Exodus 40:36

36 In all their travels, whenever the [column of] smoke moved from the tent, the Israelites would break camp.

Exodus 40:36 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 40:36

And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle,
&c.] By the Lord himself, or it removed by his order, that is, rose up and stood above the tabernacle, and appeared in the form of a pillar, and went before it:

the children of Israel went onward in all their journeys;
the motion of the cloud was a direction to set forward and continue their journey as long as it lasted; but when it rested and abode upon the tabernacle, then they stopped and rested also, as is suggested in the following verse ( Exodus 40:37 ) , see ( Numbers 9:17-23 ) thus the saints are to be followers of God as dear children, and to follow the Lamb whithersoever he goes or directs, and walk after the Spirit, the dictates and directions thereof; so the wheels in Ezekiel's vision went and stood, as did the living creatures, and the spirit in them, ( Ezekiel 1:19-21 ) .

Exodus 40:36 In-Context

34 Then the [column of] smoke covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tent.

35 Moses couldn't go into the tent of meeting, because the smoke settled on it and the glory of the LORD filled the tent.

36 In all their travels, whenever the [column of] smoke moved from the tent, the Israelites would break camp.

37 But if the column didn't move, they wouldn't break camp.

38 So the LORD's column stayed over the tent during the day, and there was fire in the smoke at night. In this way all the Israelites could see the column throughout their travels.