NUMBER TEN (10-15)

(Message by Tanny Keng)

0. Introduction

a) In the Bible the number 10 is used 242 times in scripture and "10th" is used 79 times. A historically significant number, 10 signifies testimony, law and responsibility. The number ten is also viewed as a complete number, as is 3, 7 and 12. Ten is made up of 4, the number of the physical creation, and 6, the number of man. It is interesting to note what other mention(s) for 10 can be found in the Bible.

1. How does the number ten related to the Tabernacle?

a) The tabernacle is spoken of ten times as the "Tabernacle of Witness," or "Tabernacle of Testimony." Of these, five are mish-kahn, Exodus 38:21; Numbers 1:50,53 (twice), 10:11. This has special reference to the Tabernacle as the dwelling-place of God, from shahcan, "to dwell." Mish-kahn means the dwelling-place of God (Exodus 25:8), and is therefore never used by the Holy Spirit of "whole congregation."

b) The other five are oh-el, Numbers 17:7,8,10, 18:2; 2 Chronicles 24:6. Oh-el means simply a tent, and has special reference to the meeting-place of the people by appointment or at appointed seasons. This is the word which is used by the Holy Spirit of the "tent of the congregation."

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