Meaning & use
tabernacles
Last updated
“tabernacles” is a form of “tabernacle”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nouncountablereligion
The portable tent-like structure that the ancient Israelites used as a place of worship during their journey in the desert.
Grammar: Usually singular when referring to the single biblical structure; use the plural tabernacles for more than one such structure.
Patterns
- the Tabernacle
- build a tabernacle
- in the tabernacle
According to the Bible, the Israelites carried the tabernacle with them through the wilderness.
The tabernacle was a sacred tent where the people came to pray.
Detailed instructions for making the tabernacle are given in the book of Exodus.
nounpluralreligion
A Jewish festival, also called Sukkot, during which people build and eat in temporary shelters to remember the desert journey.
Grammar: The name of the festival is always plural: Feast of Tabernacles or simply Tabernacles. Do not use it in the singular for the festival.
Patterns
- the Feast of Tabernacles
- celebrate Tabernacles
- during Tabernacles
Jewish families around the world celebrate Tabernacles in the autumn.
During Tabernacles, many people eat their meals in a small hut called a sukkah.
The Feast of Tabernacles lasts for seven days.
nouncountablereligion
A small ornamental container or recess in a church where the consecrated bread is kept.
Grammar: Countable; often used with the definite article when referring to the one in a particular church.
Patterns
- the tabernacle on the altar
- place something in the tabernacle
The priest placed the consecrated bread in the tabernacle.
A small lamp burns near the tabernacle to show that it contains the host.
The tabernacle was made of gold and stood behind the altar.
Word forms
| singular | tabernacle |
|---|---|
| plural | tabernacles |
Common combinations
- the Feast of Tabernacles
- The Feast of Tabernacles is celebrated with prayers and meals in temporary shelters.
- build a tabernacle
- The Israelites were commanded to build a tabernacle for worship.
- in the tabernacle
- The holy objects were kept in the tabernacle.
- the tabernacle on the altar
- The tabernacle on the altar was covered with a white cloth.
- celebrate Tabernacles
- They celebrate Tabernacles every year with a small hut in their garden.
Synonyms and how they differ
- sanctuary
- A sanctuary is a holy place or the holiest part of a temple; a tabernacle is specifically a tent-like structure or a small container, so sanctuary is broader.
- shrine
- A shrine is a place where people pray to a holy person or object; a tabernacle is the biblical tent or a church container, not a general shrine.
- Sukkot
- Sukkot is the Hebrew name for the same festival; Tabernacles is the English name, often used in Christian contexts.
Word family
- tabernacle noun
- The singular form, meaning one such structure or container.
Commonly confused: tabernacles or tent?
tabernacles vs tent
A tent is a general shelter made of cloth; a tabernacle is a specific religious tent or container, not any ordinary tent.
Practice
In which sentence is the word 'tabernacles' used correctly?
Choose one answer.
The Feast of Tabernacles is the correct name of the Jewish festival. The other options confuse 'tabernacles' with ordinary tents, shelves, or cars, which is not the meaning of the word.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “tabernacles”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.