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Numbers 9:16

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Numbers 9:16 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “So it was alway: the cloud covered it, and the appearance of fire by night.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

So it was alway: the cloud covered it, and the appearance of fire by night.
Numbers 9:16 — American Standard Version

Context — Numbers 9

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
13But the man that is clean, and is not on a journey, and forbeareth to keep the passover, that soul shall be cut off from his people; because he offered not the oblation of Jehovah in its appointed season, that man shall bear his sin.
14And if a stranger shall sojourn among you, and will keep the passover unto Jehovah; according to the statute of the passover, and according to the ordinance thereof, so shall he do: ye shall have one statute, both for the sojourner, and for him that is born in the land.
15And on the day that the tabernacle was reared up the cloud covered the tabernacle, even the tent of the testimony: and at even it was upon the tabernacle as it were the appearance of fire, until morning.
16So it was alway: the cloud covered it, and the appearance of fire by night.
17And whenever the cloud was taken up from over the Tent, then after that the children of Israel journeyed: and in the place where the cloud abode, there the children of Israel encamped.
18At the commandment of Jehovah the children of Israel journeyed, and at the commandment of Jehovah they encamped: as long as the cloud abode upon the tabernacle they remained encamped.
19And when the cloud tarried upon the tabernacle many days, then the children of Israel kept the charge of Jehovah, and journeyed not.
← Numbers 9:15Numbers 9:17 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“So it was alway, etc.] Night and day, as long as the people of Israel were in the wilderness, (see <021321>Exodus 13:21,22 <160919>Nehemiah 9:19); the cloud covered it [by day]: the phrase, “by day”, is not in the text, but is easily and necessarily supplied from (<024038>Exodus 40:38); and as it is in the Targum of Jonathan, and in the Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Arabic versions, and which the following clause requires: and the appearance of fire by night; when as a cloud it could not be because of the darkness of the night; as in the daytime it could not be discerned as a body of fire or light, because of the light of the sun; but being seen under these different forms, was…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Num 9:18-22; Exo 13:21, Exo 13:22, Exo 40:38; Deu 1:33; Neh 9:12, Neh 9:19; Psa 78:14, Psa 105:39; Isa 4:5, Isa 4:6; Co1 10:1; Co2 5:19; Rev 21:3; This cloud not only enlightened the Israelites, but also protected them, and was a continual pledge of God's presence and protection. To this manifestation of the Divine glory, the prophet Isaiah alludes, when he says ( Isa 4:5), "The Lord will create upon every dwelling place of Mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night." God is the director, protector, and glory of his church. Numbers 9:17”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification