John Calvin Commentary Numbers 9:17

"And whenever the cloud was taken up from over the Tent, then after that the children of Israel journeyed: and in the place where the cloud abode, there the children of Israel encamped." — Numbers 9:17 (ASV)

And when the cloud was taken up from the tabernacle. Moses previously informed us that the tabernacle was so distinguished by a visible miracle that God made it clear that He dwelt there: not that He left heaven and removed to that earthly house, but in order to be near to His people by the presence of His power and grace, whenever He was invoked by them. He now reports another miracle: that God, by lifting up the cloud, gave a sign, as it were, by which He commanded them to strike the camp; and when the cloud rested on the tabernacle, it was a sign that they should remain where they were.

Here, however, a question arises. Since it has already been said that, immediately after their departure from Egypt, the cloud was like a banner to direct the march of the people, it follows that they were not now for the first time instructed by its being lifted up to collect their baggage and ordered, as it were, to advance.

The answer is easy: the people were indeed previously directed by the sight of the cloud, as we have seen. But here a new fact is related, namely, that since the tabernacle was set up, the cloud, which until then was suspended in the air and went before the camp, now settled on the sanctuary: for a fresh bestowal of grace is here proclaimed by the more certain and clear sign, as if God showed Himself more closely and familiarly as the leader of the people. Although, therefore, the cloud had been the director of their march from the very beginning, yet it more fully illustrated the glory of the tabernacle when it proceeded from there.