The Tabernacle And The Temple

Q

A friend that has way more Bible knowledge than me tells me that there is a difference between the temple and the tabernacle. Is there a difference and what is it? If so is there a study about the tabernacle?

A

The Tabernacle was a portable tent-like structure that served the Israelites during their time in the wilderness and for 369 years after they entered the Promised Land, where it was located in Shiloh. Then the Lord had them build the Temple in Jerusalem to replace it.

The features of the two structures are similar although the Temple was built on a much grander scale and was intended as a permanent facility. Their purpose was the same, being the place where God dwelt among them, and where they worshiped Him according to the Levitical system He ordained. You can study the tabernacle in Exodus 35-40.