Exodus 16:10
ESV
And as soon as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the people of Israel, they looked toward the wilderness, and behold, the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud.
NIV
While Aaron was speaking to the whole Israelite community, they looked toward the desert, and there was the glory of the Lord appearing in the cloud.
NASB
And it came about, as Aaron spoke to the entire congregation of the sons of Israel, that they looked toward the wilderness, and behold, the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud.
CSB
As Aaron was speaking to the entire Israelite community, they turned toward the wilderness, and there in a cloud the Lord’s glory appeared.
NLT
And as Aaron spoke to the whole community of Israel, they looked out toward the wilderness. There they could see the awesome glory of the Lord in the cloud.
KJV
And it came to pass, as Aaron spake unto the whole congregation of the children of Israel, that they looked toward the wilderness, and, behold, the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud.
NKJV
Now it came to pass, as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the children of Israel, that they looked toward the wilderness, and behold, the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud.
What does Exodus 16:10 mean?
Aaron is fulfilling his role as Moses' public speaker (Exodus 4:13–16). Israel has complained about food (Exodus 16:1–3) as if God had not proven His care through miracles and the leadership of Moses and Aaron (Exodus 16:6–8). Now the nation will hear from the Lord as He answers their unhappiness (Exodus 16:9).Now, "the glory of the Lord" appears in a cloud. This is kebod' YHWH, referring to God's honor, reputation, and reverence. At times, God reveals this in spectacular form (Exodus 19:16–20; 33:18–23). Here, He muffles this glory inside a cloud. This may be the same "cloud" which led and protected Israel as they left Egypt (Exodus 13:21–22). Still, the text introduces the sight with a word translated as "behold!" as an exclamation of wonder.
This is one of the first mentions of an appearance by the glory of the Lord in Exodus. The people would later see His glory at Mount Sinai (Exodus 24:16–17), at the tabernacle (Exodus 40:34–35), and on the tent of meeting (Leviticus 9:6, 23; Numbers 14:10; 16:42; 20:6). The glory of the Lord later appeared at the temple (2 Chronicles 7:1) and to the shepherds who received the announcement of Jesus' birth (Luke 2:9). The great (Psalm 138:5) and eternal (Psalm 104:31) glory of the Lord will one day fill the earth (Numbers 14:21).
