Ras Abu Tabat, about 5 km (3 mi) E of the Jordan River and 10 km (6 mi) N of Succoth. Abel-meholah apparently was W of the Jordan and is spoken of as “by [“opposite,” JB] Tabbath.”​—See ABEL-MEHOLAH.

(Tabʹe·el) [Good Is God].

1. Father of a man whom the kings of Israel and Syria intended to place on the throne in Jerusalem if they captured Judah’s capital. The name of the son is not given. The incident occurred during the period when the reigns of Ahaz and Pekah overlapped (between about 762 and 759 B.C.E.).​—Isa 7:5, 6.

2. Joint author of an Aramaic letter sent to Persian King Artaxerxes opposing the Jews’ reconstruction work in Jerusalem and resulting in a halt of temple rebuilding.​—Ezr 4:7, 24.

(Tabʹe·rah) [Burning [that is, a conflagration; blaze]].

An Israelite encampment in the Wilderness of Sinai, the precise location of which is unknown. On account of Israel’s complaining there, God sent a fire that consumed some of the people at the extremity of the camp. But when Moses supplicated Jehovah, the blaze “sank down” or was extinguished. This incident gave rise to the name “Taberah.”​—Nu 11:1-3; De 9:22.

A transportable tent of worship used by Israel; at times also called “the tent of meeting.” (Ex 39:32, 40; see TENT OF MEETING.) In Hebrew it is called mish·kanʹ (residence; dwelling; tabernacle), ’oʹhel (tent), and miq·dashʹ (sanctuary). In Greek it is referred to as ske·neʹ, which means “tent; booth; residence; dwelling place.”​—See HOLY PLACE.

The tabernacle was a central feature of Jehovah’s arrangement for approach to him by the nation of Israel. It consisted of two compartments. (PICTURE, Vol. 1, p. 538) The first, the Holy, contained a golden lampstand, the golden altar of incense, the table of showbread, and golden utensils; and the innermost compartment, the Most Holy, contained the ark of the covenant, surmounted by two golden cherubs.​—See ARK OF THE COVENANT; MOST HOLY.

When Inaugurated. The tabernacle, or “tent of meeting” (called “the temple of Jehovah” at 1Sa 1:9 and “the house of Jehovah” at 1Sa 1:24), was constructed in the wilderness at Mount Sinai in 1512 B.C.E. It was completely set up, with its furniture and utensils installed, on the first day of the first month, Abib or Nisan. (Ex 40) The priesthood was installed at Jehovah’s direction by the mediator Moses on that day, and the full installation services occupied seven days. On the eighth day the priests began to carry out their official functions.​—Le chaps 8, 9; see INSTALLATION.

Design. Jehovah had spoken to Moses in the mountain, giving him the complete pattern for the tabernacle, commanding him: “See that you make all things after their pattern that was shown to you in the mountain.” It served in providing “a shadow of the heavenly things” and therefore had to be accurate to the least detail. (Heb 8:5) Jehovah inspired Bezalel and Oholiab, so that the work, which others including both men and women shared in, could be done perfectly, according to the instructions Moses gave. The result was: “According to all that Jehovah had commanded Moses, that was the way the sons of Israel did all the service.” (Ex 39:42; 35:25, 26; 36:1, 4) The materials were provided through voluntary contributions from the people. (Ex 36:3, 6, 7) Doubtless the gold, silver, and copper, as well as the yarns, fabrics, and skins, came as contributions largely from that which the Israelites had taken out of Egypt. (Ex 12:34-36; see SEALSKIN.) Acacia wood was available in the wilderness.​—See ACACIA.

The calculations in this article are based on a cubit of 44.5 cm (17.5 in.). However, the long cubit of about 51.8 cm (20.4 in.) may have been used.​—Compare 2Ch 3:3; Eze 40:5.

Coverings and screens. The entire framework of the structure was covered first by a linen covering embroidered with colorful figures of cherubs. The covering was in two large sections of five cloths each, the sections being joined by loops of blue thread that fastened over gold hooks. Each cloth was only 28 cubits (12.5 m; 40.8 ft) long, which would be at least one cubit (44.5 cm; 17.5 in.) short of reaching the ground on each side of the structure.​—Ex 26:1-6.

On top of the linen covering went a goat’s hair cover, made in two sections, one of six cloths and one of five. Each of the 11 cloths was 30 cubits (13.4 m; 43.7 ft) long. Over this was put the covering of ram skins dyed red and, finally, one of sealskins, apparently reaching to the ground and evidently provided with ropes so that the covering could be fastened at the ground by tent pins.​—Ex 26:7-14.

Another curtain placed inside between the Holy and Most Holy was embroidered with cherubs (Ex 36:35), and the screen to the entrance on the E was of colorful wool and linen material.​—Ex 36:37.

Dimensions. The Bible describes the tabernacle (evidently inside measurements) as being