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Selected Verse: Numbers 10:33 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
Nu 10:33	Strong Concordance	And they departed [05265] from the mount [02022] of the LORD [03068] three [07969] days [03117]' journey [01870]: and the ark [0727] of the covenant [01285] of the LORD [03068] went [05265] before [06440] them in the three [07969] days [03117]' journey [01870], to search out [08446] a resting place [04496] for them.
	King James	And they departed from the mount of the LORD three days' journey: and the ark of the covenant of the LORD went before them in the three days' journey, to search out a resting place for them.

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
they departed . . . three days' journey--the first day's progress being very small, about eighteen or twenty miles. ark of the covenant of the Lord went before them--It was carried in the center, and hence some eminent commentators think the passage should be rendered, "the ark went in their presence," the cloud above upon it being conspicuous in their eyes. But it is probable that the cloudy pillar, which, while stationary, rested upon the ark, preceded them in the march--as, when in motion at one time (Exo 14:19) it is expressly said to have shifted its place.

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

they departed . . . three days' journey--the first day's progress being very small, about eighteen or twenty miles.

ark of the covenant of the Lord went before them--It was carried in the center, and hence some eminent commentators think the passage should be rendered, "the ark went in their presence," the cloud above upon it being conspicuous in their eyes. But it is probable that the cloudy pillar, which, while stationary, rested upon the ark, preceded them in the march--as, when in motion at one time (Exo 14:19) it is expressly said to have shifted its place.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
Three days' journey - Probably a technical expression for such a distance as could not be traversed in a single day, and therefore not without intervals of encampment and due provision: compare Gen 30:36; Exo 3:18; Exo 5:3; Exo 8:27; Exo 15:22. The technical use of the phrase "Sabbath-day's journey" for another average distance, Act 1:12, is similar. The ark of the covenant of the Lord went before them - From Num 10:21; Num 2:17 it would appear that the usual place of the ark during the march was in the midst of the host. It was evidently an exceptional case when, in Jos 3:3, Jos 3:6, the ark preceded the people into the bed of the Jordan. Hence, the words "went before them" do not here imply local precedence. The phrase, or its equivalent, is used of a leader going out in command of his troops, Num 27:17; Deu 31:3; Sa1 18:16; Ch2 1:10; and similarly the ark may well be said to have gone at the head of the Israelites, when it was borne solemnly in the midst of them as the outward embodiment of the presence whose sovereign word was their law. A resting place - literally, "rest." It is commonly understood of each successive encampment; or, in particular, of the first encampment. Yet the term would hardly be here employed, did it not carry with it a higher meaning, pointing to the promised rest of Canaan, for which the Israelites were now in full march, and from the speedy enjoyment of which no sentence of exclusion as yet debarred them. Compare the marginal references.

Commentary on the Old Testament, by Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch [1857-78]
"And they (the Israelites) departed from the mount of Jehovah (Exo 3:1) three days' journey; the ark of the covenant of Jehovah going before them, to search out a resting-place for them. And the cloud of Jehovah was over them by day, when they broke up from the camp." Jehovah still did as He had already done on the way to Sinai (Exo 13:21-22): He went before them in the pillar of cloud, according to His promise (Exo 33:13), on their journey from Sinai to Canaan; with this simple difference, however, that henceforth the cloud that embodied the presence of Jehovah was connected with the ark of the covenant, as the visible throne of His gracious presence which had been appointed by Jehovah Himself. To this end the ark of the covenant was carried separately from the rest of the sacred things, in front of the whole army; so that the cloud which went before them floated above the ark, leading the procession, and regulating its movements in the direction it took in such a manner that the permanent connection between the cloud and the sanctuary might be visibly manifested even during their march. It is true that, in the order observed in the camp and on the march, no mention is made of the ark of the covenant going in front of the whole army; but this omission is no more a proof of any discrepancy between this verse and Num 2:17, or of a difference of authorship, than the separation of the different divisions of the Levites upon the march, which is also not mentioned in Num 2:17, although the Gershonites and Merarites actually marched between the banners of Judah and Reuben, and the Kohathites with the holy things between the banners of Reuben and Ephraim (Num 10:17 and Num 10:21). (Note: As the critics do not deny that vv. 11-28 are written by the "Elohist" notwithstanding this difference, they have no right to bring forward the account of the ark going first as a contradiction to ch. 2, and therefore a proof that Num 10:33. are not of Elohistic origin.) The words, "the cloud was above them" (the Israelites), and so forth, can be reconciled with this supposition without any difficulty, whether we understand them as signifying that the cloud, which appeared as a guiding column floating above the ark and moved forward along with it, also extended itself along the whole procession, and spread out as a protecting shade over the whole army (as O. v. Gerlach and Baumgarten suppose), or that "above them" (upon them) is to be regarded as expressive of the fact that it accompanied them as a protection and shade. Nor is Psa 105:39, which seems, so far as the words are concerned, rather to favour the first explanation, really at variance with this view; for the Psalmist's intention is not so much to give a physical description of the phenomenon, as to describe the sheltering protection of God in poetical words as a spreading out of the cloud above the wandering people of God, in the form of a protection against both heat and rain (cf. Isa 4:5-6). Moreover, Num 10:33 and Num 10:34 have a poetical character, answering to the elevated nature of their subject, and are to be interpreted as follows according to the laws of a poetical parallelism: The one thought that the ark of the covenant, with the cloud soaring above it, led the way and sheltered those who were marching, is divided into two clauses; in Num 10:33 only the ark of the covenant is mentioned as going in front of the Israelites, and in Num 10:34 only the cloud as a shelter over them: whereas the carrying of the ark in front of the army could only accomplish the end proposed, viz., to search out a resting-place for them, by Jehovah going above them in the cloud, and showing the bearers of the ark both the way they were to take, and the place where they were to rest. The ark with the tables of the law is not called "the ark of testimony" here, according to its contents, as in Exo 25:22; Exo 26:33-34; Exo 30:6, etc., but the ark of the covenant of Jehovah, according to its design and signification for Israel, which was the only point, or at any rate the principal point, in consideration here. The resting-place which the ark of the covenant found at the end of three days, is not mentioned in Num 10:34; it was not Tabeerah, however (Num 11:3), but Kibroth-hattaavah (Num 11:34-35; cf. Num 33:16).

Commentary on the Old Testament, by Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch [1857-78]

"And they (the Israelites) departed from the mount of Jehovah (Exo 3:1) three days' journey; the ark of the covenant of Jehovah going before them, to search out a resting-place for them. And the cloud of Jehovah was over them by day, when they broke up from the camp." Jehovah still did as He had already done on the way to Sinai (Exo 13:21-22): He went before them in the pillar of cloud, according to His promise (Exo 33:13), on their journey from Sinai to Canaan; with this simple difference, however, that henceforth the cloud that embodied the presence of Jehovah was connected with the ark of the covenant, as the visible throne of His gracious presence which had been appointed by Jehovah Himself. To this end the ark of the covenant was carried separately from the rest of the sacred things, in front of the whole army; so that the cloud which went before them floated above the ark, leading the procession, and regulating its movements in the direction it took in such a manner that the permanent connection between the cloud and the sanctuary might be visibly manifested even during their march. It is true that, in the order observed in the camp and on the march, no mention is made of the ark of the covenant going in front of the whole army; but this omission is no more a proof of any discrepancy between this verse and Num 2:17, or of a difference of authorship, than the separation of the different divisions of the Levites upon the march, which is also not mentioned in Num 2:17, although the Gershonites and Merarites actually marched between the banners of Judah and Reuben, and the Kohathites with the holy things between the banners of Reuben and Ephraim (Num 10:17 and Num 10:21).

(Note: As the critics do not deny that vv. 11-28 are written by the "Elohist" notwithstanding this difference, they have no right to bring forward the account of the ark going first as a contradiction to ch. 2, and therefore a proof that Num 10:33. are not of Elohistic origin.)

The words, "the cloud was above them" (the Israelites), and so forth, can be reconciled with this supposition without any difficulty, whether we understand them as signifying that the cloud, which appeared as a guiding column floating above the ark and moved forward along with it, also extended itself along the whole procession, and spread out as a protecting shade over the whole army (as O. v. Gerlach and Baumgarten suppose), or that "above them" (upon them) is to be regarded as expressive of the fact that it accompanied them as a protection and shade. Nor is Psa 105:39, which seems, so far as the words are concerned, rather to favour the first explanation, really at variance with this view; for the Psalmist's intention is not so much to give a physical description of the phenomenon, as to describe the sheltering protection of God in poetical words as a spreading out of the cloud above the wandering people of God, in the form of a protection against both heat and rain (cf. Isa 4:5-6). Moreover, Num 10:33 and Num 10:34 have a poetical character, answering to the elevated nature of their subject, and are to be interpreted as follows according to the laws of a poetical parallelism: The one thought that the ark of the covenant, with the cloud soaring above it, led the way and sheltered those who were marching, is divided into two clauses; in Num 10:33 only the ark of the covenant is mentioned as going in front of the Israelites, and in Num 10:34 only the cloud as a shelter over them: whereas the carrying of the ark in front of the army could only accomplish the end proposed, viz., to search out a resting-place for them, by Jehovah going above them in the cloud, and showing the bearers of the ark both the way they were to take, and the place where they were to rest. The ark with the tables of the law is not called "the ark of testimony" here, according to its contents, as in Exo 25:22; Exo 26:33-34; Exo 30:6, etc., but the ark of the covenant of Jehovah, according to its design and signification for Israel, which was the only point, or at any rate the principal point, in consideration here. The resting-place which the ark of the covenant found at the end of three days, is not mentioned in Num 10:34; it was not Tabeerah, however (Num 11:3), but Kibroth-hattaavah (Num 11:34-35; cf. Num 33:16).

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
Three days - With continued journeys; only it seems probable, that the cloud made little pauses that they might have time for sleep and necessary refreshments. The ark went before them - Altho' in their stations it was in the middle, yet in their marches it went before them; and the cloud was constantly over the ark whether it stood or went; therefore the ark is said to go before and direct them, not as if the ark could be seen of all the camps, which being carried only upon mens shoulders was impossible; but because the cloud, which always attended upon the ark, and did, together with the ark, constitute, in a manner, one sign of God's presence, did lead and direct them. To search out - A metaphorical expression, for discovering to them; for the ark could not search, and God, who knew all places and things, needed not to search.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
The ark - went before them - We find from Num 10:21 that the ark was carried by the Kohathites in the center of the army; but as the army never moved till the cloud was taken up, it is said to go before them, i. e., to be the first to move, as without this motion the Israelites continued in their encampments.

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¹⁹ And the angel [04397] of God [0430], which went [01980] before [06440] the camp [04264] of Israel [03478], removed [05265] and went [03212] behind [0310] them; and the pillar [05982] of the cloud [06051] went [05265] from before their face [06440], and stood [05975] behind [0310] them:

¹⁰ Give [05414] me now wisdom [02451] and knowledge [04093], that I may go out [03318] and come in [0935] before [06440] this people [05971]: for who can judge [08199] this thy people [05971], that is so great [01419]?

¹⁶ But all Israel [03478] and Judah [03063] loved [0157] David [01732], because he went out [03318] and came in [0935] before [06440] them.

³ The LORD [03068] thy God [0430], he will go over [05674] before [06440] thee, and he will destroy [08045] these nations [01471] from before [06440] thee, and thou shalt possess [03423] them: and Joshua [03091], he shall go over [05674] before [06440] thee, as the LORD [03068] hath said [01696].

¹⁷ Which may go out [03318] before [06440] them, and which may go in [0935] before [06440] them, and which may lead them out [03318], and which may bring them in [0935]; that the congregation [05712] of the LORD [03068] be not as sheep [06629] which have no shepherd [07462].

⁶ And Joshua [03091] spake [0559] unto the priests [03548], saying [0559], Take up [05375] the ark [0727] of the covenant [01285], and pass over [05674] before [06440] the people [05971]. And they took up [05375] the ark [0727] of the covenant [01285], and went [03212] before [06440] the people [05971].

³ And they commanded [06680] the people [05971], saying [0559], When ye see [07200] the ark [0727] of the covenant [01285] of the LORD [03068] your God [0430], and the priests [03548] the Levites [03881] bearing [05375] it, then ye shall remove [05265] from your place [04725], and go [01980] after [0310] it.

¹⁷ Then the tabernacle [0168] of the congregation [04150] shall set forward [05265] with the camp [04264] of the Levites [03881] in the midst [08432] of the camp [04264]: as they encamp [02583], so shall they set forward [05265], every man [0376] in his place [03027] by their standards [01714].

²¹ And the Kohathites [06956] set forward [05265], bearing [05375] the sanctuary [04720]: and the other did set up [06965] the tabernacle [04908] against they came [0935].

¹² Then [5119] returned they [5290] unto [1519] Jerusalem [2419] from [575] the mount [3735] called [2564] Olivet [1638], which [3739] is [2076] from [1451] Jerusalem [2419] a sabbath [4521] day's journey [2192] [3598].

²² So Moses [04872] brought [05265] Israel [03478] from the Red [05488] sea [03220], and they went out [03318] into the wilderness [04057] of Shur [07793]; and they went [03212] three [07969] days [03117] in the wilderness [04057], and found [04672] no water [04325].

²⁷ We will go [03212] three [07969] days [03117]' journey [01870] into the wilderness [04057], and sacrifice [02076] to the LORD [03068] our God [0430], as he shall command [0559] us.

³ And they said [0559], The God [0430] of the Hebrews [05680] hath met [07122] with us: let us go [03212], we pray thee, three [07969] days [03117]' journey [01870] into the desert [04057], and sacrifice [02076] unto the LORD [03068] our God [0430]; lest he fall [06293] upon us with pestilence [01698], or with the sword [02719].

¹⁸ And they shall hearken [08085] to thy voice [06963]: and thou shalt come [0935], thou and the elders [02205] of Israel [03478], unto the king [04428] of Egypt [04714], and ye shall say [0559] unto him, The LORD [03068] God [0430] of the Hebrews [05680] hath met [07136] with us: and now let us go [03212], we beseech thee, three [07969] days [03117]' journey [01870] into the wilderness [04057], that we may sacrifice [02076] to the LORD [03068] our God [0430].

³⁶ And he set [07760] three [07969] days [03117]' journey [01870] betwixt himself and Jacob [03290]: and Jacob [03290] fed [07462] the rest [03498] of Laban's [03837] flocks [06629].

¹⁶ And they removed [05265] from the desert [04057] of Sinai [05514], and pitched [02583] at Kibrothhattaavah [06914].

³⁴ And he called [07121] the name [08034] of that place [04725] Kibrothhattaavah [06914]: because there they buried [06912] the people [05971] that lusted [0183].
³⁵ And the people [05971] journeyed [05265] from Kibrothhattaavah [06914] unto Hazeroth [02698]; and abode at Hazeroth [02698].

³ And he called [07121] the name [08034] of the [01931] place [04725] Taberah [08404]: because the fire [0784] of the LORD [03068] burnt [01197] among them.

³⁴ And the cloud [06051] of the LORD [03068] was upon them by day [03119], when they went out [05265] of the camp [04264].

⁶ And thou shalt put [05414] it before [06440] the vail [06532] that is by the ark [0727] of the testimony [05715], before [06440] the mercy seat [03727] that is over the testimony [05715], where I will meet [03259] with thee.

³³ And thou shalt hang up [05414] the vail [06532] under the taches [07165], that thou mayest bring [0935] in thither within [01004] the vail [06532] the ark [0727] of the testimony [05715]: and the vail [06532] shall divide [0914] unto you between the holy [06944] place and the most [06944] holy [06944].
³⁴ And thou shalt put [05414] the mercy seat [03727] upon the ark [0727] of the testimony [05715] in the most [06944] holy [06944] place.

²² And there I will meet [03259] with thee, and I will commune [01696] with thee from above the mercy seat [03727], from between [0996] the two [08147] cherubims [03742] which are upon [05921] the ark [0727] of the testimony [05715], of all things which I will give thee in commandment [06680] unto the children [01121] of Israel [03478].

³⁴ And the cloud [06051] of the LORD [03068] was upon them by day [03119], when they went out [05265] of the camp [04264].

³³ And they departed [05265] from the mount [02022] of the LORD [03068] three [07969] days [03117]' journey [01870]: and the ark [0727] of the covenant [01285] of the LORD [03068] went [05265] before [06440] them in the three [07969] days [03117]' journey [01870], to search out [08446] a resting place [04496] for them.

³⁴ And the cloud [06051] of the LORD [03068] was upon them by day [03119], when they went out [05265] of the camp [04264].

⁵ And the LORD [03068] will create [01254] upon every dwelling place [04349] of mount [02022] Zion [06726], and upon her assemblies [04744], a cloud [06051] and smoke [06227] by day [03119], and the shining [05051] of a flaming [03852] fire [0784] by night [03915]: for upon all the glory [03519] shall be a defence [02646].
⁶ And there shall be a tabernacle [05521] for a shadow [06738] in the daytime [03119] from the heat [02721], and for a place of refuge [04268], and for a covert [04563] from storm [02230] and from rain [04306].

³⁹ He spread [06566] a cloud [06051] for a covering [04539]; and fire [0784] to give light [0215] in the night [03915].

²¹ And the Kohathites [06956] set forward [05265], bearing [05375] the sanctuary [04720]: and the other did set up [06965] the tabernacle [04908] against they came [0935].

¹⁷ And the tabernacle [04908] was taken down [03381]; and the sons [01121] of Gershon [01648] and the sons [01121] of Merari [04847] set forward [05265], bearing [05375] the tabernacle [04908].

¹³ Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found [04672] grace [02580] in thy sight [05869], shew [03045] me now thy way [01870], that I may know [03045] thee, that I may find [04672] grace [02580] in thy sight [05869]: and consider [07200] that this nation [01471] is thy people [05971].

²¹ And the LORD [03068] went [01980] before [06440] them by day [03119] in a pillar [05982] of a cloud [06051], to lead [05148] them the way [01870]; and by night [03915] in a pillar [05982] of fire [0784], to give them light [0215]; to go [03212] by day [03119] and night [03915]:
²² He took not away [04185] the pillar [05982] of the cloud [06051] by day [03119], nor the pillar [05982] of fire [0784] by night [03915], from before [06440] the people [05971].

¹ Now Moses [04872] kept [01961] [07462] the flock [06629] of Jethro [03503] his father in law [02859], the priest [03548] of Midian [04080]: and he led [05090] the flock [06629] to the backside [0310] of the desert [04057], and came [0935] to the mountain [02022] of God [0430], even to Horeb [02722].

²¹ And the Kohathites [06956] set forward [05265], bearing [05375] the sanctuary [04720]: and the other did set up [06965] the tabernacle [04908] against they came [0935].