Numbers 9:19
And when the cloud tarried long upon the tabernacle many days, then the children of Israel kept the charge of the LORD, and journeyed not.
Original Language Analysis
וּבְהַֽאֲרִ֧יךְ
tarried long
H748
וּבְהַֽאֲרִ֧יךְ
tarried long
Strong's:
H748
Word #:
1 of 14
to be (causative, make) long (literally or figuratively)
הֶֽעָנָ֛ן
And when the cloud
H6051
הֶֽעָנָ֛ן
And when the cloud
Strong's:
H6051
Word #:
2 of 14
a cloud (as covering the sky), i.e., the nimbus or thunder-cloud
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
3 of 14
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הַמִּשְׁכָּ֖ן
upon the tabernacle
H4908
הַמִּשְׁכָּ֖ן
upon the tabernacle
Strong's:
H4908
Word #:
4 of 14
a residence (including a shepherd's hut, the lair of animals, figuratively, the grave; also the temple); specifically, the tabernacle (properly, its w
יָמִ֣ים
days
H3117
יָמִ֣ים
days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
5 of 14
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
רַבִּ֑ים
many
H7227
רַבִּ֑ים
many
Strong's:
H7227
Word #:
6 of 14
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
וְשָֽׁמְר֧וּ
kept
H8104
וְשָֽׁמְר֧וּ
kept
Strong's:
H8104
Word #:
7 of 14
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
בְנֵֽי
then the children
H1121
בְנֵֽי
then the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
8 of 14
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
9 of 14
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
10 of 14
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מִשְׁמֶ֥רֶת
the charge
H4931
מִשְׁמֶ֥רֶת
the charge
Strong's:
H4931
Word #:
11 of 14
watch, i.e., the act (custody), or (concretely) the sentry, the post; objectively preservation, or (concretely) safe; figuratively observance, i.e., (
יְהוָ֖ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
12 of 14
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
Historical Context
Some encampments lasted months or even years. Kadesh-Barnea, for instance, became an extended dwelling after the rebellion of Numbers 13-14. Learning to wait on God's timing—neither running ahead nor lagging behind—was essential training for a people entering Canaan, where battles required precise divine timing (e.g., Joshua 6).
Questions for Reflection
- Why is waiting on God's timing often harder than active service, and how does this test faith differently?
- What does Israel's patient waiting despite prolonged delay teach about trusting God's purposes even when His reasons remain hidden?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
When the cloud tarried long upon the tabernacle many days (וּבְהַאֲרִיךְ הֶעָנָן עַל־הַמִּשְׁכָּן יָמִים רַבִּים, uv'ha'arich he'anan al-hamishkan yamim rabbim)—Arich (to lengthen, prolong) tests patience differently than constant movement. Extended waiting (yamim rabbim, many days) requires endurance, faith that God hasn't forgotten. The temptation to move ahead of God's timing is universal (Abraham and Hagar, Genesis 16).
Then the children of Israel kept the charge of the LORD, and journeyed not (וְשָׁמְרוּ בְנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵל אֶת־מִשְׁמֶרֶת יְהוָה וְלֹא יִסָּעוּ, veshameru veney-yisra'el et-mishmeret YHWH velo yisa'u)—Shamar (to keep, guard, observe) plus mishmeret (charge, duty, watch) emphasizes vigilant obedience. Lo yisa'u (and not they journeyed)—active obedience in staying put. Waiting is obedience.