Numbers 9:20

Numbers 9:20 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And so it was, when the cloud was a few days upon the tabernacle; according to the commandment of the Lord they abode in their tents, and according to the commandment of the Lord they journeyed.
• New International Version (NIV)Sometimes the cloud was over the tabernacle only a few days; at the Lord’s command they would encamp, and then at his command they would set out.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Sometimes the cloud was a few days over the tabernacle, and according to the command of the Lord they remained in camp; then according to the command of the Lord they set out.
• New King James Version (NKJV)So it was, when the cloud was above the tabernacle a few days: according to the command of the Lord they would remain encamped, and according to the command of the Lord they would journey.

Context of Numbers 9:20

18At the commandment of Yhwh the children of Israel journeyed, and at the commandment of Yhwh they pitched: as long as the cloud abode upon the tabernacle they rested in their tents. 19And when the cloud tarried long upon the tabernacle many days, then the children of Israel kept the charge of Yhwh, and journeyed not. And so it was, when the cloud was a few days upon the tabernacle; according to the commandment of Yhwh they abode in their tents, and according to the commandment of Yhwh they journeyed. 21And so it was, when the cloud abode from even unto the morning, and that the cloud was taken up in the morning, then they journeyed: whether it was by day or by night that the cloud was taken up, they journeyed. 22Or 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.

Numbers 9:20 word by word

וְיֵ֞שׁ אֲשֶׁ֨ר יִהְיֶ֧ה הֶֽעָנָ֛ן יָמִ֥ים מִסְפָּ֖ר עַל־הַמִּשְׁכָּ֑ן עַל־פִּ֤י יְהוָה֙ יַחֲנ֔וּ וְעַל־פִּ֥י יְהוָ֖ה יִסָּֽעוּ׃Read the interlinear

• it wasיֵשׁyêsh · thereH3426
• when the cloudעָנָן‛ânân · cloudH6051
• was a fewמִסְפָּרmispâr · numberH4557
• daysיוֹםyôm · dayH3117
• upon the tabernacleמִשְׁכָּןmishkân · tabernacleH4908
• according to the commandmentפֶּהpeh · lip: wordH6310
• of Yhwhיְהֹוָהyehôvâh · LORDH3068
• they abodeחָנָהchânâh · to campH2583
• they journeyedנָסַעnâsa‛ · to set outH5265

Commentaries on Numbers 9:20

• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 15-23Verses 15-23 This cloud was appointed to be the visible sign and symbol of God's presence with Israel. Thus we are taught to see God always near us, both night and day. As long as the cloud rested on the tabernacle, so long they continued in the same place. There is no time lost, while we are waiting God's time. When the cloud was taken up, they removed, however comfortably they were encamped. We are kept at uncertainty concerning the time of our putting…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 19-23Even Israel's enemies saw the fiery cloud (14:14). This clearly represented God's glorious presence and the way he guided their movement.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 15-2315. the cloud covered the tabernacle--The inspired historian here enters on an entirely new subject, which might properly have formed a separate chapter, beginning at this verse and ending at Nu 10:29 [Calmet]. The cloud was a visible token of God's special presence and guardian care of the Israelites (Ex 14:20; Psa 105:39). It was easily distinguishable from all other clouds by its peculiar form and its fixed position; for from the day of the completion…Read the comment

Topics related to Numbers 9:20

• Cloud
• Fire
• Obedience

In the dictionaries

• Appearance
• Cloud
• Sinai
• Apocrypha
• Chronicles, Books of
• Exodus, the Book of
• Genealogy
• Hittites
• Law in the Old Testament
• Moses

Commentaries on Numbers 9

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings