Numbers 9:15-22

The Cloud on the Tabernacle

15 Now on ¹the day that the tabernacle was erected ²the cloud covered the tabernacle, the ³tent of the testimony, and ⁴in the evening it was like the appearance of fire over the tabernacle, until morning.

16 So it was continuously; ⁵the cloud would cover it by day, and the appearance of fire by night.

17 ⁶Whenever the cloud was lifted from over the tent, afterward * the sons of Israel would then set out; and in the place where * the cloud settled down, there the sons of Israel would camp.

18 At the command of the LORD the sons of Israel would set out, and at the command of the LORD they would camp; ⁷as long * as the cloud settled over the tabernacle, they remained camped.

19 Even when the cloud lingered over the tabernacle for many days, the sons of Israel would keep the LORD'S charge and not set out.

20 If sometimes the cloud remained a few days over the tabernacle, ⁸according to the command of the LORD they remained camped. Then according to the command of the LORD they set out.

21 If sometimes the cloud remained from evening until morning, when the cloud was lifted in the morning, they would move out; or if it remained in the daytime and at night, whenever the cloud was lifted, they would set out.

22 Whether it was two days or a month or a year that the cloud lingered over the tabernacle, staying above it, the sons of Israel remained camped and did not set out; but ⁹when it was lifted, they did set out.

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Numbers 9:15-22 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO NUMBERS 9

In this chapter the command for keeping the passover is repeated, and it was accordingly kept, Nu 9:1-5; but some persons being defiled and disqualified for observing it, Moses inquires of the Lord, on their solicitation, what should be done in such a case, Nu 9:6-8; when it was ordered to be kept by such, and those on journeys, on the fourteenth day of the second month, but not by others, who were to observe it according to its first appointment, Nu 9:9-14; and an account is given of the appearance of the cloud by day, and fire by night, upon the tabernacle, which directed the children of Israel when to journey, and when to pitch their tents, Nu 9:15-23.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

Cross References 9

1. Exodus 40:2, 17
2. Exodus 40:34
3. Numbers 17:7
4. Exodus 13:21, 22
5. Exodus 40:34; Nehemiah 9:12
6. Exodus 40:36-38; Numbers 10:11, 12
7. 1 Corinthians 10:1
8. Psalms 48:14; Proverbs 3:5, 6
9. Exodus 40:36, 37

Footnotes 8

[a]. Lit "mouth"
[b]. Lit "mouth"
[c]. Lit "and the"
[d]. Lit "it was that"
[e]. Lit "mouth"
[f]. Lit "mouth"
[g]. Lit "it was that"
[h]. Lit "was"