by Tony Badillo Importance of tabnit, the ‘plan’ The key to the
Temple’s secrets is in the floor plan and layout of its
furnishings. The “plan” or “pattern” (Heb., tabnit) of its
structure and furniture is mentioned I Chronicles 28:11, 12, 19.
Tabnit is also translated as design, structure, figure, form,
likeness, and shape. Thus, in Deuteronomy 4:16-18 the Israelites
are forbidden making any likeness, form, or figure of a human or
beast for worship. In Ezekiel 8:10 the prophet sees repulsive
forms or figures of creeping beasts, but in 8:3 he is lifted up
by the form or figure of God’s hand or an angel’s (see also
10:8); and in Psalms 144:12 sons and daughters are compared to
choice cut stones giving shape or form to a palace (see the
Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh).Tabnit generally refers to
the form of something. King David received Divine inspiration
for the form, i.e., plan or pattern of the Temple; and before
him at Sinai Moses heard God’s verbal instructions for the form
of the Mishkan (tabernacle)