Bible Strands
Numbers 9:23
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.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator records Israel’s wilderness movements as they respond to the pillar of cloud’s instructions over the tabernacle. This moment captures their established pattern of obedience during the Exodus journey.
The words — The phrase על־פי יהוה ('al-pi Yahweh) literally translates to "at the mouth of Yahweh," denoting direct verbal instruction. The paired verbs יַחֲנ֔וּ (ya.cha.nu, "they encamped") and יִסָּ֑עוּ (yi.sa.u, "they set out") define their stationary and mobile states.
The thread — This obedience motif appears in Numbers 9:19, where cloud duration dictates travel, and recurs in Joshua 22:3 and Genesis 26:5 through the repeated phrase "kept the charge."
Why it lands — The text states that Israel’s campings and departures occurred strictly according to Yahweh’s spoken directive. It requires readers to subordinate personal timing to revealed instruction and to execute divine orders without deviation.
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
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Numbers 9:19 Even when the cloud lingered over the tabernacle for many days, the Israelites kept the LORD’s charge and did not set out.
- Joshua 22:3 All this time you have not deserted your brothers, up to this very day, but have kept the charge given you by the LORD your God.
- Genesis 26:5 because Abraham listened to My voice and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws.”
- Ezekiel 44:8 And you have not kept charge of My holy things, but have appointed others to keep charge of My sanctuary for you.’
- Zechariah 3:7 “This is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘If you walk in My ways and keep My instructions, then you will govern My house and will also have charge of My courts; and I will give you a place among these who are standing here.