Exodus 33:9
And it came to pass, as Moses entered into the tabernacle, the cloudy pillar descended, and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and the LORD talked with Moses.
Original Language Analysis
וְהָיָ֗ה
H1961
וְהָיָ֗ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 13
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
מֹשֶֽׁה׃
And it came to pass as Moses
H4872
מֹשֶֽׁה׃
And it came to pass as Moses
Strong's:
H4872
Word #:
3 of 13
mosheh, the israelite lawgiver
הָאֹ֑הֶל
into the tabernacle
H168
הָאֹ֑הֶל
into the tabernacle
Strong's:
H168
Word #:
4 of 13
a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)
יֵרֵד֙
descended
H3381
יֵרֵד֙
descended
Strong's:
H3381
Word #:
5 of 13
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
עַמּ֣וּד
pillar
H5982
עַמּ֣וּד
pillar
Strong's:
H5982
Word #:
6 of 13
a column (as standing); also a stand, i.e., platform
הֶֽעָנָ֔ן
the cloudy
H6051
הֶֽעָנָ֔ן
the cloudy
Strong's:
H6051
Word #:
7 of 13
a cloud (as covering the sky), i.e., the nimbus or thunder-cloud
וְעָמַ֖ד
and stood
H5975
וְעָמַ֖ד
and stood
Strong's:
H5975
Word #:
8 of 13
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
פֶּ֣תַח
at the door
H6607
פֶּ֣תַח
at the door
Strong's:
H6607
Word #:
9 of 13
an opening (literally), i.e., door (gate) or entrance way
הָאֹ֑הֶל
into the tabernacle
H168
הָאֹ֑הֶל
into the tabernacle
Strong's:
H168
Word #:
10 of 13
a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)
וְדִבֶּ֖ר
and the LORD talked
H1696
וְדִבֶּ֖ר
and the LORD talked
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
11 of 13
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
Cross References
Historical Context
The pillar of cloud had guided Israel since leaving Egypt (Exodus 13:21). Its presence at the tent door, rather than in the camp center, marked a significant change from the pre-golden calf relationship where God dwelt among them.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you respond when God's presence feels distant due to your sin—do you retreat further or seek restoration?
- What visible signs of God's grace sustain your faith during seasons of spiritual distance?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And it came to pass, as Moses entered into the tabernacle, the cloudy pillar descended—The cloud (עַמּוּד הֶעָנָן, ammud he'anan) represents God's presence, glory, and guidance (Exodus 13:21-22). Its descent signals God's willingness to meet despite Israel's sin. The cloud stands at the door, not inside the camp, maintaining the separation caused by sin while demonstrating continued accessibility through the mediator. This visible manifestation assured Israel that though distant, God had not abandoned them. The shekinah glory would later fill the completed tabernacle (Exodus 40:34-35).