Isaiah 4:5

Then the LORD will create over all of Mount Zion and over her assemblies a cloud of smoke by day and a glowing flame of fire by night. For over all the glory there will be a canopy,

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — After the Lord washes away Zion’s filth and bloodstains through a spirit of judgment and fire, this declaration addresses the purified assemblies on Mount Zion.

The words — The Hebrew verb בָּרָא (bara) means he will create, and מְכֹן (mekhon) specifies the exact place or foundation over the mountain.

The thread — The cloud of smoke by day and glowing flame by night directly parallels the Exodus guidance (Exodus 13:21; Nehemiah 9:12) and the divine presence covering the tabernacle (Exodus 40:34).

Why it lands — The text states that God will place a protective canopy over Zion’s restored glory, requiring readers to recognize that divine shelter follows cleansing and demands reliance on God’s presence rather than human defense.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

King James Version

And the Lord will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defence.

Cross-references

Exodus 13:21 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.
Nehemiah 9:12 You led them with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, to light for them the way in which they should travel.
Exodus 40:34 Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
Numbers 9:15 On the day that the tabernacle, the Tent of the Testimony, was set up, the cloud covered it and appeared like fire above the tabernacle from evening until morning.
Psalms 78:14 He led them with a cloud by day and with a light of fire all night.
Psalms 85:9 Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, that His glory may dwell in our land.
Isaiah 33:20 Look upon Zion, the city of our appointed feasts. Your eyes will see Jerusalem, a peaceful pasture, a tent that does not wander; its tent pegs will not be pulled up, nor will any of its cords be broken.
Isaiah 46:13 I am bringing My righteousness near; it is not far away, and My salvation will not be delayed. I will grant salvation to Zion and adorn Israel with My splendor.
Isaiah 60:1 Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.
Exodus 14:24 At morning watch, however, the LORD looked down on the army of the Egyptians from the pillar of fire and cloud, and He threw their camp into confusion.