Lexical Summary nephelé: Cloud Original Word: νεφέλη Strong's Exhaustive Concordance cloud. From nephos; properly, cloudiness, i.e. (concretely) a cloud -- cloud. see GREEK nephos NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom nephos Definition a cloud NASB Translation cloud (18), clouds (7). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3507: νεφέληνεφέλη, νεφέλης, ἡ (νέφος) (from Homer down), the Sept. especially for עָנָן, but also for עָב and שַׁחַק; a cloud: (νεφέλη φωτεινή, Matthew 17:5); Matthew 24:30; Matthew 26:64; Mark 9:7; Mark 13:26; Mark 14:62; Luke 9:34; Luke 12:54; Luke 21:27; Acts 1:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:17; 2 Peter 2:17 (Rec.); Jude 1:12; Revelation 1:7; Revelation 10:1; Revelation 11:12; Revelation 14:14ff; of that cloud in which Jehovah is said (Exodus 13:21f, etc.) to have gone before the Israelites on their march through the wilderness, and which Paul represents as spread over them (ὑπό τῇ νεφέλην ἦσαν, cf. Psalm 104:39 Topical Lexicon Overview Strong’s Greek 3507 (νεφέλη, nephelē) denotes a mass of cloud or clouds in the sky. While the basic image is meteorological, the New Testament employs the term to communicate divine presence, revelation, protection, judgment, and eschatological hope. Across its twenty-five occurrences the word functions theologically rather than merely descriptively, continuing the Old Testament motif of the LORD’s glory appearing in a cloud. Clouds as the Manifest Presence of God At pivotal revelatory moments a cloud shelters God’s people while disclosing His nearness. During the Transfiguration “a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased’” (Matthew 17:5; Mark 9:7; Luke 9:34-35). The cloud both conceals and proclaims, veiling unapproachable glory yet audibly affirming Christ’s divine Sonship. Likewise, at the Ascension “He was taken up, and a cloud hid Him from their sight” (Acts 1:9). The same sign that once rested on Sinai now attends the incarnate Son, identifying Him with Yahweh’s historic self-revelation. Clouds in Christ’s Glory and Revelation John’s Apocalypse repeatedly situates the exalted Christ upon or within clouds. In Revelation 10:1 a mighty angel descends “wrapped in a cloud,” recalling Sinai and promising covenant fidelity. Revelation 14:14-16 presents “One like the Son of Man seated on a white cloud” who swings the sickle of final harvest. The cloud throne underscores divine authority and purity while linking the vision to Daniel 7:13, where the Son of Man comes “with the clouds of heaven.” Clouds in Redemptive History and Typology Paul interprets Israel’s wilderness experience typologically: “our fathers were all under the cloud… and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea” (1 Corinthians 10:1-2). The protecting pillar (Exodus 13:21-22) foreshadows Christian baptism—identification with a mediator through divine covering. The cloud signifies covenantal guidance and shelter, now fulfilled in union with Christ. Eschatological Clouds and the Return of Christ Jesus foretells His visible return: “They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory” (Matthew 24:30; cf. 26:64; Mark 13:26; 14:62; Luke 21:27). Paul amplifies the believer’s hope: “we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air” (1 Thessalonians 4:17). Revelation 1:7 declares, “Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him.” The consistent association of clouds with the Parousia affirms a bodily, visible, triumphant return of Christ and the gathering of His saints. Warnings Against Empty Profession Jude indicts false teachers as “clouds without water, carried along by winds” (Jude 1:12). The image reverses the beneficial function of rain-bearing clouds; these deceivers promise refreshment yet deliver drought. The metaphor underscores the moral seriousness of doctrinal purity and pastoral vigilance. Pastoral and Worship Implications 1. Assurance of Presence: The God who once covered Israel still envelops His church; believers may rest in His protective oversight. Historical Reception in Church Teaching Early creeds echo the cloud imagery: the Nicene Creed’s “He will come again in glory” presupposes the scriptural cloud-theophany. Medieval and Reformation hymnody—e.g., “Lo! He comes with clouds descending”—continued the theme, reinforcing orthodox eschatology. Modern evangelical mission emphasizes the same expectancy, motivating global evangelism until “every eye will see Him.” In sum, νεφέλη threads through Scripture as a rich symbol of divine nearness, covenant faithfulness, and consummate victory. The believer who traces this motif from Sinai to the New Jerusalem gains a widened horizon of worship, confidence, and mission. Forms and Transliterations νεφελαι νεφέλαι νεφελαις νεφέλαις νεφέλας νέφελας νεφελη νεφέλη νεφέλῃ νεφελην νεφέλην νεφελης νεφέλης νεφελων νεφελών νεφελῶν nephelai nephélai nephelais nephélais nephele nephelē nephéle nephélē nephélei nephélēi nephelen nephelēn nephélen nephélēn nepheles nephelēs nephéles nephélēs nephelon nephelôn nephelōn nephelō̂nLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 17:5 N-NFSGRK: λαλοῦντος ἰδοὺ νεφέλη φωτεινὴ ἐπεσκίασεν NAS: a bright cloud overshadowed KJV: a bright cloud overshadowed INT: was speaking behold a cloud bright overshadowed Matthew 17:5 N-GFS Matthew 24:30 N-GFP Matthew 26:64 N-GFP Mark 9:7 N-NFS Mark 9:7 N-GFS Mark 13:26 N-DFP Mark 14:62 N-GFP Luke 9:34 N-NFS Luke 9:34 N-AFS Luke 9:35 N-GFS Luke 12:54 N-AFS Luke 21:27 N-DFS Acts 1:9 N-NFS 1 Corinthians 10:1 N-AFS 1 Corinthians 10:2 N-DFS 1 Thessalonians 4:17 N-DFP Jude 1:12 N-NFP Revelation 1:7 N-GFP Revelation 10:1 N-AFS Revelation 11:12 N-DFS Revelation 14:14 N-NFS Revelation 14:14 N-AFS Revelation 14:15 N-GFS Revelation 14:16 N-GFS Strong's Greek 3507 |
    |