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Tabernacle
The word 'tabernacle' comes from the Latin translation of the Hebrew word mishkan which means 'dwelling place' or 'residence'. The word is used to describe the portable, tent like construction in which YHWH would reside during the Israelites wandering in the desert.
The word 'tabernacle' comes from the Latin translation of the Hebrew word mishkan which means 'dwelling place' or 'residence'. The word is used to describe the portable, tent like construction in which YHWH would reside during the Israelites wandering in the desert.
Tabgha
Tabgha is a small area on the northwest shore of Lake Galilee. It is not, and never was, a village. The name Tabgha comes from the Greek Heptapegon which means ‘the place of seven springs’. Traditionally Tabgha is associated with the calling of Simon, Andrew, James and John, the Feeding of the 5000 and the Sermon on the Mount. It is also thought to be where Jesus named Simon, ‘Peter’ - ‘the rock’. In the time of Jesus the area contained a small harbour which was popular with fishermen as the springs of water, after which it was named, were a perfect breeding place for algae which attracted the fish.
From the 4th Century Christians built shrines and churches at Tabgha to commemorate the events which occurred there; today a Benedictine monastery remembers the Feeding of the 5000 with a mosaic of bread and fish on its floor.
Tabgha is a small area on the northwest shore of Lake Galilee. It is not, and never was, a village. The name Tabgha comes from the Greek Heptapegon which means ‘the place of seven springs’. Traditionally Tabgha is associated with the calling of Simon, Andrew, James and John, the Feeding of the 5000 and the Sermon on the Mount. It is also thought to be where Jesus named Simon, ‘Peter’ - ‘the rock’. In the time of Jesus the area contained a small harbour which was popular with fishermen as the springs of water, after which it was named, were a perfect breeding place for algae which attracted the fish.
From the 4th Century Christians built shrines and churches at Tabgha to commemorate the events which occurred there; today a Benedictine monastery remembers the Feeding of the 5000 with a mosaic of bread and fish on its floor.
Tax Collector
Tax collectors or agents collected ‘tolls’ or ‘taxes’ on behalf of the Romans. Taxes were used to fund the facilities provided to and for the people – much as our own tax system does now. However, while people often don’t like paying tax, there were three reasons it was particularly disliked in the time of Jesus.
For more information on Zacchaeus, see Chief Tax Collector.
Tax collectors or agents collected ‘tolls’ or ‘taxes’ on behalf of the Romans. Taxes were used to fund the facilities provided to and for the people – much as our own tax system does now. However, while people often don’t like paying tax, there were three reasons it was particularly disliked in the time of Jesus.
- Tax Collectors collected tax for the Romans, a people who had invaded and occupied the land. To the Israelites, paying tax to the people who had taken their land was particularly insulting. This was especially so as some of the tax the Israelites paid was used to pay the Roman army to keep the people under control! It was like paying the prison guard to keep you in prison! Some people thought that not paying taxes to the Romans was a good way of showing that they were not welcome in Palestine and should leave!
- Also, the job of a Tax Collector was one that you bought. The Romans sold the licence to be a tax collector. When a Jewish person, such as Zacchaeus, bought the licence he effectively asked to be able to take money from his own people. That was very offensive to other members of Jewish society.
- Finally, because they dealt with money, Tax Collectors were in a perfect position to steal from the people. Some charged more than they were entitled to and then kept a little for themselves. As a result Tax Collectors had a bad reputation: they were considered dishonest and untrustworthy.
For more information on Zacchaeus, see Chief Tax Collector.
Temple
Once the Israelites had settled in the promised land they began the task of building a permanent Temple. They chose the piece of land in Jerusalem that they believed Abraham had been going to sacrifice Isaac on generations earlier as the site.
The account of the temporary 'wilderness' temple coming to Jerusalem is recorded in 1 Kings 8:1-5.
The Temple was the centre of religious life in Judaism in the time of Jesus. It was here that the major festivals were held, it was here that the people offered their sacrifice to God.
The Temple was destroyed in the year 70 CE so we have no photos of what it was like. However, during their wandering in the desert, the people carried and used a ‘portable temple’.
A exact replica of this construction helps us know what the Jerusalem Temple would have been like. You can visit their website on www.wildernesstabernacle.com
(See also Temple Mount, Tabernacle, Holy Place, Holy of Holies, laver, altar)
Once the Israelites had settled in the promised land they began the task of building a permanent Temple. They chose the piece of land in Jerusalem that they believed Abraham had been going to sacrifice Isaac on generations earlier as the site.
The account of the temporary 'wilderness' temple coming to Jerusalem is recorded in 1 Kings 8:1-5.
The Temple was the centre of religious life in Judaism in the time of Jesus. It was here that the major festivals were held, it was here that the people offered their sacrifice to God.
The Temple was destroyed in the year 70 CE so we have no photos of what it was like. However, during their wandering in the desert, the people carried and used a ‘portable temple’.
A exact replica of this construction helps us know what the Jerusalem Temple would have been like. You can visit their website on www.wildernesstabernacle.com
(See also Temple Mount, Tabernacle, Holy Place, Holy of Holies, laver, altar)
Temple Mount
The Temple Mount was (and still is) a large levelled piece of ground in the middle of Jerusalem. It was chosen as the site for the Temple as the Hebrews believed that it was the hill on which Abraham was to sacrifice Isaac. The hill had a large retaining wall built around it and was then levelled off at the top to give a large flattened surface. Gentiles and women were welcome to come onto the Temple Mount but they could not enter the Temple proper, which stood as a distinct building of fenced courtyards and rooms on the western side of the mount.
The Temple Mount was (and still is) a large levelled piece of ground in the middle of Jerusalem. It was chosen as the site for the Temple as the Hebrews believed that it was the hill on which Abraham was to sacrifice Isaac. The hill had a large retaining wall built around it and was then levelled off at the top to give a large flattened surface. Gentiles and women were welcome to come onto the Temple Mount but they could not enter the Temple proper, which stood as a distinct building of fenced courtyards and rooms on the western side of the mount.
Torah
The word ‘Torah’ means ‘teaching’ or ‘instruction’ in Hebrew. The Torah are the first five books of the Christian Bible: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. These five books are the most sacred books for Jews; sometimes they are called books of ‘the law’.
The word ‘Torah’ means ‘teaching’ or ‘instruction’ in Hebrew. The Torah are the first five books of the Christian Bible: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. These five books are the most sacred books for Jews; sometimes they are called books of ‘the law’.
