Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Exodus 33:7. It's a really important passage that speaks about God’s plan for Israel and the establishment of the Tabernacle – essentially, a special place where God would dwell with his people. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: “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.” Let’s unpack each part: “And Moses took the tabernacle…” : This means Moses was responsible for building and setting up this special place. The Tabernacle was a portable sanctuary – a home for God to dwell with his people. “…and pitched it without the camp…” : He built it outside of the regular, large campsite where the Israelites were usually camped. He wanted to give them a space of privacy and distance from their daily lives. “afar off from the camp…” : This emphasizes how important this location was. It wasn't just anywhere; it was deliberately placed away from the main group of people. “…and called it the Tabernacle of the congregation.” : He named it “the Tabernacle of the Congregation” – meaning a place for the whole community to gather and worship God together. It was designed to be a central point for their religious life. “And it came to pass, [that] every one which sought the LORD went out unto the tabernacle of the congregation…” : This is the crucial part! It means that anyone who wanted to connect with God – anyone who sincerely sought him – was encouraged to come to this special place. It wasn’t just a few; it was a call for everyone. So, basically, this verse tells us: God wanted a way for the Israelites to have a more intimate and focused relationship with him. He created a separate, protected space – the Tabernacle – where they could come and worship without being overwhelmed by the normal life of the community. It was designed to be a place of deep devotion and connection. Why is this important? This passage sets the stage for God’s plan to establish the Tabernacle. It shows that God wanted to build a special, protected space where his people could experience his presence and worship him more deeply. Do you want me to explain any part of this verse in more detail, or perhaps explore its significance within the larger story of the Old Testament?