Whether it was two days, or a month, or a year that the cloud stayed on the tabernacle, remaining on it, the children of Israel remained encamped, and didn’t travel; but when it was taken up, they traveled.
Parallel Translations
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Whether it was two days, or a month, or a year that the cloud stayed on the tabernacle, remaining on it, the children of Israel remained encamped, and didn’t travel; but when it was taken up, they traveled.
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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.
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Whether it were two days, or a month, or a year, that the cloud tarried upon the tabernacle, abiding thereon, the children of Israel remained encamped, and journeyed not; but when it was taken up, they journeyed.
Examined in Scripture Analysis
Science (1)
Historical claims about the natural world, weighed against the scientific record.
Cross-references (17)
Passages linked to Numbers 9:22 in the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, ordered by reader-vote popularity; verse text shown in World English Bible.
- Exodus 40:36-37 When the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward, throughout all their journeys; but if the cloud wasn’t taken up, then they didn’t travel until the day that it was taken up.
- Psalms 32:8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you shall go. I will counsel you with my eye on you.
- Exodus 39:42 According to all that Yahweh commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did all the work.
- Exodus 40:16 Moses did so. According to all that Yahweh commanded him, so he did.
- Numbers 1:54 Thus the children of Israel did. According to all that Yahweh commanded Moses, so they did.
- Numbers 8:20 Moses, and Aaron, and all the congregation of the children of Israel did so to the Levites. According to all that Yahweh commanded Moses concerning the Levites, so the children of Israel did to them.
- Numbers 9:17 Whenever the cloud was taken up from over the Tent, then after that the children of Israel traveled; and in the place where the cloud remained, there the children of Israel encamped.
- Numbers 23:21-22 He has not seen iniquity in Jacob. Neither has he seen perverseness in Israel. Yahweh his God is with him. The shout of a king is among them. God brings them out of Egypt. He has as it were the strength of the wild ox.
- Deuteronomy 1:6-7 “Yahweh our God spoke to us in Horeb, saying, ‘You have lived long enough at this mountain. Turn, and take your journey, and go to the hill country of the Amorites and to all the places near there: in the Arabah, in the hill country, in the lowland, in the South, by the seashore, in the land of the Canaanites, and in Lebanon as far as the great river, the river Euphrates.
- Deuteronomy 2:3-4 “You have encircled this mountain long enough. Turn northward. Command the people, saying, ‘You are to pass through the border of your brothers, the children of Esau, who dwell in Seir; and they will be afraid of you. Therefore be careful.
- Psalms 48:14 For this God is our God forever and ever. He will be our guide even to death.
- Psalms 73:24 You will guide me with your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.
- Psalms 77:20 You led your people like a flock, by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
- Psalms 107:7 he led them also by a straight way, that they might go to a city to live in.
- Psalms 143:10 Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness.
- Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
- Acts 1:4 Being assembled together with them, he commanded them, “Don’t depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which you heard from me.
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this verse (9 sources)
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John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain Num 9:22 Or [whether it were] two days, or…
Num 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.
Ver. 22. When it was taken up they journeyed.] In that wilderness of Arabia there were no beaten paths, no footsteps of passengers appeared; wherefore travellers there used to steer their course, as mariners at sea do, by a mathematical chart. But these Israelites went by a better direction. So do all saints. {Heb 11:16}
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain At the commandment of the Lord they rested in…
At the commandment of the Lord they rested in their tents,.... Though ever so disagreeable:
and at the commandment of the Lord they journeyed; though the circumstances might be such, that they could have liked a continuance; but whether agreeable or disagreeable, they were obedient to the divine will: this, or what is equivalent to it, is frequently observed in this paragraph, to show that the Israelites, though they were an obstinate and perverse people, and must in general be desirous of getting as soon as they could into the land of promise, yet in this case, in all their stations and journeys, were submissive and obedient to the divine will, as all good men should be with respect to happiness; and happy are they who have God to be their guide through it, even unto death:
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they kept the charge of the Lord, at the commandment of the Lord by the hand of Moses; observed the rest or motion of the cloud, the order and command of God signified thereby, as it was made known unto them by the ministry and means of Moses.
Next: Numbers Chapter 10
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain Verse 22. Two days - a month - a…
Verse 22. Two days - a month - a year] It was by the Divine counsel alone that they were directed in all their peregrinations: and from the above words we see that their times of tarrying at different stations were very unequal.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain A year - literally, “days,” idiomatically a year Lev…
A year - literally, “days,” idiomatically a year Lev 25:29, an expression equivalent to “a full period,” though not necessarily the period of a year.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain 22. Two days, or a month, or a year…
22. Two days, or a month, or a year — The periods varied from a single night to eighteen years, the longest halt. The irregularities in the intervals of motion and rest kept the people always watchful for the signal and always in a state of readiness to obey. Thus they were in a school wherein were taught the important lessons of constant vigilance, implicit faith, unquestioning obedience, and perfect patience.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain 22. a year] Heb. ‘days.’ This sometimes means ‘a…
22. a year] Heb. ‘days.’ This sometimes means ‘a year’ (e.g. 1Sa_27:7); but here it perhaps denotes only an indefinite period longer than a month.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain (22) Or a year.—Literally, days (comp. Gen_4:3; Gen_40:4, and…
(22) Or a year.—Literally, days (comp. Gen_4:3; Gen_40:4, and Notes). If the rendering of the Authorised Version, “a year,” is correct, as it probably is, it will follow that these words could not have been written until after the first arrival at Kadesh (Num_13:26), and probably not until after the end of the wanderings in the wilderness. The elaborate manner in which the statement is made and repeated in almost identical terms shows the great importance which the writer ascribed to the Divine guardianship which was exercised over the Israelites, and to their submission to the miraculous guidance which was given to them.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain Or a year. Rather, "days" (yamin): an undefined period,…
Or a year. Rather, "days" (yamin): an undefined period, (Gen_4:3 Gen_40:4) often equivalent to a year. (Lev_25:29) It is not known whether or on what occasion the Israelites actually remained in camp for a year. But it is evident that this passage must have been written after the wanderings were over, because it is a kind of retrospect of the whole period as regards one important feature of it. It may of course have been added here by the hand of Moses on the eve of entry upon the promised land: or it may have been added by a later hand, perhaps that of Ezra when he revised these books (see the Introduction).
HOMILIES BY E.S. PROUT Ver. 23. God"s ceaseless providence a motive to prompt obedience.
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God"s presence with Israel was perpetual. (Exo_3:12 Exo_13:17-18) The sign of it in the cloud was given as soon, and was continued as long, as it was needed. (Exo_13:21, 22 40:38) God"s active, providential presence was
I A SOURCE OF SAFETY;
II A GROUND OF FAITH; and therefore,
III A MOTIVE TO OBEDIENCE.
I The cloud
(1) led them the safest way. (Exo_13:17)
(2) Ensured protection from foes when near at hand. (Exo_14:19, Exo_14:20, Exo_14:24)
(3) Gave light on the camp in moonless nights. (Neh_9:19)
(4) Was a pledge of safety to sinners, as it rested on the mercy-seat. (Lev_16:2) This visible cloud a symbol of protection by an invisible God. (Isa_4:5) Illustrations, bird and young. (Rth_2:12 Psa_17:8 Psa_91:4) Father carrying his child by day, (Deu_1:31) and watching by him at night (Psalm 121). There is safety for sinners not away from God but in God. (Psa_143:2, Psa_143:9)
II God showed himself in the cloud for the very purpose of guiding. He took the responsibility out of the hands of the people and Moses that they might have the privilege of trusting. (Exo_33:9-17 Deu_1:33) Such a guiding presence we may enjoy by the aid of God"s written counsels, providential acts, and inward monitions. (Psa_25:4, Psa_25:5, Psa_25:9, Psa_25:14) See how these three are combined in the narrative. (Act_8:26-35)
III Verse 23 is very emphatic. They obeyed even if at times the journey was very arduous, (Num_21:4) or the halt very tedious (verse 22), or the start was sudden, as when a midnight alarm of the trumpets was a sign that the cloud had begun to move (verse 21). Hence we learn
(1) not to take for granted that any place is our rest. (Job_29:18 Mic_2:10)
(2) To be willing to go to the wilderness with God, rather than to stay in the choicest paradise without God.
(3) To be willing to endure, at God"s bidding, protracted toil or enforced inactivity.
(4) To be ready at any time to strike our tent and go home. Thus waiting on God and waiting for God, we arc safely led, and have the rest of trustful obedience. P. (Psa_5:11, 12 48:14 84:11, 12)
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 the cloud was taken up
the cloud was taken up
This can be stated in active form. AT: "the cloud rose up" or "Yahweh took up the cloud" (See: Active or Passive)
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at Yahweh's command
The word "command" can be expressed as a verb. AT: "what Yahweh commanded" (See: Abstract Nouns)
Yahweh's command given through Moses
This can be stated in active form. AT: "the command that Yahweh had given through Moses" (See: Active or Passive)
translationWords
tabernacle
people group
Israel
Moses
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.