CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0; maximum-scale=1.0; user-scalable=0;"/><title>Numbers 9:18 Commentaries: At the command of the LORD the sons of Israel would set out, and at the command of the LORD they would camp; as long as the cloud settled over the tabernacle, they remained camped.</title><link rel="stylesheet" href="/newcom.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="../vmenus/numbers/9-18.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmcom/numbers/9-18.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="http://biblehub.com">Bible</a> > <a href="http://biblehub.com/commentaries/">Commentaries</a> > Numbers 9:18</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="../numbers/9-17.htm" title="Numbers 9:17">◄</a> Numbers 9:18 <a href="../numbers/9-19.htm" title="Numbers 9:19">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse">At the commandment of the LORD the children of Israel journeyed, and at the commandment of the LORD they pitched: as long as the cloud abode upon the tabernacle they rested in their tents.</div><div id="jump">Jump to: <a href="/commentaries/barnes/numbers/9.htm" title="Barnes' Notes">Barnes</a> • <a href="/commentaries/benson/numbers/9.htm" title="Benson Commentary">Benson</a> • <a href="/commentaries/illustrator/numbers/9.htm" title="Biblical Illustrator">BI</a> • <a href="/commentaries/calvin/numbers/9.htm" title="Calvin's Commentaries">Calvin</a> • <a href="/commentaries/cambridge/numbers/9.htm" title="Cambridge Bible">Cambridge</a> • <a href="/commentaries/clarke/numbers/9.htm" title="Clarke's Commentary">Clarke</a> • <a href="/commentaries/darby/numbers/9.htm" title="Darby's Bible Synopsis">Darby</a> • <a href="/commentaries/ellicott/numbers/9.htm" title="Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers">Ellicott</a> • <a href="/commentaries/expositors/numbers/9.htm" title="Expositor's Bible">Expositor's</a> • <a href="/commentaries/edt/numbers/9.htm" title="Expositor's Dictionary">Exp Dct</a> • <a href="/commentaries/gaebelein/numbers/9.htm" title="Gaebelein's Annotated Bible">Gaebelein</a> • <a href="/commentaries/gsb/numbers/9.htm" title="Geneva Study Bible">GSB</a> • <a href="/commentaries/gill/numbers/9.htm" title="Gill's Bible Exposition">Gill</a> • <a href="/commentaries/gray/numbers/9.htm" title="Gray's Concise">Gray</a> • <a href="/commentaries/guzik/numbers/9.htm" title="Guzik Bible Commentary">Guzik</a> • <a href="/commentaries/haydock/numbers/9.htm" title="Haydock Catholic Bible Commentary">Haydock</a> • <a href="/commentaries/hastings/numbers/10-29.htm" title="Hastings Great Texts">Hastings</a> • <a href="/commentaries/homiletics/numbers/9.htm" title="Pulpit Homiletics">Homiletics</a> • <a href="/commentaries/jfb/numbers/9.htm" title="Jamieson-Fausset-Brown">JFB</a> • <a href="/commentaries/kad/numbers/9.htm" title="Keil and Delitzsch OT">KD</a> • <a href="/commentaries/king-en/numbers/9.htm" title="Kingcomments Bible Studies">King</a> • <a href="/commentaries/lange/numbers/9.htm" title="Lange Commentary">Lange</a> • <a href="/commentaries/maclaren/numbers/9.htm" title="MacLaren Expositions">MacLaren</a> • <a href="/commentaries/mhc/numbers/9.htm" title="Matthew Henry Concise">MHC</a> • <a href="/commentaries/mhcw/numbers/9.htm" title="Matthew Henry Full">MHCW</a> • <a href="/commentaries/parker/numbers/9.htm" title="The People's Bible by Joseph Parker">Parker</a> • <a href="/commentaries/poole/numbers/9.htm" title="Matthew Poole">Poole</a> • <a href="/commentaries/pulpit/numbers/9.htm" title="Pulpit Commentary">Pulpit</a> • <a href="/commentaries/sermon/numbers/9.htm" title="Sermon Bible">Sermon</a> • <a href="/commentaries/sco/numbers/9.htm" title="Scofield Reference Notes">SCO</a> • <a href="/commentaries/ttb/numbers/9.htm" title="Through The Bible">TTB</a> • <a href="/commentaries/wes/numbers/9.htm" title="Wesley's Notes">WES</a> • <a href="#tsk" title="Treasury of Scripture Knowledge">TSK</a></div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="comtype">EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)</div><a name="mhc" id="mhc"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/mhc/numbers/9.htm">Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary</a></div>9:15-23 This cloud was appointed to be the visible sign and symbol of God's presence with Israel. Thus we are taught to see God always near us, both night and day. As long as the cloud rested on the tabernacle, so long they continued in the same place. There is no time lost, while we are waiting God's time. When the cloud was taken up, they removed, however comfortably they were encamped. We are kept at uncertainty concerning the time of our putting off the earthly house of this tabernacle, that we may be always ready to remove at the command of the Lord. It is very safe and pleasant going when we see God before us, and resting where he appoints us to rest. The leading of this cloud is spoken of as signifying the guidance of the blessed Spirit. We are not now to expect such tokens of the Divine presence and guidance; but the promise is sure to all God's spiritual Israel, that he will guide them by his counsel. Ps 73:24, even unto death, Ps 48:14. All the children of God shall be led by the Spirit of God, Ro 8:14. He will direct the paths of those who in all their ways acknowledge him, Pr 3:6. At the commandment of the Lord, our hearts should always move and rest, saying, Father, thy will be done; dispose of me and mine as thou pleasest. What thou wilt, and where thou wilt; only let me be thine, and always in the way of my duty. In applying general precepts to particular circumstances, there should be good counsel and fervent prayer. When any undertaking is evidently wrong, or doubtfully right, and yet the mind leans that way, in such a case the moving of the cloud, as men sometimes miscall it, is generally no more than a temptation Satan is permitted to propose; and men fancy they are following the Lord, when they are following their own wayward inclinations. The record of his mercy will conduct us with unerring truth, through Christ, to everlasting peace. Follow the pillar of the cloud and of fire. Lay the BIBLE to heart, and receive with meekness the ingrafted word, which is able to save your souls.<a name="bar" id="bar"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/barnes/numbers/9.htm">Barnes' Notes on the Bible</a></div>The cloud ... - The phenomenon first appeared at the Exodus itself, <a href="http://biblehub.com/exodus/13-21.htm">Exodus 13:21-22</a>. The cloud did not cover the whole structure, but the "tent of the testimony," i. e. the enclosure which contained the "ark of the testimony" <a href="http://biblehub.com/exodus/25-16.htm">Exodus 25:16</a>, <a href="http://biblehub.com/exodus/25-22.htm">Exodus 25:22</a>, and the holy place. The phenomenon is now again described in connection with the journeyings which are to be narrated in the sequel of the book. <a name="jfb" id="jfb"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/jfb/numbers/9.htm">Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary</a></div>17. when the cloud was taken up—that is, rose to a higher elevation, so as to be conspicuous at the remotest extremities of the camp. That was a signal for removal; and, accordingly, it is properly called (Nu 9:18) "the commandment of the Lord." It was a visible token of the presence of God; and from it, as a glorious throne, He gave the order. So that its motion regulated the commencement and termination of all the journeys of the Israelites. (See on [68]Ex 14:19).<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/poole/numbers/9.htm">Matthew Poole's Commentary</a></div> The motion or stay of the cloud is fitly called the command of God, because it was a signification of God’s will and their duty, which a command properly is. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="gil" id="gil"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/gill/numbers/9.htm">Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible</a></div>At the commandment of the Lord the children of Israel journeyed,.... Or "mouth of the Lord"; not that there was any command in form given, or any audible voice heard, directing when to march; but the removal of the cloud was interpretatively the order and command of God for them to move also: <p>and at the commandment of the Lord they pitched; their tents; when the cloud stopped, they understood that as a signal to them, as a token of the will of God that they should stop likewise; it was to them as an authoritative command, which they obeyed: <p>as long as the cloud abode upon the tabernacle, they rested in their tents; whether a longer or a shorter time, as is after expressed. <a name="gsb" id="gsb"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/gsb/numbers/9.htm">Geneva Study Bible</a></div><span class="cverse2">At the commandment of the <span class="cverse3">{h}</span> LORD the children of Israel journeyed, and at the commandment of the LORD they pitched: as long as the cloud abode upon the tabernacle they rested in their tents.</span><p>(h) Who taught them what to do by the cloud.</div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><div class="comtype">EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)</div><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/cambridge/numbers/9.htm">Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges</a></div><span class="bld">18</span>. <span class="ital">at the commandment</span>] lit. ‘mouth.’ Not only was a sign given by the cloud, but Jehovah used to give an oral command to Moses when the march was to begin and end.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span>Numbers 9:18<a name="kad" id="kad"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/kad/numbers/9.htm">Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament</a></div>As Jehovah was with His people in the cloud, the rising and falling of the cloud was "the command of the Lord" to the Israelites to break up or to pitch the camp. As long, therefore, as the cloud rested upon the dwelling, i.e., remained stationary, they continued their encampment.<div class="vheading2">Links</div><a href="/interlinear/numbers/9-18.htm">Numbers 9:18 Interlinear</a><br /><a href="/texts/numbers/9-18.htm">Numbers 9:18 Parallel Texts</a><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/niv/numbers/9-18.htm">Numbers 9:18 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/numbers/9-18.htm">Numbers 9:18 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/numbers/9-18.htm">Numbers 9:18 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/numbers/9-18.htm">Numbers 9:18 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/numbers/9-18.htm">Numbers 9:18 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://bibleapps.com/numbers/9-18.htm">Numbers 9:18 Bible Apps</a><br /><a href="/numbers/9-18.htm">Numbers 9:18 Parallel</a><br /><a href="http://bibliaparalela.com/numbers/9-18.htm">Numbers 9:18 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="http://holybible.com.cn/numbers/9-18.htm">Numbers 9:18 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="http://saintebible.com/numbers/9-18.htm">Numbers 9:18 French Bible</a><br /><a href="http://bibeltext.com/numbers/9-18.htm">Numbers 9:18 German Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/">Bible Hub</a><br /></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td align="center"><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script><br /><br /> </div> <div id="left"><a href="../numbers/9-17.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Numbers 9:17"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Numbers 9:17" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="../numbers/9-19.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Numbers 9:19"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Numbers 9:19" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div> <div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>