The Meaning of Numbers 9:20 Explained

Numbers 9:20

KJV: 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.

YLT: 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.

Darby: And if it were so that the cloud was a few days upon the tabernacle, according to the commandment of Jehovah they encamped, and according to the commandment of Jehovah they journeyed.

ASV: 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.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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. 

What does Numbers 9:20 Mean?

Context Summary

Numbers 9:15-23 - The Cloud Upon The Tabernacle
We cannot decide on the shape of this cloud; whether it was a great cumulus, or spread out over the camp like an umbrella, so as to shelter the people from the sun glare. As the night fell, the shekinah-fire, that burned at its heart, became apparent. But whether it sheltered by day or illumined by night, it was always the symbol of the divine presence. All this prefigured the guidance and shelter that are afforded to His people by our Lord. Compare John 8:12.
Friends may urge you to change your sphere. The scarcity of your resources and the pressure of your foes may appear to force a move. A nameless fear may suggest that you will never hold your ground. But so long as the cloud doesn't move, you must tarry where you are. Where the cloud broods, the manna falls. "My soul, wait thou only upon God!" Never go in front of God, nor lag behind, nor hesitate to strike your tent, if He leads on. [source]

Chapter Summary: 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

What do the individual words in Numbers 9:20 mean?

So it was when was the cloud days a few above the tabernacle according to the command of Yahweh they would remain encamped And according to of Yahweh they would journey
וְיֵ֞שׁ אֲשֶׁ֨ר יִהְיֶ֧ה הֶֽעָנָ֛ן יָמִ֥ים מִסְפָּ֖ר עַל־ הַמִּשְׁכָּ֑ן עַל־ פִּ֤י יְהוָה֙ יַחֲנ֔וּ וְעַל־ יְהוָ֖ה יִסָּֽעוּ

וְיֵ֞שׁ  So  it  was 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Adverb
Root: יֵשׁ  
Sense: being, existence, substance, there is or are.
הֶֽעָנָ֛ן  the  cloud 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: עָנָן  
Sense: cloud, cloudy, cloud-mass.
יָמִ֥ים  days 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: יׄום 
Sense: day, time, year.
מִסְפָּ֖ר  a  few 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: מִסְפָּר  
Sense: number, tale.
עַל־  above 
Parse: Preposition
Root: עַל 
Sense: upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against.
הַמִּשְׁכָּ֑ן  the  tabernacle 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: מִשְׁכָּן  
Sense: dwelling place, tabernacle.
עַל־  according  to 
Parse: Preposition
Root: עַל 
Sense: upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against.
פִּ֤י  the  command 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: פֶּה  
Sense: mouth.
יְהוָה֙  of  Yahweh 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
יַחֲנ֔וּ  they  would  remain  encamped 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine plural
Root: חָנָה  
Sense: to decline, incline, encamp, bend down, lay siege against.
וְעַל־  And  according  to 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Preposition
Root: עַל 
Sense: upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against.
יְהוָ֖ה  of  Yahweh 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
יִסָּֽעוּ  they  would  journey 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine plural
Root: נָסַע  
Sense: to pull out, pull up, set out, journey, remove, set forward, depart.

What are the major concepts related to Numbers 9:20?

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