Exodus 34:5

And the LORD descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD.

The Lord descended in the cloud. After graciously hovering over the tabernacle, it seems to have resumed its usual position on the summit of the mount, and to have made a slight descent visibly in the sight of the camp, and for the sake of the people. It was the shadow of God manifest to the outward senses, and at the same time, of God manifest in the flesh. The emblem of a cloud seems to have been chosen to signify that, although He was pleased to make known much about Himself, there was more veiled from mortal view (cf. Exodus 19:9; Exodus 19:16). It was to check presumption and engender awe, and give a humble sense of human attainments in divine knowledge, as now man sees but darkly.