Numbers 9:20

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.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — The passage records the LORD’s directive to the Israelites concerning their camp movements relative to the cloud’s position over the tabernacle.

The words — The phrase יִהְיֶה הֶֽ/עָנָן יָמִים מִסְפָּר (yih.Yeh he./'a.Nan ya.Mim mis.Par) literally renders "it was the cloud days number," indicating a specific, counted duration of the cloud’s stay.

The thread — This structural pattern of mobile camp movement tied to the cloud’s presence appears in Exodus 40:36-38.

Why it lands — The text establishes that Israel’s departure and encampment depended entirely on the duration of the cloud’s presence, requiring immediate obedience regardless of whether the stay was brief or prolonged.

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

וְיֵ֞שׁve./Yeshand/ there אֲשֶׁ֨ר'a.Sher[was] when יִהְיֶ֧הyih.Yehit was הֶֽעָנָ֛ןhe./'a.Nanthe/ cloud יָמִ֥יםya.Mimdays מִסְפָּ֖רmis.Parnumber עַל־'al-over הַמִּשְׁכָּ֑ןha./mish.Kanthe/ tabernacle עַל־'al-on פִּ֤יpi[the] mouth of יְהוָה֙Yah.wehYahweh יַחֲנ֔וּya.cha.Nuthey encamped וְעַל־ve./'al-and/ on פִּ֥יpi[the] mouth of יְהוָ֖הYah.wehYahweh יִסָּֽעוּ׃yi.Sa.'uthey set out

King James Version

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.