Maqom means place, site, standing ground, or appointed location. It appears about 400 times. It refers to specific geographic locations, the place of worship, and the designated place where God causes His name to dwell.
God chooses a maqom to put His name — first the tabernacle, then the temple in Jerusalem. This 'place theology' in Deuteronomy centralizes worship and establishes that encounter with God happens where He appoints, not wherever humans choose.