Numbers 10

• Israel needed clear signals so the tribes could receive instructions. Two silver trumpets provided a simple and effective way to signal all the tribes to move.

• These trumpets were not the ram’s horns (Hebrew shofar) often mentioned in the Old Testament (for example, Joshua 6:4–6). Israelite craftsmen made them from hammered silver brought out of Egypt.

They used the two trumpets to alert people for important announcements (compare Revelation 8–11).

When it was time to journey to the next destination, the trumpets sounded to signal when to camp and when to move. This sound was in addition to the movement of the pillar of cloud (compare 9:15–22 and chapter 2).

the priests, are to sound the trumpets: They used these trumpets only for matters related to God and his rule over Israel, which the priests served.

The trumpets marked holy events that people might not easily recognize. Trumpets that called to battle would remind the Lord to save the Hebrews from their enemies (Hosea 5:8; Joel 2:1).

Leaving Sinai was a key moment in Israel's history. The Israelites now had the law and God would test them on how they obeyed it. The departure from Sinai marked the start of the march toward Canaan, although it became a long journey (compare Deuteronomy 1:6–8, 19). This passage summarizes the daily routines during the journey.

The Israelites traveled to the wilderness of Paran. This region was dry and harsh. It was either arid or semi-arid, which means it received very little rain.

The wilderness of Paran lay in the northeastern part of the Sinai Peninsula. It was south of the Negev and west of the Dead Sea and the Arabah Rift (a long valley that runs from the Dead Sea southward; compare Genesis 21:21).

The order of march described here is different from 2:3–34. There, all three Levitical clans carried the tabernacle and its furnishings in the center of the camp. They marched between the groups led by Judah and Reuben, and the groups led by Ephraim and Dan.

In this passage, the arrangement is more detailed. The Gershonites and Merarites carried the structural parts of the tabernacle between Judah and Reuben. The Kohathites carried the most sacred furniture between Reuben and Ephraim.

This arrangement was practical. It gave the Gershonites and Merarites time to set up the tabernacle before the Kohathites arrived with the sacred objects. This plan also provided protection for the holy items.

In addition, this pattern spread the Levites among the tribes. Their presence among the people may have strengthened spiritual influence throughout the camp (compare Matthew 13:33; 16:6, 11–12; 1 Corinthians 5:6–7).

• After the journey toward Paran began, Moses asked his brother-in-law, Hobab, to guide the Israelites (literally and you will serve for us for eyes) (compare Judges 4:11). In this way, Hobab would share in their promised blessings. As a Midianite shepherd, Hobab knew the routes and possible sources of food and water in the Sinai Peninsula.

• Reuel the Midianite: See “Jethro (Reuel)” Profile.

• my own land and my own people: Midian was probably in northwestern Arabia. Judges 1:16 suggests that Hobab accepted the request.

the mountain of the LORD: Here, this refers to Mount Sinai. In other places, it means Mount Moriah or Zion in Jerusalem (Genesis 22:14; Psalm 24:3; Isaiah 2:3; Zechariah 8:3).

When the ark of the covenant set out, Moses called on the Lord as a warrior. He acknowledged the Lord would help Israel win the promised land and fight their battles (compare Psalm 68:1).

This invocation (formal call for God’s help) asked the Lord to be present with his people. It was spoken when the Israelites set out or camped.