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Numbers 10
New American Bible (Revised Edition)

Chapter 10

The Silver Trumpets. 1 The Lord said to Moses: 2 Make two trumpets of silver, making them of hammered silver, for you to use in summoning the community and in breaking camp. 3 When both are blown, the whole community shall gather round you at the entrance of the tent of meeting; 4 but when one of them is blown, only the tribal leaders, the heads of the clans of Israel, shall gather round you. 5 When you sound the signal, those encamped on the east side shall break camp; 6 when you sound a second signal, those encamped on the south side shall break camp; when you sound a third signal, those encamped on the west side shall break camp; when you sound a fourth signal, those encamped on the north side shall break camp. Thus shall the signal be sounded for them to break camp. 7 But in calling forth an assembly you are to blow a blast, without sounding the signal.

8 The sons of Aaron, the priests, shall blow the trumpets; this is prescribed forever for you and your descendants. 9 (A)When in your own land you go to war against an enemy that is attacking you, you shall sound the alarm on the trumpets, and you shall be remembered before the Lord, your God, and be saved from your foes. 10 And when you rejoice[a] on your festivals, and your new-moon feasts, you shall blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings and your communion sacrifices,(B) so that this serves as a reminder of you before your God. I, the Lord, am your God.

II. Departure, Rebellion, and Wandering in the Wilderness for Forty Years

Departure from Sinai. 11 In the second year, on the twentieth day of the second month, the cloud rose from the tabernacle of the covenant, 12 and the Israelites moved on from the wilderness of Sinai by stages, until the cloud came to rest in the wilderness of Paran.

13 The first time that they broke camp at the direction of the Lord through Moses, 14 (C)the divisional camp of the Judahites, arranged in companies, was the first to set out. Over its whole company was Nahshon, son of Amminadab, 15 with Nethanel, son of Zuar, over the company of the tribe of Issacharites, 16 and Eliab, son of Helon, over the company of the tribe of Zebulunites. 17 Then, after the tabernacle was dismantled, the Gershonites and Merarites who carried the tabernacle set out. 18 The divisional camp of the Reubenites, arranged in companies, was the next to set out. Over its whole company was Elizur, son of Shedeur, 19 with Shelumiel, son of Zurishaddai, over the company of the tribe of Simeonites, 20 and Eliasaph, son of Reuel, over the company of the tribe of Gadites. 21 The Kohathites, who carried the sacred objects, then set out. Before their arrival the tabernacle would be erected. 22 The divisional camp of the Ephraimites set out next, arranged in companies. Over its whole company was Elishama, son of Ammihud, 23 with Gamaliel, son of Pedahzur, over the company of the tribe of Manassites, 24 and Abidan, son of Gideoni, over the company of the tribe of Benjaminites. 25 Finally, as rear guard for all the camps, the divisional camp of the Danites set out, arranged in companies. Over its whole company was Ahiezer, son of Ammishaddai, 26 with Pagiel, son of Ochran, over the company of the tribe of Asherites, 27 and Ahira, son of Enan, over the company of the tribe of Naphtalites. 28 This was the order of march for the Israelites, company by company, when they set out.

Hobab as Guide. 29 Moses said to Hobab,[b] son of Reuel the Midianite, Moses’ father-in-law, “We are setting out for the place concerning which the Lord has said, ‘I will give it to you.’ Come with us, and we will be generous toward you, for the Lord has promised prosperity to Israel.” 30 But he answered, “No, I will not come. I am going instead to the land of my birth.” 31 Moses said, “Please, do not leave us; you know where we can camp in the wilderness, and you can serve as our guide. 32 If you come with us, we will share with you the prosperity the Lord will bestow on us.”

Into the Wilderness. 33 (D)From the mountain of the Lord[c] they made a journey of three days, and the ark of the covenant of the Lord went before them for the three-day journey to seek out a resting place for them. 34 And the cloud of the Lord was over them by day when they set out from camp.

35 Whenever the ark set out, Moses would say,

“Arise, O Lord, may your enemies be scattered,
    and may those who hate you flee before you.”

36 And when it came to rest, he would say,

“Bring back, O Lord, the myriads of Israel’s troops!”

Footnotes

  1. 10:10 When you rejoice: cf. Dt 16:14. Festivals: the great annual feasts of the Passover, Pentecost and Booths described in Lv 23; Nm 28–29.
  2. 10:29–32 Hobab: one of three names for the father-in-law of Moses (see Ex 2:18; 4:18; 18:6; Jgs 4:11). Here perhaps Hobab’s initial refusal indicates he wished to be coaxed before granting the favor. From Jgs 1:16 it seems probable that he did accede to Moses’ request. However, Ex 18:27 suggests Moses’ father-in-law returned to his own land. Indeed, to the extent Nm 10:29–32 appears to repeat Ex 18:27, it may indicate a resumption of the narrative of Israel’s march through the wilderness after the “digression” formed by the Israelite sojourn at Sinai, Ex 19:1–Nm 10:28.
  3. 10:33 The mountain of the Lord: Sinai (Horeb), elsewhere always called “the mountain of God.”
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Numero 10
Ang Pulong Sang Dios

Ang mga Trumpeta nga Pilak

10 Nagsiling ang Ginoo kay Moises, 2 “Magpahimo ka sang duha ka trumpeta nga pilak kag gamiton mo ini sa pagtipon sa katilingban kag sa pagpreparar sa ila sa paglakat. 3 Kon patunugon na gani sing dungan ining duha ka trumpeta, magtipon ang bug-os nga katilingban sa puwertahan sang Tolda nga Ginapakigkitaan. 4 Kon isa lang ang patunugon, ang mga pangulo lang sang kada tribo ang magtipon sa imo atubangan. 5 Kon patunugon gani ang trumpeta sa pagpreparar sa mga tawo sa paglakat, ang mga tribo sa sidlangan dampi sang Tolda amo ang una nga maglakat. 6 Kon patunugon gani ang trumpeta sa ikaduha nga beses, ang tribo naman sa bagatnan dampi sang Tolda ang maglakat. Ini nga pagpatunog amo ang tanda sang ila paglakat. 7 Pero lain ang pagpatunog sang trumpeta kon magpatipon sa ila.

8 “Ang mga kaliwat lang ni Aaron nga mga pari ang magpatunog sang mga trumpeta. Ini nga pagsulundan dapat ninyo tumanon kag sang inyo mga kaliwat hasta san-o.

9 “Kon ara na kamo sa inyo duta, kag magpakig-away kamo kontra sa inyo mga kaaway nga nagapigos sa inyo, patunuga ninyo ang mga trumpeta agod ako, ang Ginoo nga inyo Dios, magadumdom sa inyo kag magaluwas sa inyo sa inyo mga kaaway. 10 Kag sa tion sang inyo pagkinalipay—sa inyo pagsaulog sang piesta sa mga natalana nga tion pati na sang Piesta sang Pag-umpisa sang Bulan[a]—patunugon man ninyo ang mga trumpeta kon maghalad kamo sang mga halad nga ginasunog kag halad nga para sa maayo nga relasyon. Ini nga mga trumpeta magapadumdom sa akon nga inyo Dios sang akon kasugtanan sa inyo. Ako amo ang Ginoo nga inyo Dios.”

Naghalin ang mga Israelinhon sa Sinai

11 Sang ika-20 nga adlaw sang ikaduha nga bulan, sang ikaduha nga tuig halin sang pagguwa sang mga Israelinhon sa Egipto, nagpaibabaw ang panganod halin sa Tolda nga Simbahan nga sa diin nabutang ang Kasuguan. 12 Dayon naghalin ang mga Israelinhon sa kamingawan sang Sinai kag nagpanglakaton sila nga nagabalhin-balhin sang lugar, hasta nga nagpundo ang panganod sa kamingawan sang Paran. 13 Amo ini ang nahauna nga tion nga naglakat sila suno sa sugo sang Ginoo paagi kay Moises. 14 Ang nahauna nga grupo sang mga tribo nga naglakat dala ang ila bandera amo ang grupo nga ginapangunahan sang tribo ni Juda. Ang pangulo sang tribo ni Juda amo si Nashon nga anak ni Aminadab. 15 Ang pangulo sang tribo ni Isacar amo si Netanel nga anak ni Zuar, 16 kag ang pangulo sang tribo ni Zebulun amo si Eliab nga anak ni Helon.

17 Pagkatapos nga nabungkag ang Tolda nga Simbahan, gindala ini sang mga kaliwat ni Gershon kag sang mga kaliwat ni Merari, kag nagsunod sila sa paglakat.

18 Ang sunod nga grupo nga naglakat dala ang ila bandera amo ang grupo nga ginapangunahan sang tribo ni Reuben. Ang pangulo sang tribo ni Reuben amo si Elizur nga anak ni Shedeur. 19 Ang pangulo sang tribo ni Simeon amo si Shelumiel nga anak ni Zurishadai, 20 kag ang pangulo sang tribo ni Gad amo si Eliasaf nga anak ni Deuel.

21 Dayon ang sunod nga naglakat amo ang mga kaliwat ni Kohat nga nagadala sang balaan nga mga kagamitan sang Tolda nga Simbahan. Kinahanglan naplastar na ang Tolda antes sila mag-abot sa madason nga lugar nga ila kampuhan.

22 Ang sunod nga grupo nga naglakat dala ang ila bandera amo ang grupo nga ginapangunahan sang tribo ni Efraim. Ang pangulo sang tribo ni Efraim amo si Elishama nga anak ni Amihud. 23 Ang pangulo sang tribo ni Manase amo si Gamaliel nga anak ni Padazur, 24 kag ang pangulo sang tribo ni Benjamin amo si Abidan nga anak ni Gideoni.

25 Ang katapusan nga grupo nga naglakat dala ang ila bandera amo ang grupo nga ginapangunahan sang tribo ni Dan. Sila ang mga guwardya sa likod sang tanan nga grupo. Ang pangulo sang tribo ni Dan amo si Ahiezer nga anak ni Amishadai. 26 Ang pangulo sang tribo ni Asher amo si Pagiel nga anak ni Ocran, 27 kag ang pangulo sang tribo ni Naftali amo si Ahira nga anak ni Enan.

28 Amo ato ang pagpasunod sa mga tribo sang Israel nga naglakat sing grupo-grupo.

29 Karon, nagsiling si Moises kay Hobab nga iya bayaw nga anak ni Reuel nga Midianhon, “Malakat na kami sa lugar nga ginsiling sang Ginoo nga ihatag niya sa amon. Gani upod ka sa amon kag indi ka namon pagpabay-an, kay nagpromisa ang Ginoo nga pakamaayuhon niya ang Israel.” 30 Pero nagsabat si Hobab, “Indi ko. Mabalik ako sa akon lugar kag sa akon mga kasimanwa.” 31 Nagsiling si Moises, “Kon mahimo indi kami pagbayai. Ikaw ang nakahibalo kon diin ang maayo nga lugar sa kamingawan nga amon kampuhan. Ikaw ang maggiya sa amon. 32 Kon maupod ka sa amon partihan ka namon sang tanan nga pagpakamaayo nga ihatag sang Ginoo sa amon.”

33 Gani naghalin sila sa bukid sang Ginoo kag naglakat sing tatlo ka adlaw. Nagauna permi sa ila ang Kahon sang Kasugtanan sa pagpangita sang lugar nga ila mapahuwayan. 34 Sa adlaw, ang panganod sang Ginoo ara sa ila ibabaw kon maglakat sila. 35 Kada tion nga dal-on na ang Kahon sang Kasugtanan nagasiling si Moises, “Sige lakat na, Ginoo, laptaha ang imo mga kaaway. Kabay pa nga magpalalagyo sila.” 36 Kag kon magpundo na gani ang Kahon sang Kasugtanan, nagasiling si Moises, “Balik na diri, Ginoo, sa katawhan sang Israel nga madamo gid.”

Footnotes

  1. 10:10 Piesta sang Pag-umpisa sang Bulan: Tan-awa ang Lista sang mga Pulong sa likod.
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Numbers 10
New International Version

The Silver Trumpets

10 The Lord said to Moses: 2 “Make two trumpets(A) of hammered silver, and use them for calling the community(B) together and for having the camps set out.(C) 3 When both are sounded, the whole community is to assemble before you at the entrance to the tent of meeting. 4 If only one is sounded, the leaders(D)—the heads of the clans of Israel—are to assemble before you. 5 When a trumpet blast is sounded, the tribes camping on the east are to set out.(E) 6 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. 7 To gather the assembly, blow the trumpets,(G) but not with the signal for setting out.(H)

8 “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) 9 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)”

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Numbers 10
New English Translation

The Blowing of Trumpets

10 [a] The Lord spoke to Moses: 2 “Make[b] two trumpets of silver; you are to make[c] them from a single hammered piece.[d] You will use them[e] for assembling the community and for directing the traveling of the camps. 3 When[f] they blow[g] them both, all the community must come[h] to you to the entrance of the tent of meeting.

4 “But if they blow with one trumpet, then the leaders, the heads of the thousands of Israel, must come to you.[i] 5 When you blow an alarm,[j] then the camps that are located[k] on the east side must begin to travel.[l] 6 And when you blow an alarm the second time, then the camps that are located on the south side must begin to travel.[m] An alarm must be sounded[n] for their journeys. 7 But when you assemble the community,[o] you must blow the trumpets,[p] but you must not sound an alarm.[q] 8 The sons of Aaron, the priests, must blow the trumpets, and they will be to you for an eternal ordinance throughout your generations. 9 If you go to war in your land against an adversary who opposes[r] you, then you must sound an alarm with the trumpets, and you will be remembered before the Lord your God, and you will be saved[s] from your enemies.

10 “Also, in the time when you rejoice, such as[t] on your appointed festivals or[u] at the beginnings of your months, you must blow with your trumpets over your burnt offerings and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings, so that they may[v] become[w] a memorial for you before your God: I am the Lord your God.”

The Journey From Sinai to Kadesh

11 [x] On the twentieth day of the second month, in the second year, the cloud was taken up from the tabernacle of the testimony.[y] 12 So the Israelites set out[z] on their journeys from the desert[aa] of Sinai; and the cloud settled in the wilderness of Paran.

Judah Begins the Journey

13 This was the first time they set out on their journey according to the commandment[ab] of the Lord, by the authority[ac] of Moses.

14 The standard[ad] of the camp of the Judahites set out first according to their companies, and over his company was Nahshon son of Amminadab.

15 Over the company of the tribe of Issacharites was Nathanel son of Zuar, 16 and over the company of the tribe of the Zebulunites was Eliab son of Helon. 17 Then the tabernacle was dismantled, and the sons of Gershon and the sons of Merari set out, carrying the tabernacle.

Journey Arrangements for the Tribes

18 The standard of the camp of Reuben set out according to their companies; over his company was Elizur son of Shedeur. 19 Over the company of the tribe of the Simeonites was Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai, 20 and over the company of the tribe of the Gadites was Eliasaph son of Deuel. 21 And the Kohathites set out, carrying the articles for the sanctuary;[ae] the tabernacle was to be set up[af] before they arrived.[ag] 22 And the standard of the camp of the Ephraimites set out according to their companies; over his company was Elishama son of Ammihud. 23 Over the company of the tribe of the Manassehites was Gamaliel son of Pedahzur, 24 and over the company of the tribe of Benjaminites was Abidan son of Gideoni.

25 The standard of the camp of the Danites set out, which was the rear guard[ah] of all the camps by their companies; over his company was Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai. 26 Over the company of the tribe of the Asherites was Pagiel son of Ocran, 27 and over the company of the tribe of the Naphtalites was Ahira son of Enan. 28 These were the traveling arrangements[ai] of the Israelites according to their companies when they traveled.[aj]

The Appeal to Hobab

29 [ak] Moses said to Hobab son of Reuel, the Midianite, Moses’ father-in-law,[al] “We are journeying to the place about which the Lord said, ‘I will give it to you.’ Come with us and we will treat you well,[am] for the Lord has promised good things[an] for Israel.” 30 But Hobab[ao] said to him, “I will not go, but I will go instead to my own land and to my kindred.” 31 Moses[ap] said, “Do not leave us,[aq] because you know places for us to camp in the wilderness, and you could be our guide.[ar] 32 And if you come with us, it is certain[as] that whatever good things the Lord will favor us with, we will share with you as well.”

33 So they traveled from the mountain of the Lord three days’ journey;[at] and the ark of the covenant of the Lord was traveling before them during the three days’ journey, to find a resting place for them. 34 [au] And the cloud of the Lord was over them by day, when they traveled[av] from the camp. 35 And when the ark traveled, Moses would say, “Rise up, O Lord! May your enemies be scattered, and may those who hate you flee before you!” 36 And when it came to rest he would say, “Return, O Lord, to the many thousands of Israel!”[aw]

Footnotes

  1. Numbers 10:1 sn Here we have a short section (10:1-10) dealing with the regulations for blowing trumpets in times of war or in times of peace.
  2. Numbers 10:2 tn The Hebrew text uses what is called the “ethical dative”—“make [for] you two trumpets.” It need not be translated, but can simply be taken to underscore the direct imperative.
  3. Numbers 10:2 tn The imperfect tense is again instruction or legislation.
  4. Numbers 10:2 sn The instructions are not clearly spelled out here. But the trumpets were to be made of silver ingots beaten out into a sheet of silver and then bent to form a trumpet. There is archaeological evidence of silver smelting as early as 3000 b.c. Making silver trumpets would have been a fairly easy thing for the Israelites to do. The trumpet would have been straight, with a tapered form, very unlike the “ram’s horn” (שׁוֹפָר, shofar). The trumpets were used by the priests in Israel from the outset, but later were used more widely. The sound would be sharp and piercing, but limited in scope to a few notes. See further C. Sachs, The History of Musical Instruments.
  5. Numbers 10:2 tn Heb “and they shall be for you for assembling,” which is the way of expressing possession. Here the intent concerns how Moses was to use them.
  6. Numbers 10:3 tn The perfect tense with vav (ו) consecutive is here subordinated as a temporal clause to the following similar verbal construction.
  7. Numbers 10:3 tn The verb תָקַע (taqaʿ) means “to strike, drive, blow a trumpet.”
  8. Numbers 10:3 tn Heb “the assembly shall assemble themselves.”
  9. Numbers 10:4 tn Heb “they shall assemble themselves.”
  10. Numbers 10:5 tn The word for an alarm is תְּרוּעָה (teruʿah). The root verb of this word means “to give a blast on the trumpet.” It may also on occasion mean “give a shout” in battle (Josh 6:10). In this passage it must refer to the sound of the trumpet.
  11. Numbers 10:5 tn Heb “the camps that are camping.”
  12. Numbers 10:5 tn The perfect tense with vav (ו) consecutive functions as the equivalent of the imperfect tense. Here the emphasis is on the start of the journey.
  13. Numbers 10:6 tc The MT does not mention the departures of the northerly and westerly tribes. The Greek text completes the description by adding them, making a full schedule of the departure of the groups of tribes. The Greek is not likely to be original, however, since it carries all the signs of addition to complete the text, making a smooth, full reading. The MT is to be preferred; it apparently used two of the groups to give the idea.
  14. Numbers 10:6 tn The Hebrew text has “they shall blow an alarm”; the sentence without a formal subject should be taken as a passive idea.
  15. Numbers 10:7 tn There is no expressed subject in the initial temporal clause. It simply says, “and in the assembling the assembly.” But since the next verb is the second person of the verb, that may be taken as the intended subject here.
  16. Numbers 10:7 tn Heb “blow”; the direct object (“trumpets”) has been supplied in the translation for clarity.
  17. Numbers 10:7 sn The signal for moving camp was apparently different in tone and may have been sharper notes or a different sequence. It was in some way distinguishable.
  18. Numbers 10:9 tn Both the “adversary” and “opposes” come from the same root: צָרַר (tsarar), “to hem in, oppress, harass,” or basically, “be an adversary.”
  19. Numbers 10:9 tn The Niphal perfect in this passage has the passive nuance and not a reflexive idea—the Israelites would be spared because God remembered them.
  20. Numbers 10:10 tn The conjunction may be taken as explicative or epexegetical, and so rendered “namely; even; that is,” or it may be taken as emphatic conjunction, and translated “especially.”
  21. Numbers 10:10 tn The vav (ו) is taken here in its alternative use and translated “or.”
  22. Numbers 10:10 tn The form is the perfect tense with vav (ו) consecutive. After the instruction imperfects, this form could be given the same nuance, or more likely, subordinated as a purpose or result clause.
  23. Numbers 10:10 tn The verb הָיָה (hayah, “to be”) has the meaning “to become” when followed by the preposition ל (lamed).
  24. Numbers 10:11 sn This section is somewhat mechanical: It begins with an introduction (vv. 11, 12), and then begins with Judah (vv. 13-17), followed by the rest of the tribes (vv. 18-27), and finally closes with a summary (v. 28). The last few verses (vv. 29-36) treat the departure of Hobab.
  25. Numbers 10:11 tc Smr inserts a lengthy portion from Deut 1:6-8, expressing the command for Israel to take the land from the Amorites.tn The expression is difficult; it is מִשְׁכַּן הָעֵדֻת (mishkan haʿedut). The reference is to the sacred shrine that covered the ark with the commandments inside. NEB renders the expression as “tabernacle of the Token”; NAB has “the dwelling of the commandments.”
  26. Numbers 10:12 sn The verb is the same as the noun: “they journeyed on their journeyings.” This underscores the point of their continual traveling.
  27. Numbers 10:12 tn The Hebrew term מִדְבָּר (midbar) refers to a dry region which may be characterized as receiving less than twelve inches of rain per year. It therefore cannot support trees but may have sparse vegetation if it receives at least six inches of rain. At less than six inches of rain the term “desert” is certainly appropriate, though this would not mean a sandy desert. The Sinai peninsula includes both treeless “wilderness” and “desert.” While there is some dispute about the location of Mt. Sinai, NET has chosen “desert of Sinai” as the designation for the region around Mt. Sinai. The same Hebrew term is used later in the verse in connection with Paran, but rendered as the “wilderness of Paran.”
  28. Numbers 10:13 tn Heb “mouth.”
  29. Numbers 10:13 tn Heb “hand.”
  30. Numbers 10:14 sn The “standard” (דֶּגֶל, degel) was apparently some kind of a symbol put up on a pole to signify the tribal hosts. R. de Vaux thought it simply referred to a pole or a mast, but that would not distinguish tribes (Ancient Israel, 226-27).
  31. Numbers 10:21 tn Heb “carrying the sanctuary,” a metonymy of whole for parts, representing all the holy objects that were located in the sanctuary.
  32. Numbers 10:21 tn The verb is the third person plural form; without an expressed subject it is treated as a passive.
  33. Numbers 10:21 tn Heb “against their coming.”
  34. Numbers 10:25 tn The MT uses a word that actually means “assembler,” so these three tribes made up a strong rear force recognized as the assembler of all the tribes.
  35. Numbers 10:28 tn Or “journeyings of.”
  36. Numbers 10:28 tn The verb is the preterite with vav (ו) consecutive. But in this sentence it should be subordinated as a temporal clause to the preceding statement, even though it follows it.
  37. Numbers 10:29 sn For additional bibliography for this short section, see W. F. Albright, “Jethro, Hobab, and Reuel in Early Hebrew Tradition,” CBQ 25 (1963): 1-11; G. W. Coats, “Moses in Midian,” JBL 92 (1973): 3-10; B. Mazar, “The Sanctuary of Arad and the Family of Hobab the Kenite,” JNES 24 (1965): 297-303; and T. C. Mitchell, “The Meaning of the Noun ḥtn in the Old Testament,” VT 19 (1969): 93-112.
  38. Numbers 10:29 sn There is a problem with the identity of Hobab. The MT says that he is the son of Reuel, making him the brother-in-law of Moses. But Judg 4:11 says he is the father-in-law. In Judg 1:16; 4:11 Hobab is traced to the Kenites, but in Exod 3:1 and 18:1 Jethro (Reuel) is priest of Midian. Jethro is identified with Reuel on the basis of Exod 2:18 and 3:1, and so Hobab becomes Moses’ חֹתֵן (khoten), a relative by marriage and perhaps brother-in-law. There is not enough information to decide on the identity and relationships involved here. Some suggest that there is one person with the three names (G. B. Gray, Numbers [ICC], 93); others suggest Hobab is a family name (R. F. Johnson, IDB 2:615), and some suggest that the expression “the son of Reuel the Midianite” had dropped out of the genealogy of Judges, leading to the conflict (J. Crichton, ISBE 2:1055). If Hobab is the same as Jethro, then Exod 18:27 does not make much sense, for Jethro did go home. On this basis many conclude Hobab is a brother-in-law. This would mean that after Jethro returned home, Moses conversed with Hobab, his brother-in-law. For more discussion, see the articles and the commentaries.
  39. Numbers 10:29 tn The verb is the Hiphil of the root “to be good” (יָטַב, yatav); it may be translated “treat well, deal favorably, generously with.” Here it is a perfect tense with vav (ו) following the imperative, showing a sequence in the verbal ideas.
  40. Numbers 10:29 tn The Hebrew text simply has “has spoken good” for Israel.
  41. Numbers 10:30 tn Heb “he”; the referent (Hobab) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  42. Numbers 10:31 tn Heb “he”; the referent (Moses) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  43. Numbers 10:31 tn The form with אַל־נָא (ʾal naʾ) is a jussive; negated it stresses a more immediate request, as if Hobab is starting to leave, or at least determined to leave.
  44. Numbers 10:31 tn In the Hebrew text the expression is more graphic: “you will be for us for eyes.” Hobab was familiar with the entire Sinai region, and he could certainly direct the people where they were to go. The text does not record Hobab’s response. But the fact that Kenites were in Canaan as allies of Judah (Judg 1:16) would indicate that he gave in and came with Moses. The first refusal may simply be the polite Semitic practice of declining first so that the appeal might be made more urgently.
  45. Numbers 10:32 tn Heb “and it shall be.”
  46. Numbers 10:33 tn The phrase “a journey of three days” is made up of the adverbial accusative qualified with the genitives.
  47. Numbers 10:34 tc The scribes sensed that there was a dislocation with vv. 34-36, and so they used the inverted letters nun (נ) as brackets to indicate this.
  48. Numbers 10:34 tn The adverbial clause of time is composed of the infinitive construct with a temporal preposition and a suffixed subjective genitive.
  49. Numbers 10:36 sn These two formulaic prayers were offered by Moses at the beginning and at the end of the journeys. They prayed for the Lord to fight ahead of the nation when it was on the move, and to protect them when they camped. The theme of the first is found in Ps 68:1. The prayers reflect the true mentality of holy war, that it was the Lord who fought for Israel and defended her. The prayers have been included in the prayer book for synagogue services.
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