CLARITY EDITION · OLD TESTAMENT
Numbers 10
Chapter 10 of 36
Chapter Overview
What happens in Numbers 10
God tells Moses to make two silver trumpets for calling the community together and signaling when to march. Then the cloud lifts and Israel finally leaves Mount Sinai, beginning their journey toward the Promised Land.
Scripture
Numbers 10
The Two Silver Trumpets
Study note
The two silver trumpets served different purposes depending on how they were blown. Both trumpets together called the whole community. One trumpet alone called just the leaders. A loud alarm signal told the camps when to march. The trumpets were also to be blown in times of war and during celebrations and festivals.
1 The Lord told Moses, And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
2 "Have two trumpets made from hammered silver. Use them for calling the community together and for signaling the camps to start moving." Make thee two trumpets of silver; of a whole piece shalt thou make them: that thou mayest use them for the calling of the assembly, and for the journeying of the camps.
3 "When both trumpets blow, the whole community must gather in front of you at the entrance of the tent of meeting." And when they shall blow with them, all the assembly shall assemble themselves to thee at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
4 "When just one trumpet sounds, only the leaders and tribal heads need to come to you." And if they blow but with one trumpet, then the princes, which are heads of the thousands of Israel, shall gather themselves unto thee.
5 "When the trumpets blast a loud alarm, the camps on the east side must begin their march." When ye blow an alarm, then the camps that lie on the east parts shall go forward.
6 "When a second alarm blasts, the camps on the south side must begin marching. The alarm blast is the signal to move out." When ye 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.
7 "To call the whole group for a meeting, blow the trumpets with a steady sound. Do not use the alarm blast." But when the congregation is to be gathered together, ye shall blow, but ye shall not sound an alarm.
8 "Only Aaron's sons, the priests, may blow the trumpets. This is a permanent rule for you and all future generations." 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.
9 "When you go to war in your own land against enemies attacking you, sound the alarm on the trumpets. The Lord your God will take notice and rescue you from your enemies." And if ye go to war in your land against the enemy that oppresseth you, then ye shall blow an alarm with the trumpets; and ye shall be remembered before the LORD your God, and ye shall be saved from your enemies.
10 "During times of celebration, at your regular festivals, and at the start of each month, blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings and peace offerings. The sound will serve as a reminder before your God. I am the Lord your God." Also in the day of your gladness, and in your solemn days, and in the beginnings of your months, ye 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.
Israel Leaves Sinai
Study note
On the twentieth day of the second month of the second year, the cloud lifted from the tabernacle. The people of Israel left the wilderness of Sinai for the first time since arriving there. The cloud settled in the wilderness of Paran, their next stopping place.
11 It was the twentieth day of the second month in the second year. The cloud rose up from above the tabernacle. 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 The Israelites set out from the Sinai wilderness, traveling in stages. The cloud finally settled down in the wilderness of Paran. And the children of Israel took their journeys out of the wilderness of Sinai; and the cloud rested in the wilderness of Paran.
13 This was the very first time they moved out following the Lord's directions given through Moses. And they first took their journey according to the commandment of the LORD by the hand of Moses.
The Marching Order of the Tribes
Study note
The tribes set out in the order God had commanded. Judah's division marched first, followed by the Gershonites and Merarites carrying the tabernacle structure. Then Reuben's division, followed by the Kohathites carrying the holy objects. Then Ephraim's division, and finally Dan's division as the rear guard.
14 Judah's camp marched out first under their flag, moving in organized divisions. Nahshon son of Amminadab commanded Judah's forces. 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.
15 Nethanel son of Zuar commanded Issachar's forces. And over the host of the tribe of the children of Issachar was Nethaneel the son of Zuar.
16 Eliab son of Helon commanded Zebulun's forces. And over the host of the tribe of the children of Zebulun was Eliab the son of Helon.
17 Then the tabernacle was taken apart. The Gershonites and Merarites set out carrying it. And the tabernacle was taken down; and the sons of Gershon and the sons of Merari set forward, bearing the tabernacle.
18 Reuben's camp marched next under their flag, moving in organized divisions. Elizur son of Shedeur commanded Reuben's forces. And the standard of the camp of Reuben set forward according to their armies: and over his host was Elizur the son of Shedeur.
19 Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai led Simeon's forces. And over the host of the tribe of the children of Simeon was Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai.
20 Eliasaph son of Deuel commanded Gad's forces. And over the host of the tribe of the children of Gad was Eliasaph the son of Deuel.
21 Then the Kohathites set out carrying the sacred objects. By the time they arrived at the next campsite, the tabernacle would already be set up and waiting. And the Kohathites set forward, bearing the sanctuary: and the other did set up the tabernacle against they came.
22 Ephraim's camp marched next under their flag, moving in organized divisions. Elishama son of Ammihud commanded Ephraim's forces. 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.
23 Gamaliel son of Pedahzur commanded Manasseh's forces. And over the host of the tribe of the children of Manasseh was Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.
24 Abidan son of Gideoni commanded Benjamin's forces. And over the host of the tribe of the children of Benjamin was Abidan the son of Gideoni.
25 Dan's camp marched last as the rear guard for all the other groups, moving under their flag in organized divisions. Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai commanded Dan's forces. And the standard of the camp of the children of Dan set forward, which was the rearward of all the camps throughout their hosts: and over his host was Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.
26 Pagiel son of Ocran commanded Asher's forces. And over the host of the tribe of the children of Asher was Pagiel the son of Ocran.
27 Ahira son of Enan led the forces of Naphtali. And over the host of the tribe of the children of Naphtali was Ahira the son of Enan.
28 This was the order in which the Israelites marched as they traveled. Thus were the journeyings of the children of Israel according to their armies, when they set forward.
Moses Asks Hobab to Be Their Guide
Study note
Moses invited his father-in-law Hobab, a Midianite who knew the wilderness well, to travel with them. At first Hobab refused, but Moses urged him to come because he could serve as their eyes in the desert, helping them find the best camping spots.
29 Moses said to his father-in-law Hobab, the son of Reuel the Midianite, "We are heading for the place the Lord promised to give us. Come along! We will treat you well, because the Lord has made wonderful promises to Israel." And Moses said unto Hobab, the son of Raguel the Midianite, Moses' father in law, We are journeying unto the place of which the LORD said, I will give it you: come thou with us, and we will do thee good: for the LORD hath spoken good concerning Israel.
30 Hobab replied, "No thank you. I am going back to my own land and my own people." And he said unto him, I will not go; but I will depart to mine own land, and to my kindred.
31 Moses urged him, "Please do not leave us. You know the wilderness and where the best camping spots are. You could serve as our eyes and guide." And he said, Leave us not, I pray thee; forasmuch as thou knowest how we are to encamp in the wilderness, and thou mayest be to us instead of eyes.
32 "If you come with us, we will share with you every good thing the Lord gives us." And it shall be, if thou go with us, yea, it shall be, that what goodness the LORD shall do unto us, the same will we do unto thee.
The Ark Leads the Way
Study note
The ark of the covenant went ahead of the people during the three-day journey from Sinai. The cloud of the Lord was over them by day. Moses would speak a prayer when the ark set out and again when it came to rest, asking God to scatter his enemies and return to the thousands of Israel.
33 So they left the mountain of the Lord and traveled for three days. The ark of the Lord's covenant went ahead of them during those three days, scouting out a resting place for them. 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.
34 The Lord's cloud was above them during the day as they traveled from camp. And the cloud of the LORD was upon them by day, when they went out of the camp.
35 Each time the ark set out, Moses would call out, "Rise up, Lord! Scatter your enemies! Make those who hate you run away!" And it came to pass, when the ark set forward, that Moses said, Rise up, LORD, and let thine enemies be scattered; and let them that hate thee flee before thee.
36 And each time the ark stopped, Moses would say, "Come back, Lord, to the countless thousands of Israel." And when it rested, he said, Return, O LORD, unto the many thousands of Israel.
Key Themes
Themes in Numbers 10
Calling God's people togetherFollowing God into the unknownDependence on God's presenceInvitation and partnership
Prophetic Connections
How this chapter points to Christ
Numbers 10:1-10 1 Thessalonians 4:16
The trumpets that gathered Israel and signaled movement foreshadow the trumpet of God that will sound at Christ's return to gather his people.
Apply This Today
Living Numbers 10
The silver trumpets called people together and signaled movement forward. In our lives, God uses various means to gather us and call us to action. Moses' invitation to Hobab shows that inviting others to join us on the journey of faith enriches both them and us.
Go Deeper
Study Numbers in Covenant Path
Read every chapter with study aids, bookmarks, and daily reading plans — free in the app.