Exodus 40:38 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For the cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle by day, and fire was in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel throughout all their journeys.

NIV: So 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 Israelites during all their travels.

NASB: For throughout their journeys, the cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle by day, and there was fire in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel.

CSB: For the cloud of the Lord was over the tabernacle by day, and there was a fire inside the cloud by night, visible to the entire house of Israel throughout all the stages of their journey.

NLT: The cloud of the Lord hovered over the Tabernacle during the day, and at night fire glowed inside the cloud so the whole family of Israel could see it. This continued throughout all their journeys.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: For the cloud of the Lord was above the tabernacle by day, and fire was over it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.

Exodus 40:34–38 describes what happened when Israel finally completed the tabernacle (Exodus 40:33). God's glory comes down to the sanctuary (Exodus 25:8–9) in the form of a cloud. This cloud guides Israel by indicating when it is time to move on from their current camp. The cloud seems to be the same which guided Israel when they left Egyptian slavery (Exodus 13:21–22).

Moses assembles the tabernacle according to the instructions from God (Exodus 25—31). This process is careful and methodical. Moses also consecrates Aaron and his sons into a permanent, hereditary priesthood. When building and ceremonies are complete, God brings down a cloud as His glory fills the tabernacle building. This cloud will guide Israel as they move towards the Promised Land.

Israel has completed all components needed to assemble the tabernacle (Exodus 35—39). When the work is finished and everything is in place, God's glory comes down in a cloud that guides the nation. The story of Israel's wandering continues in the book of Numbers, while the book of Leviticus records copious details from God's conversations with Moses (Exodus 24:18).

The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.