Numbers 9:16 That is how it continued to be; the cloud covered it, and at night it looked like fire.

◄ Numbers 9:16 ►

Parallel Verses

New International Version
That is how it continued to be; the cloud covered it, and at night it looked like fire.

English Standard Version
So it was always: the cloud covered it by day and the appearance of fire by night.

New American Standard Bible
So it was continuously; the cloud would cover it by day, and the appearance of fire by night.

King James Bible
So it was alway: the cloud covered it by day, and the appearance of fire by night.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
It remained that way continuously: the cloud would cover it, appearing like fire at night.

International Standard Version
It was so continuously—there was a cloud covering by day, and a fire cloud appeared at night.

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

Douay-Rheims Bible
So it was always: by day the cloud covered it, and by night as it were the appearance of fire.

Darby Bible Translation
So it was continually: the cloud covered it, and at night it was as the appearance of fire.

Young's Literal Translation
so it is continually; the cloud covereth it, also the appearance of fire by night.

Commentaries

Matthew Henry's Commentary

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 concerning the time of our putting off the earthly house of this tabernacle, that we may be always ready to remove at the command of the Lord. It is very safe and pleasant going when we see God before us, and resting where he appoints us to rest. The leading of this cloud is spoken of as signifying the guidance of the blessed Spirit. We are not now to expect such tokens of the Divine presence and guidance; but the promise is sure to all God's spiritual Israel, that he will guide them by his counsel. Ps 73:24, even unto death, Ps 48:14. All the children of God shall be led by the Spirit of God, Ro 8:14. He will direct the paths of those who in all their ways acknowledge him, Pr 3:6. At the commandment of the Lord, our hearts should always move and rest, saying, Father, thy will be done; dispose of me and mine as thou pleasest. What thou wilt, and where thou wilt; only let me be thine, and always in the way of my duty. In applying general precepts to particular circumstances, there should be good counsel and fervent prayer. When any undertaking is evidently wrong, or doubtfully right, and yet the mind leans that way, in such a case the moving of the cloud, as men sometimes miscall it, is generally no more than a temptation Satan is permitted to propose; and men fancy they are following the Lord, when they are following their own wayward inclinations. The record of his mercy will conduct us with unerring truth, through Christ, to everlasting peace. Follow the pillar of the cloud and of fire. Lay the BIBLE to heart, and receive with meekness the ingrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

Nu 9:15-23. A Cloud Guides the Israelites.

15. the cloud covered the tabernacle—The inspired historian here enters on an entirely new subject, which might properly have formed a separate chapter, beginning at this verse and ending at Nu 10:29 [Calmet]. The cloud was a visible token of God's special presence and guardian care of the Israelites (Ex 14:20; Ps 105:39). It was easily distinguishable from all other clouds by its peculiar form and its fixed position; for from the day of the completion of the tabernacle it rested by day as a dark, by night as a fiery, column on that part of the sanctuary which contained the ark of the testimony (Le 16:2).