King James Bible Dictionary

The Hebrew so rendered means "a covering," 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 "cloud without rain" 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 "filled the house of the Lord" (1 Kings 8:10). Thus in like manner when Christ comes the second time he is described as coming "in the clouds" (Matthew 17:5; 24:30; Acts 1:9, 11). False teachers are likened unto clouds carried about with a tempest (2 Peter 2:17). The infirmities of old age, which come one after another, are compared by Solomon to "clouds returning after the rain" (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's 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).

Figurative
Jeremiah 4:13; Hosea 6:4; Hosea 13:3

Symbolic
Revelation 14:14

Pillar of
Exodus 13:21-22; Exodus 14:19; Exodus 14:24; Exodus 16:10; Exodus 19:9; Exodus 19:16; Exodus 24:16-18; Exodus 33:9-10; Exodus 34:5; Exodus 40:36-38; Leviticus 16:2; Numbers 9:15-23; Numbers 10:11-12; Numbers 10:33-36; Numbers 11:25; Numbers 12:5; Numbers 12:10; Numbers 14:10; Numbers 16:19; Numbers 16:42; Deuteronomy 1:33; Deuteronomy 31:15; 1 Kings 8:10-11; 2 Chronicles 7:1-3; Nehemiah 9:12; Nehemiah 9:19; Psalms 78:14; Psalms 105:39; Isaiah 4:5; Isaiah 6:1; Isaiah 6:4; Ezekiel 10:18-19; Ezekiel 11:22-23; Matthew 17:5; Luke 9:34-35; Luke 2:8-9

Appearances of: In Ezekiel's vision
Ezekiel 10:3-4; Ezekiel 10:18; Ezekiel 11:22-23

The 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 "cloud without rain" becomes a proverb for the man of promise without performance. (Proverbs 16:15; Isaiah 18:4; 25:5; Jude 1:12) comp. Proverbs 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.

CLOUD, noun [I have not found this word in any other language. The sense is obvious--a collection.]

1. A collection f visible vapor, or watery particles, suspended in the atmosphere, at some altitude. A like collection of vapors near the earth is usually called fog.

I do set my bow in the cloud Genesis 9:13.

Behold, a white cloud Revelation 14:14.

2. A state of obscurity or darkness.

3. A collection of smoke, or a dense collection of dust, rising or floating in the air; as a cloud of dust.

A cloud of incense. Ezekiel 8:11.

4. The dark or varied colors, in veins or spots, on stones or other bodies, are called clouds.

5. A great multitude; a vast collection.

Seeing we are encompassed with so great a cloud of witnesses. Hebrews 12:1.

CLOUD, verb transitive To overspread with a cloud or clouds; as, the sky is clouded; clouds intercept the rays of the sun. Hence,

2. To obscure; to darken; as, to cloud the day, or truth, or reason.

3. To darken in veins or spots; to variegate with colors; as clouded marble.

4. To make of a gloomy aspect; to give the appearance of sullenness.

What sullen fury clouds his scornful brow.

5. To sully; to tarnish.

CLOUD, verb intransitive To grow cloudy; to become obscure with clouds; sometimes followed by over; as, the sky clouds over.

The pillar of cloud by day and of fire by night that God caused to pass before the camp of the children of Isr'l when in the wilderness. The cloud, which became a pillar when the host moved, seems to have rested at other times on the tabernacle, whence god is said to have "come down in the pillar." (Numbers 12:5; Exodus 33:9,10) It preceded the host, apparently resting on the ark which led the way. (Exodus 13:21; 40:36) etc.; Numbers 9:15-23; 10:34

CLOUD-ASCENDING, adjective Ascending to the clouds.

CLOUD-BERRY, noun A plant, called also knot-berry; Rubus chamaemorus.

CLOUD-BORN, adjective Born of a cloud.

CLOUD-CAPT, adjective [cloud and cap.] Capped with clouds; touching the clouds; lofty.

The cloud-capt towers.

CLOUD-COMPELLER, noun He that collects clouds; Jove.

CLOUD-COMPELLING, adjective Collecting clouds; or driving clouds; as cloud-compelling Jove.

CLOUD-COVERED, adjective Enveloped with clouds.

CLOUD-DISPELLING, adjective Having power to disperse clouds.

CLOUD-ECLIPSED, adjective Eclipsed by a cloud.

CLOUDED, participle passive Overcast; overspread with clouds; obscured; darkened; rendered gloomy or sullen; variegated with colored spots or veins.

CLOUDILY, adverb [from cloudy.] With clouds; darkly; obscurely.

CLOUDINESS, noun

1. The state of being overcast with clouds; as the cloudiness of the atmosphere.

2. Obscurity; gloom; want of brightness.

3. Darkness of appearance; variegation of colors in a fossil or other body.

4. Appearance of gloom or sullenness; as cloudiness of aspect.

CLOUDING, participle present tense Overspreading with clouds; obscuring; giving an appearance of gloom or sullenness.

CLOUD-KISSING, adjective Touching the clouds.

CLOUDLESS, adjective Being without a cloud; unclouded; clear; bright; luminous; as cloudless skies.

CLOUD-PIERCING, adjective Penetrating or rising above the clouds.

CLOUD-TOPT, adjective Having the top covered with a cloud.

CLOUD-TOUCHING, adjective Touching the clouds.

CLOUDY, adjective

1. Overcast with clouds; obscured with clouds; as a cloudy day; a cloudy sky; a cloudy night.

2. Consisting of a cloud or clouds; as a cloudy pillar. Exodus 33:9.

3. Obscure; dark; not easily understood; as cloudy and confused notions.

4. Having the appearance of gloom; indicating gloom, anxiety, sullenness, or illnature; not open or cheerful; as cloudy looks.

5. Indicating gloom or sullenness; as cloudy wrath.

6. Marked with veins or spots of dark or various hues, as marble.

7. Not bright; as a cloudy diamond.