Exodus Chapter 36-40 Star Chart: Clockwise from when Israelites began construction of the Tabernacle after Yom Kippur of 1446 B.C. "when Moses came down from the mount" (Ex. 34:29) (his second coming) till work on the Tabernacle was completed by "the first day of the first month" (Ex. 40:2) of 1445 B.C. is about six months total or 180 days of 360° each (180 x 360°) laps around the zodiac.

"Added Because of Transgressions
Till the Seed Should Come"

36:1 Then wrought Bezaleel (Castor) and Aholiab (Pollux), and every wise hearted man (Perseus), in whom the (Shekinah) Lord (red radius) put wisdom and understanding to know how to work all manner of work for the service of the sanctuary, according to all that the (Shekinah) Lord had commanded..

2 And Moses (Ophiuchus) (red radius) called Bezaleel (Castor) and Aholiab (Pollux), and every wise hearted man (Perseus), in whose heart the (Shekinah) Lord had put wisdom, even every one whose (solar) heart stirred him up to come unto the work to do it:

3 And they received of (Ophiuchus) Moses all the offering, which the (Gemini) children of Israel had brought for the work of the service of the sanctuary, to make it withal. And they brought yet unto him free offerings every (sun on red radius horizon) morning.

4 And all the wise (Gemini) men, that wrought all the work of the sanctuary, (red radius) came every man from his work which they made;

5 And they (red radius) spake unto (Ophiuchus) Moses, saying, The (Gemini) people bring much more than enough for the service of the work, which the (Shekinah) Lord commanded to make.

6 And (Ophiuchus) Moses gave (red radius) commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, Let neither man nor woman make any more work for the offering of the sanctuary. So the (Gemini) people were restrained from bringing.

7 For the stuff they had was sufficient for all the work to make it, and too much.

8 And every wise hearted (Perseus, Castor, Pollux) man among them that wrought the work of the (red radius) tabernacle made ten curtains of fine twined (white lunar) linen, and (lunar) blue, and purple, and (red radius) scarlet: with (lunar) (red radius) cherubims of cunning work made he them.

9 The length of one curtain was twenty and eight cubits, and the breadth of one curtain four cubits: the curtains were all of one size.

10 And he coupled the five curtains one unto another: and the other five curtains he coupled one unto another.

11 And he made loops of (lunar) blue on the edge of one curtain from the selvedge in the coupling: likewise he made in the uttermost side of another curtain, in the coupling of the second.

12 Fifty loops made he in one curtain, and fifty loops made he in the edge of the curtain which was in the coupling of the second: the loops held one curtain to another.

13 And he made fifty taches of (solar) gold, and coupled the curtains one unto another with the taches: so it became one (red radius) tabernacle.

14 And he made curtains of (white lunar) goats' hair for the (red radius) tent over the tabernacle: eleven curtains he made them.

15 The length of one curtain was thirty cubits, and four cubits was the breadth of one curtain: the eleven curtains were of one size.

16 And he coupled five curtains by themselves, and six curtains by themselves.

17 And he made fifty loops upon the uttermost edge of the curtain in the coupling, and fifty loops made he upon the edge of the curtain which coupleth the second.

18 And he made fifty taches of (solar) brass to couple the tent together, that it might be one.

19 And he made a covering for the tent of (Aries) rams' skins dyed (radius) red, and a covering of (blue lunar) badgers' skins above that.

20 And he made (red radius) boards for the tabernacle of shittim wood, standing up.

21 The length of a board was ten cubits, and the breadth of a board one cubit and a half.

22 One board had two (lunar) (red radius) tenons, equally distant one from another: thus did he make for all the boards of the tabernacle.

23 And he made boards for the tabernacle; twenty boards for the south side southward:

24 And forty sockets of (lunar) silver he made under the twenty boards; two (lunar) sockets under one board for his two (red radius) tenons, and two (lunar) sockets under another board for his two (red radius) tenons.

25 And for the other side of the (red radius) tabernacle, which is toward the north corner, he made twenty boards,

26 And their forty sockets of (lunar) silver; two sockets under one board, and two sockets under another board.

27 And for the sides of the (red radius) tabernacle westward he made six boards.

28 And two (red radius) (lunar) boards made he for the corners of the tabernacle in the two sides.

29 And they were coupled beneath, and coupled together at the head thereof, to one (lunar) ring (each): thus he did to both of them in both the corners.

30 And there were eight boards; and their sockets were sixteen sockets of silver, under every board two sockets.

31 And he made (red radius) bars of shittim (Acacia) wood; five for the boards of the one side of the (red radius) tabernacle,

32 And five (red radius) bars for the boards of the other side of the tabernacle, and five (red radius) bars for the boards of the tabernacle for the sides westward.

33 And he made the middle (red radius) bar to shoot through the boards from the one end to the other.

34 And he overlaid the boards with (solar) gold, and made their (lunar) rings of (solar) gold to be places for the (red radius) bars, and overlaid the bars with gold.

35 And he made a vail of (lunar) blue, and purple, and (red radius) scarlet, and fine twined (white lunar) linen: with (lunar) (red radius) cherubims made he it of cunning work.

36 And he made thereunto four (red radius) pillars of shittim (Acacia) wood, and overlaid them with (solar) gold: their hooks were of gold; and he cast for them four sockets of (lunar) silver.

37 And he made an hanging for the tabernacle door of (lunar) blue, and purple, and (red radius) scarlet, and fine twined (white lunar) linen, of needlework;

38 And the five (red radius) pillars of it with their (lunar) hooks: and he overlaid their chapiters and their fillets with (solar) gold: but their five sockets were of (solar) brass.

37 And (Perseus) Bezaleel made the ark of shittim (Acacia) wood: two cubits and a half was the length of it, and a cubit and a half the breadth of it, and a cubit and a half the height of it:

2 And he overlaid it with pure (solar) gold within and without, and made a (60°) crown of (solar) gold to it round about.

3 And he cast for it four rings of (solar) gold, to be set by the four corners of it; even two (lunar) rings upon the one side of it, and two (lunar) rings upon the other side of it.

4 And he made (red radius) staves of shittim (Acacia) wood, and overlaid them with (solar) gold.

5 And he put the (red radius) staves into the (lunar) rings by the sides of the ark, to bear the ark.

6 And he made the (red radius) mercy seat of pure (solar) gold: two cubits and a half was the length thereof, and one cubit and a half the breadth thereof.

7 And he made two (red radius) cherubims of (solar) gold, beaten out (by Hercules and Perseus) of one piece made he them, on the two (red radius) ends of the mercy seat;

8 One (lunar) cherub on the end on this side, and another (lunar) cherub on the other end on that side: out of the mercy seat made he the (lunar) cherubims on the two ends thereof.

9 And the cherubims spread out their (red radius) wings on high, and covered with their wings over the mercy seat, with their (lunar) faces one to another; even to the mercy seatward were the faces of the (lunar) cherubims.

10 And he made the table of shittim (Acacia) wood: two cubits was the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof:

11 And he overlaid it with pure (solar) gold, and made thereunto a crown of (solar) gold round about.

12 Also he made thereunto a border of an handbreadth round about; and made a (60°) crown of (solar) gold for the border thereof round about.

13 And he cast for it four (lunar) rings of (solar) gold, and put the rings upon the four (red radius) corners that were in the four feet thereof.

14 Over against the border were the (lunar) rings, the places for the (red radius) staves to bear the table.

15 And he made the (red radius) staves of shittim (Acacia) wood, and overlaid them with (solar) gold, to bear the table.

16 And he made the (lunar and solar) vessels which were upon the table, his dishes, and his spoons, and his bowls, and his covers to cover withal, of pure (solar) gold.

17 And he made the (red radius) (60°) candlestick of pure (solar) gold: of (Hercules and Perseus) beaten work made he the candlestick; his (red radius) shaft, and his branch, his (lunar) bowls, his (solar) knops, and his (lunar) flowers, were of the same:

18 And six (red radius) branches going out of the sides thereof; three (red radius) branches of the candlestick out of the one side thereof, and three branches of the candlestick out of the other side thereof:

19 Three (lunar) bowls made after the fashion of almonds in one branch, a (solar) knop and a (lunar) flower; and three (lunar) bowls made like almonds in another branch, a (solar) knop and a (lunar) flower: so throughout the six branches going out of the candlestick.

20 And in the candlestick were four (lunar) bowls made like almonds, his (solar) knops, and his (lunar) flowers:

21 And a (solar) knop under two (red radius) branches of the same, and a (solar) knop under two (red radius) branches of the same, and a (solar) knop under two (red radius) branches of the same, according to the six branches going out of it.

22 Their knops and their branches were of the same: all of it was one beaten (by Hercules and Perseus) work of pure gold.

23 And he made his seven (solar and lunar) lamps, and his snuffers, and his snuffdishes, of pure (solar) gold.

24 Of a talent of pure (solar) gold made he it, and all the vessels thereof.

25 And he made the (red radius) incense altar of shittim (Acacia) wood: the length of it was a cubit, and the breadth of it a cubit; it was foursquare; and two cubits was the height of it; the (60°) (red radius) horns thereof were of the same.

26 And he overlaid it with pure (solar) gold, both the top of it, and the sides thereof round about, and the (60°) horns of it: also he made unto it a crown of (solar) gold round about.

27 And he made two (lunar) rings of (solar) gold for it under the crown thereof, by the two (red radius) corners of it, upon the two sides thereof, to be places for the (red radius) staves to bear it withal.

28 And he made the (red radius) staves of shittim (Acacia) wood, and overlaid them with (solar) gold.

29 And he made the holy anointing (solar) oil, and the pure (red radius) incense of sweet spices, according to the work of the apothecary.

38 And he made the (red radius) altar of (solar) burnt offering of shittim (Acacia) wood: five cubits was the length thereof, and five cubits the breadth thereof; it was foursquare; and three cubits the height thereof.

2 And he made the (red radius) horns thereof on the four corners of it; the (60°) horns thereof were of the same: and he overlaid it with (solar) brass.

3 And he made all the vessels of the altar, the pots, and the shovels, and the basons, and the fleshhooks, and the firepans: all the vessels thereof made he of (solar) brass.

4 And he made for the altar a brasen grate of network under the compass thereof beneath unto the midst of it.

5 And he cast four (lunar) rings for the four ends of the grate of (solar) brass, to be places for the (red radius) staves.

6 And he made the (red radius) staves of shittim (Acacia) wood, and overlaid them with (solar) brass.

7 And he put the (red radius) staves into the (lunar) rings on the sides of the altar, to bear it withal; he made the altar hollow with boards.

8 And he made the laver of (solar) brass, and the foot of it of (solar) brass, of the lookingglasses of the (Gemini) women assembling, which assembled at the (red radius) door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

9 And he made the court: on the south side southward the hangings of the court were of fine twined (white lunar) linen, an hundred cubits:

10 Their (red radius) pillars were twenty, and their (solar) brasen sockets twenty; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets were of (lunar) silver.

11 And for the north side the hangings were an hundred cubits, their (red radius) pillars were twenty, and their sockets of (solar) brass twenty; the (lunar) hooks of the pillars and their fillets of (lunar) silver.

12 And for the west side were hangings of fifty cubits, their (red radius) pillars ten, and their (solar) sockets ten; the (lunar) hooks of the (red radius) pillars and their fillets of (lunar) silver.

13 And for the east side eastward fifty cubits.

14 The hangings of the one side of the gate were fifteen cubits; their (red radius) pillars three, and their (solar) sockets three.

15 And for the other side of the court gate, on this hand and that hand, were hangings of fifteen cubits; their (red radius) pillars three, and their (solar) sockets three.

16 All the hangings of the court round about were of fine twined (lunar white) linen.

17 And the sockets for the pillars were of (solar) brass; the hooks of the (red radius) pillars and their fillets of (lunar) silver; and the overlaying of their chapiters of (lunar) silver; and all the (red radius) pillars of the court were filleted with (lunar) silver.

18 And the hanging for the gate of the court was needlework, of (lunar) blue, and purple, and (red radius) scarlet, and fine twined (white lunar) linen: and twenty cubits was the length, and the height in the breadth was five cubits, answerable to the hangings of the court.

19 And their (red radius) pillars were four, and their sockets of (solar) brass four; their hooks of (lunar) silver, and the overlaying of their chapiters and their fillets of (lunar) silver.

20 And all the (red radius) pins of the tabernacle, and of the court round about, were of (solar) brass.

21 This is the sum of the (red radius) tabernacle, even of the tabernacle of testimony, as it was counted, according to the commandment of (Ophiuchus) Moses, for the service of the (Gemini) Levites, by the hand of (Perseus) Ithamar, son to (Hercules) Aaron the priest.

22 And (Perseus) Bezaleel the son Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, made all that the (Shekinah) Lord commanded (Ophiuchus) Moses.

23 And with him was (Castor) Aholiab, son of (Pollux) Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, an engraver, and a cunning workman, and an embroiderer in (lunar) blue, and in purple, and in (red radius) scarlet, and fine (lunar white) linen.

24 All the (solar) gold that was occupied for the work in all the work of the holy place, even the gold of the offering, was twenty and nine talents, and seven hundred and thirty shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary.

25 And the (lunar) silver of them that were numbered of the congregation was an hundred talents, and a thousand seven hundred and threescore and fifteen shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary:

26 A bekah for every man, that is, half a shekel, after the shekel of the sanctuary, for every one that went to be numbered, from twenty years old and upward, for six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty men.

27 And of the hundred talents of (lunar) silver were cast the sockets of the sanctuary, and the sockets of the vail; an hundred sockets of the hundred talents, a talent for a socket.

28 And of the thousand seven hundred seventy and five shekels he made (lunar) hooks for the pillars, and overlaid their chapiters, and filleted them.

29 And the (solar) brass of the offering was seventy talents, and two thousand and four hundred shekels.

30 And therewith he made the sockets to the door of the (red radius) tabernacle of the congregation, and the (solar) brasen altar, and the (solar) brasen grate for it, and all the vessels of the altar,

31 And the (lunar or solar) sockets of the court round about, and the sockets of the court gate, and all the (red radius) pins of the tabernacle, and all the pins of the court round about.

39 And of the (lunar) blue, and purple, and (red radius) scarlet, they made cloths of service, to do service in the holy place, and made the holy garments for (Hercules) Aaron; as the (Shekinah) Lord commanded (Ophiuchus) Moses.

2 And he made the ephod of (solar) gold, (lunar) blue, and purple, and (red radius) scarlet, and fine twined (lunar white) linen.

3 And they did beat the (solar) gold into thin (red radius) plates, and cut it into (red radius) wires, to work it in the (lunar) blue, and in the purple, and in the (red radius) scarlet, and in the fine (lunar white) linen, with cunning work.

4 They made shoulderpieces for it, to couple it together: by the two edges was it coupled together.

5 And the curious girdle of his ephod, that was upon it, was of the same, according to the work thereof; of (solar) gold, (lunar) blue, and purple, and (red radius) scarlet, and fine twined (lunar white) linen; as the (Shekinah) Lord commanded (Ophiuchus) Moses.

6 And they wrought (lunar) onyx stones inclosed in ouches of (solar) gold, graven, as signets are graven, with the names of the (Gemini) children of Israel.

7 And he put them on the shoulders of the ephod, that they should be (lunar) stones for a memorial to the (Gemini) children of Israel; as the (Shekinah) Lord commanded (Ophiuchus) Moses.

8 And he made the (red radius) breastplate of cunning work, like the work of the ephod; of (solar) gold, (lunar) blue, and purple, and (red radius) scarlet, and fine twined (lunar white) linen.

9 It was foursquare; they made the breastplate double: a span was the length thereof, and a span the breadth thereof, being doubled.

10 And they set in it four rows of stones: the first row was a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: this was the first row.

11 And the second row, an (green Milky Way) (lunar) emerald, a (lunar) sapphire, and a (lunar) diamond.

12 And the third row, a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst.

13 And the fourth row, a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper: they were inclosed in ouches of (solar) gold in their inclosings.

14 And the stones were according to the names of the (Gemini) children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, like the engravings of a signet, every one with his name, according to the twelve tribes.

This means they had the capability to engrave into diamond. How?

15 And they made upon the breastplate chains at the ends, of wreathen work of pure (solar) gold.

16 And they made two (lunar) ouches of (solar) gold, and two (lunar and solar) gold rings; and put the two rings in the two ends of the (red radius) breastplate.

17 And they put the two wreathen (lunar) chains of (solar) gold in the two (lunar) rings on the ends of the (red radius) breastplate.

18 And the two ends of the two wreathen chains they fastened in the two ouches, and put them on the shoulderpieces of the (lunar) ephod, before it.

19 And they made two rings of (solar) gold, and put them on the two ends of the (red radius) breastplate, upon the border of it, which was on the side of the ephod inward.

20 And they made two other (solar) golden (lunar) rings, and put them on the two sides of the ephod underneath, toward the forepart of it, over against the other coupling thereof, above the curious girdle of the ephod.

21 And they did bind the breastplate by his (lunar) rings unto the rings of the ephod with a (red radius) lace of (lunar) blue, that it might be above the curious girdle of the ephod, and that the breastplate might not be loosed from the ephod; as the (Shekinah) Lord commanded (Ophiuchus) Moses.

22 And he made the robe of the ephod of woven work, all of (lunar) blue.

23 And there was an hole in the midst of the robe, as the hole of an habergeon, with a band round about the hole, that it should not rend.

24 And they made upon the hems of the robe pomegranates of (lunar) blue, and purple, and (red radius) scarlet, and twined (lunar white) linen.

25 And they made bells of pure (solar) gold, and put the bells between the (red radius) (lunar) pomegranates upon the hem of the robe, round about between the pomegranates;

26 A (solar) bell and a (red radius) pomegranate, a (solar) bell and a (lunar blue) pomegranate, round about the hem of the robe to minister in; as the (Shekinah) Lord (red radius) commanded (Ophiuchus) Moses.

27 And they made coats of fine (lunar white) linen of woven work for (Hercules) Aaron, and for his (Gemini) sons,

28 And a (lunar white) mitre of fine linen, and goodly bonnets of fine (lunar white) linen, and linen breeches of fine twined (lunar white) linen,

29 And a girdle of fine twined (lunar white) linen, and (lunar) blue, and purple, and (red radius) scarlet, of needlework; as the (Shekinah) Lord commanded (Ophiuchus) Moses.

30 And they made the plate of the holy (60°) crown of pure (solar) gold, and wrote upon it a writing, like to the engravings of a signet, Holiness To The Lord.

31 And they (red radius) tied unto it a lace of (lunar) blue, to fasten it on high upon the mitre; as the (Shekinah) Lord commanded (Ophiuchus) Moses.

32 Thus was all the work of the (red radius) tabernacle of the tent of the congregation finished: and the (Gemini) children of Israel did according to all that the Lord commanded Moses, so did they.

33 And they brought the tabernacle unto Moses, the (red radius) tent, and all his furniture, his taches, his boards, his bars, and his pillars, and his (lunar) sockets,

34 And the covering of (Aries) rams' skins dyed (radius) red, and the covering of (blue) badgers' skins, and the vail of the covering,

35 The ark of the testimony, and the (red radius) staves thereof, and the mercy seat,

36 The table, and all the vessels thereof, and the (lunar round white) shewbread,

37 The pure (solar) (red radius) (60°) candlestick, with the (lunar and solar) lamps thereof, even with the lamps to be set in order, and all the vessels thereof, and the (solar) oil for light,

38 And the golden (solar) altar, and the anointing oil, and the sweet (red radius stick) incense, and the hanging for the tabernacle door,

39 The (solar) brasen altar, and his (60°) grate of (solar) brass, his (red radius) staves, and all his vessels, the (solar) laver and his (solar) foot,

40 The hangings of the court, his (red radius) pillars, and his (lunar) sockets, and the hanging for the court gate, his (red radius) cords, and his (red radius) pins, and all the (solar and lunar) vessels of the service of the tabernacle, for the tent of the congregation,

41 The cloths of service to do service in the holy place, and the holy garments for (Hercules) Aaron the priest, and his (Gemini) sons' garments, to minister in the priest's office.

42 According to all that the (Shekinah) Lord commanded (Ophiuchus) Moses, so the (Gemini) children of Israel made all the work.

43 And (Ophiuchus) Moses did look upon all the work, and, behold, they had done it as the (Shekinah) Lord had (red radius) commanded, even so had they done it: and Moses (red radius) blessed them.

40:1 And the (Shekinah) Lord (red radius) spake unto (Ophiuchus) Moses, saying,

2 On the first day of the first month shalt thou set up the (red radius) tabernacle of the tent of the congregation.

3 And thou shalt put therein the ark of the testimony, and cover the ark with the vail.

4 And thou shalt bring in the table, and set in order the things that are to be set in order upon it; and thou shalt bring in the (solar golden) candlestick, and light the (lunar) lamps thereof.

5 And thou shalt set the altar of (solar) gold for the (red radius) incense before the ark of the testimony, and put the hanging of the door to the tabernacle.

6 And thou shalt set the (solar) altar of the burnt offering before the (red radius) door of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation.

7 And thou shalt set the (solar golden) laver between the tent of the congregation and the (solar) altar, and shalt put (lunar) water therein.

8 And thou shalt set up the (red radius) court round about, and hang up the hanging at the court gate.

9 And thou shalt take the (solar golden) anointing oil, and anoint the (red radius) tabernacle, and all that is therein, and shalt hallow it, and all the (solar and lunar) vessels thereof: and it shall be holy.

10 And thou shalt anoint the (solar) altar of the burnt offering, and all his (solar and lunar) vessels, and sanctify the altar: and it shall be an altar most holy.

11 And thou shalt anoint the (solar) laver and his foot, and sanctify it.

12 And thou shalt bring (Hercules) Aaron and his (Gemini) sons unto the door of the (red radius) tabernacle of the congregation, and wash them with (lunar) water.

13 And thou shalt put upon (Hercules) Aaron the holy garments, and anoint him, and sanctify him; that he may minister unto me in the priest's office.

14 And thou shalt bring his (Gemini) sons, and clothe them with coats:

15 And thou shalt anoint them, as thou didst anoint their father, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office: for their anointing shall surely be an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations.

16 Thus did (Ophiuchus) Moses: according to all that the (Shekinah) Lord commanded him, so did he.

17 And it came to pass in the first month in the second year, on the first day of the month, that the (red radius) tabernacle was reared up.

18 And (Ophiuchus) Moses reared up the (red radius) tabernacle, and fastened his (lunar) sockets, and set up the (red radius) boards thereof, and put in the (red radius) bars thereof, and reared up his (red radius) pillars.

19 And he spread abroad the (red radius) tent over the tabernacle, and put the covering of the tent above upon it; as the (Shekinah) Lord commanded (Ophiuchus) Moses.

20 And he took and put the testimony into the ark, and set the (red radius) staves on the ark, and put the mercy seat above upon the ark:

21 And he brought the ark into the tabernacle, and set up the vail of the covering, and covered the ark of the testimony; as the (Shekinah) Lord commanded (Ophiuchus) Moses.

22 And he put the table in the tent of the congregation, upon the side of the tabernacle northward, without the vail.

23 And he set the (lunar round white) bread in order upon it before the Lord; as the Lord had commanded Moses.

24 And he put the (solar) (60°) candlestick in the tent of the congregation, over against the table, on the side of the tabernacle southward.

25 And he (solar) lighted the lamps before the Lord; as the Lord commanded Moses.

26 And he put the (solar) golden altar in the tent of the congregation before the vail:

27 And he burnt (red radius stick) sweet incense thereon; as the Lord commanded Moses.

28 And he set up the hanging at the door of the tabernacle.

29 And he put the (solar) altar of burnt offering by the door of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation, and offered upon it the burnt offering and the meat offering; as the (Shekinah) Lord commanded (Ophiuchus) Moses.

30 And he set the (solar) laver between the tent of the congregation and the altar, and put (lunar) water there, to wash withal.

31 And (Ophiuchus) Moses and (Hercules) Aaron and his (Gemini) sons washed their hands and their feet thereat:

32 When they went into the tent of the congregation, and when they came near unto the altar, they washed; as the Lord commanded Moses.

33 And he reared up the court round about the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the hanging of the court gate. So Moses finished the work.

34 Then a (Milky Way) cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the (solar Shekinah) glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.

35 And (Ophiuchus) Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the (Milky Way) cloud abode thereon, and the (solar Shekinah) glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.

36 And when the (Milky Way) cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the (Gemini) children of Israel went onward in all their journeys:

37 But if the (Milky Way) cloud were not taken up, then they journeyed not till the day that it was taken up.

38 For the (Milky Way) cloud of the Lord was upon the tabernacle by day, and (solar Shekinah) fire was on it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.

Which Laws Were Done Away?

Do you know which laws were “added” and WHEN? Can you prove that God’s Laws of tithing, avoiding pork, the Sabbath, and festivals were in force BEFORE sacrifices were given? Or were these moral laws merely "imposed on them UNTIL the time of reformation" (Heb. 9:10)? Which law was "added because of transgressions, TILL the seed should come" (Gal. 3:19)?

Paul says that the sacrifices and accompanying washings were carnal ordinances given to ancient Israel and are no longer necessary (Heb. 9:9-14). These physical laws were imposed upon Israel until the time of reformation -- until the coming of Christ and the Holy Spirit.

All of these physical rituals foreshadowed, in a variety of ways, the coming of Christ, His sinless life, His atoning power, His resurrection and glorification. They prefigured the working of the Holy Spirit, and showed, in symbolism, many other important spiritual principles. Truly, these physical rituals were all very important for the Old Testament Church -- the congregation of Israel. They did reveal the workings of Christ and the Holy Spirit which were to come. However, the physical rituals lost their importance and were not needed when the realities came which they portrayed. The New Testament is in the Old concealed. The Old Testament is in the New revealed.

The ONLY laws which were TEMPORARY -- imposed only until the coming of Christ -- were the “meat (offering)s and drink (offering)s (sacrifices), and divers (Levitical) washings -- carnal (fleshly) ordinances” (Heb. 9:10). But false ministers today boldly assert that the whole worship system given to Moses -- including all the moral commandments and laws -- was done away when Christ came. They TWIST Paul's writings (2 Pet. 3:15-16) by calling the "meats" pork, shrimp and clams. The "drinks" are supposedly the wine that a Nazirite Vow forbade. Thus, people are taught that no one today is really obliged to obey kosher food laws; or to obey the Ten Commandments -- except in principle -- whatever that means! People hear in the pulpits that it is not necessary to observe the weekly Sabbath or the seven annual Holy Days of God, even though these institutions were ordained FOREVER (Lev. 23:14,21,31,41). They are also told that the agricultural laws governing the use of the land are all abolished (Lev. 25). That we no longer need to wash our clothes or pots (Lev. 11) after they touch a dead rat because "diverse washings" were done away. Etcetera. And so to most people today the entire Old Testament is represented as having been completely abolished!

Let us RIGHTLY divide the Word of Truth. Sacrifices were not commanded at first. Many people go astray by believing that every commandment of God is associated in one way or another with sacrificing, or with some ritual, and so is abolished. This is pure nonsense! There were evening and morning sacrifices on every day of the year (Ex. 29:38, 39). Does that mean that all days of the year have been done away with? Of course not! Likewise, sacrifices were offered on the Sabbath. Just because the sacrifices have been done away does not mean the Sabbath goes with them (Mark 2:27 , 28; Mat. 24:20).

A very important scripture concerning the starting of the sacrificial system in Israel is Jeremiah 7:21-23: “Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Put your burnt offerings unto your sacrifices, and eat flesh. For I spake not unto your fathers, nor commanded them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices: but this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you.”

God had told their forefathers about the ways He wanted them to walk and that He had given them commandments that they were expected to obey BEFORE HE SAID A THING TO THEM ABOUT SACRIFICES. In other words -- sacrifices came LATER. God revealed many commandments and laws BEFORE He gave them sacrifices. This particular scripture alone is enough to prove that.

When Did Sacrifices Originate?

Sacrifices did not originate with Moses or the children of Israel. We are told in the Biblical record that Cain and Abel offered sacrifices in the days of Adam (Gen. 4:1-7). Later when Noah left the ark, he built an altar and sacrificed (Gen. 8:20). From the time of Noah, peoples all over the earth began to offer sacrifices of one kind or another. All the records of ancient nations show their knowledge of sacrificing, either to the true God or to pagan deities of their own imagination. It was customary to offer “thank” offerings when particular blessings would come. Also there were trespass or sin offerings if a person thought he offended God in any way. Abraham built an altar and sacrificed to God (Gen. 12:7). Also Jacob (Gen. 35:1). Jacob undoubtedly taught his twelve sons the necessity of sacrificing. And, even in the days of Moses, we find that sacrificing was no new thing to the Israelites in Egypt. They were sacrificing while they were in Egypt. You will notice that Moses told Pharaoh that he wanted to take the people of Israel into the wilderness three days’ journey and sacrifice (Ex.3:18; 5:3).

Jeremiah is saying that God did not give them a sacrificial SYSTEM, with rules and regulations for sacrificing, when they came out of Egypt. The Israelites were sacrificing before they left Egypt and they sacrificed after they left Egypt and even BEFORE the sacrificial system was established by God. But ALL the sacrifices offered BEFORE the establishment of the sacrificial SYSTEM were VOLUNTARY SACRIFICES -- offered at the sole discretion of, and in the manner most suitable to, the offerer himself.

But in Exodus 25, God told Moses that one of the first things he was to do was to make a Tabernacle as a central place of worship for all the people. Moses was told that it was in this Sanctuary or Tabernacle that the sacrificial altar was to be placed. The command to make this Tabernacle as a Sanctuary for God and for the central place of worship is found in Exodus 25:1-9. The remainder of Exodus 25 is God’s instruction concerning the construction of the mercy seat and the ark of the covenant which Moses was to make and put in a particular section of the Tabernacle. Then in Exodus 26 comes the command to make curtains for the Tabernacle which would separate certain areas from others in the Sanctuary. And, in Exodus 27 we find the directions for making the altar of sacrifice.

Then, in Exodus 28 Moses is told that Aaron and all his descendants are to be the priests of Israel. This is the very first indication that Moses had concerning the priesthood being given to Aaron and his sons. Moses had no idea, until now, that his brother and nephews were to be the priesthood for Israel. In Exodus 29, Moses was told how the priests would be consecrated and ordained when the time would come. And lastly, in Exodus 30, Moses was told to make an altar of incense which was to be placed near the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle. It was in Exodus 31 that God told Moses whom He had chosen as the master workmen for the building.

Then in Exodus 35 and 36 we find the workmen beginning to build the Tabernacle. The materials for the Sanctuary were collected and it was finally built (Ex. 37) . Then the altar on which to sacrifice was constructed (Ex. 38) . And lastly, the clothing for the priesthood was made and finished (Ex. 39).

The Raising of the Tabernacle

In Chapter 40 we have the record of WHEN the sacrificial and ritualistic system began in Israel. “And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, On the first day of the first month shalt thou set up the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation” (Ex. 40:1-2) -- the first day of the first month in THE SECOND YEAR after the children of Israel came out of Egypt. Now notice that on that exact day -- and not before -- Moses was told to set up the altar of incense (Ex. 40:5) and also the altar of burnt offering (Ex. 40:6). In Verse 10 Moses was commanded to anoint, or officially consecrate, the altar of sacrifice. Then in Exodus 40:12-15 Moses was instructed to ordain the priesthood.

If there is any further doubt when all of these things took place, notice ings,and there thou shalt do all that Exodus 40:17: “And it came to pass in the first month in the second year, on the first day of the month, that the tabernacle was reared up.’’ The following verses in Exodus 40 show that Moses put everything into the Tabernacle and officially consecrated everything pertaining to sacrifice and ritual. And Moses officially ORDAINED the priests to their offices on that day -- NOT BEFORE!

Why Is This Important?

Up to this time the Israelites had no TABERNACLE in which to offer sacrifices, no ALTAR on which to place them, and no PRIESTHOOD to officiate at the sacrifices and rituals. This was all done on the first day of the first month in the SECOND YEAR AFTER they came out of Egypt. This is the very day that God commanded the Israelites to begin their official sacrificing to Him -- not before.

Jeremiah said that God didn't command Israelites about sacrifices when they left Egypt. It was almost a complete full year before the sacrificial and ritualistic SYSTEM began. This is therefore the law that was "added because of transgressions, till the seed should come" (Gal. 3:19)? This was the TEMPORARY LAW Paul spoke of -- "imposed on them UNTIL the time of reformation" (Heb. 9:10). It had nothing to do with tithing, avoiding pork, resting on the Sabbath or celebrating the festivals.

Sacrifices Could Be Offered Only At the Sanctuary

Once the official sacrificial system began in Israel, God commanded that no sacrifices of this ritualistic system could henceforth be offered ANYWHERE except at the official altar in the Sanctuary. This is important to note, for in times past, the people could individually, without a priesthood, offer their sacrifices just ANYWHERE they pleased.

But now notice the instruction of God. In Leviticus 17:2-5, God says that if an Israelite did not bring his sacrifice to the one official ALTAR which was at the door of the TABERNACLE, that person would be cut off from among his people. And we further read in Deuteronomy 12:13-14: “Take heed to thyself that thou offer not thy burnt offerings in EVERY PLACE that thou seest: but in the PLACE which the Lord shall choose in one of thy tribes, there thou shalt offer thy burnt offerings, and there thou shalt do all that I command thee."

This fact, that all the sacrifices in Israel could only be offered ON THE ALTAR in front of the TABERNACLE proves how important it was to sacrifice correctly and at the one Sanctuary. It shows how important the ALTAR and the TABERNACLE were to God. This shows why the ALTAR and TABERNACLE HAD TO BE BUILT and SANCTIFIED BEFORE the sacrificial system could begin. And certainly, there had to be a PRIESTHOOD established and ordained before the sacrifices could commence. It was a gross sin ever to offer a sacrifice without a PRIEST at the ALTAR sanctifying the offering.

Now it becomes quite clear why there had to be a TABERNACLE, an ALTAR and a PRIESTHOOD before the sacrificial system could begin. And the children of Israel had none of these until the beginning of the second year of their Exodus.

Sacrifices Were Offered Before the Sacrificial System Began

The differences between the VOLUNTARY sacrifices offered before the official system began, and the COMMANDED sacrifices within the official system should be sufficiently understood by now. If the fundamental differences are understood -- that one was VOLUNTARY and the other COMMANDED -- then we will have no difficulty in comprehending any text of Scripture between Exodus 12 and Exodus 40 which might be a little obscure on the surface.

Noah built an altar and sacrificed on it (Gen. 8:20); so did Abraham (Gen.12:7); Jacob (Gen. 35:l); and even Moses when the children of Israel were coming out of Egypt (Ex. 17:15). And so, here we find Moses offering VOLUNTARY offerings to God like those which had been offered centuries before. There was no PRIESTHOOD or TABERNACLE established, so there was nothing wrong in this. It was only AFTER the TABERNACLE had been built that God forbade sacrifices by anyone, except a PRIEST be in attendance. It was only AFTER the sacrificial system began that God forbade offering sacrifices ANYWHERE but on the ALTAR in front of the TABERNACLE.

A "Tent of Meeting"

There seems to be a difficulty in Exodus 33:7-11. Here the Bible plainly states that a tabernacle had already been set up before the beginning of the second year as mentioned in Exodus 40. Is there a contradiction in Scripture? The answer to this “difficulty” is apparent when we understand the original Hebrew in these verses. The Hebrew word “Haohel” used here and translated “Tabernacle” can just as easily be rendered “tent”-- a common residential tent. But when speaking about the Tabernacle in which the altar was placed, and where sacrifices were offered, it is “Hammischcun,” a totally different word.

The tent described in Exodus 33 was merely a temporary place of worship fulfilling an emergency need. Notice, Moses called it “The Tabernacle of the congregation”-- not God ! This tent was not the official Tabernacle commanded by God at all. Besides, there is no mention of any sacrifices at this temporary worship tent. To explain clearly, we might call this Moses’ "Tent of Meeting" or temporary home-office or Headquarters. No problem or contradiction here! And remember, even if they had sacrificed in this tent it was still allowable to do so, as has been explained.

"Priests" Were Not Sons of Aaron

It is quite clear in the Bible that the Aaronic PRIESTHOOD did not exist until the beginning of the second year of the Exodus. Yet in Exodus 19:22 and 24 there are direct references to “PRIESTS” being in Israel even before the Ten Commandments were given to Moses.

Actually, every nation of antiquity had its religious priests. Usually it was the head of the nation, clan or family who acted as the religious intermediary between them and God. For example, when Noah, Abraham, Jacob and the others officiated at their individual altars and offered sacrifices, they were acting in the capacity of priests. They were the heads of their families and directly responsible to God for the spiritual welfare of those families.

We read that Job, as head of his family, officiated as a priest for his household by offering sacrifices before there was a Tabernacle established for the people of God (Job 1:5 ) . Also, it was common for other nations to have their own priesthoods. We can also notice that the father-in-law of Moses was the priest of Midian (Ex. 2:16). This office of his father-in-law was held in respect by Moses, for it represented Jethro as head of the Midianite people. So, like all other peoples, Israel while in Egypt had certain heads of families to act as priests until a priesthood could be officially inaugurated in Israel by God Himself.

Notice what Dr. John Davies of Princeton University, a well-known scholar on antiquity, has to say about this. “Before the organization of a priestly class, priestly functions were exercised by the patriarch in behalf of his household, and by the prince in behalf of his people. The natural head of a body of people acted as priest. There were those among the Israelites at the time of the Exodus who possessed this prerogative by natural right. When the Tabernacle was projected, a priest was needed to minister at its altar. Aaron and his sons were appointed to that office, and the priesthood was made hereditary in the family, and restricted to it” (Davies, The Illustrated Bible Treasury, p. 328). It should be quite clear that the priests mentioned in Exodus 19:22 and 24 were NOT FROM AARON, for it was about a year later when the official AARONIC PRIESTHOOD was begun.

Moral Laws Israelites Kept BEFORE the Sacrificial System Was Instituted

Understanding these things will show us some important commandments of God that were never a part of the sacrificial and ritualistic system -- and these commandments are OBLIGATORY for the people of God today! You will notice that the SABBATH command was understood in Exodus 16 before the Ten Commandments were given on Mount Sinai. Notice that there is not a word about sacrificing!

Also, when God’s Eternal Law, the TEN COMMANDMENTS, was later stated in a codified form (Ex. 20), there is still not even a hint of sacrificing! Also notice that God’s annual HOLY DAYS were commanded in Exodus 23:14-17. And here again, not a mention of sacrificing! And too, God made a special covenant with Israel in Exodus 31:12-17 in regard to the SABBATHS -- weekly and annual -- as being the ONLY REAL SIGN between Him and His people that they are truly His chosen ones. Again, not a word about sacrifices! Both Abraham and Jacob TITHED (Gen. 14:19-20; 28:20) long before any tabernacle or Aaronic priesthood.

In fact, the children of Israel were commanded to keep all of God’s COMMANDMENTS, STATUTES and LAWS (Ex. 15:25, 26: Ex. 18:16) before Moses knew anything of a sacrificial or ritualistic system. These laws define sin. The spiritual laws describe the very character of God. They enable us to know what God is like. This character of God doesn't change (Mal. 3:6; Heb. 13:8). It is a matter of history that the children of Israel KEPT EVERY ONE OF THE SABBATHS AND HOLYDAYS for one whole year before the sacrificial system was introduced. We even find that Israelites "WASHED their clothes" (Ex. 19:14) and didn't come "near their wives" (NIDDAH means separation) (Ex. 19:15) long before sacrificing was instituted. Thus we know that the “meat (offering)s and drink (offering)s, and divers (Levitical -- Ex. 30:17-21; 31:9; Lev. 16:4,24; Nu. 8:7; 19:7) washings -- carnal (fleshly) ordinances” (Heb. 9:10) "added because of transgressions, till the seed should come" (Gal. 3:19), did not even nullify the laws of CLEANLINESS, HYGIENE and NIDDAH (Lev. 15). Only Levitical "washings", and those that pertained to the Tabernacle, were temporary. But other "baptisms" (Heb. 6:2) were still obligatory. The Old Covenant could not abolish what it did not create.

Of course, when the sacrificial system was finally ordained in the second year, sacrifices were offered on every day of the year. And, we should not be surprised that the weekly Sabbath, because of its solemnity, would have more sacrifices than ordinary days. Also, when the important annual Sabbaths would arrive there would be a corresponding increase in the physical sacrifices to point out the holiness of the annual Sabbaths. This is the reason you find sacrifices mentioned on the Sabbaths and Holy Days in Leviticus 23 and Numbers 28-29. That part of Scripture was intended primarily for the instruction of the priests and it describes how sacrifices were to be offered on the High Days.

The Passover Sacrifice

Mention ought to be made of the sacrifice of the lamb at the Passover time. Was this sacrifice a part of the sacrificial system established later? No ! There is only one sacrifice mentioned in the Book of the Law -- the Passover sacrifice (Ex. 23:18). God called it "MY sacrifice." This particular sacrifice is totally unlike any other mentioned in the whole of the Old Testament. This is one sacrifice which was eaten by the offerer as a meal in his own residence. It did NOT have to be offered in the presence of a priest nor did it have to be killed on the altar in the Sanctuary. The Passover sacrifice was a family responsibility.
It is clear that the Passover sacrifice was unique in itself and that it was NOT an integral part of the sacrificial system, for it was ordained almost a year before. And it was totally unlike any of the sacrifices mentioned in the book of Leviticus. It was NOT a sacrifice to atone for any particular sin. Rather, it was symbolic of the Messiah
who was to come and His sacrifice for our sins.

In fact, the Passover sacrifice has not been abolished today. It has only been CHANGED -- because it began before the old covenant was made (Ex. 12). Instead of the lamb we now have the bread and the wine. That is the reason Paul tells us that the lamb is not our Passover anymore, but rather, Christ is our Passover (I Cor. 5:7). That is, we now partake of Christ figuratively, His body (matzos) and His blood (wine). The body of Christ, not the lamb, is our Passover!

None of the sacrifices in the sacrificial system, however, were changed by Christ like the Passover-- which was NEVER a part of that system. There is no question about the fact that the Passover was a unique sacrifice completely separate from the sacrifices of the commanded sacrificial system which were not specially perpetuated by different symbols in the New Testament church.

How Was the Sanctuary "Cleansed" after 2300 Days?

The Temple at Jerusalem, with its priesthood, sacrifices and washings, finally came to an end. It was "cleansed." Daniel prophesied that it would be "cleansed" after 2300 days. From December 31, 67 A.D. when Cestius withdrew his Roman legions, allowing a brief window for Christians to escape, until the Romans under Titus sold off the Jewish government and all the territories of Israel on May 20th 73 A.D., is “2,300 days until the sanctuary shall be cleansed” (Daniel 8:14).

The stone-built Temple at Jerusalem, having been burnt and destroyed, was then superseded by a “new living stone temple” as the Apostle Paul spoke of in Ephesians 2:19-22. He referred to the body of Messiah as the “HOLY TEMPLE ” and the Apostle Peter called them “lively stones” (1 Peter 2:5). This fulfilled the prophecy of Daniel 8:14 of the sanctuary being cleansed, because God had replaced the physical temple and animal sacrifices (which never did atone for sin in the first place), with the living temple of the believer, “cleansed” with the BLOOD OF THE LAMB and “sanctified” by the HOLY SPIRIT. Now "Ye ... are being built a HOLY PRIESTHOOD, to offer up SPIRITUAL SACRIFICES, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ (1 Pet. 2:5,9). It is a spiritual principle to offer oneself in living obedience -- to sacrifice the self -- to God.

Sacrifices Forever?

But werent the sacrifices ordained forever (Lev 6:15-18; 23:13-14; Ex. 29:39-42; 30:10; Nu. 15:21)? Weren't priestly washings also forever? (Ex 30:21)? Wasn't the priesthood ordained forever (Ex. 30:8; Nu. 18:22-23)? Yes the Bible says that the Levitical priesthood and its sacrifices were to be "perpetual" or forever. The Hebrew word "forever" (olam) means continuous, so long as the factors involved exist.

However, the word "FOREVER" doesn't always mean FOREVER. For instance, Jonah was in a fishes' belly for three days and three nights and this period of time is described as "FOREVER" (olam) (Jonah 2:6). Also, if a servant chose to serve his master rather than going out free, he was then obligated to serve his master "FOREVER" (olam) meaning for the rest of his human life (Ex.21:6; Lev. 25:46; Deut. 15:17). Even "EVERLASTING" (olam) hills (Gen.49:26) only last for awhile (Isa.54:10; 42:15; 41:15).

The timespan involved was UNKNOWN and UNKNOWABLE. The Hebrew word "OLAM" which is translated "FOREVER literally means a "CONCEALED" vanishing point in time. It doesn't always mean FOREVER. The meaning of "OLAM" depends on the context and the duration of the fish, the slave, and the mountain.

But after Christ's sacrifice, there was no more need for bloody sacrifices. "Now where remission of (sins) is, there is no more offering for sin" (Heb. 10:18). To offer sacrifices as reminders of sin already paid for by Jesus, is not necessary any more. Priestly washings have been replaced by the Holy Spirit. They were a type of the Holy Spirit cleaning us up within. Only if there are NO LIMITING FACTORS is the command really PERPETUAL.

What was the Law of Moses?

Malachi 4:4 defines it as "Remember the LAW OF my servant MOSES, the statutes and judgments that I commanded him at Horeb for all Israel." These civil statutes and judgments are right and good (Ps. 119:7,8). Don't forget them. Then the sacrificial system "was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come" (Gal. 3:19). It was added in Exodus 40. It was temporary. Josiah is praised because he "turned to the Lord with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might, according to the LAW OF MOSES."

Then why do we read in Acts that Gentile converts do not need to observe the "law of Moses" except for four points? (Acts 15). Because the sacrificial system was the "law of Moses" being referred to. That was done away with Christ's sacrifice. These four points of the civil law were included later with the added sacrificial system to regulate it. The Gentiles ate their sacrifices with blood, often strangled their animal sacrifices, presented them to idols and committed fornication in their religious rites. To prevent these pagan customs being practised by Israel, God included the four civil statutes along with the rituals (Lev. 17:7,10 -- whoring with sacrificing and eating blood; Nu. 25:1-3 -- whoring with sacrifices). When the sacrificial system was declared no longer binding in Acts 15, these four points had to be declared binding because some would have otherwise thought they were abolished along with the temporary rituals. But since these four points were part of the statutes, before the addition of the rituals, they remained obligatory after the sacrificial system was done away.

Tithing, avoiding pork, the festivals, circumcision and niddah are still obligatory since they define what sin is. They existed before Exodus 40. They are not part of the sacrificial system. Some Christians believe that circumcision is now of the heart, rather than the flesh (Rom. 2:28-29; Col. 2:11; Deut. 10:16; 30:6), but Paul was circumcised (Phil 3:5) and taught circumcision (Acts 21:21-25). The correct translation of Romans 2:28-29 should be "he is not (only) a Jew who is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision which is (only) outward in the flesh; But he is a Jew who is (also) one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit and not (only) in the letter". The controvery was over whether circumcision (Shammai's oral law) or baptism (Hillel's oral law) should be the method employed in converting Gentiles (Acts 15:1-5). The Shammai oral "customs" (Acts 21:21) were rejected as a "yoke of bondage" (Gal. 5:1-6; Berachot 2:2; Sifra 57b) -- not the written command to circumcise (Ex. 12:48).

Conclusion

In this article, we have seen that Jeremiah certainly knew what he was talking about in Jeremiah 7:21-23. God NEVER commanded the Israelites to sacrifice at all until the start of the second year of their Exodus!

We are thus assured that the commands to tithe, avoid pork, keep the Ten Commanments, the weekly Sabbath and the annual Holy Days, etcetera, were in force for a whole year BEFORE the sacrificial system began. And so, we can confidently say -- with absolute PROOF -- that what was not originally a part of the sacrificial system did not vanish away when it was abolished. The sacrifices found their reality in Christ.