Exo 40:36-38 | NETfull | STEP | But when the cloud was lifted up from the tabernacle, the Israelites would set out on all their journeys;

Exodus 40:36-38

36 But when the cloud was lifted up ^{▼▼ The construction uses the Niphal infinitive construct to form the temporal clause.} from the tabernacle, the Israelites would set out ^{▼▼ The imperfect tense in this context describes a customary action.} on all their journeys; 37 but if the cloud was not lifted up, then they would not journey further until the day it was lifted up. ^{▼▼ The clause uses the Niphal infinitive construct in the temporal clause: “until the day of its being taken up.”} 38 For the cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle by day, but fire would be ^{▼▼ Here is another imperfect tense of the customary nuance.} on it at night, in plain view ^{▼▼ Heb “to the eyes of all”; KJV, ASV, NASB “in the sight of all”; NRSV “before the eyes of all.”} of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.