📖 Biblical Definition
The Tabernacle of Meeting (Hebrew ohel moed, often translated "tent of meeting" or "tabernacle of the congregation" in the KJV) is the wilderness sanctuary considered specifically as the appointed place of meeting between YHWH and His people. The term emphasizes the encounter that happens there, in distinction from mishkan ("dwelling"), which emphasizes God’s residence in it. "And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat" (Exodus 25:22); "And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend" (Exodus 33:11). The whole biblical pattern of corporate worship descends from ohel moed: the LORD gives His people a place to meet Him.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
The wilderness tabernacle as appointed encounter-place.
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The wilderness tabernacle named by its function: the place where YHWH and Moses (and through him Israel) meet. Hebrew ohel moed, literally "tent of meeting" or "tent of the appointed time." Distinct emphasis from mishkan ("dwelling"): mishkan emphasizes God's dwelling there; ohel moed emphasizes the encounter that happens there. Moses entered to speak with YHWH face to face (Exod 33:9-11); the people gathered there for appointed feasts and sacrifices.
📖 Key Scripture
Exodus 33:9-11 — "And it came to pass, as Moses entered into the tabernacle, the cloudy pillar descended, and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and the LORD talked with Moses... And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend."
Exodus 25:22 — "And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat."
Hebrews 9:11 — "But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Often confused with mishkan (dwelling); the encounter-emphasis of ohel moed is distinct.
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The tabernacle has two emphases in Hebrew: mishkan (where God dwells) and ohel moed (where God meets). Both names apply to the same structure but emphasize different functions. The English collapse loses the distinction.
Recover both: God dwelt there (mishkan); God met His people there (ohel moed). Christ as the new and better tabernacle (Heb 9:11) is both: God dwelling among us, God meeting His people.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Hebrew ohel moed.
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['Hebrew', 'H168', 'ohel', 'tent']
['Hebrew', 'H4150', 'moed', 'appointed time, meeting']
Usage
"Tent of meeting: God meets His people."
"Distinct from mishkan (dwelling)."
"Christ is both: dwells AND meets."