Numbers 9:19
New International Version
When the cloud remained over the tabernacle a long time, the Israelites obeyed the LORD’s order and did not set out.

New Living Translation
If the cloud remained over the Tabernacle for a long time, the Israelites stayed and performed their duty to the LORD.

English Standard Version
Even when the cloud continued over the tabernacle many days, the people of Israel kept the charge of the LORD and did not set out.

Berean Standard Bible
Even when the cloud lingered over the tabernacle for many days, the Israelites kept the LORD’s charge and did not set out.

King James Bible
And when the cloud tarried long upon the tabernacle many days, then the children of Israel kept the charge of the LORD, and journeyed not.

New King James Version
Even when the cloud continued long, many days above the tabernacle, the children of Israel kept the charge of the LORD and did not journey.

New American Standard Bible
Even when the cloud lingered over the tabernacle for many days, the sons of Israel would comply with the LORD’S ordinance and not set out.

NASB 1995
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.

NASB 1977
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.

Legacy Standard Bible
Even when the cloud lingered over the tabernacle for many days, the sons of Israel would keep the charge of Yahweh and not set out.

Amplified Bible
Even when the cloud lingered over the tabernacle for many days, the Israelites would keep their obligation to the LORD and not set out.

Christian Standard Bible
Even when the cloud stayed over the tabernacle many days, the Israelites carried out the LORD’s requirement and did not set out.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Even when the cloud stayed over the tabernacle many days, the Israelites carried out the LORD’s requirement and did not set out.

American Standard Version
And when the cloud tarried upon the tabernacle many days, then the children of Israel kept the charge of Jehovah, and journeyed not.

English Revised Version
And when the cloud tarried upon the tabernacle many days, then the children of Israel kept the charge of the LORD, and journeyed not.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When the smoke stayed over the tent for a long time, the Israelites obeyed the LORD's command and wouldn't break camp.

Good News Translation
When the cloud stayed over the Tent for a long time, they obeyed the LORD and did not move on.

International Standard Version
When the cloud over the tent remained for a longer time, the Israelis did what the LORD had instructed and didn't travel.

Majority Standard Bible
Even when the cloud lingered over the tabernacle for many days, the Israelites kept the LORD?s charge and did not set out.

NET Bible
When the cloud remained over the tabernacle many days, then the Israelites obeyed the instructions of the LORD and did not journey.

New Heart English Bible
When the cloud stayed on the tabernacle many days, then the children of Israel kept the command of God, and did not travel.

Webster's Bible Translation
And when the cloud tarried long upon the tabernacle many days, then the children of Israel kept the charge of the LORD, and journeyed not.

World English Bible
When the cloud stayed on the tabernacle many days, then the children of Israel kept Yahweh’s command, and didn’t travel.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And in the cloud prolonging itself over the Dwelling Place many days, then the sons of Israel have kept the charge of YHWH, and do not journey.

Young's Literal Translation
And in the cloud prolonging itself over the tabernacle many days, then have the sons of Israel kept the charge of Jehovah, and journey not,

Smith's Literal Translation
And in the prolonging of the cloud upon the dwelling many days, and the sons of Israel shall watch the watches of Jehovah, and they shall not remove.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And if it was so that it continued over it a long time, the children of Israel kept the watches of the Lord, and marched not,

Catholic Public Domain Version
And if it happened that it remained for a long time over it, the sons of Israel kept the night watches of the Lord, and they did not advance,

New American Bible
Even when the cloud lingered many days over the tabernacle, the Israelites kept the charge of the LORD and would not move on.

New Revised Standard Version
Even when the cloud continued over the tabernacle many days, the Israelites would keep the charge of the LORD, and would not set out.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And when the cloud tarried long upon the tabernacle many days, then the children of Israel kept the charge of the LORD and journeyed not.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And when the cloud continued on the Tabernacle for many days, Israel kept the charge of LORD JEHOVAH and did not pick up.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And when the cloud tarried upon the tabernacle many days, then the children of Israel kept the charge of the LORD, and journeyed not.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And whenever the cloud shall be drawn over the tabernacle for many days, then the children of Israel shall keep the charge of God, and they shall not remove.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Cloud Above the Tabernacle
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. 19Even when the cloud lingered over the tabernacle for many days, the Israelites kept the LORD’s charge and did not set out. 20Sometimes the cloud remained over the tabernacle for only a few days, and they would camp at the LORD’s command and set out at the LORD’s command.…

Cross References
Exodus 13:21-22
And the LORD went before them in a pillar of cloud to guide their way by day, and in a pillar of fire to give them light by night, so that they could travel by day or night. / Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place before the people.

Exodus 40:36-38
Whenever the cloud was lifted from above the tabernacle, the Israelites would set out through all the stages of their journey. / If the cloud was not lifted, they would not set out until the day it was taken up. / For the cloud of the LORD was over the tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel through all their journeys.

Nehemiah 9:19
You in Your great compassion did not forsake them in the wilderness. By day the pillar of cloud never turned away from guiding them on their path; and by the night the pillar of fire illuminated the way they should go.

Psalm 78:14
He led them with a cloud by day and with a light of fire all night.

Psalm 105:39
He spread a cloud as a covering and a fire to light up the night.

Deuteronomy 1:33
who went before you on the journey, in the fire by night and in the cloud by day, to seek out a place for you to camp and to show you the road to travel.

1 Corinthians 10:1-2
I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud, and that they all passed through the sea. / They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea.

Exodus 14:19-20
And the angel of God, who had gone before the camp of Israel, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from before them and stood behind them, / so that it came between the camps of Egypt and Israel. The cloud was there in the darkness, but it lit up the night. So all night long neither camp went near the other.

Exodus 33:9-10
As Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and remain at the entrance, and the LORD would speak with Moses. / When all the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance to the tent, they would stand up and worship, each one at the entrance to his own tent.

Isaiah 4:5-6
Then the LORD will create over all of Mount Zion and over her assemblies a cloud of smoke by day and a glowing flame of fire by night. For over all the glory there will be a canopy, / a shelter to give shade from the heat by day, and a refuge and hiding place from the storm and the rain.

John 1:14
The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Revelation 7:15
For this reason, they are before the throne of God and serve Him day and night in His temple; and the One seated on the throne will spread His tabernacle over them.

1 Kings 8:10-11
And when the priests came out of the Holy Place, the cloud filled the house of the LORD / so that the priests could not stand there to minister because of the cloud. For the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD.

Ezekiel 10:3-4
Now when the man went in, the cherubim were standing on the south side of the temple, and a cloud filled the inner court. / Then the glory of the LORD rose from above the cherubim and stood over the threshold of the temple. The temple was filled with the cloud, and the court was filled with the brightness of the glory of the LORD.

Matthew 17:5
While Peter was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!”


Treasury of Scripture

And when the cloud tarried long on the tabernacle many days, then the children of Israel kept the charge of the LORD, and journeyed not.

tarried long.

Numbers 1:52,53
And the children of Israel shall pitch their tents, every man by his own camp, and every man by his own standard, throughout their hosts…

Numbers 3:8
And they shall keep all the instruments of the tabernacle of the congregation, and the charge of the children of Israel, to do the service of the tabernacle.

Zechariah 3:7
Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by.

Jump to Previous
Charge Children Command Continued House Israel Israelites Itself Journey Journeyed Kept Lingered Obeyed Prolonging Resting Tabernacle Tarried Time Travel Waiting
Jump to Next
Charge Children Command Continued House Israel Israelites Itself Journey Journeyed Kept Lingered Obeyed Prolonging Resting Tabernacle Tarried Time Travel Waiting
Numbers 9
1. The Passover is again commanded
6. A second Passover for the unclean or absent
15. The cloud directs the removals and encampments of the Israelites














Even when the cloud lingered
The "cloud" here is a manifestation of God's presence, a divine guide for the Israelites during their wilderness journey. In Hebrew, the word for cloud is "עָנָן" (anan), which often symbolizes God's glory and guidance. The cloud's lingering signifies God's timing, which may not always align with human expectations. This teaches patience and trust in divine timing, reminding believers that God's presence is constant, even when progress seems delayed.

over the tabernacle
The "tabernacle" (Hebrew: "מִשְׁכָּן" - mishkan) was the portable earthly dwelling place of God among the Israelites. It represents God's desire to dwell among His people, a precursor to the New Testament revelation of God dwelling within believers through the Holy Spirit. The tabernacle was central to Israelite worship and community life, symbolizing God's holiness and the need for a sacred space dedicated to Him.

for many days
This phrase emphasizes the duration of God's presence and the Israelites' waiting. The Hebrew word for "days" is "יָמִים" (yamim), which can imply an indefinite period. The extended time teaches perseverance and faithfulness, encouraging believers to remain steadfast in their devotion and trust, even when God's plans unfold slowly.

the Israelites kept the LORD’s charge
"Kept" (Hebrew: "שָׁמַר" - shamar) implies careful observance and protection of God's commands. "The LORD’s charge" refers to the divine instructions given to the Israelites. This phrase highlights obedience and faithfulness, key themes in the covenant relationship between God and His people. It underscores the importance of adhering to God's will, even when circumstances are challenging or unclear.

and did not set out
The decision not to "set out" (Hebrew: "נָסַע" - nasa) reflects submission to God's guidance. The Israelites' journey was dictated by God's presence, teaching reliance on divine direction rather than human initiative. This obedience is a model for believers, illustrating the importance of waiting on God's timing and direction in life's journey.

(19) Kept the charge of the Lord.--The same expression is used of Aaron and his sons in Leviticus 8:35, and also in respect to the office of the Levites in Numbers 3:7, as keeping the charge of Aaron and of the congregation. It is also used of the people generally in 2Chronicles 23:6, in regard to the charge or "watch" of the Lord. It may imply that the people were to engage in acts of religious worship, or it may denote adherence to the Divine commands and ordinances generally, as in Ezekiel 48:11.

Verse 19. - Tarried long. Hebrew, אָרַך, "to prolong," i.e., the resting. The Septuagint has ἐφέλκηται... ἡμέρας πλείους.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Even when the cloud
הֶֽעָנָ֛ן (he·‘ā·nān)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6051: A cloud, the nimbus, thunder-cloud

lingered
וּבְהַאֲרִ֧יךְ (ū·ḇə·ha·’ă·rîḵ)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 748: To be, long

over
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the tabernacle
הַמִּשְׁכָּ֖ן (ham·miš·kān)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4908: A residence, the Tabernacle

for many
רַבִּ֑ים (rab·bîm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 7227: Much, many, great

days,
יָמִ֣ים (yā·mîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3117: A day

the Israelites
בְנֵי־ (ḇə·nê-)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

kept
וְשָׁמְר֧וּ (wə·šā·mə·rū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 8104: To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to

the LORD’s
יְהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

charge
מִשְׁמֶ֥רֶת (miš·me·reṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 4931: A guard, watch, charge, function

and did not
וְלֹ֥א (wə·lō)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

set out.
יִסָּֽעוּ׃ (yis·sā·‘ū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5265: To pull up, the tent-pins, start on a, journey


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OT Law: Numbers 9:19 When the cloud stayed on the tabernacle (Nu Num.)
Numbers 9:18
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