---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We may compare the Bible to the Old…"
description: "\"We may compare the Bible to the Old Testament Tabernacle in the wilderness with its three courts. The outer court is the letter of the Scriptures; the ..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d7f/arthur-tappan-pierson-37882_bible_we-may-compare-the-bible-to-the-old-test_373438.jpg"
---

#  We may compare the Bible to the Old Testament Tabernacle…

![“We may compare the Bible to the Old Testament Tabernacle in the wilderness with its three courts. The outer court is the letter of the Scriptures; the inner court, or holy place, is the truth of the Scriptures; the holiest place of all is the person of Jesus Christ; and only when we pass the…” quote by Arthur Tappan Pierson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d7f/arthur-tappan-pierson-37882_bible_we-may-compare-the-bible-to-the-old-test_373438.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d7f/arthur-tappan-pierson-37882_bible_we-may-compare-the-bible-to-the-old-test_373438.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d7f/arthur-tappan-pierson-37882_bible_we-may-compare-the-bible-to-the-old-test_373438.jpg)

> “We may compare the Bible to the Old Testament Tabernacle in the wilderness with its three courts. The outer court is the letter of the Scriptures; the inner court, or holy place, is the truth of the Scriptures; the holiest place of all is the person of Jesus Christ; and only when we pass the inmost veil do we come to Him.”

[Arthur Tappan Pierson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-tappan-pierson/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The quote likens stages of biblical understanding to the three courts of the Tabernacle, culminating in personal encounter with Christ as the ultimate truth.

**In simple terms:** Understanding moves from words to truth to Christ.

Key Takeaway

Seek deeper relationship beyond doctrine.

Themes

faith interpretation spiritual growth

Mood

contemplative reverent

Type

theological educational

When to use this quote

- Bible study
- church teaching
- personal devotion
- missionary work

Key Concepts

theology symbolism personal revelation

Questions to Reflect On

- How does personal experience reshape scriptural meaning?
- What barriers keep believers from entering the innermost court?

A Different Perspective

It may overlook those who view scripture purely historically.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bible/) [Christ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christ/) [Compare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compare/) [Compare Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compare-bible-3081048/) [Court](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/court/) [Courts Outer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/courts-outer-3402181/) [Holy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/holy/) [Holy places](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/holy-places/) [Jesus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jesus/) [Jesus christ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jesus-christ/) [Letter Scriptures](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/letter-scriptures-3402182/) [Letters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/letters/) [May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/may/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Old testament](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/old-testament/) [Persons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/persons/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Scripture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scripture/) [Scriptures Inner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scriptures-inner-3402180/) [Tabernacle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tabernacle/) [Testament](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/testament/) [Three](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/three/) [Veils](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/veils/) [Wilderness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wilderness/)

## Related quotes

> [I know of no book which has been a source of brutality and sadistic conduct, both public and private, that can compare with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-paget/i-know-of-no-book-which-has-been-a-source-of-brutality-and-sadistic/)

[James Paget](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-paget/)

> [Do you realize that Jesus is there in the tabernacle expressly for you- for you alone? He burns with the desire to come into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/do-you-realize-that-jesus-is-there-in-the-tabernacle-expressly-for/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“In the Tabernacle there were no seats. The Israelites didn’t go there to sit and be ministered to, and they certainly didn’t go there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-macarthur-jr/in-the-tabernacle-there-were-no-seats-the-israelites-didn-t-go-there/)

[John F. MacArthur Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-macarthur-jr/)

> [To withdraw from creatures and repose with Jesus in the Tabernacle is my delight; there I can hide myself and seek rest. There I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/to-withdraw-from-creatures-and-repose-with-jesus-in-the-tabernacle-is/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [We show our adoration by going to visit Christ in the tabernacle or exposed in the monstrance. Would it not indeed be a failing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/columba-marmion/we-show-our-adoration-by-going-to-visit-christ-in-the-tabernacle-or/)

[Columba Marmion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/columba-marmion/)

> [The shop, the barn, the scullery, and the smithy become temples when men and women do all to the glory of God! The "divine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/the-shop-the-barn-the-scullery-and-the-smithy-become-temples-when-men/)

[Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/)

> [“And those who will carefully study the so-called 'Mosaic code' contained in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers, will see that, though Jahveh's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-henry-huxley/and-those-who-will-carefully-study-the-so-called-mosaic-code/)

[Thomas Henry Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-henry-huxley/)

> [When you approach the tabernacle remember that he has been waiting for you for twenty centuries.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josemaria-escriva/when-you-approach-the-tabernacle-remember-that-he-has-been-waiting/)

[Josemaria Escriva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josemaria-escriva/)

> [We are now in the mountains and they are in us, kindling enthusiasm, making every nerve quiver, filling every pore and cell of us.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-muir/we-are-now-in-the-mountains-and-they-are-in-us-kindling-enthusiasm/)

[John Muir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-muir/)

> [To separate tabernacle from altar is to separate two things which by their origin and nature should remain united.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-pius-xii/to-separate-tabernacle-from-altar-is-to-separate-two-things-which-by/)

[Pope Pius XII](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-pius-xii/)

> [My television is the tabernacle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mother-teresa/my-television-is-the-tabernacle/)

[Mother Teresa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mother-teresa/)

> [It appears a bold thing to say so when one sees how much many a modern author who knows how to make a skilful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julius-wellhausen/it-appears-a-bold-thing-to-say-so-when-one-sees-how-much-many-a/)

[Julius Wellhausen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julius-wellhausen/)

> [Do you not see the Madonna always beside the tabernacle?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/do-you-not-see-the-madonna-always-beside-the-tabernacle/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [No matter how much tarnish you think is on the tabernacle of your heart, you still shine because of God's love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-r-woodward/no-matter-how-much-tarnish-you-think-is-on-the-tabernacle-of-your/)

[Mark R. Woodward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-r-woodward/)

> [“St. Bruno of Asti, who says: " The first tabernacle, therefore, is the Synagogue; the second, the Church; the third, Heaven. . . .…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-pohle/st-bruno-of-asti-who-says-the-first-tabernacle-therefore-is-the/)

[Joseph Pohle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-pohle/)

## More by Arthur Tappan Pierson

> [The Word of God represents all the possibilities of God as at the disposal of true prayer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-tappan-pierson/the-word-of-god-represents-all-the-possibilities-of-god-as-at-the/)

[Arthur Tappan Pierson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-tappan-pierson/)

> [Jesus stands absolutely alone in history; in teaching, in example, in character, an exception, a marvel, and He is Himself the evidence of Christianity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-tappan-pierson/jesus-stands-absolutely-alone-in-history-in-teaching-in-example-in/)

[Arthur Tappan Pierson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-tappan-pierson/)

> [A marble cutter, with chisel and hammer, was changing a stone into a statue. A preacher looking on said: "I wish I could deal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-tappan-pierson/a-marble-cutter-with-chisel-and-hammer-was-changing-a-stone-into-a/)

[Arthur Tappan Pierson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-tappan-pierson/)

> [Let the Spirit be lacking, and there may be wisdom of words, but not the wisdom of God; the powers of oratory, but not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-tappan-pierson/let-the-spirit-be-lacking-and-there-may-be-wisdom-of-words-but-not/)

[Arthur Tappan Pierson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-tappan-pierson/)

> [Every step in the progress of missions is directly traceable to prayer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-tappan-pierson/every-step-in-the-progress-of-missions-is-directly-traceable-to-prayer/)

[Arthur Tappan Pierson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-tappan-pierson/)

> [Closet communion needs time for the revelation of God's presence. It is vain to say, "I have too much work to do to find…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-tappan-pierson/closet-communion-needs-time-for-the-revelation-of-god-s-presence-it/)

[Arthur Tappan Pierson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-tappan-pierson/)

> [From all human oracles, however self-confident, we turn at last to the inspired Word, where instead of ambiguous and untrustworthy utterances, we find teachings…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-tappan-pierson/from-all-human-oracles-however-self-confident-we-turn-at-last-to-the/)

[Arthur Tappan Pierson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-tappan-pierson/)

> [The supreme test of service is this: For whom am I doing this? Much that we call service to Christ is not such at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-tappan-pierson/the-supreme-test-of-service-is-this-for-whom-am-i-doing-this-much/)

[Arthur Tappan Pierson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-tappan-pierson/)

> [God has no greater controversy with His people today than this, that with boundless promises to believing prayer, there are so few who actually…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-tappan-pierson/god-has-no-greater-controversy-with-his-people-today-than-this-that/)

[Arthur Tappan Pierson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-tappan-pierson/)

> [There has never been a spiritual awakening in any country or locality that did not begin in united prayer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-tappan-pierson/there-has-never-been-a-spiritual-awakening-in-any-country-or-locality/)

[Arthur Tappan Pierson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-tappan-pierson/)

> [Partial examination will result in partial views of truth, which are necessarily imperfect; only careful comparisons will show the complete mind of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-tappan-pierson/partial-examination-will-result-in-partial-views-of-truth-which-are/)

[Arthur Tappan Pierson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-tappan-pierson/)

[Explore all 12 Arthur Tappan Pierson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-tappan-pierson/)

## More Bible quotes

> [I think a new world will arise out of the religious mists when we approach our Bible with the idea that it is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/i-think-a-new-world-will-arise-out-of-the-religious-mists-when-we/)

[Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/)

> [From Augustine down, theologians have tried to compel people to accept their special interpretation of the Scripture, and the tortures of the inquisition, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matilda-joslyn-gage/from-augustine-down-theologians-have-tried-to-compel-people-to-accept/)

[Matilda Joslyn Gage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matilda-joslyn-gage/)

> [“God hates Hell. He hates the idea of people going there. He hates it so much that He was willing to take on human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-minton/god-hates-hell-he-hates-the-idea-of-people-going-there-he-hates-it-so/)

[Evan Minton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-minton/)

> [“The Devil can cite Scripture for his purpose, Sergeant,’ Anthony Payne replied. ‘That is from The Merchant of Venice, but it holds great truth.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-arnold/the-devil-can-cite-scripture-for-his-purpose-sergeant-anthony-payne/)

[Michael Arnold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-arnold/)

> [When you put your hand on the Bible, you are saying something much stronger than just telling your peers that you're going to tell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-greenwood/when-you-put-your-hand-on-the-bible-you-are-saying-something-much/)

[Lee Greenwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-greenwood/)

> [“Scripture also teaches that human beings are morally responsible creatures”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-peterson/scripture-also-teaches-that-human-beings-are-morally-responsible/)

[Robert A. Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-peterson/)

> [“The wife of a junior officer cooped up in a horrible canvas partition in steerage for five months wrote: "I had enjoyed much peace…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-taylor/the-wife-of-a-junior-officer-cooped-up-in-a-horrible-canvas-partition/)

[Stephen Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-taylor/)

> [O Word of God incarnate . . . It is the golden casket Where gems of truth are stored; It is the heaven-drawn picture…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walsham-how/o-word-of-god-incarnate-it-is-the-golden-casket-where-gems-of-truth/)

[Walsham How](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walsham-how/)

> [How can I trust that the Bible is reliable?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-horton/how-can-i-trust-that-the-bible-is-reliable/)

[Michael Horton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-horton/)

> [Every plant which my heavenly father has not planted with be uprooted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesus-christ/every-plant-which-my-heavenly-father-has-not-planted-with-be-uprooted/)

[Jesus Christ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesus-christ/)

> [Where I come from you're not raised to think on your own. It's not that you're pushed to read the Bible. The Bible is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abel-ferrara/where-i-come-from-you-re-not-raised-to-think-on-your-own-it-s-not/)

[Abel Ferrara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abel-ferrara/)

> [“I felt like praying or something, when I was in bed, but I couldn't do it. I can't always pray when I feel like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-d-salinger/i-felt-like-praying-or-something-when-i-was-in-bed-but-i-couldn-t-do/)

[J.D. Salinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-d-salinger/)

> [What comes to mind when you think of heaven? Heaven is referred to in fifty-four of the Bible's sixty-six books, and the final two…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-jeremiah/what-comes-to-mind-when-you-think-of-heaven-heaven-is-referred-to-in/)

[David Jeremiah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-jeremiah/)

> [“While it is in one sense a result of God’s presence within us, the New Testament also describes a process involved in our “putting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dallas-willard/while-it-is-in-one-sense-a-result-of-god-s-presence-within-us-the-new/)

[Dallas Willard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dallas-willard/)

> [The definition of a Church is crystal clear in the New Testament. We see the picture of it. They came together the first day…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-macarthur/the-definition-of-a-church-is-crystal-clear-in-the-new-testament-we/)

[John MacArthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-macarthur/)

[Browse all 8,465 Bible quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bible/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "We may compare the Bible to the Old Testament Tabernacle in the wilderness with its three courts. The outer court is the letter of the Scriptures; the inner court, or holy place, is the truth of the Scriptures; the holiest place of all is the person of Jesus Christ; and only when we pass the inmost veil do we come to Him.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Arthur Tappan Pierson"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-tappan-pierson/we-may-compare-the-bible-to-the-old-testament-tabernacle-in-the/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Bible"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-tappan-pierson/we-may-compare-the-bible-to-the-old-testament-tabernacle-in-the/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d7f/arthur-tappan-pierson-37882_bible_we-may-compare-the-bible-to-the-old-test_373438.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d7f/arthur-tappan-pierson-37882_bible_we-may-compare-the-bible-to-the-old-test_373438.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d7f/arthur-tappan-pierson-37882_bible_we-may-compare-the-bible-to-the-old-test_373438.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“We may compare the Bible to the Old Testament Tabernacle in the wilderness with its three courts. The outer…” — Arthur Tappan Pierson",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Arthur Tappan Pierson",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-tappan-pierson/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "We may compare the Bible to...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-tappan-pierson/we-may-compare-the-bible-to-the-old-testament-tabernacle-in-the/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-tappan-pierson/we-may-compare-the-bible-to-the-old-testament-tabernacle-in-the/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
