Numbers 10, On the Move

(This DRAFT study has been done fairly quickly, without the further guide of commentaries. I hope to improve on it later.)

The people prepare to leave Sinai.

Numbers 10:1-9, Make trumpets and prepare to sound them

The LORD said to Moses: "Make two trumpets of hammered silver, and use them for calling the community together and for having the camps set out. 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--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. At the sounding of a second blast, the camps on the south are to set out. The blast will be the signal for setting out. To gather the assembly, blow the trumpets, but not with the same signal.
        

"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. When you go into battle in your own land against an enemy who is oppressing you, sound a blast on the trumpets. Then you will be remembered by the LORD your God and rescued from your enemies.

The structure of departure is set up for the thousands of Israelites. The three clans on the east will go first, at the appropriate blast of the (chatsotsrah) trumpet,  followed later by the tribes on the south.

Numbers 10:10, Trumpets at festivals

Also at your times of rejoicing--your appointed feasts and New Moon festivals--you are to sound the trumpets over your burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, and they will be a memorial for you before your God. I am the LORD your God."

The trumpets are also to be used at various festivals.

Numbers 10:11-12, Move out

On the twentieth day of the second month of the second year, the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle of the Testimony. 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.

In the second month of the second year, the cloud moves out and the Israelites follow it. It eventually leads them to the Desert of Paran.

Numbers 10:13-17, Judah first

They set out, this first time, at the LORD's command through Moses. The divisions of the camp of Judah went first, under their standard. Nahshon son of Amminadab was in command. Nethanel son of Zuar was over the division of the tribe of Issachar, and Eliab son of Helon was over the division of the tribe of Zebulun. Then the tabernacle was taken down, and the Gershonites and Merarites, who carried it, set out.

As prescribed, the people move out. The tabernacle is taken down and packed, and carried by people who are descendants of Gershon and Merar (ancient sons of Levi.)

Numbers 10:18-21, Now Reuben, Simon and Gad

The divisions of the camp of Reuben went next, under their standard. Elizur son of Shedeur was in command. Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai was over the division of the tribe of Simeon, and Eliasaph son of Deuel was over the division of the tribe of Gad. Then the Kohathites set out, carrying the holy things. The tabernacle was to be set up before they arrived.

The tribes on the south then follow the tribes on the east.

Numbers 10:22-24, Ephraiim, Manasseh and Benjamin

The divisions of the camp of Ephraim went next, under their standard. Elishama son of Ammihud was in command. Gamaliel son of Pedahzur was over the division of the tribe of Manasseh, and Abidan son of Gideoni was over the division of the tribe of Benjamin.

The tribes on the west follow.

Numbers 10:25-28, Dan Asher and Naphtali

Finally, as the rear guard for all the units, the divisions of the camp of Dan set out, under their standard. Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai was in command. Pagiel son of Ocran was over the division of the tribe of Asher, and Ahira son of Enan was over the division of the tribe of Naphtali. This was the order of march for the Israelite divisions as they set out.

And finally, the tribes on the north side of the tabernacle are on the move.

Numbers 10:29-31, Moses' father-in-law plans to return home

Now Moses said to Hobab son of Reuel the Midianite, Moses' father-in-law, "We are setting out for the place about which 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."

He answered, "No, I will not go; I am going back to my own land and my own people."

But Moses said, "Please do not leave us. You know where we should camp in the desert, and you can be our eyes. If you come with us, we will share with you whatever good things the LORD gives us."

Moses asks his father-in-law to join them. He refuses and Moses asks him again. (The final answer is not given.)

Numbers 10:33-36, Three days

So they set out from the mountain of the LORD and traveled for three days. The ark of the covenant of the LORD went before them during those three days to find them a place to rest. The cloud of the LORD was over them by day when they set out from the camp.

       

Whenever the ark set out, Moses said, "Rise up, O LORD! May your enemies be scattered; may your foes flee before you." 

Whenever it came to rest, he said, "Return, O LORD, to the countless thousands of Israel."

The cloud, and the ark following, move away from Sinai. Moses has sayings with which to start and end the day.

Some Hebrew vocabulary

Our Hebrew word for the day is chatsotsrah, a feminine noun, trumpet, 

 חֲצֹצְרָה

which is a duplication of the word chatsar, a verb, to blow, blowing,

 חָצַר

First published September 11, 2025; updated September 15, 2025