John Calvin Commentary Numbers 9:18

"At the commandment of Jehovah the children of Israel journeyed, and at the commandment of Jehovah they encamped: as long as the cloud abode upon the tabernacle they remained encamped." — Numbers 9:18 (ASV)

At the commandment of the Lord.² The mouth is here used by metonymy for speech; nor does the Hebraism seem to me so harsh that it cannot be appropriately retained.

But it is asked whether God actually spoke or not, for the word mouth is often repeated. It is indeed likely that Moses was instructed only once what was meant by the removal or remaining of the cloud; yet I do not doubt that the name of word or commandment was given to the sign, since God speaks as much to the eyes by outward signs as He does to the ears by His voice.

Still, from this mode of expression we may gather that the use of signs³ is perverted and nullified unless they are taken to be visible doctrine, as Augustine writes. The repetition, which certainly has considerable force, shows how worthy this is of observation.

² “At the mouth of the Lord.” — Lat.

³ “Des sacremens.” — Fr. I cannot find that Augustin anywhere uses the exact words which I cannot find that Augustin anywhere uses the exact words which C. here attributes to him. In his here attributes to him. In his Tract. in Evang. Johan., 80. Section 3, however, he says, “Detrahe verbum, et quid est aqua nisi aqua? Accedit verbum ad elementum, et fit sacramentum, etiam ipsum tanquam 80. Section 3, however, he says, “Detrahe verbum, et quid est aqua nisi aqua? Accedit verbum ad elementum, et fit sacramentum, etiam ipsum tanquam visibile verbum.” (Edit. Bened. vol. 3, part. 2, p. 703.) And again, .” (Edit. Bened. vol. 3, part. 2, p. 703.) And again, Contra Faustum, lib. 19. 19. cap. 16: “Quid enim sunt aliud quaeque corporalia sacramenta, nisi quaedam quasi 16: “Quid enim sunt aliud quaeque corporalia sacramenta, nisi quaedam quasi verba visibiliar? Etc. Vol. 8:32l. Both these passages are quoted by Etc. Vol. 8:32l. Both these passages are quoted by C. Inst. 4, 14. Section 6.4, 14. Section 6.