Exodus 33:7-11

The Tent of Meeting

7 Now Moses used to take the tent and pitch it outside the camp, far off from the camp, and 1he called it the tent of meeting. And everyone who 2sought the LORD would go out to the tent of meeting, which was outside the camp.
8 Whenever Moses went out to the tent, all the people would rise up, and 3each would stand at his tent door, and watch Moses until he had gone into the tent.
9 When Moses entered the tent, the 4pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the entrance of the tent, and the LORD [a] would speak with Moses.
10 And when all the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance of the tent, all the people would rise up and worship, each at his tent door.
11 Thus 5the LORD used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. When Moses turned again into the camp, his 6assistant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, would not depart from the tent.

Exodus 33:7-11 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS 33

This chapter informs us, that the Lord refusing to go with the people, only sending an angel with them, they are filled with concern, and troubled, Ex 33:1-6. Moses upon this pitched the tabernacle without the camp, where everyone that sought the Lord went; Moses entered into it himself, and the Lord talked to him in a friendly manner in the cloudy pillar that stood at the door of it, and the people worshipped, every man at his own tent door; all which foreboded good, and tended to reconciliation, Ex 33:7-11. Moses improved the opportunity, and entreats the presence of God to go with them, which was granted, Ex 33:12-17 and that he might have a sight of the glory of God; and this is promised to pass before him, he being put into the cleft of the rock, Ex 33:18-23.

Cross References 6

  • 1. Exodus 29:42, 43
  • 2. Deuteronomy 4:29; 2 Samuel 21:1; 1 Chronicles 16:10, 11; Psalms 40:16
  • 3. [Numbers 16:27]
  • 4. See Exodus 13:21
  • 5. Numbers 12:8; Deuteronomy 34:10; See Genesis 32:30
  • 6. Exodus 17:9, 10; Exodus 24:13; Exodus 32:17

Footnotes 1

The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.