Numbers Chapter 10 — The Silver Trumpets and the Departure
God commands the creation of silver trumpets to signal Israel's movements and assemblies as the nation departs from Mount Sinai for the wilderness.
1The LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
2“Make two trumpets of silver. You shall make them of beaten work. You shall use them for the calling of the congregation and for the journeying of the camps.
3When they blow them, all the congregation shall gather themselves to you at the door of the Tent of Meeting.
4If they blow just one, then the princes, the heads of the thousands of Israel, shall gather themselves to you.
5When you blow an alarm, the camps that lie on the east side shall go forward.
6When you blow an alarm the second time, the camps that lie on the south side shall go forward. They shall blow an alarm for their journeys.
7But when the assembly is to be gathered together, you shall blow, but you shall not sound an alarm.
8“The sons of Aaron, the priests, shall blow the trumpets. This shall be to you for a statute forever throughout your generations.
9When you go to war in your land against the adversary who oppresses you, then you shall sound an alarm with the trumpets. Then you will be remembered before the LORD your God, and you will be saved from your enemies.
10“Also in the day of your gladness, and in your set feasts, and in the beginnings of your months, you shall blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; and they shall be to you for a memorial before your God. I am the LORD your God.”
11In the second year, in the second month, on the twentieth day of the month, the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle of the covenant.
12The children of Israel went forward on their journeys out of the wilderness of Sinai; and the cloud stayed in the wilderness of Paran.
13They first went forward according to the commandment of the LORD by Moses.
14First, the standard of the camp of the children of Judah went forward according to their armies. Nahshon the son of Amminadab was over his army.
15Nethanel the son of Zuar was over the army of the tribe of the children of Issachar.
16Eliab the son of Helon was over the army of the tribe of the children of Zebulun.
17The tabernacle was taken down; and the sons of Gershon and the sons of Merari, who bore the tabernacle, went forward.
18The standard of the camp of Reuben went forward according to their armies. Elizur the son of Shedeur was over his army.
19Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai was over the army of the tribe of the children of Simeon.
20Eliasaph the son of Deuel was over the army of the tribe of the children of Gad.
21The Kohathites set forward, bearing the sanctuary. The others set up the tabernacle before they arrived.
22The standard of the camp of the children of Ephraim set forward according to their armies. Elishama the son of Ammihud was over his army.
23Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur was over the army of the tribe of the children of Manasseh.
24Abidan the son of Gideoni was over the army of the tribe of the children of Benjamin.
25The standard of the camp of the children of Dan, which was the rear guard of all the camps, set forward according to their armies. Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai was over his army.
26Pagiel the son of Ochran was over the army of the tribe of the children of Asher.
27Ahira the son of Enan was over the army of the tribe of the children of Naphtali.
28Thus were the travels of the children of Israel according to their armies; and they went forward.
29Moses said to Hobab, the son of Reuel the Midianite, Moses’ father-in-law, “We are journeying to the place of which the LORD said, ‘I will give it to you.’ Come with us, and we will treat you well; for the LORD has spoken good concerning Israel.”
30He said to him, “I will not go; but I will depart to my own land, and to my relatives.”
31Moses said, “Don’t leave us, please; because you know how we are to encamp in the wilderness, and you can be our eyes.
32It shall be, if you go with us—yes, it shall be—that whatever good the LORD does to us, we will do the same to you.”
33They set forward from the Mount of the LORD three days’ journey. The ark of the LORD’s covenant went before them three days’ journey, to seek out a resting place for them.
34The cloud of the LORD was over them by day, when they set forward from the camp.
35When the ark went forward, Moses said, “Rise up, LORD, and let your enemies be scattered! Let those who hate you flee before you!”
36When it rested, he said, “Return, LORD, to the ten thousands of the thousands of Israel.”
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
Numbers 10:2
“Make two trumpets of silver. You shall make them of beaten work. You shall use them for the calling of the congregation and for the journeying of the camps.”
This verse establishes the primary method of communication and organization for the Israelite community during their travels.
Numbers 10:35
“When the ark went forward, Moses said, “Rise up, LORD, and let your enemies be scattered! Let those who hate you flee before you!””
These words became a traditional prayer for God's protection and presence during the movement of the tabernacle.
Chapter Summary
Numbers Chapter 10 begins with God's instructions to Moses to craft two beaten silver trumpets. These instruments served specific communication roles: summoning the congregation, signaling the leaders, or sounding the alarm for the camps to move out. The text specifies that the priests, the sons of Aaron, were responsible for blowing them. Following these instructions, the narrative records a pivotal moment: on the twentieth day of the second month in the second year, the cloud lifts from the tabernacle, signaling that it is time for Israel to leave Sinai. The tribes depart in a specific, organized order led by the standard of Judah. During the journey, Moses invites his brother-in-law, Hobab, to accompany them as a guide, promising that he will share in the good things God does for Israel. The chapter concludes with the Ark of the Covenant leading the way for a three-day journey to find a resting place, accompanied by Moses' liturgical prayers for the Lord to scatter His enemies and return to His people.
Frequently Asked Questions
The silver trumpets were used to gather the congregation, summon leaders, signal the camps to begin their journey, and sound alarms during war. They also served as a memorial during religious festivals and burnt offerings.
According to the text, the sons of Aaron, who were the priests, were the only ones authorized to blow the trumpets. This was established as a permanent statute for their generations.
Hobab was the son of Moses' father-in-law, Reuel the Midianite. Moses asked him to join the journey because of his expert knowledge of the wilderness, suggesting he could serve as 'eyes' for the people as they navigated the terrain.
Study Note
The silver trumpets (hatsotserot) are distinct from the shofar (ram's horn), being crafted from precious metal specifically for liturgical and military signaling.
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