KAM

“When the ark moved forward, Moshe said, ‘Arise, Adonai! May your enemies be scattered! Let those who hate you flee before you!’ When it stopped, he said, ‘Return, Adonai of the many many thousands of Isra’el!’”
Numbers 10:35-36

Beginning is Numbers 10:11, we see the fire-cloud moving and the people of Isra’el breaking down camp to follow. With the tribe of Y’hudah leading the way, the entire community ventured on a three day journey. In verse 33 we read that the ark of Adonai’s covenant went ahead of the people. This is the exact same detail we read of as the children of Isra’el crossed over the Jordan with the Jordan’s water’s being dammed up under Joshua’s command. But it is the words Moshe spoke that I want us to look at.
When the ark moved forward, a chant went out stating, “’Arise, Adonai! May your enemies be scattered! Let those who hate you flee before you!’” As one who loves to look at the words in the original text, I cannot help but look at the word ‘arise’ in this verse. The word in Hebrew is KAM. Kam is a verb, meaning to move into a position to attack or advance. If we look at this verse with this meaning, I believe we see the strength of what Moshe is saying. “Advance! Position to attack, Adonai! May your enemies be scattered!” As the ark went forward, Adonai combated the forces that would come in its way.
But just as words were spoken for its going out, so they were spoken for its return. When the battle was over and the camp of Isra’el returned, the Tabernacle was re-erected. The ark of the covenant was returned to its resting place in the Tabernacle, then being a piece of prominence within the camp.

Numbers 10:11-34
Numbers 10:35 – 11:29