Numbers 10
Numbers 10 records Israel’s preparation for departure from Sinai and the beginning of the march toward the promised land. Verses 1–10 describe the making and use of two silver trumpets. Verses 11–36 describe the departure from Sinai, the order of the tribes, Moses’ conversation with Hobab, and prayers connected with the movement of the ark.
1verseThe LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
2verse“Make two trumpets of silver. You shall make them of beaten work. You shall use them for the calling of the congregation and for the journeying of the camps.
3verseWhen they blow them, all the congregation shall gather themselves to you at the door of the Tent of Meeting.
4verseIf they blow just one, then the princes, the heads of the thousands of Israel, shall gather themselves to you.
5verseWhen you blow an alarm, the camps that lie on the east side shall go forward.
6verseWhen you blow an alarm the second time, the camps that lie on the south side shall go forward. They shall blow an alarm for their journeys.
7verseBut when the assembly is to be gathered together, you shall blow, but you shall not sound an alarm.
8verse“The sons of Aaron, the priests, shall blow the trumpets. This shall be to you for a statute forever throughout your generations.
9verseWhen you go to war in your land against the adversary who oppresses you, then you shall sound an alarm with the trumpets. Then you will be remembered before the LORD your God, and you will be saved from your enemies.
10verse“Also in the day of your gladness, and in your set feasts, and in the beginnings of your months, you shall blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; and they shall be to you for a memorial before your God. I am the LORD your God.”
11verseIn the second year, in the second month, on the twentieth day of the month, the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle of the covenant.
12verseThe children of Israel went forward on their journeys out of the wilderness of Sinai; and the cloud stayed in the wilderness of Paran.
13verseThey first went forward according to the commandment of the LORD by Moses.
14verseFirst, the standard of the camp of the children of Judah went forward according to their armies. Nahshon the son of Amminadab was over his army.
15verseNethanel the son of Zuar was over the army of the tribe of the children of Issachar.
16verseEliab the son of Helon was over the army of the tribe of the children of Zebulun.
17verseThe tabernacle was taken down; and the sons of Gershon and the sons of Merari, who bore the tabernacle, went forward.
18verseThe standard of the camp of Reuben went forward according to their armies. Elizur the son of Shedeur was over his army.
19verseShelumiel the son of Zurishaddai was over the army of the tribe of the children of Simeon.
20verseEliasaph the son of Deuel was over the army of the tribe of the children of Gad.
21verseThe Kohathites set forward, bearing the sanctuary. The others set up the tabernacle before they arrived.
22verseThe standard of the camp of the children of Ephraim set forward according to their armies. Elishama the son of Ammihud was over his army.
23verseGamaliel the son of Pedahzur was over the army of the tribe of the children of Manasseh.
24verseAbidan the son of Gideoni was over the army of the tribe of the children of Benjamin.
25verseThe standard of the camp of the children of Dan, which was the rear guard of all the camps, set forward according to their armies. Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai was over his army.
26versePagiel the son of Ochran was over the army of the tribe of the children of Asher.
27verseAhira the son of Enan was over the army of the tribe of the children of Naphtali.
28verseThus were the travels of the children of Israel according to their armies; and they went forward.
29verseMoses said to Hobab, the son of Reuel the Midianite, Moses’ father-in-law, “We are journeying to the place of which the LORD said, ‘I will give it to you.’ Come with us, and we will treat you well; for the LORD has spoken good concerning Israel.”
30verseHe said to him, “I will not go; but I will depart to my own land, and to my relatives.”
31verseMoses said, “Don’t leave us, please; because you know how we are to encamp in the wilderness, and you can be our eyes.
32verseIt shall be, if you go with us—yes, it shall be—that whatever good the LORD does to us, we will do the same to you.”
33verseThey set forward from the Mount of the LORD three days’ journey. The ark of the LORD’s covenant went before them three days’ journey, to seek out a resting place for them.
34verseThe cloud of the LORD was over them by day, when they set forward from the camp.
35verseWhen the ark went forward, Moses said, “Rise up, LORD, and let your enemies be scattered! Let those who hate you flee before you!”
36verseWhen it rested, he said, “Return, LORD, to the ten thousands of the thousands of Israel.”
Making and Using the Trumpets (Verses 1–10)
God commands Moses to make two hammered silver trumpets. These trumpets are to be blown by the priests, the sons of Aaron, to summon the congregation, gather the leaders, signal the breaking of camp, sound alarm in war, and mark days of gladness, appointed feasts, and new moons. Their use shows that Israel’s communal life and movement were to be ordered under God’s command.
The Beginning of the Journey (Verses 11–28)
On the twentieth day of the second month in the second year, the cloud lifts from the tabernacle, and Israel sets out from the wilderness of Sinai. The tribes move according to the order previously given, with Judah’s camp first and Dan’s camp serving as the rear guard. The Levite clans also move in their assigned order so that the tabernacle can be transported and set up properly.
A Conversation with Hobab (Verses 29–32)
Moses asks Hobab, son of Reuel the Midianite and Moses’ relative by marriage, to go with Israel. Hobab initially declines, but Moses urges him to stay, noting that he knows the wilderness and can be of help. The passage shows that God’s guidance does not exclude practical wisdom and human cooperation.
The Presence and Guidance of God (Verses 33–36)
The ark of the covenant goes before the people as they set out, and Moses prays when the ark departs and when it rests. These prayers express reliance on the LORD’s presence in both movement and rest. The chapter closes with the image of a community journeying under divine guidance.
Points to Reflect On
- What does it mean for a community to move with shared signals, order, and purpose?
- How can practical wisdom and trust in God work together rather than compete?
- What prayers or habits help you seek God’s presence when beginning, stopping, or changing direction?
Try Applying It to Yourself
- At important moments of decision, pause to seek guidance rather than moving only by impulse.
- Consider how your choices affect the community traveling with you.
- Practice beginning and ending significant tasks with prayerful awareness and humility.
