American King James Version - AKJV - 1999
Numbers 10
1
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
2
Make you 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.
Reference
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.
Reference
Parallel theme
Jeremiah 4:5
4
And if they blow but with one trumpet, then the princes, which are heads of the thousands of Israel, shall gather themselves to you.
Reference
5
When you blow an alarm, then the camps that lie on the east parts shall go forward.
Reference
Parallel theme
Numbers 10:14
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.
Reference
Parallel theme
Numbers 10:18
7
But when the congregation is to be gathered together, you shall blow, but you shall not sound an alarm.
Reference
Parallel theme
Joel 2:1
8
And the sons of Aaron, the priests, shall blow with the trumpets; and they shall be to you for an ordinance for ever throughout your generations.
Reference
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.
Reference
Parallel theme
Psalm 106:42
Joshua 6:5
Numbers 31:6
Judges 10:12
Judges 6:9
References God
1 Samuel 10:18
Genesis 8:1
References Lord
Judges 2:18
2 Chronicles 13:14
Salvation
Psalm 106:4
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.
Reference
Parallel theme
Psalm 81:3
Nehemiah 12:35
Leviticus 23:24
2 Chronicles 29:26
Numbers 29:1
References God
1 Chronicles 15:24
1 Thessalonians 4:16
Numbers 10:9
References Lord
2 Chronicles 7:6
Sacrifice
2 Chronicles 29:28
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 off 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.
Reference
Parallel theme
Genesis 21:21
Numbers 12:16
References Israel
Deuteronomy 1:1
Numbers 13:3
Numbers 13:26
Sin
Numbers 1:1
Numbers 9:5
13
And 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.
Reference
Parallel theme
Numbers 1:7
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.
Reference
Temple
Numbers 1:51
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.
Reference
Parallel theme
Numbers 1:5
19
And over the host of the tribe of the children of Simeon was Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai.
Reference
Parallel theme
Numbers 1:6
21
And the Kohathites set forward, bearing the sanctuary: and the other did set up the tabernacle against they came.
Reference
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.
Reference
Parallel theme
Numbers 1:10
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.
Reference
Parallel theme
Numbers 1:11
25
And the standard of the camp of the children of Dan set forward, which was the rear guard of all the camps throughout their hosts: and over his host was Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.
Reference
26
And over the host of the tribe of the children of Asher was Pagiel the son of Ocran.
Reference
Parallel theme
Numbers 1:13
27
And over the host of the tribe of the children of Naphtali was Ahira the son of Enan.
Reference
Parallel theme
Numbers 1:15
28
Thus were the journeys of the children of Israel according to their armies, when they set forward.
Reference
References Israel
Numbers 2:34
29
And Moses said to Hobab, the son of Raguel the Midianite, Moses' father in law, We are journeying to 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.
Reference
People
Good
Genesis 32:12
Parallel theme
Exodus 2:18
References Lord
Genesis 12:7
Word
Exodus 3:1
Judges 4:11
30
And he said to him, I will not go; but I will depart to my own land, and to my kindred.
31
And he said, Leave us not, I pray you; for as much as you know how we are to encamp in the wilderness, and you may be to us instead of eyes.
Reference
Parallel theme
Job 29:15
32
And it shall be, if you go with us, yes, it shall be, that what goodness the LORD shall do to us, the same will we do to you.
Reference
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.
Reference
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, to the many thousands of Israel.
Reference
References Lord
Deuteronomy 1:10
Summary of Numbers 10
Numbers 10 describes an important transition in Israel's pilgrimage through the wilderness. The children of Israel had tarried at Mount Sinai, where God had imparted his law to them and the tabernacle had been erected; but they were now to set forward on the journey leading to the Promised Land. The chapter contains an account of the silver trumpets by which the people were to be summoned to assemble, the orders in which the tribes were to march, and the journey itself.
The Lord instructed Moses to make two silver trumpets. These were to be used for such announcements as would be necessary in the midst of a great and scattered people. When both trumpets were blown, the whole congregation was to assemble at the door of the tabernacle. A single trumpet would call the princes, that is, the chief men of the tens of thousands of Israel. Notes from the trumpets were also to be played when Israel was to prepare for journeying. The eastern tribes were to move first when the signal was given.
The trumpets were also to be used when Israel was going to war against her enemies in the land. The priests and Levites were to sound an alarm upon them, and the Lord had promised to remember them and deliver them out of the hands of their foes. The trumpets were to sound on days of feasts, the set feasts, and the days of offerings; and thus they were associated with the regular rhythms of Israel's pilgrimage.
The Lord told Moses that the trumpets were to be made and sounded by the priests. They were to provide a systematic means of communication for the people. It is not surprising that signals from these trumpets would be necessary, since hundreds of thousands of people were making a pilgrimage through the wilderness. The people were to move as a single body rather than in a congeries of independent companies.
This great host had now left off its waiting. The twentieth day of the second month of the second year since their departure from Egypt was the day on which the cloud above the tabernacle had risen from over it. The children of Israel followed the directions they had been given. The first company to move off was the camp of the children of Judah. The tribes of Issachar and Zebulun followed. Then the Gershonites and Merarites took up their burden of the tabernacle furniture and moved off. The camp of Reuben was the next to move, followed by Simeon and Gad. The Kohathites followed with the holy furniture, their task being distinct from that of the Gershonites and Merarites, who had carried that which had been covered by the priests.
The camp of Ephraim followed the Kohathites. Ephraim was accompanied by Manasseh and Benjamin. The camp of Dan followed last of all, with Asher and Naphtali. The order of march had great significance. Israel was not a mob, but had become an organized body of troops. Each tribe had its place, each family within the tribe its responsibility. The Levites performed their peculiar task of bearing the tabernacle, while the other tribes acted as Israel's vanguard, center, and rear.
Moses addresses Hobab, the son of Reuel the Midianite. He asks him to come with the Israelites, for he knew the wilderness and could help them find suitable camping grounds. Hobab replied that he would rather return to his own land and his brethren. Moses entreats him not to leave them; but if he did, then he was to make Israel prosper.
The chapter ends with an interesting statement that was destined to become a familiar saying among Israel. When the ark of the covenant set forward, Moses called upon the Lord to rise up and let his enemies be scattered abroad. When the ark came to a stand, Moses prayed that the Lord would return to the ten thousands of Israel. The ark was the token of God's presence with his people, and its movements were intimately connected with those of Israel.
The children of Israel journey from the wilderness of Sinai and eventually halt in the wilderness of Paran. This marks the end of one phase of their journey and the beginning of another. They have left behind Mount Sinai, where they had been given the law and built the tabernacle, and now they were to move towards the land of promise.
Numbers 10 shows the kind of organization that was necessary for Israel to undertake such an undertaking as this march through the wilderness. The silver trumpets provided means of communication with the people. There was an order in which the tribes were to march, and the Levites were to bear the tabernacle. The movement of the nation was regulated by the cloud and the sound of the trumpets. Moses' orders were not to decide when the nation was to go, but rather to regulate the march in accordance with the will of God.
The chapter also shows the importance of the ark, which went before the people. Israel was not a lawgiver's people, but a pilgrim's people, and it needed guidance. Its guidance was to come from the Lord, and his directions were made known in the signals and sounds of the trumpets. The march of Israel was one of faithfulness, as is illustrated in Moses' conference with Hobab. Moses knew that a man acquainted with the wilderness might be of use to a traveling company such as Israel was, and he entreated Hobab to remain with them.
Numbers 10, then, is a chapter which serves to bridge Israel's sojourn at Mount Sinai and the march through the wilderness. The people had been given the law and had learned the order of march and the manner in which the tabernacle was to be handled. Now the cloud moved, the trumpets sounded, the tribes formed their order of march, and Israel began to move. After months of preparation, the nation was ready to journey to the land God had promised to give them.
The Lord instructed Moses to make two silver trumpets. These were to be used for such announcements as would be necessary in the midst of a great and scattered people. When both trumpets were blown, the whole congregation was to assemble at the door of the tabernacle. A single trumpet would call the princes, that is, the chief men of the tens of thousands of Israel. Notes from the trumpets were also to be played when Israel was to prepare for journeying. The eastern tribes were to move first when the signal was given.
The trumpets were also to be used when Israel was going to war against her enemies in the land. The priests and Levites were to sound an alarm upon them, and the Lord had promised to remember them and deliver them out of the hands of their foes. The trumpets were to sound on days of feasts, the set feasts, and the days of offerings; and thus they were associated with the regular rhythms of Israel's pilgrimage.
The Lord told Moses that the trumpets were to be made and sounded by the priests. They were to provide a systematic means of communication for the people. It is not surprising that signals from these trumpets would be necessary, since hundreds of thousands of people were making a pilgrimage through the wilderness. The people were to move as a single body rather than in a congeries of independent companies.
This great host had now left off its waiting. The twentieth day of the second month of the second year since their departure from Egypt was the day on which the cloud above the tabernacle had risen from over it. The children of Israel followed the directions they had been given. The first company to move off was the camp of the children of Judah. The tribes of Issachar and Zebulun followed. Then the Gershonites and Merarites took up their burden of the tabernacle furniture and moved off. The camp of Reuben was the next to move, followed by Simeon and Gad. The Kohathites followed with the holy furniture, their task being distinct from that of the Gershonites and Merarites, who had carried that which had been covered by the priests.
The camp of Ephraim followed the Kohathites. Ephraim was accompanied by Manasseh and Benjamin. The camp of Dan followed last of all, with Asher and Naphtali. The order of march had great significance. Israel was not a mob, but had become an organized body of troops. Each tribe had its place, each family within the tribe its responsibility. The Levites performed their peculiar task of bearing the tabernacle, while the other tribes acted as Israel's vanguard, center, and rear.
Moses addresses Hobab, the son of Reuel the Midianite. He asks him to come with the Israelites, for he knew the wilderness and could help them find suitable camping grounds. Hobab replied that he would rather return to his own land and his brethren. Moses entreats him not to leave them; but if he did, then he was to make Israel prosper.
The chapter ends with an interesting statement that was destined to become a familiar saying among Israel. When the ark of the covenant set forward, Moses called upon the Lord to rise up and let his enemies be scattered abroad. When the ark came to a stand, Moses prayed that the Lord would return to the ten thousands of Israel. The ark was the token of God's presence with his people, and its movements were intimately connected with those of Israel.
The children of Israel journey from the wilderness of Sinai and eventually halt in the wilderness of Paran. This marks the end of one phase of their journey and the beginning of another. They have left behind Mount Sinai, where they had been given the law and built the tabernacle, and now they were to move towards the land of promise.
Numbers 10 shows the kind of organization that was necessary for Israel to undertake such an undertaking as this march through the wilderness. The silver trumpets provided means of communication with the people. There was an order in which the tribes were to march, and the Levites were to bear the tabernacle. The movement of the nation was regulated by the cloud and the sound of the trumpets. Moses' orders were not to decide when the nation was to go, but rather to regulate the march in accordance with the will of God.
The chapter also shows the importance of the ark, which went before the people. Israel was not a lawgiver's people, but a pilgrim's people, and it needed guidance. Its guidance was to come from the Lord, and his directions were made known in the signals and sounds of the trumpets. The march of Israel was one of faithfulness, as is illustrated in Moses' conference with Hobab. Moses knew that a man acquainted with the wilderness might be of use to a traveling company such as Israel was, and he entreated Hobab to remain with them.
Numbers 10, then, is a chapter which serves to bridge Israel's sojourn at Mount Sinai and the march through the wilderness. The people had been given the law and had learned the order of march and the manner in which the tabernacle was to be handled. Now the cloud moved, the trumpets sounded, the tribes formed their order of march, and Israel began to move. After months of preparation, the nation was ready to journey to the land God had promised to give them.