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In the Wilderness
At Timna Park, 20 miles (32 km)
north of Eilat in
the Arabah, a life-size replica of the biblical tabernacle has been
constructed. While no original materials (e.g., gold, silver,
bronze) have been used, the model is accurate in every other way based
upon the biblical description. |
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The Outer Court The
bronze laver and bronze altar were located in the outer court. The
altar was 7.5 feet (2.3m) square and 4.5 feet (1.37m) high, was made of acacia wood
overlaid with bronze, and had a horn on each corner. The fire on
the altar was to be kept burning at all times and the daily sacrifices
were offered in the morning and afternoon. |
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The Holy Place This
sacred area was occupied by the golden lampstand, incense altar and
table of showbread. The lampstand (menorah) was beaten and
fashioned out of a single block of gold and had three branches coming
out of each side of the central shaft. The seven lamps on top of
the branches were likely round saucers with pinched rims which held the
wick and olive oil. |
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The Table of Showbread Opposite
the menorah was the table of showbread. Built of acacia wood and
overlaid with solid gold, the table had a surface of 3 x 1.5
feet (0.91m x 0.45m). Twelve loaves of
bread were placed on the table on Shabbat and were replaced by fresh
bread the following Shabbat. The high priestly line would eat the
replaced bread. |
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The Altar of Incense Also
known as the "golden altar" or the "inner altar,"
this three foot high altar was the location of regular incense
offerings. Every morning and evening when tending the light of the
menorah, the priests would offer a mixture of frankincense and other
aromatic gums. On the Day of Atonement, the high priest would
sprinkle blood on the horns of this altar. |
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Ark of the Covenant The
only object in the Holy of Holies, the sacred ark contained the two
tablets with the Ten Commandments, the rod of Aaron that blossomed and
the pot of manna. The ark was covered by the "mercy
seat" on which the high priest sprinkled the blood of the goat
seven times on the Day of Atonement. The ark represented the
footstool of God's throne.
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See more of our photos of the tabernacle
replica... |
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