Or whether it were two days, or a month, or a year, that the cloud tarried upon the tabernacle, remaining thereon, the children of Israel abode in their tents, and journeyed not: but when it was taken up, they journeyed.
Parallel translations
- WEB Whether it was two days, or a month, or a year that the cloud stayed on the tabernacle, remaining on it, the children of Israel remained encamped, and didn’t travel; but when it was taken up, they traveled.
- BSB Whether the cloud lingered for two days, a month, or longer, the Israelites camped and did not set out as long as the cloud remained over the tabernacle; but when it was lifted, they would set out.
- NKJV Whether it was two days, a month, or a year that the cloud remained above the tabernacle, the children of Israel would remain encamped and not journey; but when it was taken up, they would journey.
- NASB Whether it was two days, a month, or a year that the cloud lingered over the tabernacle, staying above it, the sons of Israel remained camped and did not set out; but when it was lifted, they did set out.
- NLT Whether the cloud stayed above the Tabernacle for two days, a month, or a year, the people of Israel stayed in camp and did not move on. But as soon as it lifted, they broke camp and moved on.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Whether the cloud stayed two days, a month, or a year, Israel waited until it lifted before traveling. Their movements were wholly surrendered to God's timing.
Overview
For any length of time, short or long, Israel remained encamped as long as the cloud did. This total dependence on God's signal teaches that the life of faith is paced by God, not self, and that He may call His people to wait far longer than they would choose.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 17
- Ps 32:8I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.
- Exod 40:36–37And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward in all their journeys:
- Num 1:54And the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so did they.
- Num 9:17And 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.
- Ps 107:7And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.
- Deut 1:6–7The LORD our God spake unto us in Horeb, saying, Ye have dwelt long enough in this mount:
- Exod 40:16Thus did Moses: according to all that the LORD commanded him, so did he.
- Num 23:21–22He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel: the LORD his God is with him, and the shout of a king is among them.
- Prov 3:5–6Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
- Num 8:20And Moses, and Aaron, and all the congregation of the children of Israel, did to the Levites according unto all that the LORD commanded Moses concerning the Levites, so did the children of Israel unto them.
- Ps 77:20Thou leddest thy people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
- Ps 143:10Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.
- Exod 39:42According to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so the children of Israel made all the work.
- Ps 73:24Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.
- Deut 2:3–4Ye have compassed this mountain long enough: turn you northward.
- Acts 1:4And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.
- Ps 48:14For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
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Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
In the wilderness Christ is the water from the rock, the bronze serpent lifted up that the dying might look and live (John 3:14), and the star and scepter that Balaam saw rising out of Jacob.
How Numbers 9:22 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.