Numbers 10 11

Numbers 10:11 kjv

And it came to pass on the twentieth day of the second month, in the second year, that the cloud was taken up from off the tabernacle of the testimony.

Numbers 10:11 nkjv

Now it came to pass on the twentieth day of the second month, in the second year, that the cloud was taken up from above the tabernacle of the Testimony.

Numbers 10:11 niv

On the twentieth day of the second month of the second year, the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle of the covenant law.

Numbers 10:11 esv

In the second year, in the second month, on the twentieth day of the month, the cloud lifted from over the tabernacle of the testimony,

Numbers 10:11 nlt

In the second year after Israel's departure from Egypt ? on the twentieth day of the second month ? the cloud lifted from the Tabernacle of the Covenant.

Numbers 10 verses

Numbers 10 11 Meaning

Numbers 10:11 marks a pivotal moment in the Israelites' journey: the long-awaited departure from Mount Sinai. After approximately a year of encampment at Sinai, where they received the Law, built the Tabernacle, and were organized into a priestly nation, the visible sign of God's presence, the cloud, finally ascended from over the Tabernacle. This movement was the divine signal, initiating the next phase of their journey towards the promised land of Canaan, demonstrating God's sovereign timing and continuous guidance for His people.

Numbers 10 11 Context

Numbers chapter 10 marks a significant transition in the book, shifting from the organization and preparations at Mount Sinai (Numbers 1-9) to the actual departure and journey through the wilderness (Numbers 10-36). Immediately prior to verse 11, the instructions for the silver trumpets (Numbers 10:1-10) are given, detailing how they were to be used for summoning the congregation and for sounding the alarm for movement, thus serving as divine signals for assembly and journeying. Numbers 10:11 itself then serves as the critical moment when these signals become relevant, initiating the long-awaited departure.

Historically, the Israelites had encamped at the foot of Mount Sinai for roughly a year (Exod 19:1 - third month after Exodus; Num 1:1 - first day of the second month in the second year; Num 10:11 - twentieth day of the second month in the second year). During this time, they received the Law (Ten Commandments and covenant stipulations), observed the Passover, had the Tabernacle completed and consecrated, the priesthood established, and the entire nation organized for military readiness and travel. This extended period ensured a comprehensive divine education and preparation before they were to face the rigors and challenges of the wilderness journey and the conquest of Canaan.

Numbers 10 11 Word analysis

• Now it came to pass (וַיְהִי, vayhi): A common narrative connector in Hebrew scripture, indicating a sequential or transitional event, often one of significant import. It suggests a movement in the story from preparation to action.
• on the twentieth day of the second month, in the second year: This precise temporal marker emphasizes the meticulous divine timing. The "second year" refers to the second year after the Exodus from Egypt. Given they arrived at Sinai in the third month of the first year (Exod 19:1) and spent approximately one year there, this date signifies the completion of that period of encampment and preparation.
• that the cloud (הֶעָנָן, he'anan): Refers to the pillar of cloud, the tangible manifestation of the Shekinah, God's glorious presence (Exod 13:21-22; 40:34-38). It served as the visual guide for the Israelites, signifying God's constant presence, protection, and leadership.
• was taken up (נַעֲלָה, na'alah): This verb is in the Niphal (passive) stem, meaning it "was lifted up" or "was elevated." This passive construction clearly indicates that the action of the cloud lifting was not by human initiative but a sovereign act of God. He initiated their departure.
• from over the tabernacle of the Testimony (מֵעַל הַמִּשְׁכַּן הָעֵדֻת, me'al hamishkan ha'edut):
  • tabernacle (הַמִּשְׁכַּן, hamishkan): The portable dwelling place of God among His people (Exod 25:8). It was the central point of the Israelite camp and their worship.
  • of the Testimony (הָעֵדֻת, ha'edut): Refers specifically to the Ark of the Covenant, which contained the two tablets of stone inscribed with the Ten Commandments, known as the "testimony" (Exod 25:16, 21). This designation highlights that God's presence, leading, and covenant relationship were intrinsically linked to His revealed law and promises.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Now it came to pass on the twentieth day of the second month, in the second year": This temporal phrase highlights divine providence and meticulous planning. It marks the conclusion of a deliberate period of preparation at Sinai and the beginning of a new phase, entirely at God's appointed time, not Israel's whim. It signals the transition from receiving law and establishing covenant at a fixed location to living out the covenant promises and instructions in movement.
• "that the cloud was taken up": This phrase underscores God's sovereignty as the initiator and guide of the entire journey. The movement of the cloud was the direct divine command, demonstrating that their progress was solely dependent on His leading and not on human will or decision-making. It represents the transition from God speaking from a mountain to Him moving with His people.
• "from over the tabernacle of the Testimony": This connection signifies that God's presence (the cloud) was intimately tied to His dwelling place (the Tabernacle) and His covenant (the Testimony/Law within it). Their journey was not random; it was centered on God's presence, governed by His revealed will, and directed towards His promised destination, affirming that all their movement and future were intrinsically linked to their covenant relationship with Him.

Numbers 10 11 Bonus section

• The significance of this verse extends beyond historical narrative; it introduces the wilderness journey which would serve as a training ground for Israel's faith. This was not a quick march but a journey of testing and purification.
• The fact that the cloud lifted from over the Tabernacle of the Testimony is crucial. It means the very center of their worship and the repository of God's covenant was the starting point for movement. Their walk was a "walk with God," not merely a migration.
• This verse can be seen as the ultimate test of Israel's preparedness. After being given all the laws and instructions, it was now time to put them into practice, literally following God step by step. It demonstrates the transition from theological understanding to practical application, from sacred assembly to sacred journey.

Numbers 10 11 Commentary

Numbers 10:11 marks the culmination of an intensive year of divine instruction, organization, and consecration at Mount Sinai. It signals the shift from a static period of receiving revelation and building the framework for worship to a dynamic phase of obedience and walking by faith in the wilderness. The precise date emphasizes God's sovereign timing; He prepared His people thoroughly before moving them forward. The cloud's ascent, being a direct divine act, underscored that God Himself initiated and led every step of their journey, not merely instructing them but accompanying them physically. This act of "taking up" the cloud from the "Tabernacle of the Testimony" reminds believers that true progress is always rooted in God's presence and adherence to His revealed Word (the Testimony). It teaches that God, through His Spirit, still leads His people, guiding them in His timing and by His command, expecting faith and movement based on His manifest will.