Numbers 9:18

Verse

At the LORD’s command the Israelites set out, and at the LORD’s command they camped. As long as the cloud remained over the tabernacle, they remained encamped.

American Standard Version (1901)

At the commandment of Jehovah the children of Israel journeyed, and at the commandment of Jehovah they encamped: as long as the cloud abode upon the tabernacle they remained encamped.

Bible in Basic English

At the order of the Lord the children of Israel went forward, and at the order of the Lord they put up their tents: as long as the cloud was resting on the House, they did not go away from that place.

Free Bible Version

The Israelites moved on when the Lord told them to, and set up camp when the Lord told them to. While the cloud stayed over the Tabernacle, they remained camped there.

King James (Authorized) Version

At the commandment of the LORD the children of Israel journeyed, and at the commandment of the LORD they pitched: as long as the cloud abode upon the tabernacle they rested in their tents.

One Unity Resource Bible

At the order of Adonai , the children of Israel [God prevails] traveled, and at the order of Adonai they encamped. As long as the cloud remained on the tabernacle they remained encamped.

Translation for Translators

We/They traveled when Yahweh, by causing the cloud to move or stop, signaled to us/them when to move and when to stop. When the cloud stayed over the Sacred Tent, we/the Israelis stayed at that place.

Unlocked Literal Bible

At Yahweh's command, the people of Israel would travel, and at his command, they would camp. While the cloud stopped over the tabernacle, they would stay in their camp.

Noah Webster Bible

At the commandment of the LORD the children of Israel journeyed, and at the commandment of the LORD they encamped: as long as the cloud abode upon the tabernacle they rested in their tents.

World English Bible

At the commandment of Yahweh, the children of Israel traveled, and at the commandment of Yahweh they encamped. As long as the cloud remained on the tabernacle they remained encamped.

Young's Literal Translation

by the command of Jehovah the sons of Israel journey, and by the command of Jehovah they encamp; all the days that the cloud doth tabernacle over the tabernacle they encamp.

Context

The Cloud above the Tabernacle

¹⁷Whenever the cloud was lifted from above the Tent, the Israelites would set out, and wherever the cloud settled, there the Israelites would camp.¹⁸At the LORD’s command the Israelites set out, and at the LORD’s command they camped. As long as the cloud remained over the tabernacle, they remained encamped.

Summary

In Numbers 9:18, the Israelites are instructed to set out when the cloud above the tabernacle lifts, signaling God's guidance and presence among them. This verse highlights the importance of following God's leading and timing in their journey through the wilderness. It demonstrates the Israelites' reliance on God for direction and protection as they traveled towards the Promised Land. The cloud symbolizes God's faithfulness and provision, guiding His people every step of the way. This verse serves as a reminder for believers to trust in God's guidance and timing in their own lives.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And when the cloud tarried long upon the tabernacle many days,.... Or years, for days are sometimes put for years, and in some places the cloud tarried several years; or however, if it stayed but a month or a year in any place, as in Num 9:22, then the children of Israel kept the charge of the Lord, and journeyed not; they not only kept watching when it would move, or set sentinels for that purpose to observe it, but they kept the charge, order, or commandment, which the tarrying of the cloud was a token of, and did not attempt to proceed in their journey until they had an intimation so to do by its motion; and all this while, likewise, the tabernacle being up, they observed all the precepts and ordinances of the Lord in the service of it.