CHAPTER X _Moses is commanded to make two_ silver _trumpets for calling the_ _assembly_, 1, 2. _On what occasions these trumpets should be sounded_. First, _for_ _calling the assembly to the door of the tabernacle_, 3. Secondly, _to summon the princes and captains of the thousands_ _of Israel_... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Numbers 10:2. _MAKE THEE TWO TRUMPETS OF SILVER_] The necessity of such instruments will at once appear, when the amazing extent of this numerous army is considered; and how even the sound of two trumpets could reach them all is difficult to conceive; but we may suppose that, when they were so... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Numbers 10:5. _WHEN YE BLOW AN ALARM_] תרועה _teruah_, probably meaning _short, broken, sharp_ tones, terminating with _long_ ones, blown with both the trumpets at once. From the similarity in the words some suppose that the Hebrew _teruah_ was similar to the Roman _taratantara_, or sound of t... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Numbers 10:6. _WHEN YE BLOW AN ALARM THE SECOND TIME_] A _single_ alarm, as above stated, was a signal for the _eastward_ division to march; _two_ such alarms, the signal for the _south_ division; and probably _three_ for the _west_ division, and _four_ for the _north_. It is more likely that... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Numbers 10:9. _IF YE GO TO WAR_] These trumpets shall be sounded for the purpose of collecting the people together, to deliberate about the war, and to implore the protection of God against their enemies. _YE SHALL BE REMEMBERED BEFORE THE LORD_] When _ye decamp, encamp_, _make war_, and hold... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Numbers 10:10. _IN THE DAY OF YOUR GLADNESS_] On every festival the people shall be collected by the same means.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Numbers 10:11. _THE TWENTIETH DAY OF THE SECOND MONTH_] The Israelites had lain encamped in the wilderness of Sinai about _eleven months_ and _twenty days_; compare Exodus 19:1 with this verse. They now received the order of God to decamp, and proceed towards the promised land; and therefore t... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Numbers 10:12. _THE CLOUD RESTED IN THE WILDERNESS OF PARAN._] This was three days' journey from the wilderness of Sinai, (see Numbers 10:33,) and the people had three stations; the first at _Kibroth-hattaavah_, the second at _Hazeroth_, Numbers 11:35, and the third in the wilderness of _Paran... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Numbers 10:14. _THE STANDARD - OF JUDAH_] See this order of marching explained at large on Numbers 2:1. The following is the order in which this vast company proceeded in their march: - JUDAH Issachar Zebulun Gershonites, and Merarites carrying the tabernacle. REUBEN Simeon Gad The Ko... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Numbers 10:29. _MOSES SAID UNTO HOBAB_] For a circumstantial account of this person see the notes on Exodus 2:15-2; Exodus 2:18; Exodus 3:1; Exodus 4:20; Exodus 4:24; and for the transaction recorded here, and which is probably out of its place, see Exodus 18:5, where the subject is discussed... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Numbers 10:30. _I WILL NOT GO; BUT I WILL DEPART TO MINE OWN LAND,_ _AND TO MY KINDRED._] From the strong expostulations in verses Numbers 10:31 and Numbers 10:32, and from Judges 1:16; Judges 4:11, and 1 Samuel 15:6, it is likely that Hobab changed his mind; or that, if he did go back to Mid... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Numbers 10:31. _THOU MAYEST BE TO US INSTEAD OF EYES._] But what need had they of Hobab, when they had the pillar and fire continually to point out their way? Answer: The cloud directed their _general_ _journeys_, but not their _particular_ excursions. Parties took several journeys while the... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Numbers 10:33. _THE ARK - WENT BEFORE THEM_] We find from Numbers 10:21 that the ark was carried by the _Kohathites_ in the center of the army; but as the army never moved till the cloud was taken up, it is said to _go before them_, i. e., to be the first to move, as without this motion the Is... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Numbers 10:35. _RISE UP, LORD, AND LET THINE ENEMIES BE SCATTERED_] If God did not arise in this way and scatter his enemies, there could be no hope that Israel could get safely through the wilderness. God must go first, if Israel would wish to follow in safety.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Numbers 10:36. _RETURN, O LORD, UNTO THE MANY THOUSANDS OF ISRAEL._] These were the words spoken by Moses, at the moment the divisions halted in order to pitch their tents. In reference to this subject, and the history with which it is connected, the Psalms 68 seems to have been composed, tho... [ Continue Reading ]