“For a tabernacle was prepared: the first part, in which was the lampstand, the table, and the showbread, which is called the sanctuary” (Hebrews 9:2).
The Old Covenant Tabernacle mentioned in Hebrews 9:2 began with God’s command to Moses, as recorded in the Biblical book of Exodus:
“Speak to the children of Israel, that they bring Me an offering. From everyone who gives it willingly with his heart you shall take My offering… And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them. According to all that I show you, that is, the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furnishings, just so you shall make it” (Exodus 25:8-9).
One source offers a brief but thorough description of the Tabernacle along with its surrounding environment…
“The tabernacle was a tentlike structure in which God dwelt among the Israelites from the time of their encampment at Mount Sinai to the building of the temple. The area around the tabernacle was called the outer court. It was enclosed by a fence consisting of a series of bronze posts with linen cloth stretched between them. As the Israelite entered the tabernacle court through the gate at the east, he came to the altar of burnt offering, where the sacrificial animals were slain and burned; then to the laver, a large bronze stand containing water, in which the priests washed their hands and feet.
The tabernacle itself measured about 45 feet long, 15 feet wide, and 15 feet high. It was divided into two compartments. The first, the Holy Place, was 30 feet long and the second, the Most Holy Place, was 15 feet long.
The tent consisted of a wooden framework covered by goats’ hair curtains and weatherproof drapes of animal skins. These coverings formed the top, back, and sides of the tent. The front of the tabernacle was an embroidered veil.” (1)
So this imposing structure communicated something important to the people of Old Testament Israel: it said that God was present with His people, but not freely accessible. This becomes more evident as we examine the inner structure of the tabernacle and its contents. For instance, the first item inventoried here in Hebrews 9:2 is “the lampstand.”
This lampstand was constructed of gold and featured a middle stem with six branches, according to Exodus 25:31-40. This lamp provided the only source of light within the Tabernacle, and the Levitical priests were directed to attend to it regularly to prevent its light from being extinguished (Exodus 27:20–21). We’ll consider the other items mentioned in Hebrews 9:2 next.
(1) William Macdonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary Edited by Arthur Farstad Thomas Nelson Publishers (Hebrews 9:2) p.2260