Teks -- Numbers 9:15 (NET)

The Leading of the Lord

9:15 On the day that the tabernacle was set up, the cloud covered the tabernacle– the tent of the testimony– and from evening until morning there was a fiery appearance over the tabernacle.

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per frasa)

Wesley: Num 9:15 - Namely, the tent of the testimony

Or, the tabernacle above the tent of the testimony, that is, that part of the tabernacle in which was the testimony, or the ark of the testimony; for there the cloudy pillar stood. This was an evident token of God's special presence with, and providence over them. And this cloud was easily distinguished from other clouds, both by its peculiar figure and by its constant residence in that place.

Wesley: Num 9:15 - Fire

That they might better discern it and direct themselves and their journeys or stations by it. Had it been a cloud only, it had scarce been visible by night: And had it been a fire only, it would have been scarce discernable by day. But God was pleased to give them sensible demonstrations, that he kept them night and day.

JFB: Num 9:15 - 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 Num 10:29 [CALMET]. The cloud was a visible token of God's special presence and guardian care of the Israelites (Exo 14:20; Psa 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 (Lev 16:2).

Clarke: Num 9:15 - The cloud covered the tabernacle

The cloud covered the tabernacle - See the whole account of this supernatural cloud largely explained, Exo 23:21; and Exo 40:34-38. Calmet observes that the 15th verse, beginning a new subject, should begin a new chapter, as it has no connection with what goes before; and he thinks this chapter, begun with the 15th verse, should end with the 28th verse of the following. (Exo 10:28)

TSK: Num 9:15 - on the day // the cloud // at even

on the day : Exo 40:2, Exo 40:18

the cloud : Num 14:14; Exo 14:19, Exo 14:20, Exo 14:24, Exo 33:9, Exo 33:10, Exo 40:34; Neh 9:12, Neh 9:19; Psa 78:14, Psa 105:39; Isa 4:5; Eze 10:3, Eze 10:4; 1Co 10:1

at even : Exo 13:21, Exo 40:38

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per Ayat)

Poole: Num 9:15 - the tent of the testimony // The appearance of fire

1490 Of the cloud , see Exo 13:21 . The tabernacle, namely,

the tent of the testimony or, the tabernacle towards or above the tent of the testimony , i.e. that part of the tabernacle in which was the testimony, or the ark of the testimony; for there the cloudy pillar stood, Lev 16:2 . This was an evident token of God’ s special presence with and providence over them. See Exo 14:20,24 Ps 105:39 . And this cloud was easily distinguished from other clouds, both by its peculiar figure and by its constant residence in that place.

The appearance of fire that they might better discern it, and direct themselves and their journeys or stations by it.

Haydock: Num 9:15 - A cloud

A cloud, and fire, alternately covered the tabernacle of the covenant, which was 30 cubits long and 15 broad. The pagans, perhaps, hence took occasion to accuse the Jews of adoring the clouds. Nil præter nubis & cœli Numen adorant. (Juvenal, Sat. xiv.) (Calmet)

Gill: Num 9:15 - And on the day that the tabernacle was reared up // the cloud covered the tabernacle, namely, the tent of the testimony // and at even there was upon the tabernacle, as it were, the appearance of fire until the morning

And on the day that the tabernacle was reared up,.... Which was the first day of the first month in the second year of the people of Israel's coming out of Egypt, Exo 40:1,

the cloud covered the tabernacle, namely, the tent of the testimony; that part of the tabernacle in which the testimony was, that is, where the ark was, in which the law was put, called the testimony; and this was the most holy place; and over the tent or covering of that was this cloud, which settled upon it, as Ben Gersom thinks, after the seven days of the consecration of Aaron and his sons; on the eighth day, when it was said unto the people of Israel, "today will the Lord appear unto you", Lev 9:1; "and the glory of the Lord shall appear unto you", Lev 9:6; and here the Targum of Jonathan calls this cloud the cloud of glory, because of the glory of God in it; of which see Exo 40:34,

and at even there was upon the tabernacle, as it were, the appearance of fire until the morning; the same phenomenon, which looked like a cloud in the daytime, appeared like fire in the same place in the nighttime, throughout the whole of it until morning light, when it was seen as a cloud again: this was a token of the presence of God with the people of Israel, of his protection of them, and being a guide unto them by night and day, while in the wilderness; and was a figure of his being the same to his church and people, in the present state of things; see Isa 4:5.