King James Bible
"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."
Following the golden calf incident, Moses physically separated the tent of meeting from the main camp, signifying God's displeasure and the broken covenant. This distance created a tangible reminder of Israel's sin and the need for reconciliation with their holy God. By naming it the 'tent of meeting' (or congregation), Moses emphasized its purpose as the designated place where God would meet with His people. This formal designation established it as the authorized location for divine encounters during this period of covenant renewal. Those genuinely seeking God had to leave the camp and journey to this distant tent, demonstrating intentional pursuit and separation from the community's sin. This pilgrimage-like act showed personal commitment to restoration with God despite the inconvenience and public nature of the journey.