The Tabernacle: God’s Dwelling Place
When God called Moses to Mount Sinai, He gave Moses not only His Torah but also detailed instructions to build the tabernacle. God even gave Moses a plan for the tent, the courtyard, the priests’ special clothes, and all the beautiful furniture to go inside the tabernacle (Exodus 25–31). To build it, the Israelites were asked to give offerings of gold, silver, jewels, fabrics, and other rich materials. They were so generous that Moses eventually had to tell them to stop bringing more!
Who Built the Tabernacle?
The tabernacle was a big project, so God chose two talented men to lead the work: Bezalel from the tribe of Judah and Oholiab from the tribe of Dan. These men were filled with God’s Spirit, giving them amazing skills to do all kinds of crafting. They could work with wood, metal, and stone, and they were also excellent at weaving, embroidery, and engraving (Exodus 31:2–6). Bezalel even built the Ark of the Covenant, the sacred chest that held the Ten Commandments (Exodus 37:1).
But Bezalel and Oholiab didn’t work alone. God gave many other craftsmen special skills to help. Bezalel and Oholiab also taught these craftsmen so that everyone worked together to complete the tabernacle exactly as God had instructed.
How the Tribes Camped Around the Tabernacle
When the tabernacle was finished, it was set up in the center of the Israelites’ camp. The 12 tribes of Israel camped around the tabernacle in a special arrangement. Three tribes camped on each side of the tabernacle—north, south, east, and west. This showed that God was at the heart of the congregation of Israel.
Here’s how the tribes were arranged:
- East side: Judah, Issachar, Zebulun
- South side: Reuben, Simeon, Gad
- West side: Ephraim, Manasseh, Benjamin
- North side: Dan, Asher, Naphtali
The Levites, the tribe of priests, didn’t have their own section of land like the other tribes. Instead, they camped closest to the tabernacle and took care of it, making sure everything was ready for worship and sacrifices.
Why the Tabernacle Was Important
The tabernacle wasn’t just a tent; it was a reminder that God was always with His people, guiding them through the wilderness. Inside the tabernacle, there was the Holy of Holies, the most sacred space where the Ark of the Covenant was kept.
Thanks to Bezalel, Oholiab, and all the skilled craftsmen, the Israelites had a beautiful and holy (set—apart) place where they could worship God. The tabernacle was a special part of their journey and reminded them to trust and obey Him every step of the way! Learn how the tabernacle was built in the wilderness with our Torah Time Traveler Activity Book (Volume Three).
