The Cloud Over the Tabernacle
Numbers 9:15-23
Num.9.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וביום: CONJ+PREP,NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הקים: VERB,hiphil,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- המשכן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- כסה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- הענן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- את: PRT,acc
- המשכן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לאהל: NOUN,m,sg,construct+pref:l
- העדת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ובערב: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהיה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- על: PREP
- המשכן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- כמראה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אש: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- עד: PREP
- בקר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Exodus 40:34-38 (verbal): Closely parallels Numbers 9:15 in wording and structure: the cloud/the glory of the LORD fills the tabernacle, remaining by day as a cloud and by night as fire guiding Israel.
- Exodus 13:21-22 (thematic): Describes the same guiding phenomenon — the LORD going before Israel in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night — providing the wilderness-direction context for the tabernacle-cloud.
- Exodus 33:9-10 (structural): Shows the cloud descending on the Tent of Meeting when Moses enters and the LORD speaks, linking the cloud with divine presence and revelation at the tent/tabernacle.
- 1 Kings 8:10-11 (thematic): At Solomon’s dedication the cloud (the glory of the LORD) fills the temple, echoing the motif of divine presence filling the sanctuary and manifesting visibly over the worship space.
- Psalm 78:14-15 (verbal): Poetic retelling of the wilderness guide: God led Israel with a cloud by day and gave them a light of fire by night — a shorthand parallel to the cloud-over-tabernacle/fire-by-night image in Numbers 9:15.
Alternative generated candidates
- On the day the tabernacle was set up the cloud covered the tabernacle—the Tent of Meeting—and at evening it appeared over the tabernacle as the appearance of fire until morning.
- And on the day that he set up the tabernacle the cloud covered the tabernacle, the tent of meeting; and at evening there was over the tabernacle the appearance of fire until morning.
Num.9.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כן: ADV
- יהיה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- תמיד: ADV
- הענן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- יכסנו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg,obj:1,pl
- ומראה: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אש: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לילה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Exodus 13:21-22 (verbal): Describes the pillar of cloud by day and pillar of fire by night that guided Israel — the primary narrative source for the motif in Num 9:16.
- Exodus 40:38 (verbal): Speaks of the cloud covering the tabernacle by day and the appearance of fire by night, closely paralleling the language and setting of Numbers 9:16.
- Psalm 78:14 (thematic): Retells Israel’s wilderness guidance: ‘by day with a cloud, and by night with a light of fire,’ echoing the motif of divine presence and guidance in Num 9:16.
- Psalm 105:39 (allusion): Attributes to God the spreading of a cloud for a covering and fire to give light at night, alluding to the Exodus/tabernacle imagery reflected in Numbers 9:16.
Alternative generated candidates
- So it continued: the cloud covered it by day, and the appearance of fire by night.
- Thus it was continually: the cloud covered it by day, and the appearance of fire by night.
Num.9.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ולפי: CONJ+PREP
- העלת: ADJ,f,pl,def
- הענן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- מעל: PREP
- האהל: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ואחרי: CONJ
- כן: ADV
- יסעו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ובמקום: CONJ+PREP
- אשר: PRON,rel
- ישכן: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- שם: ADV
- הענן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- שם: ADV
- יחנו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Exodus 13:21-22 (thematic): Describes the LORD guiding Israel by a pillar of cloud by day and fire by night during the Exodus; same guiding-movement motif determining when Israel traveled and when they camped.
- Exodus 40:36-38 (verbal): Nearly identical language: when the cloud lifted from over the Tent of Meeting the Israelites set out, and when it settled they camped—same formula governing movement.
- Numbers 9:22 (structural): Immediate continuation in the same context stating Israel obeyed and set out when the cloud lifted and camped when it settled—direct parallel/summary of 9:17.
- Psalm 78:14 (thematic): Poetic retelling of Israel's journey: God led them 'with a cloud by day and a light of fire by night,' echoing the cloud/fire motif that determined Israel's movements.
Alternative generated candidates
- When the cloud was taken up from over the tent, then the Israelites would set out; and wherever the cloud settled, there the Israelites would encamp.
- When the cloud lifted from above the tent, then the Israelites would set out; and wherever the cloud settled, there the Israelites encamped.
Num.9.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- על: PREP
- פי: NOUN,m,sg,construct
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- יסעו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ועל: CONJ+PREP
- פי: NOUN,m,sg,construct
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- יחנו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- כל: DET
- ימי: NOUN,m,pl,cs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- ישכן: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- הענן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- על: PREP
- המשכן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- יחנו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Exod.13.21-22 (verbal): Describes the pillar of cloud by day and fire by night that led Israel and dictated when they journeyed or camped—same guiding phenomenon as in Num 9:18.
- Exod.40.36-38 (verbal): States that the cloud of the LORD rested over the tabernacle and when it lifted the Israelites traveled; closely parallels the language and function of the cloud in Num 9:18.
- Num.9.23 (structural): Immediate continuation in the same chapter: reiterates that Israel journeyed and encamped according to the cloud’s movements—directly related instruction.
- Ps.105.39 (allusion): Retells God’s provision of a cloud as a covering and fire for light, echoing the motif of divine guidance by cloud and fire that determines Israel’s movements.
- Ps.78.14-16 (thematic): Narrates God leading Israel with a cloud by day and fire by night in the wilderness—the same theme of God’s presence directing travel and encampment found in Num 9:18.
Alternative generated candidates
- By the LORD's command the Israelites set out, and by the LORD's command they encamped. At the LORD's command they remained encamped as long as the cloud rested upon the tabernacle.
- By the LORD they set out, and by the LORD they encamped; all the days that the cloud rested upon the tabernacle they remained encamped.
Num.9.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ובהאריך: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- הענן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- על: PREP
- המשכן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ימים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- רבים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- ושמרו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- משמרת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ולא: CONJ
- יסעו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Exodus 40:36-38 (verbal): Describes the same cloud over the tent of meeting and explicitly links the cloud's remaining with Israel's staying put and its rising with their breaking camp — nearly the same wording and function as Num 9:19.
- Exodus 13:21-22 (verbal): Speaks of the pillar of cloud by day and fire by night that guided Israel's journeys; emphasizes the cloud's role as a sign for when to travel and when to encamp.
- Numbers 10:33-36 (thematic): Narrates a concrete episode in which the cloud lifts at the LORD's command and the people set out, illustrating the principle stated in Num 9:19 about movement depending on the cloud.
- Psalm 105:39 (allusion): A poetic retelling that says God 'spread a cloud for a covering' to lead Israel — reflects the same theological motif of the guiding cloud preserving and directing the people.
Alternative generated candidates
- If the cloud lingered over the tabernacle many days, the Israelites kept the charge of the LORD and did not set out.
- When the cloud stayed long upon the tabernacle many days, then the Israelites kept the charge of the LORD and did not set out.
Num.9.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויש: CONJ+VERB,qal,pres,3,_,sg
- אשר: PRON,rel
- יהיה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- הענן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ימים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- מספר: VERB,qal,impf,1,m,sg
- על: PREP
- המשכן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- על: PREP
- פי: NOUN,m,sg,construct
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- יחנו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- ועל: CONJ+PREP
- פי: NOUN,m,sg,construct
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- יסעו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Exodus 13:21-22 (verbal): Same motif and wording of the LORD leading Israel by a pillar/cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night that determined when they camped and when they moved.
- Exodus 40:36-38 (structural): Describes the cloud resting over the tabernacle and governing Israel’s encampment and departure—same functional role of the cloud as in Numbers 9:20.
- Psalm 105:39 (thematic): Speaks of God spreading a cloud for a covering and giving light by night—poetic reflection on the cloud/fire guidance theme behind the Numbers passage.
- 1 Corinthians 10:1-2 (allusion): Paul recalls Israel being 'under the cloud' and baptized into Moses—New Testament allusion that interprets the cloud as the divinely guiding presence that marked Israel’s movement.
Alternative generated candidates
- If the cloud remained over the tabernacle only for a few days, then according to the LORD's command they encamped, and according to the LORD's command they set out.
- And some times the cloud remained over the tabernacle only for a few days; at the LORD's command they encamped, and at the LORD's command they set out.
Num.9.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויש: CONJ+VERB,qal,pres,3,_,sg
- אשר: PRON,rel
- יהיה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- הענן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- מערב: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עד: PREP
- בקר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ונעלה: VERB,qal,impf,1,c,pl
- הענן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- בבקר: PREP
- ונסעו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- או: CONJ
- יומם: ADV
- ולילה: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ונעלה: VERB,qal,impf,1,c,pl
- הענן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ונסעו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Exodus 13:21-22 (verbal): Describes the same guiding pillar of cloud (by day) and fire (by night) that directed Israel’s movements; language and function closely parallel Numbers 9:21’s account of the cloud determining when the camp journeyed.
- Exodus 40:36-37 (structural): Reports that when the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle the Israelites broke camp and journeyed—structurally identical procedure to Numbers 9:21, linking the tabernacle cloud’s movement to travel.
- Numbers 10:34 (verbal): A brief report that 'the cloud of the Lord was upon them by day when they went out from the camp,' echoing Numbers 9:21’s emphasis that travel depended on the cloud’s rising.
- Psalm 105:39 (thematic): Poetically recalls God’s provision of a cloud as a covering and guide for Israel; thematically summarizes the same divine guidance by cloud and fire described in Numbers 9:21.
Alternative generated candidates
- If the cloud remained from evening until morning and was taken up in the morning, they set out; whether it was taken up by day or by night, whenever the cloud was taken up, they set out.
- And sometimes the cloud was there from evening until morning; when it was lifted in the morning they set out. If it was lifted by day or if it was lifted by night, whenever the cloud was lifted they set out.
Num.9.22 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- או: CONJ
- ימים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- או: CONJ
- חדש: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- או: CONJ
- ימים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- בהאריך: PREP+VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- הענן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- על: PREP
- המשכן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לשכן: INF,qal
- עליו: PREP,3,m,sg
- יחנו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ולא: CONJ
- יסעו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- ובהעלתו: CONJ+PREP+VERB,hiph,ptcp,3,m,sg
- יסעו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Exodus 13:21-22 (verbal): Direct verbal parallel: a pillar/cloud by day and fire by night that governs Israel’s movement—when the cloud lifted they set out; when it stayed they remained encamped.
- Exodus 40:36-38 (structural): Same structural setting—cloud over the Tent of Meeting that remains while Israel camps and lifts when they are to break camp; explicitly connects divine presence with movement.
- Deuteronomy 1:33 (allusion): Alludes to the guiding presence of YHWH 'in a fire by night and a cloud by day' who went before Israel—theme of divine guidance and protection during the desert marches.
- Psalm 105:39 (thematic): Uses the cloud/fire imagery of God’s provision and guidance ('He spread a cloud for a covering')—thematically linked to God’s presence directing Israel’s encampment and departure.
Alternative generated candidates
- Whether for a few days, a month, or many months, whenever the cloud rested over the tabernacle, the Israelites remained encamped and did not set out; but when it was lifted, they set out.
- Whether for days, or for a month, or for longer than a month—when the cloud remained upon the tabernacle the Israelites camped there and did not set out; and when it was lifted, they set out.
Num.9.23 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- על: PREP
- פי: NOUN,m,sg,construct
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- יחנו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- ועל: CONJ+PREP
- פי: NOUN,m,sg,construct
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- יסעו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- משמרת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- שמרו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- על: PREP
- פי: NOUN,m,sg,construct
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ביד: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- משה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Exodus 40:36-38 (verbal): Same sequence of cloud/Tabernacle guiding Israel: when the cloud was taken up they set out, when it settled they encamped — language and function parallel the Numbers statement that they moved and camped at the LORD's command.
- Exodus 13:21-22 (thematic): Describes the LORD leading Israel by a pillar of cloud by day and fire by night, providing the same divine guidance and timetable for travel that Numbers 9:23 attributes to Yahweh's command.
- Numbers 10:33-36 (verbal): Narrates Israel's departure from Sinai under Moses' leadership with the ark going before them; echoes Numbers 9:23's emphasis on moving and camping according to the LORD's direction through Moses.
- Joshua 3:7-17 (thematic): The crossing of the Jordan under the LORD's direct leading (through the ark and priestly action) continues the motif of God controlling Israel's movements and encampments as in Numbers 9:23.
- Deuteronomy 1:33 (allusion): Speaks of the LORD going before Israel to show the way and 'striking down' enemies — a thematic affirmation that Israel's routes and encampments are determined by God's guidance, echoing the claim that they camped and set out 'at the LORD's command.'
Alternative generated candidates
- By the LORD's command they encamped, and by the LORD's command they set out. They kept the LORD's charge by the LORD's command—by the hand of Moses.
- By the LORD they encamped, and by the LORD they set out; they kept the charge of the LORD at the LORD's command through Moses.
On the day the tabernacle was set up, the cloud covered the tabernacle—the tent of meeting—and in the evening it was over the tabernacle as the appearance of fire until morning. So it was continually: the cloud covered it by day, and the appearance of fire by night.
When the cloud was lifted from over the tent, the Israelites would set out; and wherever the cloud rested, there the Israelites would encamp.
By the LORD's command the Israelites broke camp, and by the LORD's command they encamped; all the days that the cloud rested over the tabernacle they remained encamped. And if the cloud remained over the tabernacle for many days, the Israelites kept the LORD's charge and did not set out.
There were times when the cloud remained over the tabernacle for a set number of days; at the LORD's command they encamped, and at the LORD's command they set out.
There were times when the cloud remained from evening until morning; and when the cloud was taken up in the morning, they would set out. Whether the cloud was taken up by day or by night, whenever it was taken up they set out.
Whether for a few days, or for a month, or for many days that the cloud stayed over the tabernacle, the Israelites would encamp there and not set out; and when it was lifted, they would set out.
By the LORD they encamped, and by the LORD they set out; they kept the LORD's charge at the LORD's command through Moses.