We Royal Arch Freemasons, in the American System, call in which we dwell and do our business - A Tabernacle. The word Tabernacle means a tent - coming from the Latin word Taberna which was used by the Romans to denote a soldiers tent. It was constructed of planks and covered with skins, and its’ outward appearance presented the exact form of a Jewish Tabernacle, or Mishcan as they called it. In the English system the Royal Arch Chapter represents the ancient Sanhedrim where Zerrubabel, Hagai, and Joshua administered the Law.

The Scriptures vividly enlightens us of the various forms or manners in which Tabernacles were constructed and what they were used for through the ages.

There was the Ante-Sinatic Tabernacle which was used as a tent, perhaps from the beginning of Exodus, for the transaction of business, and was situated some distance from the camp.

The next Tabernacle which evolved is one we all are familiar with. The Sinaitic Tabernacle which was constructed by Aholiab and Bezaleel under the immediate direction of Moses.

As the Anti-Sinatic Tabernacle was situated some distance from the camp - The Sinatic Tabernacle of Moses was at the very center of the camp with its’ door or entrance facing the East, and was placed towards the Western part of an enclosed or outward court.

The Davidic Tabernacle in time took the place of that which had been constructed by Moses. The old or Sinatic Tabernacle accompanied the Israelites in all their wandering and was their only Temple until David took possession of Jerusalem. From that time it remained in Gibeon, and there is no account of its removal thence, but when David removed the Ark to Jerusalem, he erected a Tabernacle for its’ reception. Here the Priest performed their daily duties and services until Solomon erected a Temple, and when the Ark was deposited in the Holy of Hollies - the Davidic Tabernacle was put away as a relic. Probably later burned during the destruction of the Temple.

American Royal Arch Freemasonry myth tells us that, "They traveled over rough and rugged roads - over rivers & mountains until, at length, after a toilsome and dreary march of more than four (4) months, they arrived at that city, where they erected a tabernacle near the ruins of the old temple.

It says they "….erected a tabernacle," yet the Scriptures informs us that there were no more than the three already mentioned - The Ante-Sinatic, The Sinatic, and the Davidic.

The Royal Arch degree goes on to tell us that this tabernacle like that built by Moses was an oblong, and situated due East and West.

Once again there is no historical evidence to prove that the erection of such a temple ever took place.

We are left to believe that the Temple of Zerrubabel is nothing but a myth with no historical foundation, but for the writers of the American Royal Arch degree to go through so much trouble to fabricate such an amazing story it must have been for the sole purpose of developing and communicating symbolism. A symbolism which is contained and understood by few and the privileged in the Royal Arch Emblem and its’ Veils.

The belief that the tabernacle of Zerrubabel was an exact representation of that erected by Moses, arose from the numerous allusions to it in the writings of Rev. Dr. George Oliver and in the American System by Thomas Smith Webb, and Jeremy L. Cross.

Mackey writes, "There is no harm in calling it a Tabernacle any more than there is in calling it a Sanhedrim, provided we do not fall into the error of supposing that either was actually its’ character."

Although as all myths that Freemasonry provided, this degree gives us a fund of useful instruction.

written by Past High Priest David L. Gray in May of 1997
communicated in June of 1997
at Lincoln Chapter #2 RAM PHA
for Zerrubabel Day