In biblical literature, the term "clouded" often carries symbolic and metaphorical significance, representing obscurity, divine presence, or judgment. The imagery of clouds is frequently used throughout Scripture to convey various theological themes and messages.

Divine Presence and Guidance

Clouds are often associated with the presence and guidance of God. In the Old Testament, the Israelites experienced God's presence in the form of a cloud during their exodus from Egypt. Exodus 13:21 states, "And 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." This cloud served as a visible manifestation of God's guidance and protection, leading the Israelites through the wilderness.

Similarly, at Mount Sinai, God's presence was enveloped in a cloud. Exodus 19:9 records, "The LORD said to Moses, 'Behold, I will come to you in a dense cloud, so that the people may hear when I speak with you and will always put their trust in you.'" The cloud here signifies the divine majesty and the awe-inspiring presence of God as He communicates His covenant to His people.

Judgment and Obscurity

Clouds can also symbolize judgment and the obscuring of understanding. In prophetic literature, clouds often accompany descriptions of divine judgment. For instance, in Ezekiel 30:3 , the prophet declares, "For the day is near, the day of the LORD is near—a day of clouds, a time of doom for the nations." Here, clouds are emblematic of the impending judgment and the dark times that accompany it.

Moreover, clouds can represent a lack of clarity or understanding. In Job 37:15-16 , Elihu speaks of God's inscrutable ways, saying, "Do you know how God dispatches the clouds or makes the lightning flash? Do you understand how the clouds float, those wonders of Him who is perfect in knowledge?" The clouds here suggest the mystery and incomprehensibility of God's actions and wisdom.

Theophany and Revelation

In the New Testament, clouds continue to play a significant role in theophanies and revelations. At the Transfiguration of Jesus, a cloud envelops the scene, signifying divine approval and revelation. Matthew 17:5 recounts, "While Peter was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, 'This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!'" The cloud here serves as a divine vehicle for revelation, affirming Jesus' identity and mission.

Furthermore, clouds are associated with the return of Christ. In Acts 1:9 , as Jesus ascends into heaven, "He was taken up before their eyes, and a cloud hid Him from their sight." This imagery is echoed in the eschatological vision of Revelation 1:7 : "Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him—even those who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him." Clouds, in this context, symbolize the glory and majesty of Christ's return.

Conclusion

The imagery of clouds in the Bible is rich and multifaceted, encompassing themes of divine presence, guidance, judgment, and revelation. Whether representing the mystery of God's ways or the glory of His presence, clouds serve as a powerful symbol throughout Scripture, inviting believers to reflect on the majesty and sovereignty of God.(imp. & p. p.) of Cloud.5186. tuphloo -- to blind, to make blind
... from 5187 , "having a cloudy perspective," see dictionary) -- properly, blowing
smoke which causes (spiritual) blindness, ie experiencing "clouded vision." See ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5186.htm - 7k7087. qapha' -- to thicken, condense, congeal
... A primitive root; to shrink, ie Thicken (as unracked wine, curdled milk, clouded
sky, frozen water) -- congeal, curdle, dark, settle. 7086, 7087. ...
/hebrew/7087.htm - 5k

June the Thirteenth Clouded but not Lost!
... JUNE the Thirteenth CLOUDED BUT NOT LOST! "Clouds and darkness are round
about Him." "Psalm 97.p> When Lincoln had been assassinated ...
/.../my daily meditation for the circling year/june the thirteenth clouded but.htm

Home-Made Clouds
... now her sky was clouded. It had all happened in a moment. ... But now her day was clouded,
and worst of all, she had made the cloud herself, by her own haste. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/naylor/heart talks/talk twelve home-made clouds.htm

Job's Question, Jesus' Answer
... peace. Here all Job's mind is clouded with a doubt. He has just given utterance
to an intense longing for a life beyond the grave. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/jobs question jesus answer.htm

Anon.
... Book First LXXVII Anon. Show me more love, my dearest LORD; Oh turn away Thy clouded
face,. ... But that wherein I see not Thee. Show me more love: a clouded face. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/palgrave/the treasury of sacred song/lxxvii anon.htm

What to do with Doubt
... If we would not have the Scriptures clouded to our understanding, so that the plainest
truths shall not be comprehended, we must have the simplicity and faith ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/steps to christ/chapter 12 what to do.htm

Appendix iii
... which was intended to show, and by its very existence to render tolerable the
imperfection and the "shadow" of the Old Testament is itself also clouded with a ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/harnack/the origin of the new testament/appendix iii.htm

Address in Lambeth Chapel, at the First Session of the Lambeth ...
... Churches whose faith has been dimmed by coldness or clouded by error are
being quickened into new life from the Incarnate Son of God. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/whipple/five sermons/iv address in lambeth chapel.htm

Introduction to First Edition.
... Circumstances so clouded that it has been impossible for men to control, have, through
believing prayer, been so made to change, that through them has been ...
/.../various/the wonders of prayer/introduction to first edition.htm

On the Life and Poetic Genius of Edward Young.
... There had passed over the land the thunderstorm of the Puritanic Revolt, which had
first clouded and then cleared, for a season, the intellectual and moral ...
//christianbookshelf.org/young/youngs night thoughts/on the life and poetic.htm

Sermon.
... he gave his Son to be a light unto the world, that all might see their way back
to God again: For sin hath darkened the understanding, and clouded the mind of ...
/.../penn/a sermon preached at the quakers meeting house/sermon.htm

Clouded (6 Occurrences)
... (imp. & pp) of Cloud. Multi-Version Concordance Clouded (6 Occurrences). ... Genesis
29:17 And Leah's eyes were clouded, but Rachel was fair in face and form. (BBE). ...
/c/clouded.htm - 8k

Obscure (7 Occurrences)
... or inscription. 5. (superl.) Not clear, full, or distinct; clouded; imperfect;
as, an obscure view of remote objects. 6. (v.) To ...
/o/obscure.htm - 9k

Laughing (38 Occurrences)
... laughing. (BBE). Job 29:24 I was laughing at them when they had no hope, and
the light of my face was never clouded by their fear. (BBE). ...
/l/laughing.htm - 17k

Gloomy (10 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (superl.) Imperfectly illuminated; dismal through
obscurity or darkness; dusky; dim; clouded; as, the cavern was gloomy. ...
/g/gloomy.htm - 9k

Enchantment (4 Occurrences)
... They were a constant incentive to idolatry, clouded the mind with superstition,
tended and were closely allied to imposture (Matthew 24:24). ...
/e/enchantment.htm - 16k

Dusky (1 Occurrence)
... brown. 3. (a.) Gloomy; sad; melancholy. 4. (a.) Intellectually clouded.
Multi-Version Concordance Dusky (1 Occurrence). Jeremiah ...
/d/dusky.htm - 7k

Dirty (9 Occurrences)
... dirty white. 2. (superl.) Sullied; clouded; -- applied to color. 3. (superl.)
Sordid; base; groveling; as, a dirty fellow. 4. (superl ...
/d/dirty.htm - 9k

Dusty (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (superl.) Filled, covered, or sprinkled with dust;
clouded with dust; as, a dusty table; also, reducing to dust. ...
/d/dusty.htm - 7k

Marble (5 Occurrences)
... purposes. The color varies from white to black, being sometimes yellow, red,
and green, and frequently beautifully veined or clouded. ...
/m/marble.htm - 13k

Bloom (9 Occurrences)
... a flush; a glow. 5. (n.) The clouded appearance which varnish sometimes
takes upon the surface of a picture. 6. (n.) A yellowish ...
/b/bloom.htm - 11k

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