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.

At the commandment {H6310} of the LORD {H3068} they rested {H2583} in the tents, and at the commandment {H6310} of the LORD {H3068} they journeyed {H5265}: they kept {H8104} the charge {H4931} of the LORD {H3068}, at the commandment {H6310} of the LORD {H3068} by the hand {H3027} of Moses {H4872}.

At ADONAI's order, they camped; and at ADONAI's order, they traveled -they did what ADONAI had charged them to do through Moshe.

They 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.

At 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.

Commentary

Commentary on Numbers 9:23

Numbers 9:23 provides a concise yet profound summary of the Israelites' journey through the wilderness, emphasizing their complete dependence on God's direct guidance. This verse encapsulates the core principle of their nomadic existence: every movement and every halt was determined solely by the divine directive, communicated through Moses.

Context

This verse is part of a larger section (Numbers 9:15-23) that describes the mechanism by which God guided the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings. The presence of the cloud by day and pillar of fire by night over the Tabernacle indicated when they were to encamp and when they were to journey. This system ensured that God's presence was constantly manifest among His people, and their obedience to its movement was paramount. Their unique lifestyle, living in tents and moving at a moment's notice, was a constant test of their faith and submission to the Lord's will.

Key Themes

  • Divine Guidance: The verse powerfully reiterates that the LORD Himself dictated every step of their journey. This highlights God's active involvement in the lives of His people, leading them precisely where and when He willed.
  • Absolute Obedience: The repeated phrase "at the commandment of the LORD" underscores the Israelites' required and demonstrated obedience. Their rest and their journeying were not based on their own comfort, convenience, or strategic planning, but solely on God's instruction. This unwavering obedience was central to their journey through the wilderness, a period of testing and learning.
  • Faithfulness to a Charge: "They kept the charge of the LORD" signifies their diligent observance of God's instructions regarding their movements. This wasn't merely passive following, but an active commitment to fulfilling their divinely appointed duty.
  • Moses' Role: The final phrase, "by the hand of Moses," confirms Moses' unique position as God's chosen mediator and leader, through whom the divine commandments were communicated to the people.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase translated "at the commandment of the LORD" is al pi YHWH (עַל פִּי יְהוָה), literally "at the mouth of the LORD." This emphasizes that the command came directly from God's own utterance or instruction, not through human interpretation or conjecture. The phrase "kept the charge" comes from shamru mishmeret (שָׁמְרוּ מִשְׁמֶרֶת), which implies guarding, preserving, or diligently observing a duty or responsibility. It speaks to their attentiveness and faithfulness in carrying out God's specific directives.

Practical Application

Numbers 9:23 offers timeless lessons for believers today:

  • Trusting God's Timing: Just as the Israelites waited for the cloud to move, we are called to trust God's timing in our lives, whether it's a season of waiting (resting) or a call to action (journeying).
  • Seeking Divine Guidance: This verse reminds us of the importance of seeking God's will through prayer, Scripture, and wise counsel. Our lives should be guided by His "commandment," not our own desires or worldly wisdom.
  • Living by Faith: The Israelites' journey was a constant exercise in faith, moving without knowing the full path ahead. Similarly, we are called to walk by faith, knowing that God's leadership is perfect and His plans are good.
  • Obedience as a Foundation: True spiritual progress and blessing are rooted in obedience to God's revealed will. Like the Israelites, our "charge" is to keep His commands diligently, knowing that He leads us "by the hand." As Jesus said, "If ye love me, keep my commandments."
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Genesis 26:5

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