Historical view

A community building a place for the Name to dwell

The tabernacle was not only a sacred place of worship, but also a major communal building project requiring costly and carefully prepared materials. The detailed lists of gold, silver, bronze, fabrics, wood, oil, and precious stones show both the value of what was offered and the importance of the tabernacle within Israel’s life. By looking at its material cost, we gain a clearer sense of the scale of the project and of the devotion expressed through the people’s contributions.