Original Word: עָנָן
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: `anan
Pronunciation: ah-nawn'
Phonetic Spelling: (aw-nawn')
KJV: cloud(-y)
NASB: cloud, clouds, cloudy, heavy mist
Word Origin: [from H6049 (עָנַן - To practice soothsaying)]

1. a cloud (as covering the sky), i.e. the nimbus or thunder-cloud

cloudy

From anan; a cloud (as covering the sky), i.e. The nimbus or thunder-cloud -- cloud(-y).

see HEBREW anan

Word Origin
from an unused word
Definition
a cloud mass, cloud
NASB Translation
cloud (78), clouds (7), cloudy (1), heavy mist (1).

I. עָנָן₈₇ noun masculine^{Exodus 19:16} cloud-mass, cloud; — ׳(הֶ)ע absolute Exodus 19:9 +; construct עֲנַזִ Hosea 6:4 +; suffix עֲנָֽנְךָ Numbers 14:14, עֲנָנוֺ Job 26:9; Job 37:15; plural עֲנִים Jeremiah 4:13; —

1 cloud-mass:

a. especially of theophanic cloud (58 t.), chiefly at Exodus in J E (less often P), usually ׳עַמּוּד הֶע Exodus 13:21,22 + (see עַמּוּד), but also ׳ע alone Exodus 34:5; compare Exodus 14:20 (J), Numbers 10:34; Numbers 11:35; Numbers 14:14 (all J E); ׳עַבהֶֿע Exodus 19:9, כָּבֵד ׳ע Exodus 19:16 (E); ׳ע in P Exodus 16:10; Exodus 24:15 23t.; also Deuteronomy 1:33; Deuteronomy 4:11; Deuteronomy 5:19; Psalm 78:14; Psalm 105:39; in temple 1 Kings 8:10,11 2Chronicles 5:13,14, compare Ezekiel 1:4; Ezekiel 10:3,4; hence in General Psalm 97:2, as symbol of protection Isaiah 4:5; as a barrier Lamentations 3:44; compare אֲבַק רַגְלָיו ׳וע Nahum 1:3.

b. of rain-bow cloud Genesis 9:13,14 (twice in verse); Genesis 9:16 (P), Ezekiel 1:28 (simile).

c. עֲנַןבֹּֿקֶר Hosea 6:4; Hosea 13:3 (simile of transitoriness; on phenomenon in Palestine see Chaplin^{PEQ, 1883, 19}), compare Isaiah 44:22; Job 7:9 (both id.); simile of invasion Ezekiel 38:9,16, plural Jeremiah 4:13.

d. poetic in various connection Job 26:8,9; Job 38:9; with אוֺר as thunder-cloud Job 37:11,15.

e. symbolic of gloom Ezekiel 30:18; Ezekiel 32:7; וַעֲרָפֶל ׳יוֺם ע Zephaniah 1:15; Ezekiel 34:12; Joel 2:2, compare Ezekiel 30:3 (all of day of ׳ע).

2 קְטֹרֶת ׳ע Leviticus 16:13 (P) cloud of incense, so Ezekiel 8:11 (strike out ׳ע ᵐ5 Co Berthol, not Toy).

Overview

עָנָן appears roughly eighty-seven times and is rendered “cloud” or “clouds.” Scripture consistently presents clouds as vehicles of divine presence, guidance, judgment, and blessing. The term embraces literal meteorological phenomena and rich symbolic meaning that unfolds progressively from Genesis through the Prophets and Psalms.

First Appearances and Patriarchal Allusions

While the word itself is not used in Genesis 9 for the rainbow covenant, later texts draw on the same imagery: the presence of clouds accompanying an oath or sign from God (compare Isaiah 54:9–10). Thus, from the earliest narratives, clouds frame God’s faithfulness.

Pillar of Cloud: Election and Exodus

Exodus introduces עָנָן as the visible sheath for God’s saving presence.
• “The LORD went before them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way by day” (Exodus 13:21).
• The cloud becomes a shield at the Red Sea (Exodus 14:19–20), testifying that salvation is both miraculous and protective.

This pillar motifs Israel’s election: they were led not by military prowess but by the manifest glory of God.

Sinai and Covenant Revelation

At Sinai the cloud thickens to express transcendence and holiness: “Behold, I am coming to you in a dense cloud, so that the people will hear when I speak with you” (Exodus 19:9). It both conceals and reveals—the people hear but do not see; Moses sees but is veiled (Exodus 24:15–18). The theology of mediated revelation is thus inseparable from the cloud.

Tabernacle and Temple Glory

The climax of Exodus records the indwelling of the Shekinah: “Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle” (Exodus 40:34). Numbers 9:15–23 traces the rhythm of Israel’s encampments entirely to the cloud’s movements. Later, Solomon’s Temple experiences the same phenomenon: “When the priests came out of the Holy Place, the cloud filled the house of the LORD” (1 Kings 8:10–11; 2 Chronicles 5:13–14). The continuity of cloud-glory confirms God’s abiding covenant relationship from wilderness tent to Jerusalem sanctuary.

Clouds as Guidance and Protection

Beyond spectacular theophany, clouds serve as daily mercy. Psalms remembers: “He spread a cloud as a covering and a fire to give light at night” (Psalm 105:39). The cloud covers, cools, and directs—a paradigm for divine shepherding.

Poetic Portraits of Divine Majesty

Job and Psalms use עָנָן to magnify God’s incomprehensibility:
• “He wraps up the waters in His clouds, yet the clouds do not burst under their own weight” (Job 26:8).
• “He made darkness His hiding place, and storm-dark clouds were His canopy” (Psalm 18:11).

Natural clouds thus become the throne-room curtains of the Sovereign.

Prophetic Imagery: Judgment

Prophets harness cloud-language to warn nations:
• “Behold, the LORD rides on a swift cloud and is coming to Egypt” (Isaiah 19:1).
• “A day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness” (Joel 2:2).
• “The day of the LORD is near; it will be a day of clouds” (Ezekiel 30:3).

These texts invert the comforting wilderness cloud into a storm front of retribution, stressing that the same God who guides also judges.

Prophetic Imagery: Restoration and Hope

Not all prophetic clouds are ominous. Isaiah envisages evergreen protection for Zion: “The LORD will create over all of Mount Zion… a cloud of smoke by day” (Isaiah 4:5). Ezekiel 34:12 promises shepherd-type rescue “on a day of clouds and darkness,” turning foreboding into deliverance.

Eschatological Resonance

Although Daniel 7:13 employs the Aramaic cognate, the conceptual link is unmistakable: the Son of Man comes “with the clouds of heaven.” This sets the trajectory picked up in the New Testament (Matthew 24:30; Revelation 1:7). Old Testament occurrences of עָנָן prepare readers for the climactic revelation of Christ returning in glory.

Theological Trajectories

1. Presence and Mediation – The cloud veil underscores God’s holiness and grace.
2. Guidance and Dependence – Israel’s obedience required watching the cloud, prefiguring life led by the Spirit.
3. Judgment and Mercy – The same cloud that screens the righteous from scorching heat can unleash storm on the unrepentant.
4. Eschatological Assurance – Historic clouds guarantee future glory; God acts consistently across redemptive history.

Applications for Ministry

• Worship: Encourage recognition of divine transcendence paired with imminence—God is near yet veiled for our good.
• Guidance: Teach believers to move at God’s pace; the cloud halted or advanced, and Israel adjusted.
• Perseverance: Dark clouds in experience may signify God’s sanctifying work, not abandonment (Lamentations 3:44).
• Hope: Proclaim the certainty that the One who once led in a wilderness cloud will return on clouds to consummate redemption.

Key References

Exodus 13:21–22; 14:19–20; 16:10; 19:9; 24:15–18; 33:9–10; 40:34–38

Numbers 9:15–23; 10:34; 14:14; 16:42

Deuteronomy 31:15

1 Kings 8:10–12

2 Chronicles 5:13–14

Job 26:8; 37:16

Psalms 18:11; 97:2; 105:39

Isaiah 4:5; 19:1; 60:8

Jeremiah 4:13

Ezekiel 1:4; 10:4; 30:3; 38:9,16

Joel 2:2

Nahum 1:3

Zephaniah 1:15

בֶּֽעָנָ֑ן בֶּֽעָנָ֔ן בֶּעָנָ֣ן בֶּעָנָֽן׃ בֶּעָנָן֮ בֶֽעָנָן֙ בֶעָנָ֜ן בענן בענן׃ הֶ֠עָנָן הֶ֣עָנָ֔ן הֶֽעָנָ֑ן הֶֽעָנָ֔ן הֶֽעָנָ֛ן הֶֽעָנָ֣ן הֶֽעָנָן֒ הֶֽעָנָן֙ הֶעָנָ֑ן הֶעָנָ֖ן הֶעָנָ֛ן הֶעָנָ֤ן הֶעָנָֽן׃ הענן הענן׃ וְהֶעָנָ֗ן וְהֶעָנָ֣ן וְהֶעָנָ֥ן וְכֶעָנָ֖ן וְעָנָ֑ן וְעָנָ֖ן וְעָנָ֤ן וַעֲנַ֧ן וַעֲנָֽנְךָ֙ וּבֶעָנָ֖ן ובענן והענן וכענן וענן ועננך כֶּֽעָנָ֖ן כֶּעָנָ֛ן כַּֽעֲנַן־ כַּעֲנַן־ כַּעֲנָנִ֣ים כענן כענן־ כעננים עֲנַ֣ן עֲנַ֨ן עֲנַֽן־ עֲנָנֽוֹ׃ עָ֭נָן עָנָ֑ן עָנָ֔ן עָנָ֖ן עָנָ֗ן עָנָ֣ן עָנָ֤ן עָנָ֤ן ׀ עָנָ֥ן עָנָן֙ ענן ענן־ עננו׃ ‘ă·nā·nōw ‘ă·nan ‘ā·nān ‘ă·nan- ‘ănan ‘ānān ‘ănan- ‘ănānōw aNan anaNo Anon be‘ānān ḇe‘ānān be·‘ā·nān ḇe·‘ā·nān beaNan he‘ānān he·‘ā·nān heaNan Heanon ka‘ănan- ka‘ănānîm ka·‘ă·nā·nîm ka·‘ă·nan- kaanan kaanaNim ke‘ānān ke·‘ā·nān keaNan ū·ḇe·‘ā·nān ūḇe‘ānān uveaNan vaaNan vaananeCha veaNan vecheaNan veheaNan wa‘ănan wa‘ănānəḵā wa·‘ă·nā·nə·ḵā wa·‘ă·nan wə‘ānān wə·‘ā·nān wə·he·‘ā·nān wə·ḵe·‘ā·nān wəhe‘ānān wəḵe‘ānānInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts