Numbers 10

Numbers 10 marks a turning point: it concludes the ordinances given in the Wilderness of Sinai (vv. 1–10) and then narrates Israel's departure from that place on its first march (vv. 11ff.). The preceding chapter, Numbers 9, stated that the people encamped while the cloud rested over the tabernacle and journeyed when it was taken up; this chapter continues with the first time the cloud lifts.

Outline

• Verses 1–10 The LORD commands that two trumpets of hammered silver be made. When both are blown, the whole congregation assembles; when only one is blown, the princes, the heads of the thousands of Israel, gather. When an alarm is sounded, the camps on the east set out; when an alarm is sounded a second time, the camps on the south set out. The trumpets are blown by the priests, the sons of Aaron. They are also blown when going to war and over the offerings presented at the appointed feasts and new moons (the first day of each month).
• Verses 11–13 On the twentieth day of the second month of the second year, the cloud is taken up from over the tabernacle of the testimony, and the people depart from the Wilderness of Sinai. The cloud comes to rest in the Wilderness of Paran.
• Verses 14–28 The order of march: the camp of Judah (Judah, Issachar, Zebulun); the sons of Gershon and Merari, bearing the tabernacle; the camp of Reuben (Reuben, Simeon, Gad); the Kohathites, bearing the holy things; the camp of Ephraim (Ephraim, Manasseh, Benjamin); and, at the rear, the camp of Dan (Dan, Asher, Naphtali). The name of the leader over each tribe is given.
• Verses 29–32 Moses invites Hobab the Midianite to accompany them. Hobab replies that he will return to his own land, but Moses urges him again, since Hobab knows where to encamp in the wilderness, asking him to "be to us instead of eyes."
• Verses 33–36 As they depart from the mount of the LORD on a three days' journey, the ark of the covenant goes before them to search out a resting place, and the cloud is over the people by day. The chapter records the prayers Moses offered when the ark set out and when it rested.

Key Verses

• Numbers 10:9 "Ye shall blow an alarm with the trumpets; and ye shall be remembered before the LORD your God" — this shows that the trumpets were more than mere signals; they were a token of calling upon God for help.
• Numbers 10:31 "Thou mayest be to us instead of eyes" — here human experience and assistance are sought on a journey undertaken under God's guidance.
• Numbers 10:35 "Rise up, LORD, and let thine enemies be scattered" — this prayer reappears in nearly identical wording in the first verse of Psalm 68.

People and Places

• Moses: leads the march and prays before the ark.
• The sons of Aaron: the priests who blow the trumpets.
• Hobab: son of Reuel the Midianite, a man familiar with the geography of the wilderness.
• The sons of Gershon, Kohath, and Merari: the three branches of the Levites, who carry the tabernacle and the holy things.
• The tribal leaders: twelve men, including Nahshon, Nethaneel, and Eliab. Their names match those given in Numbers 1 and Numbers 7.
• The Wilderness of Sinai: the point of departure, called "the mount of the LORD" in verse 33. See Mount Sinai.
• The Wilderness of Paran: where the cloud came to rest, a wilderness north of the Wilderness of Sinai.

Points for Reflection

• The wording of verse 29 alone does not make clear whether "Moses' father in law" refers to Hobab or to his father Reuel. Exodus calls Moses' father-in-law both Reuel (2:18) and Jethro (3:1), while Judges 4:11 calls Hobab the father-in-law. Consequently, some interpreters regard these as different names for the same person, while others regard Hobab as Moses' brother-in-law.
• The text does not say whether Hobab ultimately went along. However, Judges 1:16 records that the children of the Kenite, Moses' father-in-law, went up with the children of Judah, and many therefore hold that he did accompany Israel.
• The arrangement of the camps connects with Numbers 2, and the Levites' carrying duties with Numbers 4.
• The Masoretic Text is known to contain marks in the form of an inverted Hebrew letter nun before and after verses 35–36. Jewish tradition accordingly set these two verses apart and treated them with special regard.
• Some Christian interpretation and preaching read the silver trumpets in connection with the New Testament's "trump of God" (1 Thessalonians 4:16; 1 Corinthians 15:52). This connection is not drawn directly in the text; it is a typological reading added by interpreters.