The Tabernacle Pre-Figured

In the ancient Near East, where cosmos and cult were of a piece, temples
were the architectural




embodiment of the cosmic mountain. This monograph explores how the
mountain narratives of the




Hebrew Bible canonically preceding the establishment of the tabernacle
cultus may therefore serve




to prefigure that cultus. Examining the creation, deluge, and exodus
accounts in light of cosmic




mountain ideology, the study develops a cosmogonic pattern of being
delivered through the waters




to the mountain of God for worship. As a symbol for approaching the
divine Presence, this pattern




is ultimately cultic, and includes a gate liturgy running as an
undercurrent through each narrative.




Moses alone, for example, is permitted ascent to the summit of Sinai, a
role later mimicked by the




high priest's annual entrance into the holy of holies. From Adam's
descent of the holy mountain to




the high priest's "ascent" of the architectural mountain of God, The
Tabernacle Pre-Figured makes a




compelling case that to dwell in the divine Presence via the tabernacle
cultus presents a mediated




return to the original telos of the cosmos.