Bible Dictionaries
Cloud

Easton's Bible Dictionary

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 (Exodus 16:10; 33:9; Numbers 11:25; 12:5; Job 22:14; Psalm 18:11 ). A "cloud without rain" is a proverbial saying, denoting a man who does not keep his promise (Proverbs 16:15; Isaiah 18:4; 25:5; Jude 1:12 ). A cloud is the figure of that which is transitory (Job 30:15; Hosea 6:4 ). A bright cloud is the symbolical seat of the Divine presence (Ex.29:42,43; 1 Kings 8:10; 2 Chronicles 5:14; Ezekiel 43:4 ), and was called the Shechinah (q.v.). Jehovah came down upon Sinai in a cloud (Exodus 19:9 ); and the cloud filled the court around the tabernacle in the wilderness so that Moses could not enter it (Exodus 40:34,35 ). At the dedication of the temple also the cloud "filled the house of the Lord" (1 Kings 8:10 ). Thus in like manner when Christ comes the second time he is described as coming "in the clouds" (Matthew 17:5; 24:30; Acts 1:9,11 ). False teachers are likened unto clouds carried about with a tempest (2 Peter 2:17 ). The infirmities of old age, which come one after another, are compared by Solomon to "clouds returning after the rain" (Ecclesiastes 12:2 ). The blotting out of sins is like the sudden disappearance of threatening clouds from the sky (Isaiah 44:22 ).

Cloud, the pillar of, was the glory-cloud which indicated God's presence leading the ransomed people through the wilderness (Exodus 13:22; 33:9,10 ). This pillar preceded the people as they marched, resting on the ark (Exodus 13:21; 40:36 ). By night it became a pillar of fire (Numbers 9:17-23 ).