Exodus 40 36

Exodus 40:36 kjv

And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward in all their journeys:

Exodus 40:36 nkjv

Whenever the cloud was taken up from above the tabernacle, the children of Israel would go onward in all their journeys.

Exodus 40:36 niv

In all the travels of the Israelites, whenever the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle, they would set out;

Exodus 40:36 esv

Throughout all their journeys, whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out.

Exodus 40:36 nlt

Now whenever the cloud lifted from the Tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out on their journey, following it.

Exodus 40 verses

Exodus 40 36 Meaning

Exodus 40:36 declares that the entire movement of the Israelites during their wilderness journeys was entirely dependent on and directly initiated by the lifting of God's manifest presence, symbolized by the cloud, from its position over the Tabernacle. This verse highlights the constant, visible, and unambiguous divine guidance and the complete obedience and reliance of the people upon God for every single relocation.

Exodus 40 36 Context

Exodus chapter 40 marks the climactic conclusion of the book, detailing the precise execution and completion of the Tabernacle's construction exactly as Yahweh had commanded Moses (v. 16, 33). Upon its completion and dedication, the glory of the LORD (the kavod Yahweh) filled the Tabernacle, so overwhelmingly that Moses himself could not enter (v. 34-35). Verses 36-38 then transition from the Tabernacle's static completion to its dynamic function as the center of God's guidance for Israel's ongoing wilderness journey. This specific verse establishes the perpetual pattern for Israel's movement, emphasizing their complete reliance on God's visible signal—the lifting of the cloud—to direct every stage of their nomadic life. Historically, this illustrated God's intimate and active leadership for a people who were culturally accustomed to following visible signs, distinct from the unreliable and often violent guidance sought by surrounding pagan nations through their various idols and omens.

Exodus 40 36 Word analysis

• Throughout all their journeys (בְּכָל־מַסְעֵיהֶם, b'khol-mas'eihem):

  • b'khol (בְּכָל) "in all" or "throughout all," signifies totality and comprehensiveness.
  • mas'eihem (מַסְעֵיהֶם), from the noun mas'a (מַסָּע), meaning "a journey," "a breaking camp," or "a setting out." The plural form emphasizes every single movement and leg of their extensive travels. It underscores a continuous state of dependence, not merely an occasional consultation. This wasn't an ad-hoc arrangement but the constant, governing principle of their entire nomadic existence.

• whenever (כִּי־בֵמָשֵׂר, or implicitly from context of verb):

  • The conjunction kî (כִּי) implies a temporal condition, "when" or "whenever," linking the action of the cloud to Israel's response. It establishes the prerequisite for their movement, underscoring the absolute prerequisite of divine initiation.

• the cloud (הֶעָנָן, he'anan):

  • The definite article "the" indicates a specific, well-known cloud, which is the pillar of cloud that led them from Egypt (Ex 13:21-22). This was not a natural weather phenomenon but a supernatural, visible manifestation of God's glorious presence (the Shekinah glory, or kavod Yahweh). It represented God's immediate, tangible presence among His people.

• was taken up (נַעֲלָה, na'alah):

  • From the verb ‘ālāh (עָלָה), meaning "to go up," "ascend," or "be taken up." It's in the Niphal stem, suggesting it was lifted by divine agency or simply "lifted itself." This implies an active, purposeful movement by God, providing an unmistakable signal. It was not a fading or dissipating, but a deliberate ascending action, visible to all.

• from over the tabernacle (מֵעַל הַמִּשְׁכָּן, me'al hammishkan):

  • me'al (מֵעַל) "from over" or "from above."
  • mishkan (מִשְׁכָּן) "dwelling place," referring to the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary. The specific location over the Tabernacle emphasized that God's presence, the very reason for the Tabernacle, was their ultimate guide. It was the physical center of their encampment and worship, but its movement was controlled externally by the cloud.

• the Israelites (בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, b'nei Yisrael):

  • Literally "sons of Israel" or "children of Israel," encompassing the entire nation, all tribes, and the entire assembly. This highlights the collective, unified obedience required from every individual and family unit within the covenant community.

• would set out (יִסְעוּ, yis'u):

  • From the verb nāsaʿ (נָסַע), meaning "to journey," "pull up stakes," or "depart." The imperfect verb form indicates a continuous or repeated action, describing their consistent practice throughout their wilderness sojourn. This was their immediate and customary response to the cloud's signal, signifying prompt and collective obedience.

Words-group analysis:

• "Throughout all their journeys, whenever the cloud was taken up": This phrase emphasizes that God's direction was not an occasional consultation but the constant, non-negotiable principle governing every single stage of Israel's existence. Their entire mobile life was choreographed by divine will.

• "the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle": This identifies the source of authority and direction. It was specifically God's tangible, glorious presence, manifested as a cloud resting directly upon His dwelling place among them, that dictated their movements. This reinforces that the signal was divine, sacred, and centrally located in their camp, leaving no room for doubt or human initiative.

• "the Israelites would set out": This simple yet powerful statement conveys their immediate, complete, and unified obedience. It implies a readiness to move at any moment, without hesitation, based solely on God's clear signal, signifying absolute trust and submission.

Exodus 40 36 Bonus section

The pattern established in Exodus 40:36-38 (God leads, Israel follows) became deeply ingrained in Israel's collective memory, defining their relationship with Yahweh. This wasn't merely practical navigation; it was a profound theological statement: God Himself actively orchestrated every detail of their pilgrimage. The visibility and clarity of the cloud meant that there was no excuse for disobedience, and it stood as a powerful polemic against the arbitrary and often confusing signs or omens sought by other ancient Near Eastern peoples from their deities. This continuous, immediate guidance provided both reassurance and discipline. Furthermore, the very existence of a cloud offering guidance and protection by day (Ps 105:39) highlighted God's comprehensive provision for their physical as well as spiritual needs. This divine choreography built character and instilled unwavering trust in the wilderness generation.

Exodus 40 36 Commentary

Exodus 40:36 encapsulates a foundational principle of God's relationship with His people: complete dependence and immediate obedience. As the climax of the Tabernacle's construction and dedication, this verse illustrates that the dwelling of God's glory among them was not merely for worship but for dynamic guidance. The visible ascent of the cloud was God's unambiguous command to move, requiring the entire congregation to pack up and set out regardless of personal comfort or perceived timing. This principle transcended logistical concerns, cementing the Israelites' identity as a people continually led by divine sovereignty. It was a lesson in trusting God's wisdom and timing, even when the path ahead was unknown. For believers, this echoes the call to walk by faith, not by sight, being continually sensitive to and led by the Holy Spirit (Rom 8:14), who now indwells the new covenant community and individual believers. Just as the Tabernacle was the physical center of Israel's life, God's indwelling Spirit becomes the divine guide for the Christian's journey, demanding similar responsiveness and reliance.