What is new in this verse is that it defines the relation between the LORD’s commands and Moses’ authority. The LORD issued instructions and Moses commanded the Israelites to do them (so Levine, page 300). He was the mediator between the people and the LORD.

At the command of the LORD they encamped, and at the command of the LORD they set out: See verse 18. As noted there, at the command of the LORD is literally “upon the mouth of the LORD.” In some languages this repeated figurative expression (or something similar) may be easier to translate.

They kept the charge of the LORD, at the command of the LORD by Moses: For kept the charge of the LORD, see verse 19. Through Moses is literally “by the hand of Moses” (see 4.37), which possibly stresses his agency and/or authority. In any case, this expression occurs in a prominent position at the end of this paragraph and larger section of discourse.

The tragedy of the Israelites’ subsequent disobedience (chapter 11) is emphatically foreshadowed by this entire section, which stresses their implicit obedience to every direction and command of the LORD.

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 .