Numbers 10:1-10

1 God spoke to Moses:

2 "Make two bugles of hammered silver. Use them to call the congregation together and give marching orders to the camps.

3 When you blow them, the whole community will meet you at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting.

4 "When a bugle gives a single, short blast, that's the signal for the leaders, the heads of the clans, to assemble.

5 When it gives a long blast, that's the signal to march. At the first blast the tribes who were camped on the east set out.

6 At the second blast the camps on the south set out. The long blasts are the signals to march.

7 The bugle call that gathers the assembly is different from the signal to march.

8 "The sons of Aaron, the priests, are in charge of blowing the bugles; it's their assigned duty down through the generations.

9 When you go to war against an aggressor, blow a long blast on the bugle so that God will notice you and deliver you from your enemies.

10 Also at times of celebration, at the appointed feasts and New Moon festivals, blow the bugles over your Whole-Burnt-Offerings and Peace-Offerings: they will keep your attention on God. I am God, your God." The March from Sinai to Paran

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.