And Moses took a tent, and pitched it outside the camp, far off from the camp, and called it the Tabernacle of the congregation. And it came to pass, that every one who sought the LORD went out unto the tabernacle of meeting, which was outside the camp.
All Commentaries on Exodus 33:7 Go To Exodus 33
George Leo Haydock
AD 1849
Tabernacle: not that which God had described, which was set up later, (chap. xl.) but one destined for public and private prayer. (Menochius)
Afar, a thousand yards. (Thalmud and Villet.)
Covenant; or alliance, which God had entered into with the people. (Tirinus)
The Hebrew may signify, "of the assembly or congregation "because there the people met to hear the divine doctrine explained, and to offer up their prayers.
Camp. Thus were the people reminded of their excommunication, or separation, from the God whom they had so wantonly abandoned, and whose protection and presence were their only support and comfort. (Haydock)
The record of the covenant was also probably torn, as Moses was ordered to write it again, chap. xxxiv. 27. (Tirinus)
