Shakhon. It is known that the meaning of this verb is, to dwell. Thus: And he was dwelling by the terebinths of Mamre;1 And it came to pass, while Israel dwelt.2 This is well known and generally accepted. Now dwelling signifies a permanent stay in a place of one’s abode. Accordingly, when a living being has his abode in a place, by which either a general or a particular place may be meant, it is said of him that he dwells in that place, even if he undoubtedly moves within it. This verb is also figuratively applied to things that are not living beings and in fact to everything that is permanent and is attached to another thing. Of all such things the term dwelling may be used, even in cases in which the thing to which they are attached is not a place and they themselves not living beings. Thus it says: Let a cloud dwell upon it.3 For there is no doubt that a cloud is not a living being, nor a day in any way a body,4 being a portion of time. It is on account of this latter figurative sense that the verb is applied figuratively to God, may He be exalted—I mean to the permanence of His Indwelling5 or His providence in [29c] whatever place they may subsist in permanent fashion or toward whatever matter providence may be permanently directed.6 Thus it is said: And the glory of the Lord dwelt;7 And I will dwell among the children of Israel;8 And the good will of Him that dwelt in the bush.9 In every case in which this occurs with reference to God, it is used in the sense of the permanence of His Indwelling—I mean His created light—in a place, or the permanence of providence with regard to a certain matter. Each passage should be understood according to its context.10