OET interlinear NUM 9:18

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / explicitinfo

עַל־פִּ֣י יְהוָ֗ה יִסְעוּ֙ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וְ⁠עַל־פִּ֥י יְהוָ֖ה יַחֲנ֑וּ

on/upon/above/on_account_of//he/it_went_in command_of YHWH set_out sons_of Yisrael and,on command_of YHWH encamped

It might seem that the expression upon the mouth of Yahweh contains extra information that would not be natural to express in your language. If so, you could shorten it. Alternate translation: [Upon the mouth of Yahweh the sons of Israel both set out and camp]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

עַל־פִּ֣י יְהוָ֗ה & וְ⁠עַל־פִּ֥י יְהוָ֖ה

on/upon/above/on_account_of//he/it_went_in command_of YHWH & and,on command_of YHWH

Here, mouth represents what Yahweh said or commanded. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: [When Yahweh tells them to, … and when Yahweh tells them to,]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

עַל־פִּ֣י יְהוָ֗ה & וְ⁠עַל־פִּ֥י יְהוָ֖ה

on/upon/above/on_account_of//he/it_went_in command_of YHWH & and,on command_of YHWH

The implication is that Yahweh communicated his commands through the movement of the cloud. When it moved or stayed in place, this showed his will for the Israelites’ travel. The phrase upon the mouth of Yahweh refers to Yahweh’s commands or instructions. You could include this information if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [Upon the mouth of Yahweh, made known by the cloud, … and upon the mouth of Yahweh, made known by the cloud,]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / personification

יִשְׁכֹּ֧ן הֶ⁠עָנָ֛ן

stayed the,cloud

The author is speaking of the cloud as if it were a living thing that could live or stay in a place. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. See how you translated the similar words in 9:17. Alternate translation: [Yahweh has the cloud remain]