struction of Jehovah, and evidently with typical design and use (Heb. ix. 1-8). The means of building it were furnished in superabundance by the voluntary contributions of the people (Exod. xxxv. 4-9; xxxvi. 3-7), who had enriched themselves with the spoils of the Egyptians, which they were directed to take as a remuneration for their labour (Exod. iii. 21, 22). (See BORROW, SPOIL.) The oversight of the work was intrusted to Bezaleel and Aholiab, who were endued with high artistic genius for that purpose (Exod. xxxi. 1-6). The plan, size, materials, furniture, &c., to the most minute particular, were revealed to Moses in mount Sinai (Exod. xxv. 9-40). The whole space enclosed for the tabernacle was 150 feet by 75. This space was surrounded by fine linen curtains, nearly 8 feet in height, and hung from brazen or bronze pillars. They were secured by rods or cords attached to the top, and stretched so as to fasten to pins in the ground, as represented in the annexed cut. The pillars were shod with brass, their capitals were plated with silver, and they had silver hooks, over which silver rods were laid to connect the pillars. Twenty of these pillars or columns were on each side, and ten on each end. The entrance or gate of the court was closed with a curtain of different colour and texture from the rest, stretched on four of the pillars, and so hung as to be drawn up or let down at pleasure (Exod. xxvii. 9-18). At the upper part of this enclosure, and facing the entrance, was the tabernacle properly so called-represented in its proper place in the above cut. This was 45 by 15 feet, and 15 feet high. The sides and rear were enclosed with boards, and the front was open. Over the top was thrown a rich, gorgeous fabric, of various materials, the connection and disposition of which, as well as of the other parts of the covering, are prescribed with the utmost minuteness (Exod. xxvi. 1-30). There were, in fact, four coverings,-the first and innermost of fine linen or cotton; the second, above it, of goats' hair, or cashmere; the third of rams' skins dyed red, or morocco; and the fourth and last, or weather covering, of badgers' skins, or rather of seals' skins-a species of shagreen, to protect the fabric from sands and storms. The entrance or door of the tabernacle was covered with a beautifully embroidered curtain, suspended on five columns. The interior was subdivided into two apartments, and separated each from the other by a richly-wrought curtain hanging entirely across, and reaching from the top to the bottom. This was called "the veil," or "second veil" (Heb. ix. 3), because the first entrance was also curtained. The outer apartment was called the holy place, or sanctuary, or the first tabernacle, and the inner was the second tabernacle, or the most holy place, or the holiest of all (Heb. ix. 2-8). In the court there were-1. The altar of burnt offering, which stood near the centre of the enclosure. (See ALTAR.) 2. The brazen laver (Exod. xxx. 18, corresponding to the molten sea, 1 Ki. vii. 23), which stood between the altar and the tabernacle, in its shape resembling an urn. It contained water for washing the hands and feet of the priests when they were about to enter the sanctuary. As to the furniture of the tabernacle itself, there was-1. The golden candlestick, standing on the left of a person entering the sanctuary (see CANDLESTICK); 2. The table of showbread, opposite to the candlestick (see BREAD); 3. The altar of incense, between the show-bread and the candlestick, and in front of the ark (see ALTAR); and, 4. Behind the veil, the ark of the covenant (see ARK). The tabernacle and its court were finished with perfect exactness, according to the pattern or model supernaturally revealed to Moses (Heb. viii. 5). The silver and gold used in its construction (to say nothing of the brass or copper, the wood, the curtains and canopies, the furniture, &c.), must have amounted to very large sum. When it was finished it was consecrated, with very solemn and imposing rites, to the service of Jehovah (Exod. xxx. 23-33; xL 9-11; Heb. ix. 21). While passing through the wilderness, the tabernacle was always pitched in the midst of the camp. The tents of the priests and Levites surrounded it in appointed order; and at some distance from them, the residue of the tribes, in four great divisions, consisting of three tribes each, and each division with its appropriate name and standard or banner (Num. ii. 2-29). The tabernacle and its furniture were so constructed as to be conveniently taken down, transported, and set up again; and particular individuals or classes had their respective duties assigned to them. Every encampment and removal, and even the order of the march, were directed expressly by Jehovah. On the day the tabernacle was completed God revealed himself in a cloud, which overshadowed and filled it. By this cloud assuming the shape of a pillar or column, their subsequent course was governed. When it rested over the tent, the people always rested; and when it moved, the tabernacle was taken down, and the whole host followed wherever it led. In the night this cloud became bright like a pillar of fire, and preceded them in like manner (Exod. xl. 34-38; Num. ix. 15-23). When the journeyings of the people were ended, and they entered Canaan, the tabernacle was erected at Gilgal (Josh. iv. 19), where it continued until the country was subdued, and then it was removed to Shiloh (1 Sam. i. 3), where it stood between 300 and 400 years. It was thence removed to Nob (1 Sam. xxi. 1-9), and thence, in the reign of David, to Gibeon (1 Chr. xxi. 29), where it was at the commencement of Solomon's reign (2 Chr. i. 1-13); and when the temple was finished, the sacred fabric, with its vessels and furniture, was removed into it. For a time there was a double service: Zadok officiated at Gibeon; and there was another service in Jerusalem, where the ark was. The tabernacle was a typical erection. Its holy of holies, in which were God's throne and its attendant cherubim, in which, too, was the symbol of the divine presence, represented heaven. The veil that concealed it from public gaze, and which was of a blue colour, was the emblem of that sky through which the Saviour passed when he entered into the presence of God for us. The outer court, where the sacrifice was offered, whose blood was carried into the most holy place, was the type of this world, where the great sacrifice for man was slain. As the high priest, having slain the sacrifice, took its blood and passed beyond the veil into the inmost shrine, so Jesus, with his own blood, has entered into heaven itself, to plead our cause and secure our salvation (Heb. ix. 24). (See TEMPLE.) Other typical points are sometimes found in the form, materials, and colours employed-acacia wood being the symbol of what is indestructible, gold the image of heavenly light, and the colours symbolizing the various divine perfections; blue representing heaven, the throne of God. Jehovah was king, and in another aspect the tabernacle was a magnificent palacehis royal habitation among his people. Its erection implied the possession of considerable wealth, and no small mechanical skill. The worshippers of the heathen gods had tabernacles (Amos v. 26), the idea of which they probably took from the Jews. These tabernacles were probably portable, carried upon the shoulders, and they contained the idol. TABERNACLE OF TESTIMONY (Exod. xxxviii. 21), TABERNACLE OF WITNESS (Num. xvii. 7, 8). These terms may refer to the law, which was deposited in the tabernacle, and which testified to God's authority and holiness (Exod. xxv. 21); or they may refer to the revelations which God made of himself in the tabernacle, and by which he testified his presence and majesty in the most sublime and mysterious manner. TABERNACLES, FEAST OF. (See FEASTS.) TABITHA-gazelle-or DORCAS-a disciple of Jesus Christ, dwelling at Joppa, eminent for good works and Christian benevolence. Her sickness and death were a cause of deep sorrow to the saints dwelling at Joppa, and afforded Peter an opportunity of bringing many to believe on the name of Christ, through the display of the miraculous power vouchsafed to him by his ascended Lord. Sad was the scene that awaited him on his arrival, the widows weeping and showing the garments which Dorcas had made. Peter kneeled down and prayed; and in the assurance of that prayer being answered, commanded Tabitha to arise. At once she opened her eyes, and Peter gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and presented her alive to the saints and widows. The surprise and joy to those around must have been very great, when the life of one so useful and so beloved among them was restored. No wonder that many believed on the name of the Lord. Tabitha's history has afforded a bright example to, and has been followed by, many in the past ages of the Church, and it still stands on record, and will to the end of time, as an ensample of what a Christian's practice ought to be. TABLE (1 Sam. xx. 29). The table of ancient times was nothing but a circular skin, or piece of leather spread upon the matted or carpeted floor; and this, at home as well as by the way, answers for table and cloth. Near the edges of this leathern tray there are holes or loops, through which, when the meal is completed, a cord is drawn, by means of which the whole affair is compressed into a small compass, and hung upon a nail. Some have thought that this is the pavilion mentioned in Jer. xliii. 10. (See BREAD.) The nearest approach to what we call a table is a mere stool, which is placed in the centre of the leather we have mentioned. This might be intended in Judg. i. 7, where Adoni-bezek speaks of threescore and ten kings who gathered their meat under his table. Its only use is to hold the principal dish, or dishes. There have been seen among the Arabian nobles, and in cities, long tables. These, however, were only a span high, and not a yard wide, and were entirely uncovered, and usually held nothing but the dishes. More frequently all such conveniences are wanting, and the dishes stand on the leather. Instead of a tablecloth, there is spread round the leathern tray a long cloth, or two such cloths, of a dark colour, which prevent the soiling of the carpet. Among poorer people there is nothing of the kind, and every one uses his handkerchief, by way of napkin. Instead of plates there are set thin round cakes, of a coarse kind. After the captivity raised tables like ours became common, and the Persian practice of reclining on couches at meals was introduced. (For the manner of sitting, see EAT, SEATS.). TABLES, TO SERVE, (Acts vi. 2). This expression may denote attention to the pecuniary or secular affairs of the Church (Matt. xxi. 12 xxv. 27), or, more strictly, and more in accordance with the context, it may relate to the oversight of the distribution of the charity of the Church for the relief of the poor in the infant church at Jerusalem. TABLE, WRITING. (See BOOK.) stone mountain which rises on the northern | obeam. Jashobeam, the Hachmonite, was border of the plain of Esdraelon, about 50 miles probably the true name of the hero. north of Jerusalem and 6 miles from Nazareth. Its shape resembles a cone with the point struck off, the summit presenting a level area a quarter of a mile in length, and the eighth of a mile in breadth. This area was once enclosed, and probably fortified, as there are the ruins of a thick wall of solid masonry and bastions all around the circumference of it, and the foundations of private dwellings within. The height of the mount is variously estimated from 1,000 feet to 3 miles. By some the estimate is made from the time taken to ascend, and by others from the actual measurement of the circuitous path, which may be pursued on horseback even to the summit. The declivities on every side are covered to the very top with verdure and clumps of trees-oaks, olives, and sycamores-interspersed with a rich variety of plants and flowers. The view from the sum mit of Tabor is described by all travellers in terms of the highest admiration. It overtops all the neighbouring hills (Jer. xlvi. 18). On the west is the noble expanse of the Mediterranean; beneath are spread the beautiful plains of Esdraelon and Galilee; while in the distance appear Carmel, and the heights of Samaria and Gilboa. Eastward, 30 miles off, is the sea of Tiberias; and north are the snowcovered peaks of Lebanon. The modern name of Tabor is Jebel et Tür. TACKLING (Isa. xxxiii. 23; Acts xxvii 19). Strictly, in the former passage, it is used for the ropes attached to the mast; in the latter, it is used loosely, and imports the sails, cordage, baggage, and indeed all the instru ments of sailing, except the anchors, or what was indispensable to the preservation of the ship. (See SHIPS.) TADMOR (1 Ki. ix. 18)-signifying palm tree-an ancient city, said to have been founded by Solomon, and one of the finest and most magnificent cities of the world. It was situated about 100 miles east of Damascus, 20 west of the Euphrates, and 120 from Aleppo, on a kind of island, separated from the habitable earth by an ocean of barren sands. Alexander the Great, who conquered it, gave it the name of Palmyra, or the city of palms, because of its position amid palm groves. There is extant a folio volume with fifty plates, illustrating the ruins of this ancient city. Its desolate situation in the midst of a vast and arid plain, its high antiquity, and its almost countless remains of architectural splendour, claim for it the first attention among the famous monuments of past ages. At present it may be said to consist of a forest of Corinthian pillars, erect and fallen. So numerous are they that the spectator is at a loss to reduce them to any order, or to conceive for what purpose they were designed. Of all the ruins those of the temple of the sun are the most magnificent. On this mountain Barak encamped with 10,000 of the men of Zebulun and Naphtali, on the eve of the battle with Sisera (Judg. iv. 6, Situated on the great commercial thorough12, 14), and here, according to tradition, was fare between Syria and Mesopotamia, it is the wonderful scene of the transfiguration of probable that Tadmor was a place of impor Christ (Matt. xvii. 1). Yet not only is there tance long before the time of Solomon, and no authority for believing Tabor to be the was used by him for purposes of commercial spot, but it has been proved that both before, enterprise. Queen Zenobia made it her capital; during, and after Christ's time, the top of but Aurelian destroyed it, a. D. 273. It is very the hill was occupied by a town and a Roman obvious that the present ruins belong to differgarrison, and therefore had neither the re-ent and far-distant ages. The place is now quisite space nor seclusion which Jesus enjoyed on "an high mountain apart" (Matt. xvii. 1). TABOR-a Levitical city in Zebulun (1 Chr. vi. 77), otherwise called Chisloth-Tabor. TABOR, PLAIN OF (1 Sam. x. 3), should be rendered oak of Tabor. TABRET (Gen. xxxi. 27)—an instrument of music, and used in the East at the present day, and called dift, was formed and played like the modern tambourine. (See MUSIC). TACHES (Exod. xxvi. 6, 11)-in modern English, tacks, ch and being interchangeable, as in wake, watch-were hooks or clasps of gold and copper, used in connecting the curtains of the tabernacle. occupied by some twenty or thirty huts, or hovels, which afford shelter to a few wild Arabs. TAHAPANES (Jer. ii. 16), TEHAPHNEHES (Ezek. xxx. 18), TÄHPANHES (Jer. xliii. 7), or HANES (Ísa. xxx. 4). These several names were given to an Egyptian city, known to the Greeks as Daphnæ, not far from Pelusium. It seems to have been an important place, containing a palace of the king (Jer. xliii. 9). Thither the Jews under Johanan fled from the Chaldeans, after the destruction of Jerusalem; but were pursued by Nebuchad nezzar, king of Babylon, who established his throne there, in accordance with Jeremiah's prophecy. Jeremiah is supposed to have died there. TAHPENES (1 Ki. xi. 18-20)—the queen of that Pharaoh who gave Hadad of Edom his sister-in-law as wife. She has not been in any way identified. TACHMONITE (2 Sam. xxiii. 8). "The Tachmonite that sat in the seat, chief among the captains," is called in 1 Chr. xi. 11 "Jashobeam, an Hachmonite, the chief of the captains," or son of Hachmoni," in the margin. Some connect the word with the Hebrew Hhakam, TAIL the proper translation of the sacriand render," sat in the seat of wisdom;" others ficial term rendered "rump" in our version, again say that the words sat in the seat are as in Exod. xxix. 22. The tail of some kinds in Hebrew a wrong separation of the name Jash-of Syrian sheep is a mass of fat, sometimes twenty pounds in weight. A small vehicle | obscene. The female devotees gave themselves with wheels is put under it to save it and case the animal. Hence the occurrence of the term in sacrificial statute. TALENT. (See MEASURES.) TALITHA-CUMI (Mark v. 41)—a phrase in the Syrian-Chaldaic language, the literal translation of which is given by the evangelist, "Damsel (or maiden), arise." TAMAR-palm tree-wife of Judah's two sons in succession, Er and Onan. She seduced her father-in-law by a wily trick. As his other son Shelah was reckoned too young to be her husband, she was, on discovery, sentenced to be burned alive; but the sentence was remitted, and she bore twin sons, Pharez and Zarah. Also a daughter of David, and full sister of Absalom, violated by her half-brother Ammon. The crime wrought sad havoc in David's household. Another Tamar was daughter of Absalom (2 Sam. xiv. 7). TAMAR (Ezek. xlvii. 19)-a place on the south-eastern border of Judah, either the place fully named Hazezon-tamar or Engedi, or another place to the south of Hebron. TAMMUZ, or THE TAMMUZ (Ezek. viii. 14)-probably the same with the Adonis of Grecian mythology; a pagan idol, the rites of whose worship were in the highest degree up to the most frenzied grief in consequence of the death of the fabled Adonis, and prostitution was to them a religious duty. The festival was connected with the worship of the sun. Adonis is simply the Hebrew Adonai, or Lord, having the same meaning as Baal. It is thus truly and vividly described by Milton: "Thammuz came next behind, (See JEALOUSY, IMAGE OF; MONTH.) TAPESTRY (Prov. xxxi. 22)-cloth woven or wrought with figures. TAPPUAH (Josh. xv. 34). There were evidently two cities of this name-one in the Shepelah or low country of Judah, towards the Mediterranean; the other belonging to Ephraim, on the border of Manasseh, and most probably the En-tappuah of Josh. xvii. 7. TARES (Matt. xiii. 25). This term is sup- | In the book of Kings the ships which Jehoshposed to mean darnel, still known in eastern aphat built on the Red Sea for sailing to Ophir, are called ships of Tarshish, large, like those that were employed in the Tarshish trade; but in the book of Chronicles they are said to have been built "to go to Tarshish." Similarly 1 Ki. ix. 3, compared with 2 Chr. ix. 21. Various methods of reconciliation have been proposed-even a conjecture that the ships built on the Red Sea were carried across the isthmus of Suez, and launched in the Mediterranean. The probability is that some copyist of Chronicles mistook the meaning of the phrase, "ships of Tarshish," and, thinking that they must be ships intended to sail to Tarshish, so worded the clause. (See SHIPS.) countries. Its resemblance to wheat is very exact, but some of its properties are highly pernicious. Because a nice eye only could detect the difference, tares and wheat were suffered both to grow until the harvest. The servants in this parable asked leave to pull the tares; but the master said, "Nay, lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them" (Matt. xiii. 29). Travellers describe the process of pulling up this grass, and separating it from the genuine grain, and their descriptions perfectly accord with the language of our Saviour in the parable. Tares. TARGET. (See ARMOUR.) TARSHISH (Isa. xxiii. 1), or THARSHISH (1 Ki. x. 22). It has been imagined that some place of this name existed on the eastern coast of Africa, or among the southern ports of Asia, with which the ships of Hiram and Solomon traded in "gold and silver, ivory and apes, and peacocks" (2 Chr. ix. 21). It is said that once in every three years these ships completed a voyage, and brought home their merchandise. Hence it is inferred the place with which they traded must have been distant from Judea; or, that after visiting Tarshish, and procuring what it furnished, they traded with other and more distant ports, and accomplished the whole in three years. But Tarshish was a famous city and port in the south of Spain, and was the name also of a river and a territory. The Septuagint renders it by Carthage, the Vulgate often by " sea," and the Targum occasionally by Africa. Jonah fled to Tarshish, in the opposite direction of Nineveh. The navy of Solomon sailed to it along with the fleet of Hiram of Tyre, Tarshish being a Phoenician colony, (Isa. xxxiii.) The voyage through the Mediterranean to Tarshish was made by the largest ships of those days, so that vessels of a large tonnage were called "ships of Tarshish," just as we speak of an Indiaman or a seventy-four (Isa. ii. 16; xxiii. 1, 14; lxvi. 9; Ezek. xxvii. 25). Ships returning from Tarshish heavily laden, and beating up the Mediterranean, were liable to be retarded and "broken" by an east wind (Ps. xlviii. 7; Ezek. xxvii. 26). Tarshish, called Tartesus by the Greeks, was rich in the precious metals-as Ezekiel says, "all riches, silver, iron, tin, and lead." Their opulence is often referred to by classical writers; and in later Roman times 40,000 miners were at work, and 25,000 drachmas of silver was the yield to the Roman republic. The principal difficulty about the locality of Tarshish lies in the comparison of 1 Ki. xxii. 48 with 2 Chr. xx. 36. TARSUS (Acts xxi. 39)-the chief town of the ancient Cilicia, and the birthplace of the apostle Paul-was situated on the river Cydnus, about 6 miles from its mouth, and, like Alexandria, was celebrated both for its commerce and literature. When Cilicia became a Roman province, Tarsus received from the emperor Augustus the privileges of a Roman colony. Hence Paul speaks of himself as free-born, and claims the immunities of a Roman citizen (Acts xxii. 28). The privileges of this city made it the resort of many wealthy and learned men, and was the occasion of its rising to great commercial eminence, and to be highly distinguished as a seat of learning. In regard to the latter, profane historians say that in philosophy and polite literature the schools of Tarsus even excelled those of Athens and Alexandria. Paul was indebted to his native city not only for his privileges of Roman citizenship, but for his literary acquirements. TARTAK (2 Ki. xvii. 31)-a god of the Avites, settled in Samaria, said to be worshipped under the form of an ass. TARTAN (2 Ki. xviii. 17; Isa. xx. 1) may be, like the other names Rabsaris and Rabshakeh, an official title, and may mean commander-in-chief. TAVERNS. (See THREE TAVERNS.) TAXING (Luke ii. 1). For the connection of Cyrenius with this taxing, see CYRENIUS. Objections have been made to the statement of the evangelist on a variety of grounds. It is said that during the reign of Augustus, history informs us of nothing beyond the censuses of single provinces; that admitting general census of the empire to have occurred, it could not have been taken in Judea at the time Jesus was born, because Judea during the reign of Herod was not a Roman province; that if such a census were taken in Judea by the Romans, they would not have obliged Joseph to travel to the city of his ancestors, because their rule was to take the census in the place of actual residence; that the journeying of Mary to be enrolled, considering her situation, is doubtful; and that, even if a census was taken at about the time Christ was born, Luke, in affirming that it occurred during the procuratorship of Quirinus, under whom a census was actually taken ten years later, has at least confounded the two. |