Charles Ellicott Commentary Deuteronomy 1:33

"who went before you in the way, to seek you out a place to pitch your tents in, in fire by night, to show you by what way ye should go, and in the cloud by day." — Deuteronomy 1:33 (ASV)

Who went in the way before you, to search you out a place. —Compare Numbers 10:33, The ark of the covenant of the Lord went before them ... to search out a resting place for them; and John 14:2, I go to prepare a place for you; and Hebrews 6:20, Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus. On the whole manner of this cloud-guidance, see Numbers 9:15-23.