Why would 1 Nephi 1:6 say the pillar of fire “dwelt” on the rock, rather than sat or rested?

In 1 Nephi 1:6 we read:

And it came to pass as he prayed unto the Lord, there came a pillar of fire and dwelt upon a rock before him; and he saw and heard much; and because of the things which he saw and heard he did quake and tremble exceedingly.

The meaning of the word “dwelt” or “dwell” is “live in or at a specified place”. This is an odd choice of wording for a pillar of fire; however the Hebrew verb “yashab” means “to dwell, inhabit or sit”. 

Why would Joseph choose such an odd word in this instance? What are the odds that the word he chose has a Hebrew basis?

See:

• Abarim Publications’ Biblical Dictionary 

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