The Hebrew verb ahal (אָהַל) means to pitch a tent or to dwell in tents. It is the denominative verb from ohel (tent) and describes the nomadic lifestyle of the patriarchs as well as the dwelling of God among His people.
The act of tent-pitching in the Hebrew Bible is profoundly theological. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were tent-dwellers — strangers and pilgrims who trusted God's promise of a homeland (Hebrews 11:9). The Tabernacle itself (mishkan, 'dwelling place') was a glorified tent, signifying that Israel's God ahal-ed among them in their wilderness journey. John 1:14 echoes this: the Word became flesh and 'dwelt' (skenoo in Greek, from the same concept) among us. God pitches His tent with His people in every age.