Then the cloud covered the Tabernacle, and the glory of the Lord fled the Tabernacle. Moses could no longer enter the Tabernacle because the cloud had settled down over it, and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle.
Now whenever the. cloud lifted from the Tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out on their journey, following it. But if the cloud did not rise, they remained there where they were until it lifted. The cloud of the Lord hovered over the Tabernacle during the day, and as night fire glowed inside the cloud so that the whole family of Israel could see it. This continued throughout all their journeys. (vv. 34-38, NLT)