In the book of Isaiah there are several important literary and historical traditions that the prophet takes and reapplies, such as the Creation and Exodus traditions. In this verse the language and imagery of these two traditions are combined to speak about the new future of the people.

Then the LORD will create … a cloud by day, and smoke and the shining of a flaming fire by night: This is the principal clause and translators may need to make it more prominent by restructuring the sentence. Perhaps this will involve beginning the verse with “The LORD will create,” followed immediately by its objects. In Hebrew this verse opens with the connecting particle that is literally “And.” Here Revised Standard Version and most other translators render it Then since it introduces the next event in a time sequence. The creation of a covering over Jerusalem (verses 5-6) will take place after the LORD’s cleansing activity (verses 2-4). The Hebrew verb for create is the same one found in Gen 1, where it focuses on Yahweh’s exclusive power to bring things into being. The prophet links Yahweh’s creation with the two symbols of his presence in the Sinai desert (see Exo 13.21-22). If the receptor language does not have a word with the precise meaning of create, a verb such as “make,” “make appear” (Bible en français courant), or even “cover” will be acceptable.

Over the whole site of Mount Zion: The entire area of the hill on which the Temple was built is in view here. The Hebrew noun translated site is literally “establishment” and may be a poetic term referring to a place where Yahweh lives (see Exo 15.17 and 1 Kgs 8.13, where it is rendered “place”). This word may be omitted in translation as Good News Translation and New Century Version have done.

And over her assemblies: The Hebrew noun rendered assemblies is also used in 1.13, where it refers to meetings for worship. The root behind this noun means “to call,” so assemblies seems to refer to a gathering of people called together for a specific purpose. Here they meet for worship in the Temple compound. Good News Translation does not specify any purpose by saying “and over all who are gathered there.” For over the whole site of Mount Zion and over her assemblies, Bible en français courant translates “everywhere on mount Zion and on the assemblies which will be held there,” and New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh has “over the whole shrine and meeting place of Mount Zion.” The two phrases together refer to worship on Mount Zion.

A cloud by day, and smoke and the shining of a flaming light: During the daytime there will be a cloud, and at night there will be smoke and the shining of a flaming fire (compare Exo 19.9, 16-18). These are all symbols of God’s presence. These metaphors assure the hearers that in future when the city and its people are cleansed, God will be present with them whenever they meet for worship. This contrasts with the emptiness of their worship described in 1.11-15 and the judgment that will come because of that. The shining of a flaming fire may be rendered “the light of a flame of fire.”

For over all the glory there will be a canopy is literally “for [or, indeed] over all glory a canopy.” The Hebrew particle at the beginning of this clause may introduce a reason (so Revised Standard Version, Nouvelle Bible Segond), or it may be an emphatic word (New Revised Standard Version “Indeed”). Good News Translation, New International Version, and Bible en français courant omit it, perhaps with the understanding that this clause explains the first part of the verse. The word glory here most likely refers to the glorious condition of Jerusalem as described in verse 2 (so de~Waard). Canopy is a metaphor for protection; it does not refer to a literal fabric cover like a tent. It may be rendered “protection.” If a more literal rendering is preferred, it may be translated “dome,” “covering,” or even “tent.” The canopy and the pavilion are the cloud, smoke, and fire. The glory of a restored Jerusalem will stand under the protection of God’s presence. Revised Standard Version and New Revised Standard Version follow this interpretation.

Good News Translation and Bible en français courant interpret this clause differently since they believe glory refers to God’s glorious presence, as in 1 Kgs 8.10-11. According to their view, God’s glory will form a protective cover over Jerusalem. His glory is synonymous with the metaphors of canopy and pavilion.

And a pavilion: These words belong in the next verse, where Masoretic Text places them. See the comments there. Like Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation places these words in this verse by rendering them “and protect.”

For this verse consider the following translation examples:

• Then Yahweh will create over the whole of Mount Zion and the assembled people a cloud by day and a smoking flame of fire at night. They will be a cover over all the glorious scene.

• Over all of Mount Zion and the gathered people Yahweh will create a cloud for the day and a smoking bright flame for the night. Because over all that glorious scene he will provide a cover.

If glory is understood to refer to God’s glory, then this is a possible model:

• Then the whole of Mount Zion and its assembled people will be covered with Yahweh’s protection. Yahweh will create cloud and fire to be there throughout the day and the night. Indeed, his glorious power will be a cover over everything.

Quoted with permission from Ogden, Graham S. and Sterk, Jan. A Handbook on Isaiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2011. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .