Exodus 40:37
New International Version
but if the cloud did not lift, they did not set out—until the day it lifted.

New Living Translation
But if the cloud did not rise, they remained where they were until it lifted.

English Standard Version
But if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not set out till the day that it was taken up.

Berean Standard Bible
If the cloud was not lifted, they would not set out until the day it was taken up.

King James Bible
But if the cloud were not taken up, then they journeyed not till the day that it was taken up.

New King James Version
But if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not journey till the day that it was taken up.

New American Standard Bible
but if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not set out until the day when it was taken up.

NASB 1995
but if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not set out until the day when it was taken up.

NASB 1977
but if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not set out until the day when it was taken up.

Legacy Standard Bible
but if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not set out until the day when it was taken up.

Amplified Bible
but if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not journey on until the day when it was taken up.

Christian Standard Bible
If the cloud was not taken up, they did not set out until the day it was taken up.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
If the cloud was not taken up, they did not set out until the day it was taken up.

American Standard Version
but if the cloud was not taken up, then they journeyed not till the day that it was taken up.

Contemporary English Version
then they would set up camp and stay there, until it moved again.

English Revised Version
but if the cloud were not taken up, then they journeyed not till the day that it was taken up.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But if the column didn't move, they wouldn't break camp.

Good News Translation
As long as the cloud stayed there, they did not move their camp.

International Standard Version
but if the cloud was not lifted up, they would not set out until it was lifted up,

Majority Standard Bible
If the cloud was not lifted, they would not set out until the day it was taken up.

NET Bible
but if the cloud was not lifted up, then they would not journey further until the day it was lifted up.

New Heart English Bible
but if the cloud wasn't taken up, then they did not travel until the day that it was taken up.

Webster's Bible Translation
But if the cloud was not taken up, then they journeyed not till the day that it was taken up.

World English Bible
but if the cloud wasn’t taken up, then they didn’t travel until the day that it was taken up.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and if the cloud does not go up then they do not journey, until the day of its going up.

Young's Literal Translation
and if the cloud go not up then they journey not, until the day of its going up:

Smith's Literal Translation
And if the cloud shall not go up, they will not remove till the day it went up.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
If it hung over, they remained in the same place.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But if it remained hanging over it, they remained in the same place.

New American Bible
But if the cloud did not lift, they would not go forward; only when it lifted did they go forward.

New Revised Standard Version
but if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not set out until the day that it was taken up.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But if the cloud was not lifted up, then they did not journey till the day that it was lifted up.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
But if the cloud was not taken up, they did not pack up until the day that it was taken up.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
But if the cloud was not taken up, then they journeyed not till the day that it was taken up.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And if the cloud went not up, they did not prepare to depart, till the day when the cloud went up.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Glory of the LORD
36Whenever the cloud was lifted from above the tabernacle, the Israelites would set out through all the stages of their journey. 37If the cloud was not lifted, they would not set out until the day it was taken up. 38For the cloud of the LORD was over the tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel through all their journeys.…

Cross References
Numbers 9:18-23
At the LORD’s command the Israelites set out, and at the LORD’s command they camped. As long as the cloud remained over the tabernacle, they remained encamped. / Even when the cloud lingered over the tabernacle for many days, the Israelites kept the LORD’s charge and did not set out. / Sometimes the cloud remained over the tabernacle for only a few days, and they would camp at the LORD’s command and set out at the LORD’s command. ...

Numbers 10:33-36
So they set out on a three-day journey from the mountain of the LORD, with the ark of the covenant of the LORD traveling ahead of them for those three days to seek a resting place for them. / And the cloud of the LORD was over them by day when they set out from the camp. / Whenever the ark set out, Moses would say, “Rise up, O LORD! May Your enemies be scattered; may those who hate You flee before You.” ...

Exodus 13:21-22
And the LORD went before them in a pillar of cloud to guide their way by day, and in a pillar of fire to give them light by night, so that they could travel by day or night. / Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place before the people.

Nehemiah 9:19
You in Your great compassion did not forsake them in the wilderness. By day the pillar of cloud never turned away from guiding them on their path; and by the night the pillar of fire illuminated the way they should go.

Psalm 78:14
He led them with a cloud by day and with a light of fire all night.

Psalm 105:39
He spread a cloud as a covering and a fire to light up the night.

1 Corinthians 10:1-2
I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud, and that they all passed through the sea. / They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea.

Deuteronomy 1:33
who went before you on the journey, in the fire by night and in the cloud by day, to seek out a place for you to camp and to show you the road to travel.

Isaiah 63:11-14
Then His people remembered the days of old, the days of Moses. Where is He who brought them through the sea with the shepherds of His flock? Where is the One who set His Holy Spirit among them, / who sent His glorious arm to lead them by the right hand of Moses, who divided the waters before them to gain for Himself everlasting renown, / who led them through the depths like a horse in the wilderness, so that they did not stumble? ...

John 1:14
The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Revelation 21:3
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying: “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God.

Hebrews 9:8-9
By this arrangement the Holy Spirit was showing that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still standing. / It is an illustration for the present time, because the gifts and sacrifices being offered were unable to cleanse the conscience of the worshiper.

1 Kings 8:10-11
And when the priests came out of the Holy Place, the cloud filled the house of the LORD / so that the priests could not stand there to minister because of the cloud. For the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD.

Ezekiel 10:18-19
Then the glory of the LORD moved away from the threshold of the temple and stood above the cherubim. / As I watched, the cherubim lifted their wings and rose up from the ground, with the wheels beside them as they went. And they stopped at the entrance of the east gate of the house of the LORD, with the glory of the God of Israel above them.

Ezekiel 11:22-23
Then the cherubim, with the wheels beside them, spread their wings, and the glory of the God of Israel was above them. / And the glory of the LORD rose up from within the city and stood over the mountain east of the city.


Treasury of Scripture

But if the cloud were not taken up, then they journeyed not till the day that it was taken up.

Numbers 9:19-22
And when the cloud tarried long upon the tabernacle many days, then the children of Israel kept the charge of the LORD, and journeyed not…

Psalm 31:15
My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.

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Exodus 40
1. The tabernacle is commanded to be reared, anointed, and consecrated
13. Aaron and his sons to be sanctified
16. Moses performs all things accordingly
34. A cloud covers the tabernacle














but if the cloud was not lifted
The "cloud" here refers to the cloud of the Lord's presence, which rested over the Tabernacle. In Hebrew, the word for cloud is "עָנָן" (anan), symbolizing divine guidance and protection. This cloud was a visible manifestation of God's presence among His people, a constant reminder of His sovereignty and care. The lifting of the cloud signified God's direction for the Israelites to move. Historically, this cloud was a unique phenomenon during the Israelites' wilderness journey, emphasizing their dependence on God's timing and leadership.

they would not set out
The phrase "they would not set out" underscores the obedience and patience required of the Israelites. The Hebrew root for "set out" is "נָסַע" (nasa), meaning to pull up or journey. This reflects a disciplined waiting on God's command, a lesson in trust and submission to divine will. The Israelites' journey was not just a physical relocation but a spiritual exercise in following God's lead, teaching them reliance on His perfect timing.

until the day it was taken up
The phrase "until the day it was taken up" indicates a specific time when the cloud would lift, signaling the time to move. The Hebrew word for "taken up" is "עָלָה" (alah), meaning to ascend or go up. This action was a clear, divine signal that the Israelites were to continue their journey. It highlights the importance of divine timing in the life of believers, teaching that God's plans unfold in His perfect timing. The Israelites' journey was marked by these divine cues, reinforcing the principle of waiting on the Lord and moving in His appointed time.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
If
וְאִם־ (wə·’im-)
Conjunctive waw | Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

the cloud
הֶעָנָ֑ן (he·‘ā·nān)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6051: A cloud, the nimbus, thunder-cloud

was not
לֹ֥א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

lifted,
יֵעָלֶ֖ה (yê·‘ā·leh)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

they would not
וְלֹ֣א (wə·lō)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

set out
יִסְע֔וּ (yis·‘ū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5265: To pull up, the tent-pins, start on a, journey

until
עַד־ (‘aḏ-)
Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

the day
י֖וֹם (yō·wm)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3117: A day

it was taken up.
הֵעָלֹתֽוֹ׃ (hê·‘ā·lō·ṯōw)
Verb - Nifal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively


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OT Law: Exodus 40:37 But if the cloud wasn't taken up (Exo. Ex)
Exodus 40:36
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