Numbers 9:20
New International Version
Sometimes the cloud was over the tabernacle only a few days; at the LORD’s command they would encamp, and then at his command they would set out.

New Living Translation
Sometimes the cloud would stay over the Tabernacle for only a few days, so the people would stay for only a few days, as the LORD commanded. Then at the LORD’s command they would break camp and move on.

English Standard Version
Sometimes the cloud was a few days over the tabernacle, and according to the command of the LORD they remained in camp; then according to the command of the LORD they set out.

Berean Standard Bible
Sometimes 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.

King James Bible
And so it was, when the cloud was a few days upon the tabernacle; according to the commandment of the LORD they abode in their tents, and according to the commandment of the LORD they journeyed.

New King James Version
So it was, when the cloud was above the tabernacle a few days: according to the command of the LORD they would remain encamped, and according to the command of the LORD they would journey.

New American Standard Bible
If sometimes the cloud remained a few days over the tabernacle, in accordance with the command of the LORD they remained camped. Then in accordance with the command of the LORD they set out.

NASB 1995
If sometimes the cloud remained a few days over the tabernacle, according to the command of the LORD they remained camped. Then according to the command of the LORD they set out.

NASB 1977
If sometimes the cloud remained a few days over the tabernacle, according to the command of the LORD they remained camped. Then according to the command of the LORD they set out.

Legacy Standard Bible
If sometimes the cloud remained a few days over the tabernacle, according to the command of Yahweh they remained camped. Then according to the command of Yahweh they set out.

Amplified Bible
Sometimes the cloud remained only a few days over the tabernacle, and in accordance with the command of the LORD they remained camped. Then at His command they set out.

Christian Standard Bible
Sometimes the cloud remained over the tabernacle for only a few days. They would camp at the LORD’s command and set out at the LORD’s command.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Sometimes the cloud remained over the tabernacle for only a few days. They would camp at the LORD’s command and set out at the LORD’s command.

American Standard Version
And sometimes the cloud was a few days upon the tabernacle; then according to the commandment of Jehovah they remained encamped, and according to the commandment of Jehovah they journeyed.

English Revised Version
And sometimes the cloud was a few days upon the tabernacle; then according to the commandment of the LORD they remained encamped, and according to the commandment of the LORD they journeyed.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The same thing happened when the smoke stayed only a few days over the tent: At the LORD's command they would set up camp, and at his command they would break camp.

Good News Translation
Sometimes the cloud remained over the Tent for only a few days; in any case, they remained in camp or moved, according to the command of the LORD.

International Standard Version
There were times when the cloud remained over the tent for a number of days. They camped in accordance with the LORD's instructions and they traveled in accordance with LORD'S instructions.

Majority Standard Bible
Sometimes 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.

NET Bible
When the cloud remained over the tabernacle a number of days, they remained camped according to the LORD's commandment, and according to the LORD's commandment they would journey.

New Heart English Bible
Sometimes the cloud was a few days on the tabernacle; then according to the commandment of the LORD they remained camped, and according to the commandment of the LORD they traveled.

Webster's Bible Translation
And so it was, when the cloud was a few days upon the tabernacle; according to the commandment of the LORD they abode in their tents, and according to the commandment of the LORD they journeyed.

World English Bible
Sometimes the cloud was a few days on the tabernacle; then according to the commandment of Yahweh they remained encamped, and according to the commandment of Yahweh they traveled.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And so when the cloud is over the Dwelling Place [for] a number of days: by the command of YHWH they encamp, and by the command of YHWH they journey.

Young's Literal Translation
and so when the cloud is a number of days over the tabernacle; by the command of Jehovah they encamp, and by the command of Jehovah they journey.

Smith's Literal Translation
And it is, when the cloud shall be days of number upon the dwelling, at the mouth of Jehovah they shall encamp, and at the mouth of Jehovah they shall remove.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For as many days soever as the cloud stayed over the tabernacle. At the commandment of the Lord they pitched their tents, and at his commandment they took them down.

Catholic Public Domain Version
during as many days as the cloud remained over the tabernacle. At the command of the Lord they raised their tents, and at his command they took them down.

New American Bible
Yet if it happened the cloud was over the tabernacle only for a few days, at the direction of the LORD they stayed in camp; and at the LORD’s direction they broke camp.

New Revised Standard Version
Sometimes the cloud would remain a few days over the tabernacle, and according to the command of the LORD they would remain in camp; then according to the command of the LORD they would set out.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Sometimes the cloud was a few days upon the tabernacle; then according to the commandment of the LORD they remained in their tents, and according to the commandment of the LORD they journeyed.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And there was time when the cloud was fewer days on the Tabernacle; by the word of the mouth of LORD JEHOVAH they stayed and by the word of the mouth of LORD JEHOVAH they picked up.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And sometimes the cloud was a few days upon the tabernacle; according to the commandment of the LORD they remained encamped, and according to the commandment of the LORD they journeyed.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And it shall be, whenever the cloud overshadows the tabernacle a number of days, they shall encamp by the word of the Lord, and shall remove by the command of the Lord.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Cloud Above the Tabernacle
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. 21Sometimes the cloud remained only from evening until morning, and when it lifted in the morning, they would set out. Whether it was by day or by night, when the cloud was taken up, they would set out.…

Cross References
Exodus 40:36-37
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.

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.

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.

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
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,

Exodus 16:10
And as Aaron was speaking to the whole congregation of Israel, they looked toward the desert, and there in a cloud the glory of the LORD appeared.

Exodus 24:16
and the glory of the LORD settled on Mount Sinai. For six days the cloud covered it, and on the seventh day the LORD called to Moses from within the cloud.

Exodus 29:43
I will also meet with the Israelites there, and that place will be consecrated by My glory.

Numbers 10:11-12
On the twentieth day of the second month of the second year, the cloud was lifted from above the tabernacle of the Testimony, / and the Israelites set out from the Wilderness of Sinai, traveling from place to place until the cloud settled in the Wilderness of Paran.

Numbers 10:33-34
So they set out on a three-day journey from the mountain of the LORD, with the ark of the covenant of the LORD traveling ahead of them for those three days to seek a resting place for them. / And the cloud of the LORD was over them by day when they set out from the camp.


Treasury of Scripture

And so it was, when the cloud was a few days on the tabernacle; according to the commandment of the LORD they stayed in their tents, and according to the commandment of the LORD they journeyed.

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Abode Camp Camped Cloud Command Commandment Encamp Encamped Few House Journey Journeyed Lord's Resting Sometimes Tabernacle Tents Three Traveled
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Abode Camp Camped Cloud Command Commandment Encamp Encamped Few House Journey Journeyed Lord's Resting Sometimes Tabernacle Tents Three Traveled
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














Sometimes the cloud
The "cloud" here refers to the divine presence of God, often depicted as a cloud in the Old Testament. In Hebrew, the word for cloud is "עָנָן" (anan), which signifies not just a physical cloud but a manifestation of God's glory and guidance. This cloud was a visible sign of God's presence among His people, leading them through the wilderness. It is reminiscent of the Shekinah glory, a term used to describe the dwelling or settling of the divine presence of God. The cloud's presence was a constant reminder of God's sovereignty and His intimate involvement in the lives of the Israelites.

remained over the tabernacle
The tabernacle, or "מִשְׁכָּן" (mishkan) in Hebrew, was the portable earthly dwelling place of God among the Israelites. The cloud remaining over the tabernacle signifies God's approval and His dwelling among His people. The tabernacle was central to Israelite worship and community life, symbolizing God's covenant relationship with Israel. The presence of the cloud over the tabernacle indicated that God was with them, providing assurance and guidance.

for only a few days
This phrase highlights the unpredictability and the need for readiness in the Israelites' journey. The Hebrew word for "days" is "יָמִים" (yamim), which can mean a literal day or a period of time. The brevity of the cloud's stay emphasizes the importance of obedience and attentiveness to God's timing. It teaches the Israelites, and us, the lesson of trusting in God's perfect timing and being prepared to move or stay as He directs.

and they would camp
The act of camping, or "חָנָה" (chanah) in Hebrew, implies a temporary dwelling, a pause in the journey. This reflects the transient nature of life and the journey of faith. The Israelites' willingness to camp at God's command demonstrates their dependence on Him for direction and sustenance. It is a reminder that our lives are a pilgrimage, and we must be willing to pause and rest in God's presence when He calls us to.

at the LORD’s command
The phrase "at the LORD’s command" underscores the authority and leadership of God over His people. The Hebrew word for "command" is "פִּי" (pi), which literally means "mouth," indicating that the command comes directly from God's mouth. This highlights the personal and direct communication between God and His people. It is a call to obedience and trust in God's wisdom and plan.

and set out
To "set out," or "נָסַע" (nasa) in Hebrew, means to journey or depart. This action requires faith and trust in God's guidance, as the Israelites often moved into unknown territories. It symbolizes the forward movement in the spiritual journey, trusting that God will lead and provide. The willingness to set out at God's command reflects a heart of obedience and readiness to follow wherever He leads.

at the LORD’s command
Reiterating the phrase "at the LORD’s command" emphasizes the centrality of God's authority in the life of the Israelites. It serves as a reminder that every movement, every decision, should be rooted in seeking and following God's will. This repetition underscores the importance of living a life that is responsive to God's leading, trusting in His perfect plan and timing.

(20) And so it was . . . --Better, And sometimes, &c., i.e., there were times or occasions in which, &c. So in Numbers 9:21.

Verse 20. - And so it was. Rather, "did it happen that." וְיֵשׁ אֲשֶׁר hypothetical clause introducing several other cases which actually occurred, and by which their perfect obedience was proved.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Sometimes
וְיֵ֞שׁ (wə·yêš)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 3426: Being, substance, existence, is

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

remained
יִהְיֶ֧ה (yih·yeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

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

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

for only a few
מִסְפָּ֖ר (mis·pār)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4557: A number, definite, indefinite, narration

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

and they would camp
יַחֲנ֔וּ (ya·ḥă·nū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 2583: To incline, to decline, to pitch a, tent, gen, to encamp

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

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

command
פִּ֤י (pî)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6310: The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to

and 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

at
וְעַל־ (wə·‘al-)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

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

command.
פִּ֥י (pî)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6310: The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to


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OT Law: Numbers 9:20 Sometimes the cloud was a few days (Nu Num.)
Numbers 9:19
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