The Cloud above the Tabernacle
On the day the tabernacle is set up, the cloud covers it, and by night it appears like fire. This remains the continual pattern over the tabernacle.
O15n the day that the tabernacle, the Tent of the Testimony, was set up, the cloud covered it and appeared like fire above the tabernacle from evening until morning. 16It remained that way continually; the cloud would cover the tabernacle by day, and at night it would appear like fire.
Whenever the cloud lifts, Israel sets out; wherever it settles, Israel camps. Their travel and rest are both governed by the LORD’s command.
17Whenever the cloud was lifted from above the Tent, the Israelites would set out, and wherever the cloud settled, there the Israelites would camp. 18At the LORD’s command the Israelites set out, and at the LORD’s command they camped. As long as the cloud remained over the tabernacle, they remained encamped.
Whether the cloud remains many days, only a few, overnight, or much longer, Israel stays when it stays and goes when it lifts. The length of the wait does not alter their pattern of obedience.
19Even when the cloud lingered over the tabernacle for many days, the Israelites kept the LORD’s charge and did not set out. 20Sometimes the cloud remained over the tabernacle for only a few days, and they would camp at the LORD’s command and set out at the LORD’s command. 21Sometimes the cloud remained only from evening until morning, and when it lifted in the morning, they would set out. Whether it was by day or by night, when the cloud was taken up, they would set out. 22Whether the cloud lingered for two days, a month, or longer, the Israelites camped and did not set out as long as the cloud remained over the tabernacle; but when it was lifted, they would set out.
Israel camps and sets out at the LORD’s command, keeping his charge through the word given by Moses.
23They 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.