At the command of the LORD the people of Israel set out, and at the command of the LORD they encamped: The Israelites broke camp and set up camp at the LORD’s command. He indicated where he wanted them to go through the movements of the cloud. At the command of the LORD is literally “upon the mouth of the LORD” (see 3.16). For set out and encamped, see the previous verse.

As long as the cloud rested over the tabernacle, they remained in camp may be rendered “As long as the cloud stayed over the Tabernacle, they would remain in camp” (similarly New Revised Standard Version). For tabernacle see verse 15.

Quoted with permission from de Regt, Lénart J. and Wendland, Ernst R. A Handbook on Numbers. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2016. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .