Exodus 33:9

9 As he went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and hover at its entrance while the LORD spoke with Moses.

Exodus 33:9 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 33:9

And it came to pass, as Moses entered into the tabernacle,
the cloudy pillar descended
From the top of the mount in which Jehovah was:

and stood at the door of the tabernacle;
where Moses was just entered, and in sight of the people, which was a token of grace and favour both to him and them:

and [the Lord] talked with Moses;
not the cloudy pillar, but the Lord in it, as we rightly supply it: what he talked with him about is not said, very probably concerning the children of Israel, their conduct and behaviour, and what was his will further concerning them.

Exodus 33:9 In-Context

7 It was Moses’ practice to take the Tent of Meeting and set it up some distance from the camp. Everyone who wanted to make a request of the LORD would go to the Tent of Meeting outside the camp.
8 Whenever Moses went out to the Tent of Meeting, all the people would get up and stand in the entrances of their own tents. They would all watch Moses until he disappeared inside.
9 As he went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and hover at its entrance while the LORD spoke with Moses.
10 When the people saw the cloud standing at the entrance of the tent, they would stand and bow down in front of their own tents.
11 Inside the Tent of Meeting, the LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Afterward Moses would return to the camp, but the young man who assisted him, Joshua son of Nun, would remain behind in the Tent of Meeting.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.