Numbers 10:1-10

Two Silver Trumpets

1 The Lord spoke to Moses:
2 "Make two trumpets of hammered silver to summon the community[a] and have the camps set out.
3 When both are sounded in long blasts, the entire community is to gather before you at the entrance to the tent of meeting.
4 However, if one is sounded, only the leaders, the heads of Israel's clans,[b] are to gather before you.
5 "When you sound short blasts, the camps pitched on the east[c] are to set out.
6 When you sound short blasts a second time, the camps pitched on the south[d] are to set out. Short blasts are to be sounded for them to set out.
7 When calling the assembly together, you are to sound long blasts, not short ones.
8 The sons of Aaron, the priests, are to sound the trumpets. Your use of these is a permanent statute throughout your generations.
9 "When you enter into battle in your land against an adversary who is attacking you, sound short blasts on the trumpets, and you will be remembered before the Lord your God and be delivered from your enemies.[e]
10 You are to sound the trumpets over your burnt offerings and your fellowship sacrifices and on your joyous occasions, your appointed festivals, and the beginning of each of your months. They will serve as a reminder for you before your God: I am the Lord your God."[f]

Numbers 10:1-10 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO NUMBERS 10

This chapter gives an account of the directions given for making two silver trumpets, and of the use of them, the ends and purposes for which they were to be made, Nu 10:1-10; and of the time of taking up of the cloud from the tabernacle, and of the removal of the camp of Israel from the wilderness of Sinai, and of the order of their march, Nu 10:11-28; when Moses most earnestly passed Hobab, his brother in law, to continue with him, Nu 10:29-32; and the chapter is closed with the prayer of Moses at the setting forward of the ark, and the resting of it, Nu 10:33-36.

Footnotes 6

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