Anatomy of Man

When God created human beings, He created them with three parts: body, soul, and spirit.

The Body

The body is the outer part of a person that can be seen and touched physically. It is a temporary dwelling, an earthly tent made from the dust of the ground (Gen. 2:7; 2 Cor. 5:1). It consists of cells, tissue, organs, and organ systems that operate to keep it functioning and healthy. As a divinely created tent, its design is seen in the Tabernacle.

The Tabernacle In the Human Body

The human body is the dwelling place of an individual’s eternal spirit while they live on earth (2 Cor. 5:1). In Scripture, it is said to be a house, a home, a tent, a tabernacle, and a temple (John 2:19-21), all of which were ancient dwelling places, and all of which are places of worship. The Temple specifically is designed after the Tabernacle, which God instructed Moses to build after the Israelites were delivered from Egypt. It was to be a holy sanctuary and their designated place of national worship (Ex. 25:8). The Tabernacle was also a tent, and God gave Moses detailed instructions regarding its construction. Its design reflects the Tabernacle in heaven (Heb. 8:5) and also the human body.

The Soul

The soul is the inner part of a person that can not be physically touched. Every person has a soul, regardless of their standing with God. It is connected to the body, and is composed of the mind, heart, spirit, and will. The soul is also the place of emotions. Each part of the soul is intertwined with the other parts, affecting different parts of the soul while also affecting the body.

The Spirit

The spirit is the innermost part of a person and is not to be confused with the emotional part of the soul. This is the immortal part of a person that will live for eternity (Eccl. 12:7). The spirit has a makeup that correlates with the physical body.