Contradiction with Exodus 13:21
This verse states that the Lord led the Israelites by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, without suggesting their movement was conditional on the cloud’s presence, unlike Exodus 40:37 where they only moved if the cloud was lifted.
Exodus 13:21: And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:
Contradiction with Numbers 9:18
It mentions the Israelites journeyed at the command of the Lord, aligning the movement with the Lord’s command rather than the cloud’s rising, suggesting a broader divine instruction beyond just the cloud.
Numbers 9:18: At the commandment of the LORD the children of Israel journeyed, and at the commandment of the LORD they pitched: as long as the cloud abode upon the tabernacle they rested in their tents.
Contradiction with Numbers 9:22
This passage implies that the Israelites could remain encamped for a prolonged period at God's command irrespective of the cloud’s position, potentially clashing with Exodus 40:37’s emphasis on movement following the cloud.
Numbers 9:22: Or [whether it were] two days, or a month, or a year, that the cloud tarried upon the tabernacle, remaining thereon, the children of Israel abode in their tents, and journeyed not: but when it was taken up, they journeyed.
Contradiction with Deuteronomy 1:33
Here, it's described that God went before them to find suitable places to pitch their tents, suggesting active guidance beyond the presence of the cloud, unlike the passive waiting implied in Exodus 40:37.
Deuteronomy 1:33: Who went in the way before you, to search you out a place to pitch your tents [in], in fire by night, to shew you by what way ye should go, and in a cloud by day.
Contradiction with Nehemiah 9:19
This verse describes God's constant leadership with the cloud, during day and night, providing no indication of pausing or stopping, which could contrast with Exodus 40:37's condition of staying put if the cloud did not rise.
Nehemiah 9:19: Yet thou in thy manifold mercies forsookest them not in the wilderness: the pillar of the cloud departed not from them by day, to lead them in the way; neither the pillar of fire by night, to shew them light, and the way wherein they should go.