Exodus 40:34

34 Then the cloud covered the Tent and the dazzling light of the Lord's presence filled it. 1

Exodus 40:34 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 40:34

Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation
The outside of it; this cloud was the same with the pillar of cloud that went before the Israelites, as soon almost as they came out of Egypt; and led them through the Red sea, and conducted them to Mount Sinai; only it now appeared in a different form, not erect as a pillar, but more expanded, so as to cover the tabernacle without;

and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle;
the inside of it, not the most holy place only, but the holy place also: this was an uncommon brightness, lustre, and splendour, a glorious stream of light, which the eye of man could not well bear to behold; such a glory filled the temple of Solomon at the dedication of that, ( 1 Kings 8:11 ) and was an emblem of Christ, the brightness of his Father's glory, dwelling in and filling the tabernacle of the human nature, where the Godhead, the Shechinah, the divine Majesty, dwells bodily, ( Hebrews 1:3 ) ( John 1:14 ) ( Colossians 2:9 ) .

Exodus 40:34 In-Context

32 whenever they went into the Tent or to the altar, just as the Lord had commanded.
33 Moses set up the enclosure around the Tent and the altar and hung the curtain at the entrance of the enclosure. So he finished all the work.
34 Then the cloud covered the Tent and the dazzling light of the Lord's presence filled it.
35 Because of this, Moses could not go into the Tent.
36 The Israelites moved their camp to another place only when the cloud lifted from the Tent.

Cross References 1

  • 1. 40.34 1 K 8.10, 11;Isaiah 6.4;Ezekiel 43.4, 5;Revelation 15.8.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.