Attempted depictions of the structure of the Tabernacle vary rather widely. Like the dwellings of desert nomads, it was a temporary structure, easy to assemble and disassemble, easy to transport. There is a lot of difficulty in determining the precise meaning of much of the terminology used to describe the construction. The general description that follows reflects the opinion of most scholars, and it should be sufficient to assist the translator in his task. The individual parts will be described separately.
The Tabernacle complex consisted of two main structures. There was an outer wall made of poles and curtains. This defined the borders of the courtyard. Entry into the courtyard was through an opening in the eastern side of the outer wall. The Hebrew word mishkan is sometimes used to indicate the entire complex. More often, however, it means the second structure, the large tent that stood inside the enclosed complex. It is for this latter structure that we use the word Tabernacle here.
The Tabernacle was basically a tent spread over a framework. The framework was made of a series of individual frames that were joined together. A frame was made of five pieces of acacia wood. Two long uprights were joined at the top, the middle, and near the bottom by crosspieces or rungs. The ends of the uprights extended below the bottom rung. These two extensions, technically called tenons, fit into corresponding holes in a heavy silver base, which was the same width as the frame. The frames on their bases were set side-by-side, forming a wall. This frame wall was then made stable by inserting bars through three lines of rings that were attached to the frames. There were three such frame walls; the east side had no wall but only an entrance of curtains hung from poles.
The top and sides of the Tabernacle were covered by four layers of different materials. The inner layer, which would have been visible on the inside above and through the openings in the frames, was made of embroidered linen (see Linen and Embroidered cloth, needlework). This layer stretched out over the top of the frame from one side to the other. In this way it formed the ceiling and hung down on both sides to within about 50 centimeters (20 inches) of the ground. Over top of the entire structure were spread three layers intended to protect the frames, the linen curtains, and the implements inside the Tabernacle. While the outer layers were not decorated (except that one was dyed red) and would not have been particularly attractive, they were chosen for their ability to protect against rain, even the relatively small amounts that fall in the Sinai region. Spreading the four layers over the top had the effect of giving the Tabernacle a flat roof, not sloped, and thus it would have resembled a box. The outer layers were longer than the linen layer and hung down to the ground. One end was left open as an entrance.
A number of the objects for the Tabernacle were constructed according to the same basic pattern. For example, the top coverings of the sanctuary were made of two pieces and joined together with a system of hooks and rings. Similarly, the curtain in front of the Most Holy Place was hung on hooks by means of rings sewn into the fabric, and the same method was used to hang the curtains that formed the outer boundary of the courtyard as well as the curtain that closed the entrance to the Holy Place. All of these curtains were held up in the same basic way, by wooden posts that stood in heavy metal bases. Once a translator has determined the proper words to use for ring, hook, post, base, and curtain, the same words should be employed throughout.
Several of the items in the Tabernacle were made of acacia wood (shitah in Hebrew).
Even in languages where there is no particular difficulty in translating the individual parts of the Tabernacle, it will be good to include some kind of illustration or diagram.