes the need for spiritual cleansing.

FUNCTION & SIGNIFICANCE

• A golden rectangular box that contained the Ten Commandments
• Symbolized God’s covenant with Israel’s people
• Located in the Most Holy Place

ATONEMENT COVER

• The lid to the Ark of the Covenant
• The Mercy Seat
• Symbolized the presence of God among His people
• The curtain that divided the two sacred rooms of the Tabernacle – the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place
• Symbolized how the people were separated from God because of sin

CURTAIN

• A wooden table located in the Holy Place of the Tabernacle
• The Bread of the Presence and various utensils were kept on this table

TABLE

• The Twelve loaves of bread, one for each tribe of Israel
• Symbolized the spiritual nourishment God offers His people

FUNCTION & SIGNIFICANCE:

• A golden lampstand located in the Holy Place, which held seven burning oil lamps
• The lampstand lit the Holy Place for the priests

ALTAR OF INCENSE

• An altar in the Holy Place in front of the curtain
• Used for burning God’s special incense
• Symbolic of prayer

ANOINTING OIL

• A special oil used to anoint the priests and all the pieces in the Tabernacle
• A sign of being set apart from God

ALTAR OF BURNT OFFERING

• The bronze altar outside the Tabernacle used for the sacrifices
• Symbolized how sacrifice restored one’s relationship with God

BASIN

• A large washbasin outside the Tabernacle used by the priests to cleanse themselves before performing their duties
• Symbolized the need for spiritual cleansing