Keraia
Exodus 40

Exodus 40:38

The Cloud and the Glory · Exodus 40:34–38
Read Exodus 40

Translations

Modern
For the cloud of the LORD was over the tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel through all their journeys.
Traditional
For the cloud of the Lord was upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was on it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.
Literal
For the cloud of YHWH was on the tabernacle by day, and fire was in it by night, in the eyes of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.
Latin
Nubes quippe Domini incubabat per diem tabernaculo, et ignis in nocte, videntibus cunctis populis Israël per cunctas mansiones suas.

Original

Hebrew
English
For the cloud of the LORD was over the tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel through all their journeys.

Notes

Exodus 40:38

all the house of Israel: This description reminds us of how the book of Exodus began (see 1:1–7). At that time, Jacob’s family had grown into a large group in Egypt. Later, they became slaves there. This was a dramatic change. They were no longer slaves. Now they were free.

God had promised Abraham that his descendants would bring blessing to all the nations (Genesis 12:3).

Exodus 40:34–38

The most important part of the exodus happened when the glory of the Lord filled the Tent of Meeting.

From the beginning, God’s purpose was not only to rescue Israel from slavery. He wanted to bring them into a close relationship with himself. Their greatest need was to know God personally.

Without God’s presence, the promised land would not truly be a place of blessing. But now it would be different. The same glory that appeared on Mount Sinai was now with Israel. It would not stay behind. It would travel with them wherever they went.

Parallels

Numbers 9:15–23

People

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes

Glossary

Biblical Concept of Law Book of Exodus Deuteronomy, Book of Glorification Glory History of Israel Leviticus, Book of Pillar of Fire and Cloud Presence of God Shekinah Tabernacle Temple

Topics

Cloud of Glory: Continued During the Journeyings of Israel Cloud: Pillar of Fire: Miraculous: Led the People of Israel in the Desert Fire: Pillar of Fire God: Preserver in the Wilderness Journey of Israel Through The Desert: To Mount Sinai: Tabernacle First Set Up Tabernacle: Filled with the Cloud of Glory Tabernacle: The Cloud of Glory Rested On, by Night and Day During Its