Exodus 33:7
ESV
Now Moses used to take the tent and pitch it outside the camp, far off from the camp, and he called it the tent of meeting. And everyone who sought the Lord would go out to the tent of meeting, which was outside the camp.
NIV
Now Moses used to take a tent and pitch it outside the camp some distance away, calling it the "tent of meeting." Anyone inquiring of the Lord would go to the tent of meeting outside the camp.
NASB
Now Moses used to take the tent and pitch it outside the camp, a good distance from the camp, and he called it the tent of meeting. And everyone who sought the Lord would go out to the tent of meeting which was outside the camp.
CSB
Now Moses took a tent and pitched it outside the camp, at a distance from the camp; he called it the tent of meeting. Anyone who wanted to consult the Lord would go to the tent of meeting that was outside the camp.
NLT
It was Moses’ practice to take the Tent of Meeting and set it up some distance from the camp. Everyone who wanted to make a request of the Lord would go to the Tent of Meeting outside the camp.
KJV
And Moses took the tabernacle, and pitched it without the camp, afar off from the camp, and called it the Tabernacle of the congregation. And it came to pass, that every one which sought the Lord went out unto the tabernacle of the congregation, which was without the camp.
NKJV
Moses took his tent and pitched it outside the camp, far from the camp, and called it the tabernacle of meeting. And it came to pass that everyone who sought the Lord went out to the tabernacle of meeting which was outside the camp.
What does Exodus 33:7 mean?
God commanded Israel to make a large, elaborate tent called a "tabernacle." This was part of the sanctuary which would serve as a portable temple (Exodus 25:8–9). The designs are given to Moses as he speaks with the Lord on Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:20; 24:18). During that time, the people resort to idolatry (Exodus 32:1–6). They have already violated the covenant (Exodus 32:19). So, God took His presence away from the nation (Exodus 33:1–3).To meet with Moses during this time, God comes to a tent outside of the camp. This further symbolizes the separation caused by sin. This is called the "tent of meeting." There, the Lord will display a pillar of clouds when He speaks with Moses (Exodus 13:21–22; 33:9). Joshua (Exodus 17:8–9; 32:17) will guard the tent when Moses is not there (Exodus 33:11). People could approach this place for guidance, but clearly only Moses was allowed inside.
