Cloud

"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; Num. 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 (Prov. 16:15; Isa. 18:4; 25:5; Jude 1:12). A cloud is the figure of that which is transitory (Job 30:15; Hos. 6:4). A bright cloud is the symbolical seat of the Divine "presence (Ex. 29:42, 43; 1 Kings 8:10; 2 Chr. 5:14; Ezek. 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" (1 Kings 8:10). Thus in" like manner when Christ comes the second time he is described as "coming "in the clouds" (Matt. 17:5; 24:30; Acts 1:9, 11). False" teachers are likened unto clouds carried about with a tempest (2 "Pet. 2:17). The infirmities of old age, which come one after" "another, are compared by Solomon to "clouds returning after the" "rain" (Eccl. 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 (Num. 9:17-23).