The Tabernacle/mishkan model in Timna Park
The Tabernacle or mishkan in Timna Park is located between the lake and Solomon’s pillars, and is a measurement-accurate model of the Tabernacle that accompanied the Israelites through their 40-year journey in the wilderness, based on the relevant chapters in the Book of Exodus.
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Directions: Enter “Timna” into Waze and click on “פארק תמנע.“
Admission:: The sanctuary is operated as part of Timna Park, but its construction and educational program were developed by the Temple Institute based on biblical and rabbinic descriptions of the mishkan. Regular tours are conducted throughout the day. Guides trained in biblical and Temple studies conduct the tours.
Public transport: Enter “Timna Park into Moovit. The closest bus stop is a 3-km/37-minute walk.
Notice that the courtyard is enclosed by linen curtains stretched between wooden posts set in bases. The entrance is on the east side. Within the courtyard are the altar for burnt offerings and between the altar and the tent a copper basin. This was where the priests would wash their hands and feet before performing the service.
On the west end of the courtyard is the Tent of Meeting or ohel mo’ed. It is covered with layered fabrics, namely an inner embroidered linen curtain, a goat-hair covering, and outer protective layers such as ram skins. Inside the tent are two chambers. The Holy Place contains the Menorah, a seven-branched lampstand placed on the south side, the Table for the Showbread with twelve loaves representing the tribes of Israel, and the Altar of Incense. The Holy of Holies is behind a veil and contains the Ark of the Covenant and two cherubim above the cover or kaporet. Its use was restricted to the High Priest on Yom Kippur.
The model area may also include demonstrations of the priestly garments, including the ephod, diagrams explaining the sacrificial service, and illustrations of the tribes encamped around the sanctuary.
What is the significance of this sanctuary in Timna Park?
There are a number of reasons why it is appropriate that this sanctuary reconstruction be located here, besides the fact that the Park has lots of tourists.
There is no scriptural or archeological evidence that the Israelites journeying in the wilderness ever visited Timna. In fact, this is unlikely since it was a functioning copper mine. However, they could well have passed close by in the Aravah. The Bible relates that from Etzion-Geber, which is on the Gulf of Aqaba, they travelled northwards to Kadesh: “They set out from Abronah and camped at Ezion-Geber. They set out from Ezion-Geber and camped in the wilderness of Zin, that is, Kadesh” (Numbers 33:35–36).
Another reason is that the Temple of Hathor at the base of Solomon’s Pillars likely also contained a tent sanctuary. This Temple of Hathor was constructed by the Egyptians in the 13th century BCE for the goddess Hathor, especially under Ramses III. When Egyptian power over this area collapsed and the Egyptians left, the stone cult chamber of Hathor was dismantled. The area was left largely open and a tent sanctuary was erected instead.
Evidence for this is that red and blue wool fabrics and cloth fragments attached to rings and cords and cult objects were found in this area, Postholes were also found and stone settings that could anchor poles. Midianite pottery suggests it was used by Midianites. It is interesting to speculate that the Israelite and Midianite tent sanctuaries were part of the same general model of temporary sanctuaries.
See also our webpage on Timna Park - click here