Exodus 33:9
New International Version
As Moses went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and stay at the entrance, while the LORD spoke with Moses.

New Living Translation
As he went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and hover at its entrance while the LORD spoke with Moses.

English Standard Version
When Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the entrance of the tent, and the LORD would speak with Moses.

Berean Standard Bible
As Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and remain at the entrance, and the LORD would speak with Moses.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
And it came to pass, when Moses entered the tabernacle, that the pillar of cloud descended and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and the LORD talked with Moses.

New American Standard Bible
Whenever Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the entrance of the tent; and the LORD would speak with Moses.

NASB 1995
Whenever Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the entrance of the tent; and the LORD would speak with Moses.

NASB 1977
And it came about, whenever Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the entrance of the tent; and the LORD would speak with Moses.

Legacy Standard Bible
And it happened whenever Moses entered the tent, that the pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the entrance of the tent; and Yahweh would speak with Moses.

Amplified Bible
Whenever Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the doorway of the tent; and the LORD would speak with Moses.

Christian Standard Bible
When Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and remain at the entrance to the tent, and the LORD would speak with Moses.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and remain at the entrance to the tent, and the LORD would speak with Moses.

American Standard Version
And it came to pass, when Moses entered into the Tent, the pillar of cloud descended, and stood at the door of the Tent: and Jehovah spake with Moses.

English Revised Version
And it came to pass, when Moses entered into the Tent, the pillar of cloud descended, and stood at the door of the Tent: and the LORD spake with Moses.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
As soon as Moses went into the tent, the column of smoke would come down and stay at the entrance to the tent while the LORD spoke with Moses.

Good News Translation
After Moses had gone in, the pillar of cloud would come down and stay at the door of the Tent, and the LORD would speak to Moses from the cloud.

International Standard Version
When Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and stand at the doorway of the tent while God spoke with Moses.

Majority Standard Bible
As Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and remain at the entrance, and the LORD would speak with Moses.

NET Bible
And whenever Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the entrance of the tent, and the LORD would speak with Moses.

New Heart English Bible
It happened, when Moses entered into the Tent, that the pillar of cloud descended, stood at the door of the Tent, and spoke with Moses.

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

World English Bible
When Moses entered into the Tent, the pillar of cloud descended, stood at the door of the Tent, and Yahweh spoke with Moses.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And it has come to pass, at the going in of Moses to the tent, the pillar of the cloud comes down, and has stood at the opening of the tent, and He has spoken with Moses;

Young's Literal Translation
And it hath come to pass, at the going in of Moses to the tent, the pillar of the cloud cometh down, and hath stood at the opening of the tent, and He hath spoken with Moses;

Smith's Literal Translation
And it was as Moses went to the tent, the pillar of the cloud came down and stood at the door of the tent, and spake with Moses.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And when he was gone into the tabernacle of the covenant, the pillar of the cloud came down, and stood at the door, and he spoke with Moses.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And when he had gone into the Tabernacle of the Covenant, the pillar of cloud descended and stood at the door, and he spoke with Moses.

New American Bible
As Moses entered the tent, the column of cloud would come down and stand at its entrance while the LORD spoke with Moses.

New Revised Standard Version
When Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the entrance of the tent, and the LORD would speak with Moses.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And it came to pass as Moses entered into the tabernacle the pillar of cloud descended and stood at the door of the tabernacle and the LORD talked with Moses.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And whenever Moshe went out to the Tent, all the people stood and were presented, each person, at the door of his tent and looked at the back of Moshe until he entered the tent.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And it came to pass, when Moses entered into the Tent, the pillar of cloud descended, and stood at the door of the Tent; and [the LORD] spoke with Moses.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And when Moses entered into the tabernacle, the pillar of the cloud descended, and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and God talked to Moses.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Tent of Meeting
8Then, whenever Moses went out to the tent, all the people would stand at the entrances to their own tents and watch Moses until he entered the tent. 9As Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and remain at the entrance, and the LORD would speak with Moses. 10When all the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance to the tent, they would stand up and worship, each one at the entrance to his own tent.…

Cross References
Numbers 12:5
and the LORD came down in a pillar of cloud, stood at the entrance to the Tent, and summoned Aaron and Miriam. When both of them had stepped forward,

Deuteronomy 31:15
Then the LORD appeared at the tent in a pillar of cloud, and the cloud stood over the entrance to the tent.

Exodus 40:34-35
Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. / Moses was unable to enter the Tent of Meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.

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.

2 Chronicles 5:13-14
The trumpeters and singers joined together to praise and thank the LORD with one voice. They lifted up their voices, accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, and musical instruments, in praise to the LORD: “For He is good; His loving devotion endures forever.” And the temple, the house of the LORD, was filled with a cloud / so that the priests could not stand there to minister because of the cloud. For the glory of the LORD filled the house of God.

Ezekiel 10:3-4
Now when the man went in, the cherubim were standing on the south side of the temple, and a cloud filled the inner court. / Then the glory of the LORD rose from above the cherubim and stood over the threshold of the temple. The temple was filled with the cloud, and the court was filled with the brightness of the glory of the LORD.

Isaiah 6:4
At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook, and the temple was filled with smoke.

Psalm 99:7
He spoke to them from the pillar of cloud; they kept His decrees and the statutes He gave them.

Psalm 103:7
He made known His ways to Moses, His deeds to the people of Israel.

Acts 7:38
He was in the assembly in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers. And he received living words to pass on to us.

Hebrews 9:5
Above the ark were the cherubim of glory, overshadowing the mercy seat. But we cannot discuss these things in detail now.

Revelation 15:8
And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power; and no one could enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed.

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.

Matthew 17:5
While Peter was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!”

Luke 9:34-35
While Peter was speaking, a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. / And a voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is My Son, whom I have chosen. Listen to Him!”


Treasury of Scripture

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.

cloudy

Exodus 13:21,22
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: …

Psalm 99:7
He spake unto them in the cloudy pillar: they kept his testimonies, and the ordinance that he gave them.

talked

Exodus 33:11
And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle.

Exodus 25:22
And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.

Exodus 31:18
And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.

Jump to Previous
Cloud Cloudy Descend Descended Door Entered Entrance Moses Opening Pillar Speak Stand Stood Tabernacle Talked Talking Tent Whenever
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Cloud Cloudy Descend Descended Door Entered Entrance Moses Opening Pillar Speak Stand Stood Tabernacle Talked Talking Tent Whenever
Exodus 33
1. The Lord refuses to go as he had promised with the people
4. The people mourn there
7. The tabernacle is removed out of the camp
9. The Lord talks familiarly with Moses
12. Moses prevails with God, and desires to see his glory














As Moses entered the tent
The "tent" referred to here is the Tent of Meeting, a temporary structure set up outside the camp where Moses would meet with God. The Hebrew word for "tent" is "ohel," which signifies a dwelling or habitation. This tent symbolizes a sacred space, set apart for divine encounters. Historically, the Tent of Meeting served as a precursor to the Tabernacle, emphasizing the importance of a designated place for worship and communion with God. Moses entering the tent signifies his role as mediator between God and the Israelites, highlighting the necessity of approaching God with reverence and intentionality.

the pillar of cloud
The "pillar of cloud" is a manifestation of God's presence and guidance. In Hebrew, "pillar" is "ammud," which conveys the idea of something standing firm and upright. The cloud represents God's glory and protection, a visible sign of His covenant with Israel. Throughout the Exodus journey, the pillar of cloud guided the Israelites by day, symbolizing God's constant presence and faithfulness. This imagery reassures believers of God's unwavering guidance and His ability to lead His people through life's uncertainties.

would come down and remain at the entrance
The action of the cloud "coming down" signifies God's willingness to dwell among His people. The Hebrew verb "yarad" means to descend, indicating God's condescension to meet with humanity. The cloud "remaining" at the entrance underscores the stability and assurance of God's presence. This divine descent is a precursor to the incarnation of Christ, where God would ultimately dwell among us in human form. It serves as a reminder of God's desire for relationship and His readiness to meet us where we are.

and the LORD would speak with Moses
The phrase "the LORD would speak" highlights the personal and direct communication between God and Moses. The Hebrew word for "speak" is "dabar," which implies not just verbal communication but the conveyance of divine will and instruction. This interaction underscores Moses' unique role as a prophet and leader, chosen to receive and relay God's commandments to the people. It also reflects the broader biblical theme of God desiring to communicate with His creation, inviting believers into a relationship where they can hear and respond to His voice. This divine dialogue is a testament to the accessibility of God and His willingness to engage with those who seek Him earnestly.

Verse 9. - As Moses entered into the tabernacle. Rather, "When Moses was gone into the tent." The cloudy pillar descended. It is not quite clear whether this was done once only, or whether the pillar, during the continuance of this "tent of meeting," alternated between the top of Sinai and the door of the tent, descending when Moses entered the tent and reascending when he quitted it. The latter supposition is most consonant with the previous statement (ver. 7) that "every one which sought the Lord went out unto the tabernacle" (tent), for the people were at no time allowed to approach the cloud. And the Lord talked with Moses. Literally, "And talked with Moses." The cloudy pillar, in and through which God made his presence felt, is here identified with God, and said to have conversed with Moses.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
As
וְהָיָ֗ה (wə·hā·yāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

Moses
מֹשֶׁה֙ (mō·šeh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4872: Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver

entered
כְּבֹ֤א (kə·ḇō)
Preposition-k | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

the tent,
הָאֹ֔הֱלָה (hā·’ō·hĕ·lāh)
Article | Noun - masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 168: A tent

the pillar
עַמּ֣וּד (‘am·mūḏ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5982: A column, a stand, platform

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

would come down
יֵרֵד֙ (yê·rêḏ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3381: To come or go down, descend

and remain
וְעָמַ֖ד (wə·‘ā·maḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5975: To stand, in various relations

at the entrance,
פֶּ֣תַח (pe·ṯaḥ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6607: An opening, door, entrance way

and the LORD would speak
וְדִבֶּ֖ר (wə·ḏib·ber)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

with
עִם־ (‘im-)
Preposition
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

Moses.
מֹשֶֽׁה׃ (mō·šeh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4872: Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver


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OT Law: Exodus 33:9 It happened when Moses entered into (Exo. Ex)
Exodus 33:8
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