Deuteronomy 1:33

33 even though he went ahead of you, scouting places where you should camp, in fire by night, so you could see the road you were taking, and in cloud during the daytime.

Deuteronomy 1:33 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 1:33

Who went in the way before you, to search you out a place to
pitch your tents in
For when the cloud was taken up they journeyed, and when that rested, there they pitched their tents; and hereby they were directed to places the most convenient for water for them and their flocks, or for safety from those that might annoy them:

in fire by night, to show you by what way ye should go;
which otherwise they could not have found in dark nights, in which they sometimes travelled, and in, a wilderness where there were no tracks, no beaten path, no common way:

and in a cloud by day;
to shelter them from the scorching sun, where there were no trees nor hedges to shade them, only rocky crags and hills.

Deuteronomy 1:33 In-Context

31 and as you saw him do in the desert. Throughout your entire journey, until you reached this very place, the LORD your God has carried you just as a parent carries a child.

32 But you had no faith in the LORD your God about this matter,

33 even though he went ahead of you, scouting places where you should camp, in fire by night, so you could see the road you were taking, and in cloud during the daytime.

34 The LORD heard what you said. He was angry and he swore:

35 Not even one of these people—this wicked generation!—will see the wonderful land that I promised to give to your ancestors.