Tabernacle: meaning, definitions and examples

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tabernacle

 

[ ˈtæbərnækl ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

religious setting

A tabernacle is a dwelling place or a temporary structure, often used in a religious context. In the Christian tradition, it refers specifically to a fixed, locked box or container for the Eucharist, where the consecrated host is kept. Historically, the term also refers to the portable sanctuary used by the Israelites in the wilderness, described in the Hebrew Bible. The tabernacle is symbolically significant as it represents God's presence among His people. In modern usage, it may also refer to a place of worship or assembly, particularly in some denominational contexts.

Synonyms

chapel, place of worship, sanctuary, shrine

Examples of usage

  • The priest opened the tabernacle during the mass.
  • In the Old Testament, the Israelites built a tabernacle as their place of worship.
  • The tabernacle in the church is beautifully designed.
  • He spent time in prayer before the tabernacle.

Translations

Translations of the word "tabernacle" in other languages:

🇵🇹 tabernáculo

🇮🇳 तम्बू

🇩🇪 Tabernakel

🇮🇩 tabernakel

🇺🇦 скінія

🇵🇱 tabernakulum

🇯🇵 幕屋

🇫🇷 tabernacle

🇪🇸 tabernáculo

🇹🇷 tapınak

🇰🇷 성막

🇸🇦 مَسْكَنٌ

🇨🇿 truhla

🇸🇰 tabernákul

🇨🇳 帐幕

🇸🇮 tabernakelj

🇮🇸 tjaldið

🇰🇿 табернакл

🇬🇪 ტაბერნაკული

🇦🇿 tabernakl

🇲🇽 tabernáculo

Word origin

The word 'tabernacle' comes from the Latin 'tabernāculum', which means 'tent' or 'hut'. This Latin word is derived from 'taberna', meaning 'hut' or 'cabin', which itself stems from a primitive Indo-European root. In the biblical context, the tabernacle refers to the portable sanctuary used by the Israelites during their exodus from Egypt, detailed in the Book of Exodus. It was a central place of worship and sacrifice, designed to be transportable as the Israelites wandered through the wilderness. Beyond the biblical references, the term evolved to represent various forms of temporary or movable places of worship. In contemporary Christianity, the term is often associated with the sacred place where the Eucharist is reserved in churches, highlighting its continuity and evolution through religious history.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #15,653, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.