Reference: Cloud
American
PILLAR OF, the miraculous token of the divine presence and care, Ex 14:24; 16:10; Nu 12:5, which guided the Israelites in the desert; it was a means of protection and perhaps of shade by day, and gave them light by night, Ex 13:21-22; 14:19-20. By it God directed their movements, Nu 9:15-23; 14:14; De 1:33. See the beautiful application of the image to the future church in Isa 4:5.
Easton
The Hebrew so rendered means "a covering," because clouds cover the sky. The word is used as a symbol of the Divine presence, as indicating the splendour of that glory which it conceals (Ex 16:10; 33:9; Nu 11:25; 12:5; Job 22:14; Ps 18:11). A "cloud without rain" is a proverbial saying, denoting a man who does not keep his promise (Pr 16:15; Isa 18:4; 25:5; Jude 1:12). A cloud is the figure of that which is transitory (Job 30:15; Ho 6:4). A bright cloud is the symbolical seat of the Divine presence (Ex 29:42-43; 1Ki 8:10; 2Ch 5:14; Eze 43:4), and was called the Shechinah (q.v.). Jehovah came down upon Sinai in a cloud (Ex 19:9); and the cloud filled the court around the tabernacle in the wilderness so that Moses could not enter it (Ex 40:34-35). At the dedication of the temple also the cloud "filled the house of the Lord" (1Ki 8:10). Thus in like manner when Christ comes the second time he is described as coming "in the clouds" (Mt 17:5; 24:30; Ac 1:9,11). False teachers are likened unto clouds carried about with a tempest (2Pe 2:17). The infirmities of old age, which come one after another, are compared by Solomon to "clouds returning after the rain" (Ec 12:2). The blotting out of sins is like the sudden disappearance of threatening clouds from the sky (Isa 44:22).
Cloud, the pillar of, was the glory-cloud which indicated God's presence leading the ransomed people through the wilderness (Ex 13:22; 33:9-10). This pillar preceded the people as they marched, resting on the ark (Ex 13:21; 40:36). By night it became a pillar of fire (Nu 9:17-23).
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Fausets
A type of refreshment, as it shades off the oppressive sun in Palestine, and gives promise of rain (1Ki 18:45). It stands out the more prominent because of the clear sky that surrounds it, and the usually cloudless weather that prevails in the East. "Cloud without rain," therefore, symbolizes a man that promises much, but does not perform (Pr 16:15; 25:14; Jg 1:12). Isa 25:5; "as the heat in dry place (is brought down by the shadow of a cloud, so) Thou shalt bring down the triumphant shout of the foreigners." Also typifying transitoriness (Job 30:15; Ho 6:4). Also of what intercepts God's favor from us (La 2:1; 3:44). As the veil between things seen and things unseen, it, with its floating undefined form, is the symbol manifesting the mysterious unseen presence of God (2Sa 22:12-13).
Sometimes in thick gloom portending judgment (Joe 2:2). "Clouds and darkness round about Him" (Ps 97:2). The fire of lightning, too, warped in the clouds, suggesting the same punitive aspect of God (Isa 19:1), especially as He shall come to judgment (Da 7:13; Re 1:7; Mt 26:64). The supernatural cloud on mount Sinai was attended with fire (Ex 19:16,18; De 4:11), a fit symbol of the legal dispensation which speaks the divine terror to the transgressor, in contrast to the gospel which speaks Jesus' loving invitation from the heavenly mount (Heb 12:18-25).
PILLAR OF CLOUD. The symbol of God's presence with Israel, guiding them from Egypt to Canaan (Ex 13:21-22). It became fire by night. So in the Red Sea it gave light to the escaping Israelites, while interposing between them and the pursuing Egyptians, to whom it" was a cloud and darkness." When Israel was appointed to rest in any place, it rested on the tabernacle over the mercy-seat, and was named by later Jews the Shekinah (Ex 29:42-43); at the door (Ex 33:9-10; Nu 12:5; 9:15-23); covering the tabernacle of the congregation (Ex 40:34-38). The ark (Nu 10:33-36, Speaker's Commentary) went in the midst of the people, and the cloud rested on them, guiding them where to halt. The cloud covered them from the heat (Ps 105:39; Isa 4:5).
Its fire symbolized God's purity and glory (Ex 24:17; Da 7:10), and His consuming wrath against transgressors (Le 10:2; Nu 16:35; De 4:24; Heb 12:29). Its nebulous haze typifies His hiding Himself, even while revealing Himself (Isa 45:15); unfolding only a small part of His ways to our finite faculties (Job 26:14; 1Ti 6:16). The cloud is not mentioned as having been on the tabernacle after Israel's entrance into Canaan, until it rested on Solomon's temple at the dedication (2Ch 5:13-14), in the moment when the trumpeters and singers together "made one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord." Again, Ezekiel in vision saw the glory of the Lord leaving the temple (Eze 10:4; 11:23). Its return is foretold (Eze 43:2; Isa 4:5). Paul speaks of "the glory," i.e. the divine glory cloud, as Israel's peculiar privilege (Ro 9:4).
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Hastings
In Scripture, as with us, the clouds are the visible masses of aqueous vapour, darkening the heavens, sources of rain and fertility, telling the present state of the weather or indicating a coming change. They serve also for figures of instability and transitoriness (Ho 6:4), calamity (La 2:1), the gloom of old age (Ec 12:2), great height (Job 20:6), immense numbers (Heb 12:1). The following points should be noted. 1. The poetic treatment in Job. The waters are bound up securely in the clouds, so that the rain does not break through (Job 26:8); when the ocean issues from chaos like a new-born child, God wraps it in the swaddling-bands of clouds (Job 38:9); the laws of their movements are impenetrable mysteries (Job 36:29; 37:16; 38:37). 2. The cloud indicates the presence of God, and at the same time veils the insufferable brightness of His glory (Ex 16:10; 19:9 etc.). Similarly the bright cloud betokens the Father's presence, and His voice is heard speaking from it (Mt 17:5). But a dark cloud would effectually hide Him, and thus furnishes a figure for displeasure (La 3:44). At Re 10:1 the cloud is an angel's glorious robe. 3. The pillar of cloud and fire directs and protects the journeyings of the Exodus (Ex 13:21; Ps 105:39). This corresponds with the fact that armies and caravans have frequently been directed by signals of fire and smoke. 4. The cloud alternates with the cherub as Jahweh's chariot (Ps 18:10; Isa 19:1). Indeed, the cherub is a personification of the thunder-cloud. The Messianic people and the Messiah Himself sweep through the heaven with clouds (Da 7:13; Mr 14:62; Re 1:7), or on the clouds (Mt 26:64): hence the later Jews identified Anani (= 'He of the clouds,' 1Ch 3:24) with the Messiah. The saints are to be caught up in the clouds (1Th 4:17). The Messiah's throne is a white cloud (Re 14:14). 5. In the 'Cloud Vision' of Apoc Bar 53
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Morish
Clouds fill an important place both in the O.T. and N.T. They were the celestial veil of the presence of God
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Smith
Cloud.
The shelter given, and refreshment of rain promised, by clouds give them their peculiar prominence in Oriental imagery. When a cloud appears rain is ordinarily apprehended, and thus the "cloud without rain" becomes a proverb for the man of promise without performance.
Pr 16:15; Isa 18:4; 25:5; Jude 1:12
comp. Prov 25:14 The cloud is a figure of transitoriness,
and of whatever intercepts divine favor or human supplication.
A bright cloud at times visited and rested on the mercy-seat.
Ex 29:42-43; 1Ki 8:10-11; 2Ch 5:14; Eze 43:4
and was by later writers named Shechinah.
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Watsons
CLOUD, a collection of vapours suspended in the atmosphere. When the Israelites had left Egypt, God gave them a pillar of cloud to direct their march, Ex 13:21-22. According to Jerom, in his Epistle to Fabiola, this cloud attended them from Succoth; or, according to others, from Rameses; or, as the Hebrews say, only from Ethan, till the death of Aaron; or, as the generality of commentators are of opinion, to the passage of Jordan. This pillar was commonly in front of the Israelites; but at Pihahiroth, when the Egyptian army approached behind them, it placed itself between Israel and the Egyptians, so that the Egyptians could not come near the Israelites all night, Ex 14:19-20. In the morning, the cloud moving on over the sea, and following the Israelites who had passed through it, the Egyptians pressing after were drowned. From that time, this cloud attended the Israelites; it was clear and bright during night, in order to afford them light; but in the day it was thick and gloomy, to defend them from the excessive heats of the deserts. "The angel of God which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them," Ex 14:19. Here we may observe, that the angel and the cloud made the same motion, as it would seem, in company. The cloud by its motions gave the signal to the Israelites to encamp or to decamp. Where, therefore, it stayed, the people stayed till it rose again; then they broke up their camp, and followed it till it stopped. It was called a pillar, by reason of its form, which was high and elevated. Some interpreters suppose that there were two clouds, one to enlighten, the other to shade, the camp.
The Lord appeared at Sinai in the midst of a cloud, Ex 19:9; 24:5; and after Moses had built and consecrated the tabernacle, the cloud filled the court around it, so that neither Moses nor the priests could enter, Ex 40:34-35. The same happened at the dedication of the temple of Jerusalem by Solomon, 2Ch 5:13; 1Ki 8:10. When the cloud appeared upon the tent, in front of which were held the assemblies of the people in the desert, it was then indicated that God was present; for the tent was a sign of God's presence. The angel descended in the cloud, and thence spoke to Moses, without being seen by the people, Ex 16:10; Nu 11:25; 16:5. It is common in Scripture, when mentioning God's appearing, to represent him as encompassed with clouds, which serve as a chariot, and contribute to veil his dreadful majesty, Job 22:14; Isa 19:1; Mt 17:5; 24:30, &c; Ps 18:11-12; 97:2; 104:3. Cloud is also used for morning mists: "Your goodness is as a morning cloud; and as the early dew it goeth away," Ho 6:4; 13:3. Job, speaking of the chaos, says, that God had confined the sea or the water, as it were with a cloud, and covered it with darkness, as a child is wrapped in its blankets. The author of Ecclesiasticus, 24:6, used the same expression. The Son of God, at his second advent, is described as descending upon clouds, Mt 24:30; Lu 11:27; Re 14:14-16.