Numbers 9:23
New International Version
At the LORD’s command they encamped, and at the LORD’s command they set out. They obeyed the LORD’s order, in accordance with his command through Moses.

New Living Translation
So they camped or traveled at the LORD’s command, and they did whatever the LORD told them through Moses.

English Standard Version
At the command of the LORD they camped, and at the command of the LORD they set out. They kept the charge of the LORD, at the command of the LORD by Moses.

Berean Standard Bible
They camped at the LORD’s command, and they set out at the LORD’s command; they carried out the LORD’s charge according to His command through Moses.

King James Bible
At the commandment of the LORD they rested in the tents, and at the commandment of the LORD they journeyed: they kept the charge of the LORD, at the commandment of the LORD by the hand of Moses.

New King James Version
At the command of the LORD they remained encamped, and at the command of the LORD they journeyed; they kept the charge of the LORD, at the command of the LORD by the hand of Moses.

New American Standard Bible
At the command of the LORD they camped, and at the command of the LORD they set out; they did what the LORD required, in accordance with the command of the LORD through Moses.

NASB 1995
At the command of the LORD they camped, and at the command of the LORD they set out; they kept the LORD’S charge, according to the command of the LORD through Moses.

NASB 1977
At the command of the LORD they camped, and at the command of the LORD they set out; they kept the LORD’S charge, according to the command of the LORD through Moses.

Legacy Standard Bible
At the command of Yahweh they camped, and at the command of Yahweh they set out; they kept the charge of Yahweh, according to the command of Yahweh by the hand of Moses.

Amplified Bible
At the command of the LORD they camped, and at the command of the LORD they journeyed on; they kept their obligation to the LORD, in accordance with the command of the LORD through Moses.

Christian Standard Bible
They camped at the LORD’s command, and they set out at the LORD’s command. They carried out the LORD’s requirement according to his command through Moses.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
They camped at the LORD’s command, and they set out at the LORD’s command. They carried out the LORD’s requirement according to His command through Moses.

American Standard Version
At the commandment of Jehovah they encamped, and at the commandment of Jehovah they journeyed: they kept the charge of Jehovah, at the commandment of Jehovah by Moses.

Contemporary English Version
They obeyed the LORD's commands and went wherever he directed Moses.

English Revised Version
At the commandment of the LORD they encamped, and at the commandment of the LORD they journeyed: they kept the charge of the LORD, at the commandment of the LORD by the hand of Moses.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
At the LORD's command they set up camp, and at his command they broke camp. They obeyed the command that the LORD had given through Moses.

Good News Translation
They set up camp and broke camp in obedience to the commands which the LORD gave through Moses.

International Standard Version
According to what the LORD said, they would remain in camp, and according to what the LORD said, they would travel. They kept the commands that the LORD had given through Moses.

Majority Standard Bible
They camped at the LORD?s command, and they set out at the LORD?s command; they carried out the LORD?s charge according to His command through Moses.

NET Bible
At the commandment of the LORD they camped, and at the commandment of the LORD they traveled on; they kept the instructions of the LORD according to the commandment of the LORD, by the authority of Moses.

New Heart English Bible
At the commandment of the LORD they camped, and at the commandment of the LORD they traveled. They kept the LORD's command, at the commandment of the LORD by Moses.

Webster's Bible Translation
At the commandment of the LORD they rested in the tents, and at the commandment of the LORD they journeyed: they kept the charge of the LORD, at the commandment of the LORD by the hand of Moses.

World English Bible
At the commandment of Yahweh they encamped, and at the commandment of Yahweh they traveled. They kept Yahweh’s command, at the commandment of Yahweh by Moses.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
By the command of YHWH they encamp, and by the command of YHWH they journey; they have kept the charge of YHWH, by the command of YHWH in the hand of Moses.

Young's Literal Translation
by the command of Jehovah they encamp, and by the command of Jehovah they journey; the charge of Jehovah they have kept, by the command of Jehovah in the hand of Moses.

Smith's Literal Translation
At the mouth of Jehovah they shall encamp, and at the mouth of Jehovah, they shall remove; the watches of Jehovah they watched, at the mouth of Jehovah by the hand of Moses.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
By the word of the Lord they pitched their tents, and by his word they marched: and kept the watches of the Lord according to his commandment by the hand of Moses.

Catholic Public Domain Version
By the word of the Lord they fixed their tents, and by his word they advanced. And they kept the night watches of the Lord, according to his command by the hand of Moses.

New American Bible
At the direction of the LORD they pitched camp, and at the LORD’s direction they broke camp; they kept the charge of the LORD, as the LORD directed them through Moses.

New Revised Standard Version
At the command of the LORD they would camp, and at the command of the LORD they would set out. They kept the charge of the LORD, at the command of the LORD by Moses.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
At the commandment of the LORD they encamped, and at the commandment of the LORD they journeyed; they kept the ordinances of the LORD, at the commandment of the LORD by the hand of Moses.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
By the word of the mouth of LORD JEHOVAH they remained and by the word of the mouth of LORD JEHOVAH they picked up, and they kept the charge of LORD JEHOVAH according to the word of the mouth of LORD JEHOVAH by the agency of Moshe.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
At the commandment of the LORD they encamped, and at the commandment of the LORD they journeyed; they kept the charge of the LORD, at the commandment of the LORD by the hand of Moses.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
For they shall depart by the command of the Lord: - they kept the charge of the Lord by the command of the Lord by the hand of Moses.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Cloud Above the Tabernacle
22Whether the cloud lingered for two days, a month, or longer, the Israelites camped and did not set out as long as the cloud remained over the tabernacle; but when it was lifted, they would set out. 23They camped at the LORD’s command, and they set out at the LORD’s command; they carried out the LORD’s charge according to His command through Moses.

Cross References
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.

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.

Deuteronomy 8:2
Remember that these forty years the LORD your God led you all the way in the wilderness, so that He might humble you and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commandments.

Deuteronomy 8:15
He led you through the vast and terrifying wilderness with its venomous snakes and scorpions, a thirsty and waterless land. He brought you water from the rock of flint.

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,

Isaiah 63:14
Like cattle going down to the valley, the Spirit of the LORD gave them rest. You led Your people this way to make for Yourself a glorious name.

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.

Hebrews 11:29
By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to follow, they were drowned.

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.

Revelation 21:3
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying: “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God.


Treasury of Scripture

At the commandment of the LORD they rested in the tents, and at the commandment of the LORD they journeyed: they kept the charge of the LORD, at the commandment of the LORD by the hand of Moses.

they kept

Numbers 9:19
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.

Genesis 26:5
Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.

Joshua 22:3
Ye have not left your brethren these many days unto this day, but have kept the charge of the commandment of the LORD your God.

Jump to Previous
Accordance Camped Charge Command Commandment Encamp Encamped Forward Hand Journey Journeyed Kept LORD'S Moses Obeyed Order Orders Rested Tents Traveled Word
Jump to Next
Accordance Camped Charge Command Commandment Encamp Encamped Forward Hand Journey Journeyed Kept LORD'S Moses Obeyed Order Orders Rested Tents Traveled Word
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














At the LORD’s command
The phrase emphasizes the divine authority and guidance that the Israelites followed during their journey. The Hebrew word for "command" here is "peh," which literally means "mouth." This suggests that the instructions were directly from the mouth of God, highlighting the personal and intimate nature of His guidance. Historically, this reflects the theocratic leadership structure of Israel, where God was the ultimate leader, and His will was communicated through His chosen servant, Moses.

they encamped
The act of encamping signifies a period of rest and stability for the Israelites. In the Hebrew context, "encamped" (chanah) implies not just setting up tents but also establishing a temporary community. This reflects the transient nature of their journey through the wilderness, where they relied on God’s provision and protection. Archaeologically, evidence of nomadic encampments in the Sinai Peninsula supports the biblical narrative of a people on the move, living in temporary dwellings.

and at the LORD’s command they set out
This phrase mirrors the earlier part of the verse, reinforcing the obedience of the Israelites to divine direction. The Hebrew word for "set out" (nasa) conveys the idea of pulling up tent pegs, symbolizing readiness and willingness to move forward. This movement was not arbitrary but was a response to God’s leading, illustrating a life of faith and trust in His timing and purposes.

they carried out the LORD’s requirements
Here, the focus is on obedience to God’s statutes and ordinances. The Hebrew term "mishmeret" for "requirements" implies a duty or charge that is to be kept diligently. This reflects the covenant relationship between God and Israel, where obedience was a sign of faithfulness and devotion. Scripturally, this obedience is a recurring theme, underscoring the importance of living according to God’s revealed will.

according to His command through Moses
Moses, as the mediator of God’s covenant, played a crucial role in communicating God’s commands to the people. The phrase highlights the chain of command and the importance of leadership in the community of faith. Moses’ role as a prophet and leader is central to the narrative of the Pentateuch, and his faithfulness in conveying God’s instructions is a model for spiritual leadership. Historically, Moses is a pivotal figure, and his leadership is foundational to the identity and faith of Israel.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
They camped
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 they set out
יִסָּ֑עוּ (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

they carried out
שָׁמָ֔רוּ (šā·mā·rū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 8104: To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to

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

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

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

His
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

through
בְּיַד־ (bə·yaḏ-)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 3027: A hand

Moses.
מֹשֶֽׁה׃ (mō·šeh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4872: Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver


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OT Law: Numbers 9:23 At the commandment of Yahweh they encamped (Nu Num.)
Numbers 9:22
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