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:
Original Language Analysis
וַֽיהוָ֡ה
And the LORD
H3068
וַֽיהוָ֡ה
And the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
1 of 16
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לָלֶ֖כֶת
went
H1980
לָלֶ֖כֶת
went
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
2 of 16
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
לִפְנֵיהֶ֨ם
before
H6440
לִפְנֵיהֶ֨ם
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
3 of 16
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
בְּעַמּ֥וּד
in a pillar
H5982
בְּעַמּ֥וּד
in a pillar
Strong's:
H5982
Word #:
5 of 16
a column (as standing); also a stand, i.e., platform
עָנָן֙
of a cloud
H6051
עָנָן֙
of a cloud
Strong's:
H6051
Word #:
6 of 16
a cloud (as covering the sky), i.e., the nimbus or thunder-cloud
לַנְחֹתָ֣ם
to lead
H5148
לַנְחֹתָ֣ם
to lead
Strong's:
H5148
Word #:
7 of 16
to guide; by implication, to transport (into exile, or as colonists)
הַדֶּ֔רֶךְ
them the way
H1870
הַדֶּ֔רֶךְ
them the way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
8 of 16
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
וָלָֽיְלָה׃
and by night
H3915
וָלָֽיְלָה׃
and by night
Strong's:
H3915
Word #:
9 of 16
properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity
בְּעַמּ֥וּד
in a pillar
H5982
בְּעַמּ֥וּד
in a pillar
Strong's:
H5982
Word #:
10 of 16
a column (as standing); also a stand, i.e., platform
לְהָאִ֣יר
to give them light
H215
לְהָאִ֣יר
to give them light
Strong's:
H215
Word #:
12 of 16
to be (causative, make) luminous (literally and metaphorically)
Cross References
Nehemiah 9:12Moreover thou leddest them in the day by a cloudy pillar; and in the night by a pillar of fire, to give them light in the way wherein they should go.Psalms 99:7He spake unto them in the cloudy pillar: they kept his testimonies, and the ordinance that he gave them.Deuteronomy 1:33Who went in the way before you, to search you out a place to pitch your tents in, in fire by night, to shew you by what way ye should go, and in a cloud by day.Psalms 105:39He spread a cloud for a covering; and fire to give light in the night.Psalms 78:14In the daytime also he led them with a cloud, and all the night with a light of fire.Nehemiah 9:19Yet thou in thy manifold mercies forsookest them not in the wilderness: the pillar of the cloud departed not from them by day, to lead them in the way; neither the pillar of fire by night, to shew them light, and the way wherein they should go.Numbers 14:14And they will tell it to the inhabitants of this land: for they have heard that thou LORD art among this people, that thou LORD art seen face to face, and that thy cloud standeth over them, and that thou goest before them, by day time in a pillar of a cloud, and in a pillar of fire by night.Numbers 10:34And the cloud of the LORD was upon them by day, when they went out of the camp.
Historical Context
This pillar remained throughout wilderness wanderings (Exodus 40:36-38). It later filled the tabernacle (Exodus 40:34), connecting God's guiding presence with His dwelling presence.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's pillar adapting to circumstances (cloud/fire) demonstrate His provision for every condition you face?
- What does God personally accompanying Israel rather than merely directing from heaven teach about His covenant relationship?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The LORD's guidance through 'pillar of a cloud' by day and 'pillar of fire' by night provides both direction and protection. Cloud shielded from desert heat; fire gave light and warmth in darkness. The continuity—'to go by day and night'—meant Israel could travel any time under divine guidance. This visible manifestation of God's presence (Shekinah glory) assured them of His nearness. God doesn't send from distance but personally accompanies.