Numbers, Chapter 10

Numbers Chapter 10

Verses 1-36: The Silver Trumpets and the Journey from Sinai

1. The Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
2. “Make two trumpets of silver; of a whole piece shall you make them, that you may use them for the calling of the assembly and for the journeying of the camps.
3. And when they shall blow with them, all the assembly shall assemble themselves to you at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
4. If they blow but with one trumpet, then the princes, which are heads of the thousands of Israel, shall gather themselves unto you.
5. When you blow an alarm, then the camps that lie on the east parts shall go forward.
6. When you blow an alarm the second time, then the camps that lie on the south side shall take their journey: they shall blow an alarm for their journeys.
7. But when the congregation is to be gathered together, you shall blow, but you shall not sound an alarm.
8. And the sons of Aaron, the priests, shall blow with the trumpets; and they shall be to you for an ordinance forever throughout your generations.
9. And if you go to war in your land against the enemy that oppresses you, then you shall blow an alarm with the trumpets; and you shall be remembered before the Lord your God, and you shall be saved from your enemies.
10. Also in the day of your gladness, and in your solemn days, and in the beginnings of your months, you shall blow with the trumpets over your burnt offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; that they may be to you for a memorial before your God: I am the Lord your God.”
11. And it came to pass on the twentieth day of the second month, in the second year, that the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle of the testimony.
12. And the children of Israel took their journeys out of the wilderness of Sinai; and the cloud rested in the wilderness of Paran.
13. They first took their journey according to the commandment of the Lord by the hand of Moses.
14. In the first place went the standard of the camp of the children of Judah according to their armies: and over his host was Nahshon the son of Amminadab.
15. And over the host of the tribe of the children of Issachar was Nethaneel the son of Zuar.
16. And over the host of the tribe of the children of Zebulun was Eliab the son of Helon.
17. And the tabernacle was taken down; and the sons of Gershon and the sons of Merari set forward, bearing the tabernacle.
18. And the standard of the camp of Reuben set forward according to their armies: and over his host was Elizur the son of Shedeur.
19. And over the host of the tribe of the children of Simeon was Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai.
20. And over the host of the tribe of the children of Gad was Eliasaph the son of Deuel.
21. And the Kohathites set forward, bearing the sanctuary: and the other did set up the tabernacle against they came.
22. And the standard of the camp of the children of Ephraim set forward according to their armies: and over his host was Elishama the son of Ammihud.
23. And over the host of the tribe of the children of Manasseh was Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.
24. And over the host of the tribe of the children of Benjamin was Abidan the son of Gideoni.
25. And the standard of the camp of the children of Dan set forward, which was the rereward of all the camps throughout their hosts: and over his host was Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.
26. And over the host of the tribe of the children of Asher was Pagiel the son of Ocran.
27. And over the host of the tribe of the children of Naphtali was Ahira the son of Enan.
28. Thus were the journeyings of the children of Israel according to their armies, when they set forward.
29. And Moses said unto Hobab, the son of Raguel the Midianite, Moses’ father in law, “We are journeying unto the place of which the Lord said, ‘I will give it you’: come you with us, and we will do you good: for the Lord has spoken good concerning Israel.”
30. And he said unto him, “I will not go; but I will depart to mine own land, and to my kindred.”
31. And he said, “Leave us not, I pray you; forasmuch as you know how we are to encamp in the wilderness, and you may be to us instead of eyes.
32. And it shall be, if you go with us, yea, it shall be, that what goodness the Lord shall do unto us, the same will we do unto you.”
33. And they departed from the mount of the Lord three days’ journey: and the ark of the covenant of the Lord went before them in the three days’ journey, to search out a resting place for them.
34. And the cloud of the Lord was upon them by day, when they went out of the camp.
35. And it came to pass, when the ark set forward, that Moses said, “Rise up, Lord, and let your enemies be scattered; and let them that hate you flee before you.”
36. And when it rested, he said, “Return, O Lord, unto the many thousands of Israel.”

Interpretation: This chapter introduces the use of silver trumpets for communication within the Israelite community, providing instructions for their use in various situations including calling the assembly, signalling to move camp, and during times of war and celebration. The trumpets symbolize divine communication and guidance, ensuring the community remains cohesive and responsive to both human and divine leadership. The detailed account of the Israelite’s departure from Sinai and their organized journey, led by the Ark and the cloud of the Lord, emphasizes the structured and divine-led governance of the people. The interaction between Moses and Hobab highlights the importance of community and wisdom in navigating the wilderness, offering a glimpse into the practical aspects of their journey and the human relationships that influenced their travel. The invocation Moses uses as the Ark sets out and rests further underscores the Israelites’ reliance on divine protection and guidance throughout their journey.