Numbers 9:17

Whenever the cloud was lifted from above the Tent, the Israelites would set out, and wherever the cloud settled, there the Israelites would camp.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — The narrator records Israel's wilderness movements immediately following the tabernacle's erection, describing how the community responds to the cloud's position over the Tent. This occurs during the initial phase of their journey after Moses receives instructions regarding the cloud's day and night appearance.

The words — The phrase וּלְפִי (u.le.Fi) literally means "according to" or "at the mouth of," paired with הֵעָלֹת (he.a.Lot), "the taking up," to mark the cloud's departure as the exact trigger for movement. The verb יִסְעוּ (yis.U), "they set out," confirms the immediate action required when the cloud lifts.

The thread — This cloud-guided movement pattern appears in Exodus 40:36, where lifting the cloud initiates departure, and Numbers 10:33, which notes the ark leading the three-day journey from the mountain of the LORD. The principle of divine presence dictating camp and travel is echoed in Exodus 33:14.

Why it lands — The text states that Israel's mobility depended entirely on the cloud's position above the Tent, not on human strategy or timing. Readers must recognize that obedience to visible divine guidance dictates both departure and rest.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

וּלְפִ֞יu./le./Fiand/ to/ [the] mouth of הֵעָלֹ֤תhe.'a.Lot[the] taking up of הֶֽעָנָן֙he./'a.Nanthe/ cloud מֵעַ֣לme./'Alfrom/ over הָאֹ֔הֶלha./'O.helthe/ tent וְאַ֣חֲרֵי־ve./'A.cha.rei-and/ after כֵ֔ןKhenthus יִסְע֖וּyis.'Uthey set out בְּנֵ֣יbe.Nei[the] people of יִשְׂרָאֵ֑לYis.ra.'ElIsrael וּבִמְק֗וֹםu./vi/m.Komand/ in/ [the] place אֲשֶׁ֤ר'a.Sher<of> where יִשְׁכָּן־yish.kon-it settled down שָׁם֙shamthere הֶֽעָנָ֔ןhe./'a.Nanthe/ cloud שָׁ֥םshamthere יַחֲנ֖וּya.cha.Nuthey encamped בְּנֵ֥יbe.Nei[the] people of יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃Yis.ra.'ElIsrael

King James Version

And when the cloud was taken up from the tabernacle, then after that the children of Israel journeyed: and in the place where the cloud abode, there the children of Israel pitched their tents.

Cross-references

Exodus 40:36 Whenever the cloud was lifted from above the tabernacle, the Israelites would set out through all the stages of their journey.
Numbers 10:33 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.
Exodus 33:14 And the LORD answered, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
Numbers 10:11 On the twentieth day of the second month of the second year, the cloud was lifted from above the tabernacle of the Testimony,
Psalms 32:8 I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will give you counsel and watch over you.
Psalms 73:24 You guide me with Your counsel, and later receive me in glory.
John 10:3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen for his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
John 10:9 I am the gate. If anyone enters through Me, he will be saved. He will come in and go out and find pasture.
Isaiah 49:10 They will not hunger or thirst, nor will scorching heat or sun beat down on them. For He who has compassion on them will guide them and lead them beside springs of water.
Psalms 80:1 For the choirmaster. To the tune of “The Lilies of the Covenant.” A Psalm of Asaph. Hear us, O Shepherd of Israel, who leads Joseph like a flock; You who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine forth