Exodus 33:10 - Printer Friendly

ESV: 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.

NIV: Whenever the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance to the tent, they all stood and worshiped, each at the entrance to their tent.

NASB: When all the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance of the tent, all the people would stand and worship, each at the entrance of his tent.

CSB: As all the people saw the pillar of cloud remaining at the entrance to the tent, they would stand up, then bow in worship, each one at the door of his tent.

NLT: When the people saw the cloud standing at the entrance of the tent, they would stand and bow down in front of their own tents.

KJV: And all the people saw the cloudy pillar stand at the tabernacle door: and all the people rose up and worshipped, every man in his tent door.

NKJV: All the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the tabernacle door, and all the people rose and worshiped, each man in his tent door.

Israelites watch with awe each time Moses heads to the tent of meeting (Exodus 33:7–8). The location was outside the camp because Israel committed idolatry (Exodus 32:1–6). There, Moses would meet with the Lord. These conversations are described as direct (Numbers 12:8), but relaxed, much the same as Moses would converse with a mortal friend (Exodus 32:11).

As Moses entered, clouds would come down to cover the entrance. This echoed the pillar of fire and cloud which led Israel in the wilderness (Exodus 13:21–22). The people who watched would respond with worship at the entrances to their own tents.

Exodus 33:7–11 describes the "tent of meeting" where God communicated with Moses after Israel's sin of idolatry (Exodus 32:1–6; 33:1–6). This is located outside the camp, symbolizing the separation from God caused by sin. Israelites would watch and worship as a column of clouds appeared at the tent. Inside, the Lord conversed with Moses exactly as two ordinary people would. Joshua (Exodus 17:8–9; 32:17) guards the tent when Moses is away.

God commands Israel to leave the Sinai region. They are to move on towards the Promised Land, but without the Lord's usual presence. Moses meets with God outside the camp and the Lord says He will once again accompany Israel. Moses asks to see the full glory of God. Since this would kill Moses, God arranges for a much more limited experience.

Israel fell into idolatry (Exodus 32:1–6) very soon after receiving God's laws against it (Exodus 20:3–6). Yet the Lord still plans to bring them into a Promised Land. In this chapter, the people are commanded to leave Sinai and head towards Canaan. But the covenant must be renewed (Exodus 34). Until then, there is a level of separation between the nation and their God.

The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.

Accessed 10/29/2025 1:06:32 AM