Numbers 10:1-8

1 The Lord said to Moses,

2 "Make two trumpets of hammered silver to use for calling the people together and for breaking camp.

3 When long blasts are sounded on both trumpets, the whole community is to gather around you at the entrance to the Tent of my presence.

4 But when only one trumpet is sounded, then only the leaders of the clans are to gather around you.

5 When short blasts are sounded, the tribes camped on the east will move out.

6 When short blasts are sounded a second time, the tribes on the south will move out. So short blasts are to be sounded to break camp,

7 but in order to call the community together, long blasts are to be sounded.

8 The trumpets are to be blown by Aaron's sons, the priests. "The following rule is to be observed for all time to come.

Numbers 10:1-8 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.