Then the LORD will create over all of Mount Zion and over her assemblies a cloud of smoke by day and a glowing flame of fire by night. For over all the glory there will be a canopy,
Parallel translations
- WEB Yahweh will create over the whole habitation of Mount Zion, and over her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night; for over all the glory will be a canopy.
- KJV And the LORD will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defence.
- NKJV then the Lord will create above every dwelling place of Mount Zion, and above her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day and the shining of a flaming fire by night. For over all the glory there will be a covering.
- NASB then the Lord will create over the entire area of Mount Zion and over her assemblies a cloud by day, and smoke, and the brightness of a flaming fire by night; for over all the glory will be a canopy.
- NLT Then the Lord will provide shade for Mount Zion and all who assemble there. He will provide a canopy of cloud during the day and smoke and flaming fire at night, covering the glorious land.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
God will cover Mount Zion and its gatherings with a cloud by day and fire by night, with His glory as a canopy over all. It recalls the exodus and promises God's protective presence among His restored people.
Overview
The cloud and fire deliberately echo the pillar that led and guarded Israel in the wilderness (Exodus 13:21-22), signaling a renewed presence of God with His people. The glory forming a canopy over the assemblies points to worship secured by the Lord Himself. This anticipates the New Testament hope of God dwelling fully with the redeemed (Revelation 21:3).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 22
- Exod 13:21–22And 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.
- Neh 9:12You led them with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, to light for them the way in which they should travel.
- Exod 40:34–38Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
- Num 9:15–22On the day that the tabernacle, the Tent of the Testimony, was set up, the cloud covered it and appeared like fire above the tabernacle from evening until morning.
- Ps 78:14He led them with a cloud by day and with a light of fire all night.
- Ps 85:9Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, that His glory may dwell in our land.
- Isa 33:20Look upon Zion, the city of our appointed feasts. Your eyes will see Jerusalem, a peaceful pasture, a tent that does not wander; its tent pegs will not be pulled up, nor will any of its cords be broken.
- Isa 46:13I am bringing My righteousness near; it is not far away, and My salvation will not be delayed. I will grant salvation to Zion and adorn Israel with My splendor.
- Isa 60:1Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.
- Matt 28:20and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
- Exod 14:24At morning watch, however, the LORD looked down on the army of the Egyptians from the pillar of fire and cloud, and He threw their camp into confusion.
- Zech 2:5–10For I will be a wall of fire around it, declares the LORD, and I will be the glory within it.’”
- Ps 89:7In the council of the holy ones, God is greatly feared, and awesome above all who surround Him.
- Isa 31:4–5For this is what the LORD has said to me: “Like a lion roaring or a young lion over its prey—and though a band of shepherds is called out against it, it is not terrified by their shouting or subdued by their clamor—so the LORD of Hosts will come down to do battle on Mount Zion and its heights.
- Exod 26:7You are to make curtains of goat hair for the tent over the tabernacle—eleven curtains in all.
- Exod 14:19–20And the angel of God, who had gone before the camp of Israel, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from before them and stood behind them,
- Isa 37:35‘I will defend this city and save it for My own sake and for the sake of My servant David.’”
- Isa 32:18Then my people will dwell in a peaceful place, in safe and secure places of rest.
- Ps 111:1Hallelujah! I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart in the council of the upright and in the assembly.
- Ps 87:2–3The LORD loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.
- Exod 26:1“You are to construct the tabernacle itself with ten curtains of finely spun linen, each with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and cherubim skillfully worked into them.
- Matt 18:20For where two or three gather together in My name, there am I with them.”
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Christ at the center
Isaiah sees him most clearly: the virgin's son Immanuel, the child on David's throne, the shoot from Jesse, the light to the nations, and above all the Suffering Servant pierced for our transgressions (ch. 53).
How Isaiah 4:5 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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