Cloud: 10 definitions

Introduction
Image gallery
In Christianity
1. General definition
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Introduction:

Cloud means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Christianity, the history of ancient India. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. On this page you will also find search and cross-referencing tools.

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In Christianity

General definition (in Christianity)

: archive.org: Easton's Bible Dictionary

Cloud definition and references: The Hebrew so rendered means 鈥渁 covering,鈥� because clouds cover the sky. The word is used as a symbol of the Divine presence, as indicating the splendour of that glory which it conceals (Exodus 16:10; 33:9; Numbers 11:25; 12:5; Job 22:14; Psalms 18:11). A 鈥渃loud without rain鈥� is a proverbial saying, denoting a man who does not keep his promise (Proverbs 16:15; Isaiah 18:4; 25:5; Jude 1:12). A cloud is the figure of that which is transitory (Job 30:15; Hosea 6:4). A bright cloud is the symbolical seat of the Divine presence (Exodus 29:42, 43; 1 Kings 8:10; 2 Chronicles 5:14; Ezekiel 43:4), and was called the Shechinah (q.v.). Jehovah came down upon Sinai in a cloud (Exodus 19:9); and the cloud filled the court around the tabernacle in the wilderness so that Moses could not enter it (Exodus 40:34, 35). At the dedication of the temple also the cloud 鈥渇illed the house of the Lord鈥� (1 Kings 8:10). Thus in like manner when Christ comes the second time he is described as coming 鈥渋n the clouds鈥� (Matthew 17:5; 24:30; Acts 1:9, 11). False teachers are likened unto clouds carried about with a tempest (2 Pet. 2:17). The infirmities of old age, which come one after another, are compared by Solomon to 鈥渃louds returning after the rain鈥� (Ecclesiastes 12:2). The blotting out of sins is like the sudden disappearance of threatening clouds from the sky (Isaiah 44:22).

Cloud, the pillar of, was the glory-cloud which indicated God鈥檚 presence leading the ransomed people through the wilderness (Exodus 13:22; 33:9, 10). This pillar preceded the people as they marched, resting on the ark (Exodus 13:21; 40:36). By night it became a pillar of fire (Numbers 9:17-23).

: archive.org: Smith's Bible Dictionary

Cloud refers to:鈥擳he shelter given, and refreshment of rain promised, by clouds give them their peculiar prominence in Oriental imagery. When a cloud appears rain is ordinarily apprehended, and thus the 鈥渃loud without rain鈥� becomes a proverb for the man of promise without performance. (Proverbs 16:15; Isaiah 18:4; 25:5; Jude 1:12) comp. Prov 25:14 The cloud is a figure of transitoriness, (Job 30:15; Hosea 6:4) and of whatever intercepts divine favor or human supplication. (Lamentations 2:1; 3:44) A bright cloud at times visited and rested on the mercy-seat. (Exodus 29:42,43; 1 Kings 8:10,11; 2 Chronicles 5:14; Ezekiel 43:4) and was by later writers named Shechinah.

: archive.org: Nave's Topical Bible

Cloud definition and references: 鈥�Figurative Jeremiah 4:13; Hosea 6:4; 13:3
鈥�Symbolical Revelation 14:14
鈥�Pillar Of Exodus 13:21,22; 14:19,24; 16:10; 19:9,16; 24:16-18; 33:9,10; 34:5; 40:36-38; Leviticus 16:2; Numbers 9:15-23; 10:11,12,33-36; 11:25; 12:5,10; 14:10; 16:19,42; Deuteronomy 1:33; 31:15; 1 Kings 8:10,11; 2 Chronicles 7:1-3; Nehemiah 9:12,19; Psalms 78:14; 105:39; Isaiah 4:5; 6:1,4; Ezekiel 10:18,19; 11:22,23; Matthew 17:5; Luke 2:8,9; 9:34,35
鈥�Appearances Of
鈥�In Ezekiel鈥橲 Vision Ezekiel 10:3,4,18; 11:22,23

: archive.org: Kitto's Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature

Cloud refers to:鈥擳he allusions to clouds in Scripture, as well as their use in symbolical language, must be understood with reference to the nature of the climate, where the sky scarcely exhibits the trace of a cloud from the beginning of May to the end of September, during which period clouds so rarely appear, and rains so seldom fall, as to be considered phenomena—as was the case with the harvest rain which Samuel invoked, and with the little cloud, not larger than a man's hand, the appearance of which in the west was immediately noticed as something remarkable not only in itself, but as a sure harbinger of rain.

As in such climates clouds refreshingly veil the oppressive glories of the sun, clouds often symbolize the Divine presence, as indicating the splendor, insupportable to man, of that glory which they wholly or partially conceal (;;;;;;;;;;;; , etc.;;;; ). Somewhat allied to this use is that which makes clouds the symbols of the Divine power.

Clouds are also the symbol of armies and multitudes of people.

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: archive.org: Fausset's Bible Dictionary

Cloud refers to:鈥擜 type of refreshment, as it shades off the oppressive sun in Palestine, and gives promise of rain (1 Kings 18:45). It stands out the more prominent because of the clear sky that surrounds it, and the usually cloudless weather that prevails in the East. "Cloud without rain," therefore, symbolizes a man that promises much, but does not perform (Proverbs 16:15; Proverbs 25:14; Judges 1:12). Isaiah 25:5; "as the heat in dry place (is brought down by the shadow of a cloud, so) Thou shalt bring down the triumphant shout of the foreigners." Also typifying transitoriness (Job 30:15; Hosea 6:4). Also of what intercepts God's favor from us (Lamentations 2:1; Lamentations 3:44). As the veil between things seen and things unseen, it, with its floating undefined form, is the symbol manifesting the mysterious unseen presence of God (2 Samuel 22:12-13).

Sometimes in thick gloom portending judgment (Joel 2:2). "Clouds and darkness round about Him" (Psalms 97:2). The fire of lightning, too, warped in the clouds, suggesting the same punitive aspect of God (Isaiah 19:1), especially as He shall come to judgment (Daniel 7:13; Revelation 1:7; Matthew 26:64). The supernatural cloud on mount Sinai was attended with fire (Exodus 19:16; Exodus 19:18; Deuteronomy 4:11), a fit symbol of the legal dispensation which speaks the divine terror to the transgressor, in contrast to the gospel which speaks Jesus' loving invitation from the heavenly mount (Hebrews 12:18-25).

PILLAR OF CLOUD. The symbol of God's presence with Israel, guiding them from Egypt to Canaan (Exodus 13:21-22). It became fire by night. So in the Red Sea it gave light to the escaping Israelites, while interposing between them and the pursuing Egyptians, to whom it" was a cloud and darkness." When Israel was appointed to rest in any place, it rested on the tabernacle over the mercy-seat, and was named by later Jews the Shekinah (Exodus 29:42-43); at the door (Exodus 33:9-10; Numbers 12:5; Numbers 9:15-23); covering the tabernacle of the congregation (Exodus 40:34-38). The ark (Numbers 10:33-36, Speaker's Commentary) went in the midst of the people, and the cloud rested on them, guiding them where to halt.

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Relevant text

Search found 478 books and stories containing Cloud, Clouds, The cloud; (plurals include: Clouds, Cloudses, The clouds). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

The Story of Cloud

The Story of Ascension

The Story of Witness

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Verse 2.15.1 < [Section 2.15]

Verse 5.22.2 < [Section 5.22]

Verse 2.3.1 < [Section 2.3]

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Part 3 - Cloud鈥檚 power to transform < [Chapter 4]

Part 2 - K峁涐梗峁嘺r膩ji or dark-formation < [Chapter 5]

Chapter 9: Sphere of time < [Book 2]

+ 13 more chapters / show preview