The Cloud above the Tabernacle

(Exodus 40:34–38)

On the day that the tabernacle, the Tent of the Testimony, was set up, the cloud covered [it] and appeared like fire above the tabernacle from evening until morning. 16 It remained that way continually; the cloud would cover [the tabernacle] [by day],[fn] and at night it would appear like fire. 17 Whenever the cloud was lifted from above the Tent, the Israelites would set out, and wherever the cloud settled, there the Israelites would camp. 18 At the LORD’s command the Israelites set out, and at the LORD’s command they camped. As long as the cloud remained over the tabernacle, they remained encamped.

19 

Even when the cloud lingered over the tabernacle for many days, the Israelites kept the LORD’s charge and did not set out. 20 Sometimes the cloud remained over the tabernacle for only a few days, and they would camp at the LORD’s command and set out at the LORD’s command. 21 Sometimes the cloud remained only from evening until morning, and when [it] lifted in the morning, they would set out. Whether [it was] by day or by night, when the cloud was taken up, they would set out.

22 

Whether [the cloud] lingered for two days, a month, or longer, the Israelites camped and did not set out as long as the cloud remained over the tabernacle; but when it was lifted, they would set out. 23 They camped at the LORD’s command, and they set out at the LORD’s command; they carried out the LORD’s charge according to His command through Moses. 10