King James Version

What Does Exodus 33:7 Mean?

Exodus 33:7 in the King James Version says “And Moses took the tabernacle, and pitched it without the camp, afar off from the camp, and called it the Tabernacle of ...” — study this verse from Exodus chapter 33 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Exodus 33:7 · KJV

Context

5

For the LORD had said unto Moses, Say unto the children of Israel, Ye are a stiffnecked people: I will come up into the midst of thee in a moment, and consume thee: therefore now put off thy ornaments from thee, that I may know what to do unto thee.

6

And the children of Israel stripped themselves of their ornaments by the mount Horeb.

7

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.

8

And it came to pass, when Moses went out unto the tabernacle, that all the people rose up, and stood every man at his tent door, and looked after Moses, until he was gone into the tabernacle.

9

And it came to pass, as Moses entered into the tabernacle, the cloudy pillar descended, and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and the LORD talked with Moses.

Read Exodus 33 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Moses took the tabernacle, and pitched it without the camp, afar off—This is the 'tent of meeting' (אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד, ohel mo'ed), distinct from the later tabernacle (mishkan) not yet constructed. Moses establishes it outside the camp, symbolizing God's separation from sinful Israel. The distance emphasizes estrangement. Yet God still meets with those who seek Him—anyone could go out to the tent, showing that access remains through mediation. This temporary arrangement prefigures Christ outside the camp (Hebrews 13:11-13).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This tent of meeting preceded the elaborate tabernacle constructed in chapters 35-40. It served as a temporary meeting place during the crisis period after the golden calf incident and before reconciliation was fully established.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this physical separation illustrate the spiritual reality of sin's effect on fellowship with God?
  2. In what ways does Moses' tent of meeting point forward to Christ, who bore our separation outside the camp?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 26 words
וּמֹשֶׁה֩1 of 26

“And Moses”

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

יִקַּ֨ח2 of 26

“took”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

אֶת3 of 26
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אֹ֣הֶל4 of 26

“it the Tabernacle”

H168

a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)

וְנָֽטָה5 of 26

“and pitched”

H5186

to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)

ל֣וֹ׀6 of 26
H0
מִח֥וּץ7 of 26

“it without”

H2351

properly, separate by a wall, i.e., outside, outdoors

לַֽמַּחֲנֶֽה׃8 of 26

“from the camp”

H4264

an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e

הַרְחֵק֙9 of 26

“afar off”

H7368

to widen (in any direction), i.e., (intransitively) recede or (transitively) remove (literally or figuratively, of place or relation)

מִן10 of 26
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

לַֽמַּחֲנֶֽה׃11 of 26

“from the camp”

H4264

an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e

וְקָ֥רָא12 of 26

“and called”

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

ל֖וֹ13 of 26
H0
אֹ֣הֶל14 of 26

“it the Tabernacle”

H168

a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)

מוֹעֵ֔ד15 of 26

“of the congregation”

H4150

properly, an appointment, i.e., a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for

וְהָיָה֙16 of 26
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

כָּל17 of 26
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

מְבַקֵּ֣שׁ18 of 26

“And it came to pass that every one which sought”

H1245

to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after

יְהוָ֔ה19 of 26

“the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

יֵצֵא֙20 of 26

“went out”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

אֶל21 of 26
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֹ֣הֶל22 of 26

“it the Tabernacle”

H168

a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)

מוֹעֵ֔ד23 of 26

“of the congregation”

H4150

properly, an appointment, i.e., a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for

אֲשֶׁ֖ר24 of 26
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

מִח֥וּץ25 of 26

“it without”

H2351

properly, separate by a wall, i.e., outside, outdoors

לַֽמַּחֲנֶֽה׃26 of 26

“from the camp”

H4264

an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Exodus. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Exodus 33:7 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Exodus 33:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 55:6-7Proverbs 15:29Exodus 29:42-43Isaiah 59:22 Samuel 21:1Deuteronomy 4:29

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