Cloud (Hastings' Dictionary)

Much of the precious and beautiful thought of the Bible is written on the clouds, and in the sky of Syria this writing of religious symbolism and moral teaching is as read- able to-day as the inscriptions engraved on Assyrian brick or Egyptian granite.

Though the Hebrews had various names for clouds, it is probable that their knowledge of the weather, like that of the modern Syrians, was confined to such general ami obvious 1 ointB as the <lirection of the wind and the deeper flame of the evening sky. This indillerence is partly due to the uniformity of the climate, with its recognized season of rainfall from Oct. to April, and of sunshine from Maj' to Sept.

Forecasting the changes of the weather would also be ditiicult on account of their suddenness in that narrow land of mountains and valleys, with a desert on one side and the sea on the other. Except to the fishermen of Galilee, and the husbandmen at the time of sowing, the interpretation of the signs of the skv was a matter of small importance. Further, the Moslems, who generally i)reserve most of the ancient piety of the land, disapprove of criticising the weather, as savouring of irreverence.

Any pointed reference to the weather or inquiry about It usually finds a Syrian surprised and unprejiared for comment, as it is a matter out of the usual Toond of his salutations. Sucli attention to the clouds is in fact not held in high repute : as the Arab proverb says, ' The man who will not work becomes an astrologer.' I. Clouds as an Indication of Kain.— 1. 'A cloud rising in the West' (Lk 1'2'*). — The rainy quarters are W. and S.W.

Hence Gehazi was told (1 K 18") to look toward the sea for the first sign of rain. He saw wli.it is still often seen at the end of Sept., when the dry summer season is about to end in the early rain, namely, a small cloud of cool ashy-grey colour rising over the glittering horizon. It is the first token that a strong steady S.W. wind has set in, and will carry everything before it.

In a few hours the sky becomes a course of swiftly moving black clouds, which congregate in dense masses on the mount- ains, and before long the storm breaks with a grand prelude of thunder peals .and incessant flashes of lightning. 2. ' Clouds of the latter rain ' (Pr 16"). — Such is the king's favour. This refers to the light showers in March and AprU.

These do not atiect the deep roots of the fruit trees, which depend on the more continuous winter rains, but they re- fresh the ripening fields of barley and wheat, delay- ing the harvest, and causing the ears to mature into a heavier crop in May and June. 3< ' Clouds of dew in the heat of harvest' (Is 18'').

— The season is here the autumn harvest of fruits, when unusual moisture in the sky, or a wandering shower, is an unwelcome phenomenon, causing withering heat in the vineyards and feverish symptoms among the people (see, however, Del. ad loc). 4. 'Heat by the shadow of a cloud' (Is 25'). — This is most likely an allusion to the prostrating wind from the Syrian desert, S. and S.E., which covers the sky with hot sand-clouds (Sirocco, from Arab, shirk, East).

It is this that gives the 'sky of brass' (Dt 28^), and the 'cloud without water' (Jude v.'-). II. Clouds as a Symhol of the Transitory. — It is a common phenomenon of the Syrian sky to see a cloud, borne eastward by the sea-breeze, suddenly and mysteriously dissolve as it encounters the hot dry air of the inland district. The cloud is something that melts and leaves no vestige of its existence.

The artistic appreciation of land- scape did not exist in ancient times : the thought had not been expressed that the floating clouds can lend their state and grace of motion to those who live in communion with them. The eye was occupied with moral issues. Thus the cloud becomes a text on life's brevity (Job 7"). Such was prosperity (Job 30"). In the same way, it repre- sents the deep reality of forgiveness (Is 44-^).

Such evanescence is tne special peculiarity of the morning cloud, which appears at sunrise in the valleys and melts away an hour afterwards. It was the moral emblem and historical epitome of Ephraim and Judah (Hos 6*). Its companions were the chaff of the threshing-floor and the smoke of the chimney (Hos 13'). III. Clouds as a Covering. — In this con- nexion the meaning passes from the screening of the sun's rays (Ezk 32'), to imply shadow, obscurity, and oblivion.

Job prays that a cloud may rest upon the day of his birth (Job 3°). Again (Job 38') we have the majestic metaphor of the cloud as the swaddling-clothes of the new-born world. The union of power and humility in the king, ' when mercy seasons justice,' is likened to the bright benediction of a morning witliout clouds in spring- time (2 S 23<). IV. Clouds a.s the Dwelling-place of thf Etkunal.

— The hifihest stratum of cloud-imagery was reached when, in addition to what was merely high and wonilerful and mysterious in nature, clouds came to be recognized as a means of revela- tion the vesture of the divine presence, and the vehicle of the divine purpose. 'The bow in the CLOUT CUAL 451 cloud' (Gn 9") was so far in the line of the old astrology, which saw a divine meaning in the heavens.

The cloud {'dndn) seems here to mean the whole circle of the sky : hence yni'Unen, sooth- sayer ; cf. Arab, faldk ' aky,' /alaki 'astrologer.' Throughout the Bible the cloud often appears as the indication and emblem of God's pre.sence, power, and protection. He keeps the rain-clouds suspended (Job 26"). He numbers, balances, commands them, and has a pari]Ose in their inj-sterious spreadings and motions (Job 36=» 37'" 38", Ps TS-^").

The cloud of Jlis presence settled upon the mount, and left there the light of His commandments. In this form His presence crowned the preparations of tlie sanctuary, rested upon it when it rested, led its marches in the wiltiemess, and reappeared in the completed temple (Ex 13-" 40", 1 k 8'»). Clouds are the chariot of God (Ps 104», Is 19', Ezk W), and the dust of His feet (Nah 1').

The same emblem of intercepted light, partial knowledge, and hidden glory appears in N'l , where a cloud closes the story of the Incarnation (Ac 1"), and clouds are the heralds of the Second Advent (Rev 1'). See also Pillar, G. M. Mackie.