Numbers 9:22

Num 9:22 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.

Ver. 22. When it was taken up they journeyed.] In that wilderness of Arabia there were no beaten paths, no footsteps of passengers appeared; wherefore travellers there used to steer their course, as mariners at sea do, by a mathematical chart. But these Israelites went by a better direction. So do all saints. {Heb 11:16}

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Verse 22. Two days - a month - a year] It was by the Divine counsel alone that they were directed in all their peregrinations: and from the above words we see that their times of tarrying at different stations were very unequal.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

(22) Or a year.—Literally, days (comp. Gen_4:3; Gen_40:4, and Notes). If the rendering of the Authorised Version, “a year,” is correct, as it probably is, it will follow that these words could not have been written until after the first arrival at Kadesh (Num_13:26), and probably not until after the end of the wanderings in the wilderness. The elaborate manner in which the statement is made and repeated in almost identical terms shows the great importance which the writer ascribed to the Divine guardianship which was exercised over the Israelites, and to their submission to the miraculous guidance which was given to them.

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

22. a year] Heb. ‘days.’ This sometimes means ‘a year’ (e.g. 1Sa_27:7); but here it perhaps denotes only an indefinite period longer than a month.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

At the commandment of the Lord they rested in their tents,.... Though ever so disagreeable:

and at the commandment of the Lord they journeyed; though the circumstances might be such, that they could have liked a continuance; but whether agreeable or disagreeable, they were obedient to the divine will: this, or what is equivalent to it, is frequently observed in this paragraph, to show that the Israelites, though they were an obstinate and perverse people, and must in general be desirous of getting as soon as they could into the land of promise, yet in this case, in all their stations and journeys, were submissive and obedient to the divine will, as all good men should be with respect to happiness; and happy are they who have God to be their guide through it, even unto death:

they kept the charge of the Lord, at the commandment of the Lord by the hand of Moses; observed the rest or motion of the cloud, the order and command of God signified thereby, as it was made known unto them by the ministry and means of Moses.

Next: Numbers Chapter 10

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

A year - literally, “days,” idiomatically a year Lev 25:29, an expression equivalent to “a full period,” though not necessarily the period of a year.

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

22. Two days, or a month, or a year — The periods varied from a single night to eighteen years, the longest halt. The irregularities in the intervals of motion and rest kept the people always watchful for the signal and always in a state of readiness to obey. Thus they were in a school wherein were taught the important lessons of constant vigilance, implicit faith, unquestioning obedience, and perfect patience.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Or a year. Rather, "days" (yamin): an undefined period, (Gen_4:3 Gen_40:4) often equivalent to a year. (Lev_25:29) It is not known whether or on what occasion the Israelites actually remained in camp for a year. But it is evident that this passage must have been written after the wanderings were over, because it is a kind of retrospect of the whole period as regards one important feature of it. It may of course have been added here by the hand of Moses on the eve of entry upon the promised land: or it may have been added by a later hand, perhaps that of Ezra when he revised these books (see the Introduction).

HOMILIES BY E.S. PROUT Ver. 23. God"s ceaseless providence a motive to prompt obedience.

God"s presence with Israel was perpetual. (Exo_3:12 Exo_13:17-18) The sign of it in the cloud was given as soon, and was continued as long, as it was needed. (Exo_13:21, 22 40:38) God"s active, providential presence was

I A SOURCE OF SAFETY;

II A GROUND OF FAITH; and therefore,

III A MOTIVE TO OBEDIENCE.

I The cloud

(1) led them the safest way. (Exo_13:17)

(2) Ensured protection from foes when near at hand. (Exo_14:19, Exo_14:20, Exo_14:24)

(3) Gave light on the camp in moonless nights. (Neh_9:19)

(4) Was a pledge of safety to sinners, as it rested on the mercy-seat. (Lev_16:2) This visible cloud a symbol of protection by an invisible God. (Isa_4:5) Illustrations, bird and young. (Rth_2:12 Psa_17:8 Psa_91:4) Father carrying his child by day, (Deu_1:31) and watching by him at night (Psalm 121). There is safety for sinners not away from God but in God. (Psa_143:2, Psa_143:9)

II God showed himself in the cloud for the very purpose of guiding. He took the responsibility out of the hands of the people and Moses that they might have the privilege of trusting. (Exo_33:9-17 Deu_1:33) Such a guiding presence we may enjoy by the aid of God"s written counsels, providential acts, and inward monitions. (Psa_25:4, Psa_25:5, Psa_25:9, Psa_25:14) See how these three are combined in the narrative. (Act_8:26-35)

III Verse 23 is very emphatic. They obeyed even if at times the journey was very arduous, (Num_21:4) or the halt very tedious (verse 22), or the start was sudden, as when a midnight alarm of the trumpets was a sign that the cloud had begun to move (verse 21). Hence we learn

(1) not to take for granted that any place is our rest. (Job_29:18 Mic_2:10)

(2) To be willing to go to the wilderness with God, rather than to stay in the choicest paradise without God.

(3) To be willing to endure, at God"s bidding, protracted toil or enforced inactivity.

(4) To be ready at any time to strike our tent and go home. Thus waiting on God and waiting for God, we arc safely led, and have the rest of trustful obedience. P. (Psa_5:11, 12 48:14 84:11, 12)

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

the cloud was taken up

This can be stated in active form. AT: "the cloud rose up" or "Yahweh took up the cloud" (See: Active or Passive)

at Yahweh's command

The word "command" can be expressed as a verb. AT: "what Yahweh commanded" (See: Abstract Nouns)

Yahweh's command given through Moses

This can be stated in active form. AT: "the command that Yahweh had given through Moses" (See: Active or Passive)

translationWords

tabernacle

people group

Israel

Moses

unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.

או ימים means, [OR] A FULL YEAR, just as, (Leviticus 25:29) “A full year (ימים) shall he have the right of redemption”.

Rashi on the Tanakh — English translations: “The Judaica Press complete Tanach with Rashi, translated by A. J. Rosenberg” (CC BY 4.0); “Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934” (public domain); “The Metsudah Tanach series, Lakewood, N.J” (CC BY 4.0); and “The Book of Joshua, Metsudah Publications, 1997” (CC BY 4.0). Text via Sefaria.