II. Clouds as a Symhol of the Transitory. — It is a common phenomenon of the Syrian sky to see a cloud, borne eastward by the sea-breeze, suddenly and mysteriously dissolve as it encounters the hot dry air of the inland district. The cloud is something that melts and leaves no vestige of its existence. The artistic appreciation of land- scape did not exist in ancient times : the thought had not been expressed that the floating clouds can lend their state and grace of motion to those who live in communion with them. The eye was occupied with moral issues. Thus the cloud becomes a text on life's brevity (Job 7"). Such was prosperity (Job 30"). In the same way, it repre- sents the deep reality of forgiveness (Is 44-^). Such evanescence is tne special peculiarity of the morning cloud, which appears at sunrise in the valleys and melts away an hour afterwards. It was the moral emblem and historical epitome of Ephraim and Judah (Hos 6*). Its companions were the chaff of the threshing-floor and the smoke of the chimney (Hos 13').
III. Clouds as a Covering. — In this con- nexion the meaning passes from the screening of the sun's rays (Ezk 32'), to imply shadow, obscurity, and oblivion. Job prays that a cloud may rest upon the day of his birth (Job 3°). Again (Job 38') we have the majestic metaphor of the cloud as the swaddling-clothes of the new-born world. The union of power and humility in the king, ' when mercy seasons justice,' is likened to the bright benediction of a morning witliout clouds in spring- time (2 S 23<).
IV. Clouds a.s the Dwelling-place of thf Etkunal.— The hifihest stratum of cloud-imagery was reached when, in addition to what was merely high and wonilerful and mysterious in nature, clouds came to be recognized as a means of revela- tion the vesture of the divine presence, and the vehicle of the divine purpose. 'The bow in the
CLOUT
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cloud' (Gn 9") was so far in the line of the old astrology, which saw a divine meaning in the heavens. The cloud {'dndn) seems here to mean the whole circle of the sky : hence yni'Unen, sooth- sayer ; cf. Arab, faldk ' aky,' /alaki 'astrologer.' Throughout the Bible the cloud often appears as the indication and emblem of God's pre.sence, power, and protection. He keeps the rain-clouds suspended (Job 26"). He numbers, balances, commands them, and has a pari]Ose in their inj-sterious spreadings and motions (Job 36=» 37'" 38", Ps TS-^"). The cloud of Jlis presence settled upon the mount, and left there the light of His commandments. In this form His presence crowned the preparations of tlie sanctuary, rested upon it when it rested, led its marches in the wiltiemess, and reappeared in the completed temple (Ex 13-" 40", 1 k 8'»). Clouds are the chariot of God (Ps 104», Is 19', Ezk W), and the dust of His feet (Nah 1'). The same emblem of intercepted light, partial knowledge, and hidden glory appears in N'l , where a cloud closes the story of the Incarnation (Ac 1"), and clouds are the heralds of the Second Advent (Rev 1'). See also Pillar, G. M. Mackie.
CLODT.— As subst. Jer 38" " ' So Ebed-melech took thence old cast clouts and old rotten rags, and . . . said unto Jeremiah, Put now tliese old cast clouts and rotten rags under thine armlioles under the cords.' As vb. .los 9° ' oki shoes and clouted upon their feet' (Anier. RV 'patched'). Cf. Shaks. 2 Henry VI. IV. ii. 195—
' Spare none but such as go in clouted shoon ;'
and Latimer, Serm. p. 110, 'Paul yea, and Peter too, had more skill in mending an old net, and in clouting an old tent, than to teach lawyers what diligence they should use in the expedition of matters.' The word is Celtic, and came in early, bit Wyclif, in Jos 9°, has 'sowid with iJatchis.'
J. Hastings.
CLDB (Job 41» RV).— The 'club' was a common weapon among shepherds. See Hand-STAVES and al-w under Uart (Heb. shebhet).
The rod, sceptre, or club of iron {shebhr.t barzel, Ps 2") was carried by kings, as seen in the Assyr. reliefs in the Kouyunjik Gallery, B.M., esp. the 6gure of Assur-na?ir-pal. Cf. Is 10° 'Ho Assyrian, the rod (shebhe() of mine anger.'
W. E. Barne-s.
CNIDUS (KWioj), a city of Caria, a Dorian colony, was situated at the extremity of a narrow peninsula which juts far out towards the W. into the .■I'^gean Sea. In this situation it was the dividing point between the western and southern coast of Asia Minor. Hence a coasting vDvage westward along the southern coast of Asia >finor came to an end ofT C. ; and from thence the ship had to begin a new period and method in its course towards Rome (Ac 2V). The city was situated partly on the peninsula, partly on a small island off tne peninsula on its south side; the island was connected with the mainland by a causeway in ancient times, and is now joined to it by a sandy isthmus. There were two excellent harbours at C, one of which could be closed by a chain. Like Chios (winch see), C. had the rank of a free city. It contained Jewish inhabitants as early as the 2nd cent. (I Mac IS-^" ; see Caria, Delos).