day time shone like fire in the night time: or "fire was in it" (h); that is, in the cloud; so it appeared in the night, and was, as the Targum of Jonathan here calls it, a pillar of fire; the same with the pillar of cloud and fire, which departed not from the people all the while they were in the wilderness, Exo 13:21 and this was in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys; whether by night or by day; for in hot countries they travel much by night; and as the cloud was both a shelter from the heat of the sun in the daytime, and a direction of their way; so the fire by night was of the same use for direction, and might be also terrifying to wild beasts in the wilderness, who are afraid of fire, and so be a security to the Israelites from them; all which is an emblem of the guidance and protection, light, joy, and comfort, the church of God has from his gracious presence, while in the wilderness of this world; see Isa 4:5 . (g) "supra tabernaculum", Drusius. (h) "in ea"; Fagius, Junius & Tremellius; Drusius. Next: Leviticus Introduction Sacred Texts | Bible « Previous: John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible: Exodus: Exodu... Index Next: John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible: Exodus: Exodu... »