Numbers 9:17

Authorized King James Version

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And 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.

Original Language Analysis

וּלְפִ֞י And when H6310
וּלְפִ֞י And when
Strong's: H6310
Word #: 1 of 19
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
הֵֽעָל֤וֹת was taken up H5927
הֵֽעָל֤וֹת was taken up
Strong's: H5927
Word #: 2 of 19
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
הֶֽעָנָ֔ן the cloud H6051
הֶֽעָנָ֔ן the cloud
Strong's: H6051
Word #: 3 of 19
a cloud (as covering the sky), i.e., the nimbus or thunder-cloud
מֵעַ֣ל H5921
מֵעַ֣ל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 4 of 19
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הָאֹ֔הֶל from the tabernacle H168
הָאֹ֔הֶל from the tabernacle
Strong's: H168
Word #: 5 of 19
a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)
וְאַ֣חֲרֵי then after H310
וְאַ֣חֲרֵי then after
Strong's: H310
Word #: 6 of 19
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
כֵ֔ן H3651
כֵ֔ן
Strong's: H3651
Word #: 7 of 19
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
יִסְע֖וּ journeyed H5265
יִסְע֖וּ journeyed
Strong's: H5265
Word #: 8 of 19
properly, to pull up, especially the tent-pins, i.e., start on a journey
בְּנֵ֥י that the children H1121
בְּנֵ֥י that the children
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 9 of 19
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ of Israel H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ of Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 10 of 19
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וּבִמְק֗וֹם and in the place H4725
וּבִמְק֗וֹם and in the place
Strong's: H4725
Word #: 11 of 19
properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
אֲשֶׁ֤ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 12 of 19
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יִשְׁכָּן abode H7931
יִשְׁכָּן abode
Strong's: H7931
Word #: 13 of 19
to reside or permanently stay (literally or figuratively)
שָׁם֙ H8033
שָׁם֙
Strong's: H8033
Word #: 14 of 19
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
הֶֽעָנָ֔ן the cloud H6051
הֶֽעָנָ֔ן the cloud
Strong's: H6051
Word #: 15 of 19
a cloud (as covering the sky), i.e., the nimbus or thunder-cloud
שָׁ֥ם H8033
שָׁ֥ם
Strong's: H8033
Word #: 16 of 19
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
יַֽחֲנ֖וּ pitched their tents H2583
יַֽחֲנ֖וּ pitched their tents
Strong's: H2583
Word #: 17 of 19
properly, to incline; by implication, to decline (of the slanting rays of evening); specifically, to pitch a tent; generally to encamp (for abode or s
בְּנֵ֥י that the children H1121
בְּנֵ֥י that the children
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 18 of 19
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ of Israel H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ of Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 19 of 19
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

Analysis & Commentary

When the cloud was taken up from the tabernacle, then after that the children of Israel journeyed (וּלְפִי הֵעָלוֹת הֶעָנָן מֵעַל הָאֹהֶל אַחֲרֵי־כֵן יִסְעוּ בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, ul'fi he'alot he'anan me'al ha'ohel aḥarey-chen yis'u veney yisra'el)—Le'fi means 'according to the mouth/command of.' The cloud's movement was Yahweh's visible command. Nasa (to journey, pull up tent stakes) required complete obedience to divine timing.

In the place where the cloud abode, there the children of Israel pitched their tents (שָׁם יַחֲנוּ בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, sham yaḥanu veney yisra'el)—Ḥanah (to encamp) meant settling, unpacking, dwelling. Israel had no control over duration or destination. This total dependence on God's visible presence prefigures life in the Spirit: 'As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God' (Romans 8:14).

Historical Context

The wilderness journey (1444-1405 BC) covered approximately 40 years and numerous encampments. The cloud (Exodus 13:21-22) provided visible, tangible evidence of God's presence—the Shekinah glory. This was necessary for a newly-redeemed slave nation learning to trust Yahweh's leadership after 400 years in polytheistic Egypt.

Questions for Reflection

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