And the LORD came down in a pillar of cloud: See 11.25. A pillar of cloud means a cloud the size and shape of a pillar or column, but not a solid object. This phrase may be rendered “a cloud in the form of a pillar” or “a cloud that looked like a pillar [of smoke].” In cultures where “pillars” or “columns” are unknown, translators may say “a thick cloud” or even “a tall, tree-like cloud.” Since the Hebrew has no definite article on the word for pillar, there is no indication whether this pillar of cloud has been mentioned before (compare Exo 13.21).

And stood at the door of the tent: It may be necessary to clarify that it was the pillar of cloud that stood at the entrance of the Tabernacle. The translation should not imply that the LORD himself was somehow visible there. For the door of the tent, see the comments on 6.10.

And called Aaron and Miriam: It was the LORD who called out to Aaron and Miriam, presumably from inside the cloud.

And they both came forward: Aaron and Miriam stepped forward in response to the LORD’s call.

Quoted with permission from de Regt, Lénart J. and Wendland, Ernst R. A Handbook on Numbers. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2016. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .