^21 (A)The Lord preceded them, in the daytime by means of a column of cloud to show them the way, and at night by means of a column of fire^[a] to give them light. Thus they could travel both day and night.

³⁸ The cloud of the Lord was over the tabernacle by day, and fire in the cloud at night, in the sight of the whole house of Israel in all the stages of their journey.

The Fiery Cloud. ¹⁵ On the day when the tabernacle was erected, the cloud^[a] covered the tabernacle, the tent of the covenant; but from evening until morning it took on the appearance of fire over the tabernacle.^{(A) 16} It was always so: during the day the cloud covered the tabernacle and at night had the appearance of fire.

Into the Wilderness. ^33 (A)From the mountain of the Lord^[a] they made a journey of three days, and the ark of the covenant of the Lord went before them for the three-day journey to seek out a resting place for them. ³⁴ And the cloud of the Lord was over them by day when they set out from camp.

¹⁴ They will tell the inhabitants of this land, who have heard that you, Lord, are in the midst of this people; you, Lord, who directly revealed yourself! Your cloud stands over them, and you go before them by day in a column of cloud and by night in a column of fire.^(A)