Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Exodus 40:36
And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward in all their journeys:
36. went onward ] lit. plucked up (tent-pegs), i.e. broke up camp, the usual Heb. expression for set out. The verb is cognate with ‘journeys,’ and is rendered ‘journeyed’ in v. 37. Comp. on Exo 12:37, and Exo 17:1.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
36 38. The tenses are throughout frequentative ( used to go onward, used not to journey, used to be), describing what was the case habitually during the journeyings in the wilderness. Cf. Num 9:16-23; Num 10:34; also Exo 10:11 f. (all P). For the divergent representations of J and E, see on Exo 13:21-22.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 36. When the cloud was taken up] The subject of these three last verses has been very largely explained in the notes on Ex 13:21, to which, as well as to the general remarks on that chapter, the reader is requested immediately to refer. See Clarke on Ex 13:21.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
36. when the cloud was taken up fromover the tabernacleIn journeying through the sandy, tracklessdeserts of the East, the use of torches, exhibiting a cloud of smokeby day and of fire by night, has been resorted to from timeimmemorial. The armies of Darius and Alexander were conducted ontheir marches in this manner [FABER].The Arab caravans in the present day observe the same custom; andmaterials for these torches are stored up among other necessarypreparations for a journey. Live fuel, hoisted in chafing dishes atthe end of long poles, and being seen at a great distance, serves, bythe smoke in the daytime and the light at night, as a better signalfor march than the sound of a trumpet, which is not heard at theextremities of a large camp [LABORDE].This usage, and the miracle related by Moses, mutually illustrateeach other. The usage leads us to think that the miracle wasnecessary, and worthy of God to perform; and, on the other hand, themiracle of the cloudy pillar, affording double benefit of shade byday and light at night, implies not only that the usage was notunknown to the Hebrews, but supplied all the wants which they felt incommon with other travellers through those dreary regions [FABER,HESS, GRANDPIERRE].But its peculiar appearance, unvarying character, and regularmovements, distinguished it from all the common atmosphericphenomena. It was an invaluable boon to the Israelites, and beingrecognized by all classes among that people as the symbol of theDivine Presence, it guided their journeys and regulated theirencampments (compare Psa 29:1-11;Psa 105:1-45).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle,…. 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 Ex 40:37, see Nu 9:17 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, Eze 1:19.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(36-38) The cloud was henceforth, in a peculiar way, attached to the Tabernacle. As a cloud it rested upon it by day; as a pillar of fire by night. Only in one case was it removed, viz., when it was the Divine will that Israel should march. (See Num. 9:15-22.)
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
Num 9:15-23 . Precious tokens these of the divine presence, and of the divine favour. Isa 4:5-6 . But how much more precious, since the Lord Jesus came and tabernacled among his people, in the likeness of our flesh? Joh 1:14 ; Gal 4:14 . The pillar of cloud moving before them was a delightful testimony of what the people were to do, and a sure guide for them to follow. But how much greater our privileges, who are under the leadings and teachings of the Holy Ghost. Rom 8:14 . How solemn must have been this entry of the Shechinah, the glory of the Lord, into the court, and through the court, towards the altar and mercy-seat. But Reader! how sweet that scripture, Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true, but into heaven itself, there to appear in the presence of God for us. Heb 9:24 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Exo 40:36 And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward in all their journeys:
Ver. 36. The children of Israel went. ] The Jews conceive that this cloud that led Israel through the wilderness, levelled mountains, raised valleys, and laid all aflat: that it burnt up bushes, and smoothed rocks, and made all plain, &c. See Luk 3:5 Isa 4:5
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
when the cloud, &c. This continued till Moses’ death, when the ark (which till then was carried in the midst of the host) took its place and went “before them”. See Jos 3:3-6, Jos 3:11.
children = sons.
journeys = journeyings. Literally settings forward.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
when: Exo 13:21, Exo 13:22, Num 10:11-13, Num 10:33-36, Num 19:17-22, Neh 9:19, Psa 78:14, Psa 105:39, 1Co 10:1, 2Co 5:19, 2Co 5:20
went onward: Heb. journeyed
Reciprocal: Num 9:17 – when the cloud Num 9:22 – abode Num 10:12 – took