Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  7000 God's people  »  7300 Institutions and culture of OT  »  7474 Tent of Meeting

A tent pitched by Moses outside the Israelite camp in the wilderness. There Moses met with God and others would enquire of the LORD. God's presence was shown there by a pillar of cloud. It seems to predate the construction and setting up of the tabernacle, after which, the term became synonymous with the tabernacle.

Moses pitched the Tent of Meeting outside the Israelite camp

Exodus 33:7 The tent was outside the camp because of the LORD's estrangement from his people (Ex 33:3) following their making the golden calf. It was possibly a temporary structure used until the tabernacle was completed.

The Tent of Meeting was where the faithful met with God

Moses

See also Exodus 33:9,11

Those who wished to enquire of the LORD

Exodus 33:7

Joshua

Exodus 33:11

The pillar of cloud at the Tent of Meeting

It indicated God's presence

Exodus 33:9

Those who saw the cloud worshipped the LORD

Exodus 33:10

The Tent of Meeting and the tabernacle

This Tent of Meeting may be distinct from the tabernacle

Exodus 25:8-9

The tabernacle was constructed (in accordance with detailed instructions) after the Tent of Meeting

See also Exodus 35:10-11; Exodus 39:32-43

The tabernacle was set up after the Tent of Meeting

Exodus 40:1-2,33

The Tent of Meeting as a synonym for the tabernacle

Exodus 40:2 Afterwards “Tent of Meeting” became a synonym for the tabernacle, especially the tent part of the whole complex. See also Exodus 40:6-7,22,24,29-30,34-35; Leviticus 1:1; Leviticus 24:3; Numbers 1:1; Numbers 31:54; Deuteronomy 31:14-15; Joshua 18:1; Joshua 19:51; 1 Samuel 2:22; 1 Kings 8:4 pp 2 Chronicles 5:5; 1 Chronicles 6:32; Corinthians 9:21; 2 Chronicles 1:3

See also

5101  Moses
5578  tents
7251  pillar of cloud & fire
7306  ark of the covenant
7358  Feast of Tabernacles
7459  tabernacle, in OT
8626  worship, places
8648  enquiring of God