Symbols of Christ in the Tabernacle of Moses

Altar of Incense

Incense signified the prayers of the righteous. The altar of incense, located directly in front of the temple’s veil, specified that prayer (incense) and Christ (the veil) are the mediators by which one can approach God in the Holy of Holies (Ex. 30:1–10).

Altar, Sacrificial

The sacrificial altar is associated with blood sacrifices of various kinds, which pointed forward to Jesus Christ, the ultimate and infinite sacrifice.

Anointing with Oil

Anointings were performed in the tabernacle (Ex. 30:26–27; 40:9) and on its altar (Ex. 29:36; 40:10). Prophets (1 Kgs. 19:16; D&C 124:56–57), priests (Ex. 28:41; D&C 68:20), and kings (Jacob 1:9; Ether 6:22) were anointed in similitude of the Anointed One, who is Christ and the Messiah.

Ark of the Covenant

The ark, associated with Deity, brought blessings to believers of the Israelite faith (Josh. 3–4; 1 Sam. 7:1; 2 Sam. 6:2–17) and cursings to the unbelievers (Josh. 6; 1 Sam. 5:1–7; 6:19–20).

Blood, Sprinkling of

The blood of sacrificial victims that was sprinkled on the temple altar, on Aaron and his sons, on the cleansed leper, and on the mercy seat (Ex. 29:16, 20–21; Lev. 14:7; 16:14) pointed to Christ’s blood (Heb. 12:24; 1 Pet. 1:2).

Horns of Altar

The lord is “the horn of . . . salvation” (2 Sam. 22:3), a possible reference to the horns of the altar, whereon was placed the blood of the sin offering (Ex. 29:12). Horns are representative of power and strength (1 Sam. 2:10; Ps. 75:10; Jer. 48:25).

Jar of Manna

The jar of manna was kept in the ark. Manna, which saved the children of Israel temporally, represented Jesus Christ, the “living bread,” who saves His people everlastingly (John 6:48–51).

Lampstand

Various parts of the lamp related to Jesus: olive oil pointed to Christ, who is the One Anointed; light symbolized Jesus, who is the light of the world (John 1:9; 8:12); the seven branches formed a tree, representing Jesus as the tree of life; and the number of branches—seven—signified perfection, pointing to Jesus’s perfection.

Laver of Brass

Ablutions, or ritual washings (Heb. 9:10; D&C 124:37), symbolized the cleansing of the soul from sin; it was one method the lord employed to symbolize the washing away of the filth of His people (Isa. 4:4).

Mercy Seat

The mercy seat, or lord’s throne of atonement (Hebrew kapporet), was a focal point of atonement and kingship.

Rod of Aaron

The rod of Aaron was kept in the ark. The rod was a symbol of Jesus—His chosenness, His regal power, His priesthood authority, and His ability to give life (Ex. 4:2–4; 7:9–20; Num. 17:2–10; Ps. 23:4).

Sacrifices

Sacrifices were direct similitudes of Christ’s atoning sacrifice.

Shewbread

The bread, eaten by the priests, anticipated the emblems of the lord’s sacrament. Some scholars maintain that wine was placed alongside the bread. Shewbread literally means “bread of presence,” referring to God’s presence.

Tabernacle

The tabernacle anticipated Christ’s body, the perfect tabernacle or temple (Ps. 90:1; Ezek. 11:16; Heb. 8:2).

Two Tablets of Stone

The stone tablets, which were kept in the ark, represented Christ, who is the Lawgiver (Isa. 33:22) and the Word of God (Rev. 19:13).

Veil

The veil was representative of the flesh of the Savior (Heb. 10:20), showing that the crucified lord (the veil) stands between individuals and the presence of God.