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Mishkan

Mishkan, from Hebrew meaning dwelling or habitation, refers to the portable sanctuary used by the Israelites during their desert sojourn after the Exodus. It was built and furnished according to detailed instructions given by God to Moses in the book of Exodus. The Mishkan functioned as the visible sign of God's presence among the people and was the precursor to the Temple in Jerusalem.

Construction and layout: Donated materials were used, and Bezalel and Oholiab oversaw the work. The Mishkan

Worship and divine presence: The Mishkan was the center of cultic activity during the wilderness period. Priests

Legacy: With the building of Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem, the Mishkan's function as a mobile sanctuary was

consisted
of
an
outer
courtyard
and
two
inner
sanctuaries,
enclosed
by
linen
curtains
inside
a
wooden
framework
overlaid
with
gold.
In
the
outer
courtyard
stood
the
Altar
of
Burnt
Offerings;
within
the
Holy
Place
were
the
Golden
Lampstand,
the
Table
of
Showbread,
and
the
Altar
of
Incense.
In
the
Most
Holy
Place
stood
the
Ark
of
the
Covenant,
with
the
Mercy
Seat
on
top.
The
entire
sanctuary
was
portable,
carried
by
poles
and
coverings
when
the
Israelites
moved.
performed
sacrifices
and
offerings
at
the
altar
in
the
courtyard,
and
the
Levites
aided
in
transport
and
service.
The
presence
of
God
was
believed
to
inhabit
the
space
above
the
Ark,
symbolized
by
a
cloud
during
the
day
and
a
pillar
of
fire
by
night
that
guided
the
Israelites.
superseded
by
a
fixed
sanctuary.
The
concept
of
the
Mishkan,
God
dwelling
among
the
people,
shaped
later
Jewish
liturgy,
ritual
practice,
and
theological
language.
The
term
continues
to
denote
a
dwelling
place
or
tabernacle
in
later
literature.