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Chapter 10

Sounding the Trumpets. The Lord said to Moses, “Make two trumpets for yourself. Make them from hammered silver. Use them for summoning the assembly and for breaking camp. When they are sounded, the whole assembly will gather before you at the entrance to the tent of meeting. If only one is sounded, the leaders, the heads of the clans of Israel, are to assemble before you. When the advance is sounded, the camps that lie on the east side will set out. With the second blast of the trumpet, the camps that lie to the south side will set out. The trumpet blast will signal their setting out. To gather together the assembly, sound the trumpets but not with the same signal.

“The sons of Aaron, the priests, will sound the trumpets. This is to be an everlasting ordinance throughout all your generations. When you go into battle against an enemy who is oppressing you in your own land, sound a blast on the trumpets. Then you will be remembered by the Lord, your God, and you will be saved. 10 Also, at times of rejoicing, your solemn feasts and your new moon celebrations, you are to sound the trumpets over the burnt offerings and the peace offerings. They will be a memorial for you to your God. I am the Lord, your God.”

Forty Years in the Wilderness[a]

11 Departure from Sinai.[b]On the twentieth day of the second month of the second year, the cloud was lifted up from the tabernacle of the Testimony. 12 The people of Israel set out from the Sinai Desert and traveled until the cloud came to rest in the Desert of Paran.[c]

13 They set out this first time in accord with the command of the Lord received through Moses. 14 The standard of the camp of the tribe of Judah went out first by their companies. Nahshon, the son of Amminadab, was leader of its company. 15 Nethanel, the son of Zuar, was the leader of the company of the tribe of Issachar. 16 Eliab, the son of Helon, was the leader of the company of the tribe of Zebulun. 17 The tabernacle was then taken down, and the Gershonites and the Merarites who carried the tabernacle set out. 18 The standard of the camp of the tribe of Reuben set forth next. Elizur, the son of Shedeur, was the leader of its company. 19 Shelumiel, the son of Zurishaddai, was the leader of the company of the tribe of Simeon. 20 Eliasaph, the son of Reuel, was the leader of the company of the tribe of Gad. 21 Then the Kohathites set forth carrying the sanctuary. The tabernacle was to be set up when they arrived. 22 The standard of the camp of the tribe of Ephraim came next. Elishama, the son of Ammihud, was the leader of its company. 23 Gamaliel, the son of Pedahzur, was the leader of the company of the tribe of Manasseh. 24 Abidan, the son of Gideoni, was the leader of the company of the tribe of Benjamin.

25 Finally, behind all of the other camps, the standard of the camp of the tribe of Dan set out. Ahiezer, the son of Ammishaddai, was the leader of its company. 26 Pagiel, the son of Ochran, was the leader of the company of the tribe of Asher. 27 Ahira, the son of Enan, was the leader of the company of the tribe of Naphtali. 28 This was the order of the companies of the people of Israel as they set out.

29 Plea to Hobab. Moses said to Hobab, the son of Reuel the Midianite, Moses’ father-in-law, “We are setting out for the place that the Lord said, ‘I will give it to you.’ Come with us and we will treat you well, for the Lord has promised good things to Israel.” 30 But he said to him, “I will not go, rather I will leave for my own land and my own people.” 31 But he said, “Please do not leave us. You know where we should camp in the desert, and you could look out for us. 32 If you come with us, then whatever good things the Lord bestows upon us, we will share them with you.”

33 Into the Wilderness. They traveled a three days’ journey from the mountain of the Lord, and the Ark of the Covenant went before them throughout the three days’ journey, searching out a resting place for them. 34 The cloud of the Lord was over them by day when they set out from the camp. 35 Whenever the Ark set forth, Moses would say,

“Rise up, O Lord, let your enemies be scattered.
Let those who hate you flee before you.”[d]
36 Whenever it rested he said,
“Return, O Lord, to the thousands upon thousands of Israel.”

Footnotes

  1. Numbers 10:11 In this section, the Book of Numbers takes up the story begun in the Book of Exodus. As the Hebrews journey through the wilderness, they suffer and rebel, thereby bringing down divine punishment on themselves. The Church, the new Israel, is subject to analogous vicissitudes in the course of its history.
  2. Numbers 10:11 So orderly an advance has the appearance more of a liturgical procession than of a movement of nomads; it is reminiscent of the solemn transfers of the Ark under David and Solomon (2 Sam 6:12f; 1 Ki 8:3f).
  3. Numbers 10:12 The Desert of Paran is northeast of the Sinai.
  4. Numbers 10:35 A bit of liturgy (see Ps 68:1; Isa 33:3).

The Silver Trumpets

10 The Lord said to Moses: “Make two trumpets(A) of hammered silver, and use them for calling the community(B) together and for having the camps set out.(C) When both are sounded, the whole community is to assemble before you at the entrance to the tent of meeting. If only one is sounded, the leaders(D)—the heads of the clans of Israel—are to assemble before you. When a trumpet blast is sounded, the tribes camping on the east are to set out.(E) At the sounding of a second blast, the camps on the south are to set out.(F) The blast will be the signal for setting out. To gather the assembly, blow the trumpets,(G) but not with the signal for setting out.(H)

“The sons of Aaron, the priests, are to blow the trumpets. This is to be a lasting ordinance for you and the generations to come.(I) When you go into battle in your own land against an enemy who is oppressing you,(J) sound a blast on the trumpets.(K) Then you will be remembered(L) by the Lord your God and rescued from your enemies.(M) 10 Also at your times of rejoicing—your appointed festivals and New Moon feasts(N)—you are to sound the trumpets(O) over your burnt offerings(P) and fellowship offerings,(Q) and they will be a memorial for you before your God. I am the Lord your God.(R)

The Israelites Leave Sinai

11 On the twentieth day of the second month of the second year,(S) the cloud lifted(T) from above the tabernacle of the covenant law.(U) 12 Then the Israelites set out from the Desert of Sinai and traveled from place to place until the cloud came to rest in the Desert of Paran.(V) 13 They set out, this first time, at the Lord’s command through Moses.(W)

14 The divisions of the camp of Judah went first, under their standard.(X) Nahshon son of Amminadab(Y) was in command. 15 Nethanel son of Zuar was over the division of the tribe(Z) of Issachar,(AA) 16 and Eliab son of Helon(AB) was over the division of the tribe of Zebulun.(AC) 17 Then the tabernacle was taken down, and the Gershonites and Merarites, who carried it, set out.(AD)

18 The divisions of the camp of Reuben(AE) went next, under their standard.(AF) Elizur son of Shedeur(AG) was in command. 19 Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai was over the division of the tribe of Simeon,(AH) 20 and Eliasaph son of Deuel was over the division of the tribe of Gad.(AI) 21 Then the Kohathites(AJ) set out, carrying the holy things.(AK) The tabernacle was to be set up before they arrived.(AL)

22 The divisions of the camp of Ephraim(AM) went next, under their standard. Elishama son of Ammihud(AN) was in command. 23 Gamaliel son of Pedahzur was over the division of the tribe of Manasseh,(AO) 24 and Abidan son of Gideoni was over the division of the tribe of Benjamin.(AP)

25 Finally, as the rear guard(AQ) for all the units, the divisions of the camp of Dan set out under their standard. Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai(AR) was in command. 26 Pagiel son of Okran was over the division of the tribe of Asher,(AS) 27 and Ahira son of Enan was over the division of the tribe of Naphtali.(AT) 28 This was the order of march for the Israelite divisions as they set out.

29 Now Moses said to Hobab(AU) son of Reuel(AV) the Midianite, Moses’ father-in-law,(AW) “We are setting out for the place about which the Lord said, ‘I will give it to you.’(AX) Come with us and we will treat you well, for the Lord has promised good things to Israel.”

30 He answered, “No, I will not go;(AY) I am going back to my own land and my own people.(AZ)

31 But Moses said, “Please do not leave us. You know where we should camp in the wilderness, and you can be our eyes.(BA) 32 If you come with us, we will share with you(BB) whatever good things the Lord gives us.(BC)

33 So they set out(BD) from the mountain of the Lord and traveled for three days. The ark of the covenant of the Lord(BE) went before them during those three days to find them a place to rest.(BF) 34 The cloud of the Lord was over them by day when they set out from the camp.(BG)

35 Whenever the ark set out, Moses said,

“Rise up,(BH) Lord!
    May your enemies be scattered;(BI)
    may your foes flee before you.(BJ)(BK)

36 Whenever it came to rest, he said,

“Return,(BL) Lord,
    to the countless thousands of Israel.(BM)

Trumpets

10 The Lord spoke to Moses: Make two silver trumpets and make them from hammered metalwork. Use them for summoning the community and for breaking camp. When both are blown, the entire community will meet you at the entrance of the meeting tent. When one is blown, the chiefs, the leaders of Israel’s divisions, will meet you. When you blow a series of short blasts, the camp on the east side will march. And when you blow a second series of short blasts, the camp on the south side will march. You will blow a series of short blasts to announce their march.

To gather the assembly, blow a long blast, not a series of short blasts. Aaron’s sons the priests will blow the trumpets. This will be a permanent regulation for you throughout time.

When you go to war in your land against an enemy who is attacking you, you will blow short blasts with the trumpets so that you may be remembered by the Lord your God and be saved from your enemies.

10 On your festival days, your appointed feasts, and at the beginning of your months, you will blow the trumpets over your entirely burned offerings and your well-being sacrifices. They will serve as a reminder of you to your God. I am the Lord your God.

Organization of the wilderness march

11 On the twentieth day of the second month in the second year, the cloud ascended from the covenant dwelling. 12 The Israelites set out on their march from the Sinai desert, and the cloud settled in the Paran desert.

13 They marched for the first time at the Lord’s command through Moses. 14 The banner of Judah’s camp marched first with its military units. Nahshon, Amminadab’s son, commanded its military. 15 Nethanel, Zuar’s son, commanded the military of the tribe of Issachar. 16 Eliab, Helon’s son, commanded the military of the tribe of Zebulun. 17 The dwelling was taken down, and the Gershonites and the Merarites, who carried the dwelling, marched. 18 The banner of Reuben’s camp marched with its military units. Elizur, Shedeur’s son, commanded its military. 19 Shelumiel, Zurishaddai’s son, commanded the military of the tribe of Simeon. 20 Eliasaph, Deuel’s son, commanded the military of the tribe of Gad. 21 The Kohathites, who carried the holy things, marched. The dwelling would be set up before their arrival. 22 The banner of Ephraim’s camp marched with its military units. Elishama, Ammihud’s son, commanded its military. 23 Gamaliel, Pedahzur’s son, commanded the military of the tribe of Manasseh. 24 Abidan, Gideoni’s son, commanded the military of the tribe of Benjamin. 25 The banner of Dan’s camp, at the rear of the whole camp, marched with its military units. Ahiezer, Ammishaddai’s son, commanded its military. 26 Pagiel, Ochran’s son, commanded the military of the tribe of Asher. 27 Ahira, Enan’s son, commanded the military of the tribe of Naphtali. 28 This was the order of departure of the Israelites with their military units when they set out.

The chest leads

29 Moses said to Hobab the Midianite, Reuel’s son and Moses’ father-in-law, “We’re marching to the place about which the Lord has said, ‘I’ll give it to you.’ Come with us and we’ll treat you well, for the Lord has promised to treat Israel well.”

30 Hobab said to him, “I won’t go; I’d rather go to my land and to my folk.”

31 Moses said, “Please don’t abandon us, for you know where we can camp in the desert, and you can be our eyes. 32 If you go with us, whatever good the Lord does for us, we’ll do for you.”

33 They marched from the Lord’s mountain for three days. The Lord’s chest containing the covenant marched ahead of them for three days to look for a resting place for them. 34 Now the Lord’s cloud was over them by day when they marched from the camp. 35 When the chest set out, Moses would say, “Arise, Lord, let your enemies scatter, and those who hate you flee.” 36 When it rested, he would say, “Return, Lord of the ten thousand thousands of Israel.”