Numbers 9:16

16 Thus it was done continually, a cloud covered it by day, and as the likeness of fire by night. (Thus it was done continually, that a cloud stood over it by day, and a brightness like fire during the night.)

Numbers 9:16 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 9:16

So it was alway
Night and day, as long as the people of Israel were in the wilderness, see ( Exodus 13:21 Exodus 13:22 ) ( Nehemiah 9:19 ) ;

the cloud covered it [by day]:
the phrase, "by day", is not in the text, but is easily and necessarily supplied from ( Exodus 40:38 ) ; and as it is in the Targum of Jonathan, and in the Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Arabic versions, and which the following clause requires:

and the appearance of fire by night;
when as a cloud it could not be because of the darkness of the night; as in the daytime it could not be discerned as a body of fire or light, because of the light of the sun; but being seen under these different forms, was serviceable both by day and night, for the following purposes.

Numbers 9:16 In-Context

14 Also if a pilgrim and a comeling is with you, make he pask to the Lord, by the ceremonies and the justifyings thereof; the same behest shall be with (all of) you, as well to a comeling as to a man born in the land. (And if a foreigner or a newcomer is with you, let him observe the Passover to the Lord, with all of its ceremonies and its customs, or its rites; the same law shall apply to all of you, to a newcomer, as well as to someone born in the land.)

15 Therefore in the day in which the tabernacle was raised, a cloud covered it; soothly as the likeness of fire was on the tent, that is, (the) tabernacle, from (the) eventide till to the morrowtide. (And on the day in which the Tabernacle was raised up, a cloud came and covered it; and a brightness like fire was over the Tent, that is, the Tabernacle, from the evening until the morning.)

16 Thus it was done continually, a cloud covered it by day, and as the likeness of fire by night. (Thus it was done continually, that a cloud stood over it by day, and a brightness like fire during the night.)

17 And when the cloud that covered the tabernacle was taken away, then the sons of Israel went forth; and in the place where the cloud stood, there they setted tents. (And when the cloud that covered the Tabernacle lifted up, and moved away, then the Israelites went forth; and in the place where the cloud stopped, there they pitched their tents.)

18 At the commandment of the Lord they went forth, and at his commandment they setted (up) the tabernacle. In all the days in which the cloud stood upon the tabernacle, they dwelled in the same place. (At the Lord's command they went forth, and at his command they put up the Tabernacle. And all the days in which the cloud stood over the Tabernacle, they remained in the same place.)