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 (Exodus 33:3) following their making the golden calf. It was possibly a temporary structure used until the tabernacle was completed.
Now Moses used to take the tent and pitch it at a distance outside the camp. He called it the Tent of Meeting, and anyone inquiring of the LORD would go to the Tent of Meeting outside the camp.
The Tent of Meeting was where the faithful met with God
Moses
See also Exodus 33:9, Exodus 33:11
Those who wished to enquire of the LORD
Now Moses used to take the tent and pitch it at a distance outside the camp. He called it the Tent of Meeting, and anyone inquiring of the LORD would go to the Tent of Meeting outside the camp.
Joshua
Thus the LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young assistant Joshua son of Nun would not leave the tent.
The pillar of cloud at the Tent of Meeting
It indicated God's presence
As Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and remain at the entrance, and the LORD would speak with Moses.
Those who saw the cloud worshipped the LORD
When all the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance to the tent, they would stand up and worship, each one at the entrance to his own tent.
The Tent of Meeting and the tabernacle
This Tent of Meeting may be distinct from the tabernacle
And they are to make a sanctuary for Me, so that I may dwell among them. You must make the tabernacle and design all its furnishings according to the pattern I show you.
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
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, Exodus 40:22, Exodus 40:24, Exodus 40:29–30, Exodus 40:34–35; 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 parallel 2 Chronicles 5:5; 1 Chronicles 6:32, 1 Chronicles 9:21; 2 Chronicles 1:3
“On the first day of the first month you are to set up the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.