OpenSynonym

tabernacles

/ˈtæbərnəkəlz/

NOUN

1. Temporary dwellings or shelters

Temporary structures used as dwellings or shelters, such as huts, tents, or booths.

1.1. Temporary shelters and structures

Refers to temporary buildings or structures that provide shelter or accommodation, often used during travel, religious gatherings, or outdoor activities.

Synonyms

Examples

  • The ancient tabernacles stood as temporary shelters for the traveling community.
  • The families gathered inside their tabernacles during the festival.

Related Words

NOUN

2. Sacred portable sanctuary of the Israelites

The portable tent sanctuary used by the Israelites before the construction of the Jerusalem Temple, believed to be the dwelling place of God's presence.

2.1. Biblical sanctuary

Refers to the sacred tent described in the Hebrew Bible, where the Israelites performed religious ceremonies and worshipped during their wilderness journey.

Synonyms

Examples

  • The ancient tabernacles served as sacred places of worship during the Israelites' wilderness journey.
  • The priests performed religious ceremonies within the tabernacles.

Related Words

  • Ark of the Covenant
  • Shekinah
  • Holy of Holies
  • altar
  • priesthood
  • Mosaic worship

NOUN

3. Jewish Temple in Jerusalem

A term used by extension for the Jewish Temple at Jerusalem, regarded as continuing the religious functions of the earlier portable tabernacle.

3.1. Temple as a continuation of the tabernacle

Refers to the Jerusalem Temple as the permanent center of Jewish worship that succeeded the portable sanctuary used by the Israelites.

Synonyms

Examples

  • The ancient tabernacles were remembered as predecessors of the Jerusalem Temple.

Related Words

  • Jerusalem
  • Temple Mount
  • Holy of Holies
  • altar
  • Jewish worship
  • priesthood

NOUN

4. Portable shrine for religious worship

A movable sacred structure or shrine used in religious ceremonies, particularly in forms of worship outside established religious traditions.

4.1. Portable religious shrines

Describes movable sacred structures used as places of worship or for housing objects associated with religious rituals.

Synonyms

Examples

  • The portable tabernacles were carried during the ceremonial procession.

Related Words

  • altars
  • reliquaries
  • idols
  • rituals
  • ceremonies

NOUN

5. Booths used during the Jewish Feast of Sukkot

Temporary booths or shelters constructed and used during the Jewish festival of Sukkot to commemorate the Israelites' journey through the wilderness.

5.1. Sukkot festival booths

Refers to temporary outdoor structures, also known as sukkot or sukkahs, where Jewish families gather, eat, and sometimes sleep during the Feast of Tabernacles.

Synonyms

  • sukkot
  • sukkahs
  • booths
  • huts

Examples

  • Families decorated their tabernacles with branches and fruit during the festival.
  • Children gathered inside the tabernacles to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles.

Related Words

  • Sukkot
  • Feast of Tabernacles
  • harvest festival
  • Jewish tradition
  • wilderness

NOUN

6. Containers for the reserved Eucharist

Small, ornamented cupboards or boxes in churches used to store the consecrated Eucharistic sacrament.

6.1. Eucharistic storage containers

Refers to secure and often decorated receptacles, usually placed prominently in Roman Catholic churches, where consecrated hosts are reserved.

Synonyms

Examples

  • The priests carefully placed the consecrated hosts inside the tabernacles after the services.

Related Words

  • Eucharist
  • Blessed Sacrament
  • consecrated hosts
  • altar
  • tabernacle lamp

NOUN

7. Temporary places of religious worship

Temporary venues, especially tents, established for religious services, revival meetings, and public worship gatherings.

7.1. Tent meeting venues

Refers to temporary structures used to accommodate congregations during religious gatherings, evangelistic campaigns, and revival meetings.

Synonyms

Examples

  • The tabernacles were filled with worshippers attending the revival meetings.
  • Several temporary tabernacles were erected to accommodate the large religious gatherings.

Related Words

  • revivals
  • congregations
  • preaching
  • evangelism
  • worship services

NOUN

8. Houses of worship

Buildings or established places used for religious worship, particularly churches associated with the Mormon tradition.

8.1. Religious buildings and congregational worship

Refers broadly to permanent religious buildings serving as places of worship, prayer, and community gatherings across different religious traditions.

Synonyms

Examples

  • The ancient tabernacles stood as silent witnesses to centuries of worship.
  • Whispers of prayers echoed within the sacred walls of the hidden tabernacles.
  • Pilgrims traveled far and wide to seek blessings at the revered tabernacles.

Related Words

NOUN

9. Abodes or dwelling places

Places of habitation or temporary dwelling, including the human body when figuratively regarded as the temporary home of the soul or life.

9.1. The body as a dwelling place of the soul

Used figuratively to describe the human body as a temporary dwelling or vessel inhabited by the soul or spirit during life.

Synonyms

Examples

  • The philosopher described human bodies as tabernacles for the soul.

Related Words

NOUN

10. Devices for folding a boat mast

Hinged mechanisms that allow a boat's mast to fold down from its upright position for transportation or passage beneath bridges.

10.1. Boat mast folding mechanisms

Refers to hinged fittings that allow a mast to be lowered approximately 90 degrees from its vertical position, making it easier to transport a boat on a trailer or pass under low bridges.

Synonyms

  • mast hinges
  • mast-folding hinges

Examples

  • The sailors inspected the tabernacles before lowering the masts for transport.

Related Words

  • mast
  • sailboat
  • hinge
  • boat trailer
  • rigging
  • bridge clearance