Scripture Helps
Exodus 35–40; Leviticus 1; 4; 16; 19
Through Moses, the Lord commanded the Israelites to build a tabernacle in the wilderness. The tabernacle was to be a sanctuary where the Lord could dwell among His people. The Israelites willingly provided the materials necessary to build the tabernacle, and skilled workers built each of its components. Once the tabernacle was completed, the glory of the Lord filled it. The Lord also revealed to Moses how the Israelites should offer various kinds of sacrifices to Him. These sacrifices pointed to the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ and helped the Israelites rely on Jehovah for redemption.
Resources
Note: The citation of a source not published by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does not imply that it or its author is endorsed by the Church or represents the official position of the Church.
Background and Context
What was the purpose of the tabernacle?
During the 40 days Moses was on Mount Sinai, the Lord commanded him to build a sanctuary, or tabernacle, so the Lord could “dwell among” His people. The tabernacle served as the center place of Israel’s worship throughout their journey in the wilderness and into the promised land. Because the tabernacle was portable, the Israelites could take it apart and reassemble it as they journeyed in the wilderness.
The Ancient Tabernacle, by Bradley Clark
Like modern temples, the tabernacle was the house of the Lord. The objects and ordinances in the tabernacle symbolically taught Israel about their journey through life and back to the presence of God.
The tabernacle was divided into three main sections: the outer courtyard, the holy place, and the most holy place (also called the Holy of Holies). Each space represented an increasing proximity to God’s holy presence.
The following objects were contained in the ancient tabernacle:
Altar of sacrifice
(Exodus 38:1–7; see also Exodus 29:10–14)
The altar in the outer courtyard was used for animal sacrifices. Sacrifice was an important part of Israelite worship. Animal sacrifices were symbolic of the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Through sacrifices, the ancient Israelites demonstrated their devotion to God, sought forgiveness of sins, and expressed gratitude.
Laver of water
The laver, a basin of water, was placed between the altar of sacrifice and the door of the tabernacle. Here the priests washed their hands and feet before entering the tabernacle or officiating at the altar of sacrifice. This was a reminder for the Israelites of the need to be clean as they participated in sacred ordinances and prepared to enter the Lord’s presence.
Table of shewbread
(Exodus 40:22–23; see also Exodus 25:23–30; Leviticus 24:5–9)
Each Sabbath, the priests would place 12 loaves of unleavened bread on the table of shewbread (pronounced showbread). The loaves served as a reminder to the Israelites that Jehovah was their continual provider. When the priests placed new loaves on the table each Sabbath, they would eat the old loaves, representing a sacred communion with God.
The word shewbread means “the Bread of the Presence,” indicating God’s presence in the tabernacle. Bread is used throughout the scriptures as a symbol of Jesus Christ. Additionally, the 12 loaves represented the twelve tribes of Israel. The placement of the loaves in the holy place of the tabernacle served as a reminder that each tribe was continually presented before the Lord.
Candlestick
The candlestick, also known by its Hebrew name menorah, was placed across from the table of shewbread in the tabernacle. Its seven lamps burned pure olive oil to provide light to the holy place. Light is a symbol of Jesus Christ, who is “the light of the world.” The light from the lamps can also symbolize other sources of light the Lord has blessed us with, including the Holy Ghost and the scriptures. Olive oil can be a symbol for purity, the influence of the Holy Ghost, and the atoning blood of Jesus Christ.
Altar of incense
The altar of incense was placed in front of the veil leading to the Holy of Holies. The high priest burned incense each morning and night at this altar. The smoke from the incense represented the prayers of the faithful ascending to God.
Veil
(Exodus 36:35; 40:21; see also Exodus 26:31–33)
The veil divided the holy place from the Holy of Holies. It was made of dyed blue, purple, and scarlet linen and was embroidered with the image of cherubim. The veil symbolized the “separation between God and man.” Once a year, on the Day of Atonement, the high priest would pass through the veil to enter the Holy of Holies, which represented God’s presence.
The epistle to the Hebrews teaches that the veil symbolized the flesh and blood of Jesus Christ. Just as the veil of the temple gave the high priest access to the Holy of Holies, it is only through Jesus Christ and His Atonement that we can enter God’s presence.
Ark of the covenant
(Exodus 37:1–9; 40:20–21; see also Exodus 25:21–22)
The ark of the covenant was the only object in the Holy of Holies. It was a large box made of fine wood overlaid with gold. The lid, called the mercy seat, was made of gold and had two angels called cherubim on top. The mercy seat represented the throne of God. After the Lord gave Moses instructions for creating the ark of the covenant, He promised, “There I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat.”
The tablets that contained the law given to Moses on Mount Sinai were placed inside the ark of the covenant. Throughout the years other sacred relics were added, including a pot of manna, Aaron’s rod, and a scroll of the law. The Israelites viewed the ark with utmost reverence, and they recited prayers before the ark was moved or placed in position.
How were the priesthood responsibilities of Aaron and his sons different from those of other Levites?
While speaking with Moses on Mount Sinai, the Lord stated that Aaron and his sons would minister in “the priest’s office.” Latter-day revelation specifies that Aaron and his sons received the Aaronic (or Levitical) Priesthood. While other males from the tribe of Levi received the Aaronic Priesthood, only Aaron and his descendants were appointed as priests. Aaron was further designated as the first high priest, or the presiding officer of the Levitical Priesthood. The greater offices in the Levitical Priesthood held by Aaron and his sons authorized them to officiate in the sacred ordinances performed in the tabernacle.
Moses Calls Aaron to the Ministry, by Harry Anderson
Why did the Lord command Moses to wash, anoint, and clothe Aaron and his sons?
The ceremonies of washing, anointing, and clothing in holy garments helped prepare Aaron and his sons to officiate in the sacred ordinances of the tabernacle. The act of washing symbolized being spiritually cleansed. When Moses anointed Aaron and his sons with sacred oil, he set them apart to perform their special duties in the service of God.
Israelite priests wore four basic garments: linen breeches (undergarments), a girdle, a mitre, and a coat. Aaron and subsequent high priests wore four additional items: a robe, a breastplate, an ephod, and a gold-plated holy crown on the cap. Like clothing associated with temple ordinances in our day, the clothing worn by Israelite priests was sacred and deeply symbolic. Most significantly, many aspects of the high priests’ clothing pointed to Jesus Christ, the “great high priest.”
The following are descriptions of the different pieces of the high priest’s clothing:
Ephod
An ephod was a type of apron with gold woven into the material. It had two shoulder straps, each containing an onyx stone inscribed with the names of half the tribes of Israel.
Girdle
A girdle was an embroidered sash wrapped around the waist.
Breastplate
A breastplate was a piece of embroidered material fastened over the ephod on the high priest’s chest. It was called “the breastplate of judgment.” Twelve different-colored stones were fastened on the front, each engraved with the name of one of the tribes of Israel. The Urim and Thummim was also placed within the breastplate.
Robe
Made of one piece of seamless blue material, the robe reached past the ephod to the knees. It was ornamented at the fringe with gold bells and cloth pomegranates.
Coat
A coat was a garment of fine linen that extended to or below the knees. The Hebrew word translated as “fine linen” indicates that the coat was white, a color associated with purity in the scriptures.
Mitre
A mitre was a linen cap or bonnet.
Holy crown
A holy crown was a golden plate that was positioned on the high priest’s forehead and fastened to the mitre with blue lace. The golden plate was engraved with the phrase “Holiness to the Lord.”
What do the cloud and fire over the tabernacle symbolize?
See “Exodus 14:19–20, 24. What was the purpose of the pillar of cloud and fire?”
Leviticus
What is the book of Leviticus?
The word Leviticus is a form of a Greek word meaning “things pertaining to the Levites.” The book contains instructions to the Levites about their priesthood duties, such as performing animal sacrifice and other rituals that took place within the tabernacle. Leviticus also contains the Lord’s instructions to all of Israel. Through these instructions, we learn about the laws, rituals, ceremonies, and festivals that taught Israel how to be clean, holy, and set apart from the world.
Central to the book of Leviticus is the concept of atonement—a word occurring more frequently in Leviticus than in any other book of scripture. The word Atonement is translated from a Hebrew word that means to “cover” or “wipe away.” The practices of the law of Moses pointed Israel to the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who would ultimately purify and redeem all who follow Him.
What was the purpose of the sacrifices required by the law of Moses?
The law of sacrifice began with the Lord’s commandment for Adam and Eve to “offer the firstlings of their flocks, for an offering unto the Lord.” Later, when the Lord instituted the law of Moses, the variety and frequency of sacrificial offerings expanded. The first seven chapters of Leviticus contain instructions about the various sacrifices Israel was commanded to make.
Like sacrifices performed in earlier times, these offerings pointed Israel to Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice. For example, burnt offerings required the sacrifice of a firstborn male animal without blemish, and most offerings required the shedding of the blood of an animal. Speaking about these sacrifices, President Russell M. Nelson observed that Jesus Christ “was the firstborn Lamb of God, without blemish. His sacrifice occurred by the shedding of blood.” Additionally, whole burnt offerings were to be completely burned on the altar, which reminded Israel of the complete and infinite sacrifice Jesus Christ would make.
Illustration of Israelites bringing a lamb to the tabernacle, by Robert T. Barrett
In addition to the law of sacrifice pointing Israel to Jesus Christ, it was also intended to help them become more holy. By offering valuable, life-sustaining objects to the Lord of their “own voluntary will,” the Israelites demonstrated their commitment to God. Through their sacrificial offerings, the Israelites could receive forgiveness of sins, express gratitude to God, and strengthen their covenant relationship with Him.
Animal sacrifice ended with the death of Jesus Christ, whose Atonement was the “great and last sacrifice.” President M. Russell Ballard explained: “After the Savior’s ultimate sacrifice, two adjustments were made in the practice of this law. First, the ordinance of the sacrament replaced the ordinance of sacrifice; and second, this change moved the focus of the sacrifice from a person’s animal to the person himself. In a sense, the sacrifice changed from the offering to the offerer.” In our day, followers of Jesus Christ are commanded to partake of the sacrament in remembrance of the Savior. We are also commanded to “offer for a sacrifice unto [the Savior] a broken heart and a contrite spirit.”
What was the Day of Atonement?
The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur in Hebrew) was the most significant holy day of the year for ancient Israel. It was a day of fasting and renewal, when the high priest symbolically made “an atonement for the children of Israel for all their sins.”
This day was unique because it was the only occasion when the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies, the most sacred area of the tabernacle. Before doing so, he dressed in white linen and performed various animal sacrifices on behalf of the people. He then entered the Holy of Holies and sprinkled blood from the sacrifices onto the mercy seat of the ark of the covenant. Afterward, the high priest would place his hands on the head of a male goat, known as the scapegoat, and confess the sins of the children of Israel. This act symbolically transferred the sins of the people onto the goat, which was then sent into the wilderness.
The rituals of the Day of Atonement had important symbolic meaning. For example, the high priest who took the sacrificial blood through the veil foreshadowed Jesus Christ, the “great high priest” who passed through the veil to make intercession for us through His Atonement. The blood of the slain animals that was sprinkled on the mercy seat can also represent the blood of Jesus Christ, whose blood “was shed for the remission of [our] sins.” And the scapegoat that would “bear upon him all [Israel’s] iniquities” can symbolize Jesus Christ, who has “borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows,” even “the iniquity of us all.”
Learn More
The tabernacle
-
“Journey through the Ancient Tabernacle,” Ensign, Mar. 2018, 52–53
-
“The Menorah,” Ensign, Dec. 2018, 36–37
The law of sacrifice
-
M. Russell Ballard, “The Law of Sacrifice,” Liahona, Mar. 2002, 10–20
-
David Rolph Seely and Jo Ann H. Seely, “Sacrifice: In Similitude of the Savior” (digital-only article), Liahona, Sept. 2022, Gospel Library
Media
Videos
Images
Illustration of the children of Israel giving offerings for the tabernacle, by Corbert Gauthier
Left: Illustration of an Old Testament priest offering sacrifice; Right: The Crucifixion, by Harry Anderson
The Scapegoat, by Ted Henninger