Numbers 9:15

"And on the day that the tabernacle was reared up the cloud covered the tabernacle, even the tent of the testimony: and at even it was upon the tabernacle as it were the appearance of fire, until morning. So it was alway: the cloud covered it, and the appearance of fire by night. And whenever the cloud was taken up from over the Tent, then after that the children of Israel journeyed: and in the place where the cloud abode, there the children of Israel encamped."

Plaut stated that, "The reason for this detailed passage containing previously stated information is not clear."[15] To us it seems quite logical that at this very moment when Israel was to depart from Sinai on an extended series of journeys that would cover a period of almost forty years and involve no less than forty-two stations for their encampment, it was appropriate indeed that there should have been just such a recapitulation as we find here.

The use of both expressions, "the Tent," and "the tabernacle" here indicates that they were used interchangeably forbidding the notion that the cloud covered only the "Holy of Holies." Gray noted that, "The cloud is spoken of indifferently as resting or being either on the tent, or on the tabernacle."[16] This whole passage is parallel to Exodus 40:34-38. "This manifestation in the cloud of God's presence and guidance of Israel was miraculous, as is his leading us by the Holy Spirit through his word."[17] Orlinsky rendered the phrase, "and the appearance of fire," thus: "The cloud rested in the likeness of fire."[18]