Numbers10
New American Standard
1The Lord spoke further to Moses, saying,
2“Make yourself two trumpets of silver, you shall make them of hammered work; and you shall use them for summoning the congregation and breaking camp.
3Now when both are blown, all the congregation shall meet you at the entrance of the tent of meeting.
4But if only one is blown, then the leaders, the heads of the divisions of Israel, shall meet you.
5And when you blow an alarm, the camps that are pitched on the east side shall set out.
6Then when you sound an alarm the second time, the camps that are pitched on the south side shall set out; an alarm is to be sounded for them to break camp.
7When convening the assembly, however, you shall blow the trumpets without sounding an alarm.
8The sons of Aaron, moreover, the priests, shall blow the trumpets; and this shall be a permanent statute for you throughout your generations.
9And when you go to war in your land against the enemy who attacks you, then you shall sound an alarm with the trumpets, so that you will be thought of by the Lord your God, and be saved from your enemies.
10Also on the day of your joy and at your appointed feasts, and on the first days of your months, you shall blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; and they shall be as a reminder of you before your God. I am the Lord your God.”
11Now in the second year, in the second month, on the twentieth of the month, the cloud was lifted from above the tabernacle of the testimony;
12and the sons of Israel set out on their journeys from the wilderness of Sinai. Then the cloud settled in the wilderness of Paran.
13So they moved on for the first time in accordance with the command of the Lord through Moses.
14The flag of the camp of the sons of Judah, by their armies, set out first, with Nahshon the son of Amminadab, over its army,
15and Nethanel the son of Zuar, over the tribal army of the sons of Issachar;
16and Eliab the son of Helon over the tribal army of the sons of Zebulun.
17Then the tabernacle was taken down; and the sons of Gershon and the sons of Merari, who were carrying the tabernacle, set out.
18Next the flag of the camp of Reuben, by their armies, set out with Elizur the son of Shedeur, over its army,
19and Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai over the tribal army of the sons of Simeon,
20and Eliasaph the son of Deuel was over the tribal army of the sons of Gad.
21Then the Kohathites set out, carrying the holy objects; and the tabernacle was set up before their arrival.
22Next the flag of the camp of the sons of Ephraim, by their armies, set out, with Elishama the son of Ammihud over its army,
23and Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur over the tribal army of the sons of Manasseh;
24and Abidan the son of Gideoni over the tribal army of the sons of Benjamin.
25Then the flag of the camp of the sons of Dan, by their armies, which formed the rear guard for all the camps, set out, with Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai over its army,
26and Pagiel the son of Ochran over the tribal army of the sons of Asher;
27and Ahira the son of Enan over the tribal army of the sons of Naphtali.
28This was the order of marching for the sons of Israel by their armies as they set out.
29Then Moses said to Hobab the son of Reuel the Midianite, Moses’ father-in-law, “We are setting out to the place of which the Lord said, ‘I will give it to you.’ Come with us and we will do you good, for the Lord has promised good concerning Israel.”
30But he said to him, “I will not come, but rather will go to my own land and relatives.”
31Then he said, “Please do not leave us, since you know where we should camp in the wilderness, and you will be as eyes for us.
32So it will be, if you go with us, that whatever good the Lord does for us, we will do for you.”
33So they moved on from the mountain of the Lord three days’ journey, with the ark of the covenant of the Lord going on in front of them for the three days, to seek out a resting place for them.
34And the cloud of the Lord was over them by day when they set out from the camp.
35Then it came about when the ark set out that Moses said, “Rise up, Lord! And may Your enemies be scattered, And those who hate You flee from Your presence.”
36And when it came to rest, he said, “Return, Lord, To the myriad thousands of Israel.”
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Numbers 10.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The silver trumpets. (1–10). The Israelites remove from Sinai to Paran. (11–28). Hobab entreated by Moses to continue. (29–32). The blessing pronounced by Moses. (33–36).
vv1-10
Here are directions concerning the public notices to be given the people by sound of trumpet. Their laws in every case were to be Divine, therefore, even in this matter Moses is directed. These trumpets typify the preached gospel. It sounds an alarm to sinners, calls them to repent, proclaims liberty to the captives and slaves of Satan, and collects the worshippers of God. It directs and encourages their heavenly journey; stirs them up to combat against the world and sin, encouraging them with the assurance of victory. It leads their attention to the sacrifice of Christ, and shows the Lord's presence for their protection. It is also necessary that the gospel trumpet give a distinct sound, according to the persons addressed, or the end proposed; whether to convince, humble, console, exhort, reprove, or teach. The sounding of the trumpet of the gospel is God's ordinance, and demands the attention of all to whom it is sent. (Nu 10:11-28)
vv11-28
After the Israelites had continued nearly a year at mount Sinai, and all was settled respecting their future worship, they began their march to Canaan. True religion begins with the knowledge of the holy law of God, and humiliation for sin, but we must go on towards perfection, in acquaintance with Christ and his gospel, and those effectual encouragements, motives, and assistances to holiness, which it proposes. They took their journey according to the commandment of the Lord, De 1:6–8, and as the cloud led them. Those who give themselves to the direction of God's word and Spirit, steer a steady course, even when they seem bewildered. While they are sure they cannot lose their God and Guide, they need not fear losing their way. They went out of the wilderness of Sinai, and rested in the wilderness of Paran. All our removes in this world are but from one wilderness to another. The changes we think will be for the better do not always prove so. We shall never be at rest, never at home, till we come to heaven, but all will be well there.
vv29-32
Moses invites his kindred to go to Canaan. Those that are bound for the heavenly Canaan, should ask and encourage their friends to go with them: we shall have none the less of the joys of heaven, for others coming to share with us. It is good having fellowship with those who have fellowship with God. But the things of this world, which are seen, draw strongly from the pursuit of the things of the other world, which are not seen. Moses urges that Hobab might be serviceable to them. Not to show where they must encamp, nor what way they must march, the cloud was to direct that; but to show the conveniences of the place they marched through, and encamped in. It well consists with our trust in God's providence, to use the help of our friends.
Key Words
דָבַר: perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
מֹשֶׁה: Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver
אָמַר: to say (used with great latitude)
עָשָׂה: to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
שְׁנַיִם: two; also (as ordinal) twofold
כֶּסֶף: silver (from its pale color); by implication, money
חֲצֹצְרָה: a trumpet (from its sundered or quavering note)
מִקְשָׁה: rounded work, i.e. moulded by hammering (repousse)
הָיָה: to exist, i.e. be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
מִקְרָא: something called out, i.e. a public meeting (the act, the persons, or the place); also a rehearsal
Cross References
Numbers 10Direct verbal echo: "Rise up, Lord, and let thine enemies be scattered" matches David's prayer.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Historical execution of this command: Phinehas goes to war against Midian with the holy trumpets.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Abijah's army sounds the silver trumpets in battle, trusting God's promise to be remembered.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Scriptural mandate to blow the trumpet at the new moon and solemn feast days.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The divine command at Horeb/Sinai instructing Israel that they have dwelt long enough here.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The historical connection where the lifting of the cloud dictates the journeying of Israel.
Supported by JFB
Establishes the absolute rule of moving only when the cloud is taken up.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Matches the designated marching order: Judah first, Gershon/Merari, Reuben, then Kohath bearing sanctuary.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Verifies that after several journeys, Israel again pitched in the wilderness of Paran.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallels Hobab's desire to return to his own land and kindred.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Hobab serving "instead of eyes" parallel to being "eyes to the blind" in wilderness.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Defines the "whole piece" (beaten work of pure metal) used for holy instruments.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Prophetic reuse of blowing the trumpet and sounding an alarm in the holy mountain.
Supported by Matthew Henry
God searching out a land of rest for His people, matching the ark's purpose.
Supported by Matthew Henry