Overview
The Bible addresses cloud across 40 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Numbers, Exodus and Ezekiel. Closely related themes include Tabernacle, Theocracy, The, or Immediate Government By God, Cloud of Glory and High Priest, the. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Moses and Solomon.
Key Bible verses about cloud
Old Testament
Exodus
And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:
He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.
And the glory of the LORD abode upon mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days: and the seventh day he called unto Moses out of the midst of the cloud.
And the sight of the glory of the LORD was like devouring fire on the top of the mount in the eyes of the children of Israel.
And Moses went into the midst of the cloud, and gat him up into the mount: and Moses was in the mount forty days and forty nights.
And it came to pass, as Moses entered into the tabernacle, the cloudy pillar descended, and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and the LORD talked with Moses.
And all the people saw the cloudy pillar stand at the tabernacle door: and all the people rose up and worshipped, every man in his tent door.
And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward in all their journeys: went onward: Heb. journeyed
But if the cloud were not taken up, then they journeyed not till the day that it was taken up.
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.
Numbers
And on the day that the tabernacle was reared up the cloud covered the tabernacle, namely, the tent of the testimony: and at even there was upon the tabernacle as it were the appearance of fire, until the morning.
So it was alway: the cloud covered it by day, and the appearance of fire by night.
And when the cloud was taken up from the tabernacle, then after that the children of Israel journeyed: and in the place where the cloud abode, there the children of Israel pitched their tents.
At the commandment of the LORD the children of Israel journeyed, and at the commandment of the LORD they pitched: as long as the cloud abode upon the tabernacle they rested in their tents.
And when the cloud tarried long upon the tabernacle many days, then the children of Israel kept the charge of the LORD, and journeyed not. tarried: Heb. prolonged
And so it was, when the cloud was a few days upon the tabernacle; according to the commandment of the LORD they abode in their tents, and according to the commandment of the LORD they journeyed.
And so it was, when the cloud abode from even unto the morning, and that the cloud was taken up in the morning, then they journeyed: whether it was by day or by night that the cloud was taken up, they journeyed. abode: Heb. was
Or whether it were two days, or a month, or a year, that the cloud tarried upon the tabernacle, remaining thereon, the children of Israel abode in their tents, and journeyed not: but when it was taken up, they journeyed.
At the commandment of the LORD they rested in the tents, and at the commandment of the LORD they journeyed: they kept the charge of the LORD, at the commandment of the LORD by the hand of Moses.
And it came to pass on the twentieth day of the second month, in the second year, that the cloud was taken up from off the tabernacle of the testimony.
And the children of Israel took their journeys out of the wilderness of Sinai; and the cloud rested in the wilderness of Paran.
And they departed from the mount of the LORD three days' journey: and the ark of the covenant of the LORD went before them in the three days' journey, to search out a resting place for them.
And the cloud of the LORD was upon them by day, when they went out of the camp.
And it came to pass, when the ark set forward, that Moses said, Rise up, LORD, and let thine enemies be scattered; and let them that hate thee flee before thee.
And when it rested, he said, Return, O LORD, unto the many thousands of Israel. many thousands: Heb. ten thousand thousands
1 Kings
2 Chronicles
Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house.
And the priests could not enter into the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD had filled the LORD'S house.
And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.
Ezekiel
Now the cherubims stood on the right side of the house, when the man went in; and the cloud filled the inner court.
Then the glory of the LORD went up from the cherub, and stood over the threshold of the house; and the house was filled with the cloud, and the court was full of the brightness of the LORD'S glory. went up: Heb. was lifted up
Then the glory of the LORD departed from off the threshold of the house, and stood over the cherubims.
And the cherubims lifted up their wings, and mounted up from the earth in my sight: when they went out, the wheels also were beside them, and every one stood at the door of the east gate of the LORD'S house; and the glory of the God of Israel was over them above.
Then did the cherubims lift up their wings, and the wheels beside them; and the glory of the God of Israel was over them above.
And the glory of the LORD went up from the midst of the city, and stood upon the mountain which is on the east side of the city.
New Testament
Luke
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field keeping watch over their flock by night. watch: or, the night watches
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.
And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.
People in the Bible and cloud
Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.
In the Bible dictionary
Studying cloud for yourself
- Begin with Exodus 13:21, then read the passages below in canonical order.
- Compare how Numbers, Exodus and Ezekiel each treat the theme.
- Consider the lives of Moses and Solomon and how their stories intersect with it.
- Widen the study to related themes: Tabernacle, Theocracy, The, or Immediate Government By God, Cloud of Glory and High Priest, the.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about cloud?
The Bible addresses cloud across 40 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Numbers, Exodus and Ezekiel. Closely related themes include Tabernacle, Theocracy, The, or Immediate Government By God, Cloud of Glory and High Priest, the. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Moses and Solomon.
How many Bible verses are about cloud?
The Bible references cloud in 40 verses (King James Version).
Where does the Bible first mention cloud?
In canonical order, the first of these passages is Exodus 13:21: “And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:”
Which people in the Bible are associated with cloud?
Moses and Solomon.
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