1 Kings 8:12

Then spake Solomon [in a transport of emotion at the sight. The cloud and the glory proved that his pious work was accepted. These blessed tokens assured him that "the Lord was there" ( Ezekiel 48:35 ); that the incomprehensible Godhead had entered the earthly shrine he had prepared, and would dwell there], The Lord said that he would dwell in the thick darkness. [Heb. עֲרָפֶל , lit; darkness of clouds . When did God speak of dwelling in dark cloud? The reference, probably, is to Exodus 19:9 ; Exodus 20:21 , Deuteronomy 4:11 ; Deuteronomy 5:22 (note that, in the three last cited passages, this same word is used, and in the last two in connexion with cloud, which would appear to be a practically synonymous term), but especially to Le Deuteronomy 16:2 , "I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat." Solomon had thus every warrant for connecting a theophany with the thick dark cloud. Cf. Psalms 18:11 ; Psalms 97:2 . The words cannot refer to "the holy of holies not lighted by windows" (Wordsworth).