Exodus 33:7

_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._ Moses took the tabernacle - not the tabernacle of which a pattern had been given him, for it was not yet erected, but a simpler one-perhaps his own tent, conspicuous as that of the leader-in a part of which he heard causes and communed with God about the people's interests. Its appropriation for sacred purposes was highly expedient, or rather indispensably necessary, for it cannot be supposed that the people would be left without the means or opportunity of access to God for the space of a year. In this provisional or interim tabernacle-where it will be observed no sacrifices were offered-Moses discharged his mediat...

7._And Moses took the tabernacle _This was a sign of the divorce between God and the Israelites, that the tabernacle should be removed from the camp and pitched at a distance, as if God were tired of His connection with them. He had promised as a special blessing that He would dwell in the midst of the people; and now, by departing elsewhere, He declares them to be polluted. In a word, the removal of the tabernacle was like the breaking of the tables; for, just as by the breaking of the tables Moses dissolved the covenant of God, so he thus deprived the Israelites for a time of His company and presence. (361) The explanation which some give that it was Moses’ own tabernacle, is refuted by many sound arguments. First, it is not said that he took away his own tabernacle, but the word tabernacle is used simply and without any affix, κατ ᾿ ἐξοχήν Secondly, he did not change his

7-11 Moses took the tabernacle, and pitched it without the camp. This seems to have been a temporary building, set up for worship, and at which he judged disputes among the people. The people looked after him; they were very desirous to be at peace with God, and concerned to know what would come to pass. The cloudy pillar which had withdrawn from the camp when it was polluted with idolatry, now returned. If our hearts go forth toward God to meet him, he will graciously come to meet us....

Verse Exodus 33:7. _MOSES TOOK THE TABERNACLE_] אה האהל _eth haohel, the_ TENT; not את המשכן _eth hammishcan_, _the tabernacle_, the dwelling-place of Jehovah, see Exodus 35:11, for this was not as yet erected; but probably the _tent_ of Moses, which was before in the midst of the camp, and to which the congregation came for judgment, and where, no doubt, God frequently met with his servant. This is now removed to a considerable distance from the camp, (_two thousand_ cubits, according to the Talmudists,) as God refuses to dwell any longer _among_ this rebellious people. And as this was the place to which all the people came for justice and judgment, hence it was probably called the _tabernacle_, more properly the _tent, of the congregation_....

THE TABERNACLE - The tent. The only word in the Old Testament which ought to be rendered “tabernacle” משׁכן _mı̂shkān_ does not occur once in this narrative Exodus 26:1. What is here meant is a tent appointed for this temporary purpose by Moses, possibly that in which he was accustomed to dwell. PITCHED IT WITHOUT THE CAMP, AFAR OFF FROM THE CAMP - That the people might feel that they had forfeited the divine presence (see Exodus 25:8). This tent was to be a place for meeting with Yahweh, like the tabernacle which was about to be constructed. The tent of meeting (as it should be called, see E

EXPOSITION THE FIRST ERECTION OF A TABERNACLE. The decision of the matter still hung in suspense. God had not revoked his threat to withdraw himself and leave the host to the conduct of an angel. He had merely reserved his final decision (Exodus 33:5). Moses was anxious to wrestle with him in prayer until he obtained the reversal of this sentence; but he could not be always ascending Sinai, when the camp needed his superintending care, and the camp as yet contained no place of worship, where a man could pray and be secure against disturbance. Moses, under these circumstances, with the tabernacle in his mind, but without leisure to construct it, contrived "for the present distress" a temporary tabernacle or tent. He took, apparently, the tent that had hitherto been his own, and re

AND MOSES TOOK THE TABERNACLE,.... Not that, the pattern of which he had been shown in the mount, for that was not as yet made, rather his own tabernacle or tent, Exodus 18:7 or one that was erected for worship before the large one was ordered, and while that was building; for it can hardly be thought they should have no place of worship for a whole year after they were come out of Egypt; though this might be not a place on purpose, or only erected for that use, but might be one of the apartments of Moses; who, besides what he had for the use and convenience of his family, had a special and peculiar one, hath on a religious account, where he and the people sometimes worshipped, and God met with them, and on a civil account, to hear and judge the causes of the people, and resolve their doubts, and remove their difficulties, and make inquiries of God for them: and pitched it withou

TABERNACLE Compare (Exodus 24:4). This "tabernacle" is not to be confounded with that afterward made by commandment of God, but not yet made....

5. MOSES' INTERCESSION AND ITS RESULTS CHAPTER 33 Repentance and Intercession _ 1. The word of the Lord and the people's repentance (Exodus 33:1)_ 2. The tabernacle without the camp (Exodus 33:7) 3. Moses enters the tabernacle (Exodus 33:8) 4. Moses' prayer and Jehovah's answers (Exodus 33:12) 5. Moses' request (Exodus 33:18) The words of the Lord, with which this chapter begins, reveal Him as the covenant-keeping Jehovah. He remembers His covenant, though they are a stiff-necked people. Yet He is a holy Go

EXODUS 33:1 J, EXODUS 33:5 E, EXODUS 33:12 J. YAHWEH'S PRESENCE. The sections of 34 have been glossed and disarranged. In Exodus 33:1 J, Yahweh's refusal to go up in the midst of Israel leads the people to put off their ornaments. In Exodus 33:5 f. follows from E Yahweh's order to put off ornaments and its execution. This may have been connected with the construction of the sacred Tent which is assumed as known in Exodus 33:7, the details being dropped in view of Exodus