Numbers 9:21
And so it was, when the cloud abode from even unto the morning, and that the cloud was taken up in the morning, then they journeyed: whether it was by day or by night that the cloud was taken up, they journeyed.
Original Language Analysis
וְיֵ֞שׁ
And so it was
H3426
וְיֵ֞שׁ
And so it was
Strong's:
H3426
Word #:
1 of 17
there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
2 of 17
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יִֽהְיֶ֤ה
H1961
יִֽהְיֶ֤ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
3 of 17
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
הֶֽעָנָ֖ן
and that the cloud
H6051
הֶֽעָנָ֖ן
and that the cloud
Strong's:
H6051
Word #:
4 of 17
a cloud (as covering the sky), i.e., the nimbus or thunder-cloud
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
6 of 17
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
בַּבֹּ֖קֶר
in the morning
H1242
בַּבֹּ֖קֶר
in the morning
Strong's:
H1242
Word #:
7 of 17
properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning
וְנַֽעֲלָ֥ה
was taken up
H5927
וְנַֽעֲלָ֥ה
was taken up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
8 of 17
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
הֶֽעָנָ֖ן
and that the cloud
H6051
הֶֽעָנָ֖ן
and that the cloud
Strong's:
H6051
Word #:
9 of 17
a cloud (as covering the sky), i.e., the nimbus or thunder-cloud
בַּבֹּ֖קֶר
in the morning
H1242
בַּבֹּ֖קֶר
in the morning
Strong's:
H1242
Word #:
10 of 17
properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning
וְנָסָֽעוּ׃
then they journeyed
H5265
וְנָסָֽעוּ׃
then they journeyed
Strong's:
H5265
Word #:
11 of 17
properly, to pull up, especially the tent-pins, i.e., start on a journey
א֚וֹ
H176
א֚וֹ
Strong's:
H176
Word #:
12 of 17
desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if
וָלַ֔יְלָה
or by night
H3915
וָלַ֔יְלָה
or by night
Strong's:
H3915
Word #:
14 of 17
properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity
וְנַֽעֲלָ֥ה
was taken up
H5927
וְנַֽעֲלָ֥ה
was taken up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
15 of 17
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
Historical Context
Breaking camp at night required significant organization and faith. Families with children, elderly members, and livestock couldn't simply pack up like a modern camping trip. Yet Israel obeyed, demonstrating that God's timing superseded human convenience—a lesson Jesus reinforced when calling disciples to leave nets immediately (Matthew 4:20).
Questions for Reflection
- How does the day-or-night obedience challenge our tendency to negotiate with God about timing and convenience?
- When has God's timing seemed unreasonable to you, and what did obedience in that moment reveal about faith?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
When the cloud abode from even unto the morning (וְיֵשׁ אֲשֶׁר־יִהְיֶה הֶעָנָן מֵעֶרֶב עַד־בֹּקֶר, veyesh asher-yihyeh he'anan me'erev ad-boqer)—A single night's rest before moving again. Whether it was by day or by night that the cloud was taken up, they journeyed (יוֹמָם אוֹ־לַיְלָה וְנַעֲלָה הֶעָנָן וְנָסָעוּ, yomam o-laylah vena'alah he'anan venasa'u)—no exemption for inconvenient hours. Obedience doesn't wait for daylight or convenience.
This anticipates Jesus's teaching: 'I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work' (John 9:4). The cloud's movement wasn't subject to human schedules or preferences. Likewise, the Spirit's promptings may come at midnight (Acts 16:9, Paul's Macedonian vision) or dawn (Mark 1:35, Jesus's prayer)—immediate obedience required.