Numbers 9 · Verse 19

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.
Numbers 9:19, King James Version

Numbers 9:19 in other translations

BSBEven when the cloud lingered over the tabernacle for many days, the Israelites kept the LORD’s charge and did not set out.
WEBWhen the cloud stayed on the tabernacle many days, then the children of Israel kept the LORD’s command, and didn’t travel.
ASVAnd when the cloud tarried upon the tabernacle many days, then the children of Israel kept the charge of Jehovah, and journeyed not.
YLTAnd in the cloud prolonging itself over the tabernacle many days, then have the sons of Israel kept the charge of Jehovah, and journey not,
DARBYAnd when the cloud was long upon the tabernacle many days, then the children of Israel kept the charge of Jehovah, and journeyed not.
BBEWhen the cloud was resting on the House for a long time the children of Israel, waiting for the order of the Lord, did not go on.
WebsterAnd when the cloud tarried long upon the tabernacle many days, then the children of Israel kept the charge of the LORD, and journeyed not.

What does Numbers 9:19 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
19. when the cloud tarried long upon the tabernacle, ... then Israel kept the charge of the Lord, and journeyed not--A desert life has its attractions, and constant movements create a passionate love of change. Many incidents show that the Israelites had strongly imbibed this nomad habit and were desirous of hastening to Canaan. But still the phases of the cloud indicated the command of God: and whatsoever irksomeness they might have felt in remaining long stationary in camp, "when the cloud tarried upon the tabernacle many days, they kept the charge of the Lord, and journeyed not." Happy for them had they always exhibited this spirit of obedience! and happy for all if, through the wilderness of this world, we implicitly follow the leadings of God's Providence and the directions of God's Word!

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Numbers 9:15-23

This cloud was appointed to be the visible sign and symbol of God's presence with Israel. Thus we are taught to see God always near us, both night and day. As long as the cloud rested on the tabernacle, so long they continued in the same place. There is no time lost, while we are waiting God's time. When the cloud was taken up, they removed, however comfortably they were encamped. We are kept at uncertainty…

Read the full comment on Numbers 9:15-23 →

Numbers 9:19 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

וּבְהַאֲרִ֧יךְu.ve.ha.'a.Rikhand when made longH748
הֶֽעָנָ֛ןhe.'a.Nanthe cloudH6051
עַל\־'al-overH5921
הַמִּשְׁכָּ֖ןha.mish.Kanthe tabernacleH4908
יָמִ֣יםya.MimdaysH3117
רַבִּ֑יםra.BimmanyH7227
וְשָׁמְר֧וּve.sha.me.Ruand they keptH8104
בְנֵי\־ve.nei-[the] people ofH1121
יִשְׂרָאֵ֛לYis.ra.'ElIsraelH3478
אֶת\־'et-<obj.>H853
מִשְׁמֶ֥רֶתmish.Me.ret[the] duty ofH4931
יְהוָ֖הYah.wehYahwehH3068
וְלֹ֥אve.Lo'and notH3808
יִסָּֽעוּ\׃yi.Sa.'uthey set outH5265

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Numbers 9:19

  • Numbers 1:52-53

    And the children of Israel shall pitch their tents, every man by his own camp, and every man by his own standard, throughout their hosts. But the Levites shall pitch round about the tabernacle of testimony, that there be no wrath upon the congregation of the children of Israel: and the Levites shall keep the charge of the tabernacle of testimony.

  • Zechariah 3:7

    Thus saith the Lord of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by.

  • Numbers 3:8

    And they shall keep all the instruments of the tabernacle of the congregation, and the charge of the children of Israel, to do the service of the tabernacle.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
tarried long. Heb. prolonged. kept the.
1:52,53; 3:8; Zec 3:7

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Numbers 9:18

    At the commandment of the Lord the children of Israel journeyed, and at the commandment of the Lord they pitched: as long as the cloud abode upon the tabernacle they rested in their tents.

  • 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.

  • Numbers 9:20

    And so it was, when the cloud was a few days upon the tabernacle; according to the commandment of the Lord they abode in their tents, and according to the commandment of the Lord they journeyed.

Read all of Numbers 9

Numbers 9:19 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y cuando la nube se detenía sobre el tabernáculo muchos días, entonces los hijos de Israel guardaban la ordenanza de Jehová y no partían.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Et si la nuée prolongeait sa demeure sur le tabernacle plusieurs jours, alors les fils d’Israël gardaient ce que l’ Éternel leur avait donné à garder, et ne partaient pas.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Und wenn die Wolke viele Tage auf der Wohnung verweilte, so warteten die Kinder Israel der Hut Jehovas und brachen nicht auf.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		et si evenisset ut multo tempore maneret super illud, erant filii Israël in excubiis Domini, et non proficiscebantur