The Tabernacle is sometimes also called “the tent of meeting” or “the tent of testimony.” This was the place recognized by God where he dwelt among his people and wanted to meet them. The tabernacle was to be made according to the pattern shown to Moses on the mountain. Through the Tabernacle with its sacrifices, God revealed himself on the one hand and showed how people could have access to him on the other. During the 40 years in the desert, the Tabernacle was carried around, and when the Israelites entered the land, it was apparently first erected in Gilgal (Jos 9:6). Later, it stood in Shiloh (Josh 18:1). The Ark of the Covenant was eventually taken away by the Philistines and was not returned to the tabernacle after its return. Even when David retrieved the ark of the covenant, he did not bring it back to the Tabernacle but placed it on Mount Zion. We next read that the Tabernacle was in Nob (1 Sam 21:1-6). After that, it was in Gibeon (1 Chr 16:39; 1 Chr 21:29; 2 Chr 1:3-6). When the temple was built, the tabernacle was taken, now together with the ark of the covenant and the holy vessels. (2 Chr 5:4-9; Hag 2:9).
