Numbers 9 · Verse 23

Numbers 9:23

At the commandment of the Lord they rested in the tents, and at the commandment of the Lord they journeyed: they kept the charge of the Lord, at the commandment of the Lord by the hand of Moses.
Numbers 9:23, King James Version

Numbers 9:23 in other translations

BSBThey camped at the LORD’s command, and they set out at the LORD’s command; they carried out the LORD’s charge according to His command through Moses.
WEBAt the commandment of the LORD they encamped, and at the commandment of the LORD they traveled. They kept the LORD’s command, at the commandment of the LORD by Moses.
ASVAt the commandment of Jehovah they encamped, and at the commandment of Jehovah they journeyed: they kept the charge of Jehovah, at the commandment of Jehovah by Moses.
YLTby the command of Jehovah they encamp, and by the command of Jehovah they journey; the charge of Jehovah they have kept, by the command of Jehovah in the hand of Moses.
DARBYAt the commandment of Jehovah they encamped, and at the commandment of Jehovah they journeyed: they kept the charge of Jehovah according to the commandment of Jehovah through Moses.
BBEAt the word of the Lord they put up their tents, and at the word of the Lord they went forward on their journey: they kept the orders of the Lord as he gave them by Moses.
WebsterAt the commandment of the LORD they rested in the tents, and at the commandment of the LORD they journeyed: they kept the charge of the LORD, at the commandment of the LORD by the hand of Moses.

What does Numbers 9:23 mean?

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 23 Kept the charge of the Lord - When we consider the strong disposition which this people ever testified to follow their own will in all things, we may be well surprised to find them, in these journeyings, so implicitly following the directions of God. There could be no trick or imposture here. Moses, had he been the most cunning of men, never could have imitated the appearances referred to in this chapter. The cloud, and every thing in its motion, was so evidently supernatural, that the people had no doubt of its being the symbol of the Divine presence. God chose to keep this people so dependent upon himself, and so submissive to the decisions of his own will, that he would not even give them regular times of marching or resting; they were to do both when and where God saw best. Thus they were ever kept ready for their march, though perfectly ignorant of the time when they should commence it. But this was all well; they had the presence of God with them; the cloud by day and the fire by night demonstrated that God was amongst them. Reader, thou art here a tenant at will to God Almighty. How soon, in what place, or in what circumstances, he may call thee to march into the eternal world, thou knowest not. But this uncertainty cannot perplex thee, if thou be properly subject to the will of God, ever willing to lose thy own in it. But thou canst not be thus subject, unless thou have the testimony of the presence and approbation of God. How awful to be obliged to walk into the valley of the shadow of death without this! Reader, prepare to meet thy God.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · 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 9:23 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.

עַל\־'al-onH5921
פִּ֤יpi[the] mouth ofH6310
יְהוָה֙Yah.wehYahwehH3068
יַחֲנ֔וּya.cha.Nuthey encampedH2583
וְעַל\־ve.'al-and onH5921
פִּ֥יpi[the] mouth ofH6310
יְהוָ֖הYah.wehYahwehH3068
יִסָּ֑עוּyi.Sa.'uthey set outH5265
אֶת\־'et-<obj.>H853
מִשְׁמֶ֤רֶתmish.Me.ret[the] duty ofH4931
יְהוָה֙Yah.wehYahwehH3068
שָׁמָ֔רוּsha.Ma.ruthey keptH8104
עַל\־'al-onH5921
פִּ֥יpi[the] mouth ofH6310
יְהוָ֖הYah.wehYahwehH3068
בְּיַד\־be.yad-by [the] hand ofH3027
מֹשֶֽׁה\׃\ \פmo.ShehMosesH4872

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

Cross references for Numbers 9:23

  • Joshua 22:3

    Ye have not left your brethren these many days unto this day, but have kept the charge of the commandment of the Lord your God.

  • 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.

  • Genesis 26:5

    Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.

  • Ezekiel 44:8

    And ye have not kept the charge of mine holy things: but ye have set keepers of my charge in my sanctuary for yourselves.

  • 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.

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
they kept.
19; Ge 26:5; Jos 22:3; Eze 44:8; Zec 3:7Some of the Levites may have been appointed to watch the moving of the pillar, and to give timely notice to the camp of its beginning to stir; and this is called "keeping the charge of the Lord." It is uncomfortable staying when God is departed, but very safe and pleasant going, when we see God go before us, and resting where he appoints us to rest.

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

Context

  • Numbers 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.

  • Numbers 9:23

    At the commandment of the Lord they rested in the tents, and at the commandment of the Lord they journeyed: they kept the charge of the Lord, at the commandment of the Lord by the hand of Moses.

Read all of Numbers 9

Numbers 9:23 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Al dicho de Jehová asentaban, y al dicho de Jehová partían, guardando la ordenanza de Jehová, como lo había Jehová dicho por medio de Moisés.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Au commandement de l’ Éternel ils campaient, et au commandement de l’ Éternel ils partaient; ils gardaient ce que l’ Éternel leur avait donné à garder, selon le commandement de l’ Éternel par Moïse.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Nach dem Befehl Jehovas lagerten sie sich, und nach dem Befehl Jehovas brachen sie auf; sie warteten der Hut Jehovas nach dem Befehl Jehovas durch Mose.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Per verbum Domini figebant tentoria, et per verbum illius proficiscebantur: erantque in excubiis Domini juxta imperium ejus per manum Moysi.