Psalm - 78:14



14 In the daytime he also led them with a cloud, and all night with a light of fire.

Verse In-Depth

Explanation and meaning of Psalm 78:14.

Differing Translations

Compare verses for better understanding.
In the day-time also he led them with a cloud, And all the night with a light of fire.
And he conducted them with a cloud by day: and all the night with a light of
And he led them with a cloud in the daytime, and all the night with the light of fire.
And leadeth them with a cloud by day, And all the night with a light of fire.
In the daytime he was guiding them in the cloud, and all through the night with a light of fire.
By day also He led them with a cloud, And all the night with a light of fire.

*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.


Historical Commentaries

Scholarly Analysis and Interpretation.

In the day-time also he led them with a cloud - That is, the cloud was the visible symbol of his presence, and its movements determined the way in which they were to go. It was "God" who led them, and who adopted this manner of doing it, so that they had "always" with them, by day and by night, a "visible" proof of his presence. There was that with them which could not be ascribed to any natural causes, and which, therefore, "demonstrated" that God was with them, and that as long as they followed the cloud and the pillar of fire they could not err. See Exodus 13:21; Exodus 14:24. They had the less excuse, therefore, for rebelling against him.
And all the night with a light of fire - A column - a pillar - which stood over the camp, and which was a symbol of the divine presence and guidance. The cloud would not be visible by night, nor would the fire be a good guide by day; and hence, the form of the symbol was changed. The same thing, however, was intended by both, and together they were standing proofs of the presence of God.

In the daytime also he led them with a cloud,.... Which was in the form of a pillar, and went before them, and the Lord in it, and directed their way, and protected them from heat; see Exodus 13:21, Nehemiah 9:12 this was typical of Christ, who is a shadow and security from the heat of a fiery law, the flaming sword of justice, the wrath of God, which is poured forth like fire, the fiery darts of Satan, and from hurt by any enemy whatever; see Isaiah 4:5, and who leads his people through the wilderness of this world by his Spirit, by his word, and by his own example; and who is the best and safest guide to follow:
and all the night with a light of fire; which also was in the form of a pillar, and went before them, and gave light in the night, and the Lord was in it; and this also was typical of Christ, who is the light of his people amidst all their darkness in this world.

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