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Numbers Chapter Ten

 

Numbers 10

Two Silver Trumpets (v.1~10)

Departure from Sinai (v.11~36)

New King James Version (NKJV)

 

INTRODUCTION TO NUMBERS 10

This chapter gives an account of the directions given for making two silver trumpets and of the use of them the ends and purposes for which they were to be made Numbers 10:1; and of the time of taking up of the cloud from the tabernacle and of the removal of the camp of Israel from the wilderness of Sinai and of the order of their march Numbers 10:11; when Moses most earnestly passed Hobab his brother in law to continue with him Numbers 10:29; and the chapter is closed with the prayer of Moses at the setting forward of the ark and the resting of it Numbers 10:33.

 

Numbers 10:1   And the Lord spoke to Moses saying:

   YLT  1And Jehovah speaketh unto Moses saying

And the Lord spake unto Moses .... When the following directions concerning the trumpets were given is not certain; it may he at the time when the order of the camps of Israel was fixed and is here recorded before the journeying of them which was one use they were to be put unto Numbers 10:2

saying; as follows.

 

Numbers 10:2   2 “Make two silver trumpets for yourself; you shall make them of hammered work; you shall use them for calling the congregation and for directing the movement of the camps.

   YLT  2`Make to thee two trumpets of silver; beaten work thou dost make them and they have been to thee for the convocation of the company and for the journeying of the camps;

Make thee two trumpets of silver .... A metal very valuable and precious durable and fit for sound; only two are ordered Aaron having but two sons Eleazar and Ithamar who were to blow with them Numbers 10:8; for though Moses's order is "make thee" or for thee yet not for his own use but for the priests to use when he should order them: the Targum of Jonathan adds of what is thine own as if they were to be made at his own expense; but others say and which is more probable that they were to be made at the public expense: JosephusF9Antiqu. l. 3. c. 12. sect. 6. gives a description of them and says that they were little less than a cubit long the pipe of them narrow but broader about the mouth to receive the breath and ended like a bell; they seem to be much of the shape of our trumpets: these trumpets were an emblem of the ministry of the Gospel called the great trumpet and in the ministration of which the preachers of it are to lift up their voice like a trumpet to show men their perishing condition through sin and to encourage them as such who are ready to perish to come to Christ for salvation Isaiah 27:13; the Gospel is comparable to silver being fetched out of the mines of the sacred Scriptures pure and free from the dross of errors and human inventions will bear to be tried by the standard of the word and is lasting and durable yea the everlasting Gospel; as well as valuable and precious containing the unsearchable riches of Christ &c. treasures of divine truths comparable to gold silver and precious stones; yea it is more valuable and precious than silver not to be obtained by that more profitable and useful more satisfying and lasting: the number two may be applicable to the two dispensations under which the Gospel has been ministered directing to the same Saviour and to the same way of salvation by his grace his blood righteousness and sacrifice; and to the two Testaments which agree in the same truths respecting his person offices obedience sufferings and death; and to the prophets and apostles of both dispensations and testaments who have united in laying Christ as the foundation; and also to the two witnesses that are still to prophecy in sackcloth that is preach the Gospel and blow the trumpet of it: Revelation 11:3.

of an whole piece shall thou make them; of one solid mass of silver beaten with an hammer as Jarchi such a piece as the candlestick was made of in Exodus 25:31 where the same word is used as here and rendered "beaten work": this may denote the pure and unmixed Gospel of Christ having no dross nor bad nor base metal of human corruptions in it; no jar discord or contradiction in it but all in perfect harmony and agreement; and the whole of it no part of it dropped or concealed; and the ministry of it laboured by those employed in it who study to show themselves workmen that need not be ashamed:

that thou mayest use them for the calling the assembly; the body of the people of Israel either on civil or sacred accounts see Joel 1:15; the ministry of the Gospel is for the calling and gathering of souls to Christ and to his churches; even the remnant of Israel all that are given to Christ and redeemed by his blood whether Jews or Gentiles; these are gathered out of the world which is an act of distinguishing grace; it is by means of the Gospel trumpet that they are awakened and quickened and directed to Christ:

and for the journeying of the camps: both of the four camps of the Israelites and the camp of the Levites to direct them when they should set forward on a journey: and of like use is the ministry of the Gospel; saints are pilgrims and travellers here; they are passing through a wilderness their way is attended with many difficulties; Canaan is the place they are travelling to and the Gospel is of singular use to them by the way both to refresh them with its joyful sound and to direct them in the path in which they should go.

 

Numbers 10:3   3 When they blow both of them all the congregation shall gather before you at the door of the tabernacle of meeting.

   YLT  3and they have blown with them and all the company have met together unto thee unto the opening of the tent of meeting.

And when they shall blow with them .... With both the trumpets in an even and continued sound that is the sons of Aaron:

all the assembly shall assemble themselves to thee at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation; to hear what was to be said unto them: blowing both the trumpets together was a token that the whole congregation was called to meet together at the tabernacle the door of which was the usual place of assembling especially on religious counts for there also the Lord met them Exodus 29:42.

 

Numbers 10:4   4 But if they blow only one then the leaders the heads of the divisions of Israel shall gather to you.

   YLT  4And if with one they blow then have the princes heads of the thousands of Israel met together unto thee;

And if they blow but with one trumpet .... With only one of them or but once with one sounding and that an even one as before:

then the princes which are the heads of the thousands of Israel

shall gather themselves unto thee: and they only or alone as Aben Ezra: by this token or by this difference of blowing both trumpets or only one it was easily known when the whole congregation or when the princes only were to meet Moses at the same place the door of the tabernacle of the congregation; and all are to attend divine service and the ministry of the word even the whole church of God and all the members of it high and low rich and poor princes and people.

 

Numbers 10:5   5 When you sound the advance the camps that lie on the east side shall then begin their journey.

   YLT  5`And ye have blown -- a shout and the camps which are encamping eastward have journeyed.

When ye blow an alarm .... Making a broken uneven and quavering sound which is called a "tara-tan-tara":

then the camps that lie on the east parts shall go forward; the camps of Judah Issachar and Zebulun which lay to the east of the tabernacle at the front of it; see Numbers 1:3; this was to be the token for their march which was first of all; Numbers 10:14.

 

Numbers 10:6    6 When you sound the advance the second time then the camps that lie on the south side shall begin their journey; they shall sound the call for them to begin their journeys.

   YLT  6`And ye have blown -- a second shout and the camps which are encamping southward have journeyed; a shout they blow for their journeys.

When ye blow an alarm the second time .... Another "tara-tan-tara":

then the camps that lie on the south side shall take their journey; the camps of Reuben Simeon and Gad which were encamped on the south side of the tabernacle Numbers 2:10; and as JosephusF11Ut supra. (Antiq. l. 3. c. 12. sect. 6.) says at the third sounding of the alarm that part of the camp which lay to the west moved which were the camps of Ephraim Manasseh and Benjamin Numbers 2:18; and at the fourth sounding as he says those which were at the north the camps of Dan Asher and Naphtali Numbers 2:25; which though not expressed in the Hebrew text are added in the Septuagint version as they are to be understood:

they shall blow an alarm for their journeys; for the journeys of the said camps as a signal or token when they should begin to march.

 

Numbers 10:7   7 And when the assembly is to be gathered together you shall blow but not sound the advance.

   YLT  7`And in the assembling of the assembly ye blow and do not shout;

But when the congregation is to be gathered together .... At the door of the tabernacle of the congregation and not to move in separate camps or bodies one after another:

you shall blow but you shall not sound an alarm; blow with an even and uninterrupted sound and not with a broken and quavering one; by which the congregation and camps were distinguished from one another the same certain sound being given to each constantly whereby they knew which were called to motion: see 1 Corinthians 14:8; according to Ben Gersom blowing was a voice drawn out and joined or continued; an alarm a voice not joined but broken.

 

Numbers 10:8   8 The sons of Aaron the priests shall blow the trumpets; and these shall be to you as an ordinance forever throughout your generations.

   YLT  8and sons of Aaron the priests blow with the trumpets; and they have been to you for a statute age-during to your generations.

And the sons of Aaron the priests shall blow with the trumpets .... Eleazar and Ithamar the one with the one and the other with the other there being at first but two as there were but two priests; but in Solomon's time there were an hundred twenty priests and as many trumpets 2 Chronicles 5:12; hence Maimonides saysF12Hilchot Cele Hamikdash c. 3. sect. 4. there were never fewer than two trumpets nor more than an hundred twenty:

and they shall be to you for an ordinance for ever throughout your generations: for they were not only for present use for the journeying of the camps in the wilderness but for calling together the assembly in later times as well as for other uses next mentioned; which would obtain in future ages till the coming of Christ and even under the Gospel dispensation the mystical use of them continues the preaching of the everlasting Gospel.

 

Numbers 10:9   9 “When you go to war in your land against the enemy who oppresses you then you shall sound an alarm with the trumpets and you will be remembered before the Lord your God and you will be saved from your enemies.

   YLT  9`And when ye go into battle in your land against the adversary who is distressing you then ye have shouted with the trumpets and ye have been remembered before Jehovah your God and ye have been saved from your enemies.

And when ye go to war in your land against the enemy that oppresseth you .... That enters in to invade it to besiege cities and distress the inhabitants of it:

then ye shall blow an alarm with the trumpets: a "tara-tan-tara" with both of them to call the several tribes together to join against the enemy; or to call them to fasting and humiliation to repentance and prayer to seek the Lord in the exercise of these and cry for help and assistance for victory and salvation; for as Ben Gersom observes by this alarm their hearts would be broken and become contrite and they would return to the Lord and he would have mercy on them when they pray unto him; for such a sound makes a man's heart shake and tremble according to Amos 3:6; see Jeremiah 4:19; this is a third use of the trumpets and in a mystical sense it may be observed that saints are in a militant state and have many enemies that come in to them to oppress them sin Satan and the world; and the Gospel calls and encourages them to fight furnishes them with armour and assures them of victory and directs them where to fight and with whom and bids them endure hardness as good soldiers of Christ:

and ye shall be remembered before the Lord your God; for a book of remembrance is written for them that fear God humble themselves before him and pray unto him:

and ye shall be saved from your enemies; as Israel from their temporal so the people of God from their spiritual enemies being made more than conquerors through him that loved them.

 

Numbers 10:10   10 Also in the day of your gladness in your appointed feasts and at the beginning of your months you shall blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; and they shall be a memorial for you before your God: I am the Lord your God.”

   YLT  10`And in the day of your gladness and in your appointed seasons and in the beginnings of your months ye have blown also with the trumpets over your burnt-offerings and over the sacrifices of your peace-offerings and they have been to you for a memorial before your God; I Jehovah [am] your God.'

Also in the day of your gladness .... When they should return from the enemy's country conquerors or have vanquished the enemy that came against them into their own land and so would fix a day of rejoicing like the days of Purim and the seven days when Hezekiah rejoiced as Aben Ezra observes; and so any time of rejoicing on account of any extraordinary deliverance and salvation:

and in your solemn days; or festivals as the passover pentecost and tabernacles which were proclaimed by sound of trumpet Leviticus 23:2

and in the beginnings of your months; their new moons especially on the first day of the seventh month which was a feast of blowing of trumpets Leviticus 23:24

ye shall blow with the trumpets over your burnt offerings and over your peace offerings; expressing joy for the acceptance of them and especially when they had by faith a view of the great sacrifice of Christ typified by them: this is a fourth use of the trumpets and may denote the spiritual joy had by believers through the ministration of the Gospel and ordinances of it on the Lord's day and other seasons and particularly at the feast of the Lord's supper in the view of peace and reconciliation and atonement made by the sacrifice of Christ:

that they may be to you for a memorial before your God; as it were to put him in mind of the promises he has made and the blessings he has laid up as a covenant God for his people:

I am the Lord your God; who had a right to appoint such things to be observed by them and by whom as their covenant God they were laid under obligation to regard them.

 

Numbers 10:11   11 Now it came to pass on the twentieth day of the second month in the second year that the cloud was taken up from above the tabernacle of the Testimony.

   YLT  11And it cometh to pass -- in the second year in the second month in the twentieth of the month -- the cloud hath gone up from off the tabernacle of the testimony

And it came to pass on the twentieth day of the second month in the second year .... Which was the twentieth of the month Ijar in the second year of the coming of the Israelites out of Egypt; who as it appears from hence compared with Exodus 19:1; had been in the wilderness of Sinai twelve months wanting ten days; so Jarchi and other Jewish writersF13Seder Olam Rabba c. 8. p. 23. Abarbinel &c. with whom Aben Ezra agrees who says it was near a year:

that the cloud was taken up from off the tabernacle of the testimony; that part of the tabernacle where the ark of the testimony stood even the most holy place over which the cloud was the token of the divine Presence and which it covered; but now was taken up from it and went up higher above it and was a signal for the motion of the camps of Israel to set forward in their journey towards Canaan's land.

 

Numbers 10:12   12 And the children of Israel set out from the Wilderness of Sinai on their journeys; then the cloud settled down in the Wilderness of Paran.

   YLT        YLT  12and the sons of Israel journey in their journeyings from the wilderness of Sinai and the cloud doth tabernacle in the wilderness of Paran;

And the children of Israel took their journeys out of the wilderness of Sinai .... Each of their camps removed from thence and so everyone took their journey:

and the cloud rested in the wilderness of Paran; which was a signal for the camps to rest and pitch their tents; this was after they had gone three days journey and were come to Taberah which it is probable was in the wilderness of Paran; otherwise we read of their pitching in the wilderness of Paran after they had been a month at Kibrothhattaavah Numbers 11:34 and seven days at Hazeroth Numbers 12:16; so they went from one wilderness to another; of this wilderness; see Gill on Genesis 21:21.

 

Numbers 10:13   13 So they started out for the first time according to the command of the Lord by the hand of Moses.

   YLT  13and they journey at first by the command of Jehovah in the hand of Moses.

And they first took their journey according to the commandment of the Lord .... Which was virtually contained in and signified by the taking up of the cloud see Numbers 9:18

by the hand of Moses; by his means and ministry who had informed them that it was the will of God that when they saw the cloud taken up to set forward in their journey and they were obedient thereunto.

 

Numbers 10:14   14 The standard of the camp of the children of Judah set out first according to their armies; over their army was Nahshon the son of Amminadab.

   YLT  14And the standard of the camp of the sons of Judah journeyeth in the first [place] by their hosts and over its host [is] Nahshon son of Amminadab.

In the first place went the standard of the camp of the children of Judah .... Which tribe had the honour to go foremost and lead the van the chief ruler the Messiah being to come of it as he did; who is King of Israel and has gone forth at the head of them fighting their battles for them:

according to their armies: having besides the army of the tribe of Judah the armies of the tribes of Issachar and Zebulun under his standard:

and over his host was Nahshon the son of Amminadab; he was captain general of the army of the tribe of Judah as Nethaneel was over the host of the tribe of Issachar Numbers 10:15; and Eliab over the host of the tribe of Zebulun Numbers 10:16; the same commanders as were fixed at the time of settling the order of their encampment Numbers 2:3.

 

Numbers 10:15   15 Over the army of the tribe of the children of Issachar was Nethanel the son of Zuar.

   YLT  15And over the host of the tribe of the sons of Issachar [is] Nathaneel son of Zuar.

And over the host of the tribe of the children of Issachar was Nethaneel the son of Zuar. See Gill on Numbers 10:14.

 

Numbers 10:16   16 And over the army of the tribe of the children of Zebulun was Eliab the son of Helon.

   YLT  16And over the host of the tribe of the sons of Zebulun [is] Eliab son of Helon;

And over the host of the tribe of the children of Zebulun was Eliab the son of Helon. See Gill on Numbers 10:14.

 

Numbers 10:17   17 Then the tabernacle was taken down; and the sons of Gershon and the sons of Merari set out carrying the tabernacle.

   YLT  17And the tabernacle hath been taken down and the sons of Gershon and the sons of Merari have journeyed bearing the tabernacle.

And the tabernacle was taken down .... By the Levites as Aben Ezra and which appears to be their work from Numbers 1:51; this began to be done by them as soon as the cloud was perceived to move upwards and the camp of Judah was preparing to march; and after Aaron and his sons had taken the holy vessels out of the holy and most holy place and had packed up and covered them as directed Numbers 4:5; this was an emblem of the taking down of the Jewish church state the abolition of the service of the sanctuary as well as of the changeable condition of the Gospel church in the wilderness which is not always in one and the same place but is moved from place to place and that by the ministers of the word signified by the Levites who are sent and carry the Gospel here and there:

and the sons of Gershon and the sons of Merari set forward bearing the tabernacle; the former the hangings and vail and the latter the boards pillars sockets &c. each of them having wagons for their assistance: these followed immediately after the camp of Judah.

 

Numbers 10:18   18 And the standard of the camp of Reuben set out according to their armies; over their army was Elizur the son of Shedeur.

   YLT  18And the standard of the camp of Reuben hath journeyed by their hosts and over its host [is] Elizur son of Shedeur.

And the standard of the camp of Reuben set forward according to their armies .... Next proceeded the standard of Reuben having under it the tribes of Simeon and Gad Numbers 10:19; as "Reuben" signifies "behold the son" and he had the tabernacle borne before him and the holy things behind him which way soever this camp looked it had in view what was a type of Christ the Son of God the object of faith the ark.

and over his host was Elizur the son of Shedeur; over which respective armies were the same captains as in Numbers 2:10;

 

Numbers 10:19   19 Over the army of the tribe of the children of Simeon was Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai.

   YLT  19And over the host of the tribe of the sons of Simeon [is] Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai.

And over the host of the tribe of the children of Simeon was Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai. See Gill on Numbers 10:18.

 

Numbers 10:20   20 And over the army of the tribe of the children of Gad was Eliasaph the son of Deuel.

   YLT  20And over the host of the tribe of the sons of Gad [is] Eliasaph son of Deuel;

And over the host of the tribe of the children of Gad was Eliasaph the son of Deuel. See Gill on Numbers 10:18.

 

Numbers 10:21   21 Then the Kohathites set out carrying the holy things. (The tabernacle would be prepared for their arrival.)

   YLT  21And the Kohathites have journeyed bearing the tabernacle and the [others] have raised up the tabernacle until their coming in.

And the Kohathites set forward .... After the standard of the camps of Reuben and between that and the standard of the camp of Ephraim to which there is an allusion in Psalm 80:2

bearing the sanctuary or the holy things as Jarchi; the ark as Aben Ezra; though not that only which indeed might be eminently called so it standing in the most holy place over which were the mercy seat and cherubim the residence of the divine Majesty; but all the holy things in the holy place the candlestick shewbread table and the two altars the altar of incense in the holy place and the altar of burnt offerings in the court these they bore on their shoulders and had no wagons allowed for their assistance:

and the other did set up the tabernacle against they came; that is the sons of Gershon and Merari who went before between the standard of Judah and the standard of Reuben carrying the heavier and more cumbersome parts of the tabernacle; which when Judah pitched their tents at the signal of the cloud they immediately put together and erected and got it ready by such time as the Kohathites came up to them that so the ark and other holy things might be at once put into it and set in their proper places.

 

Numbers 10:22   22 And the standard of the camp of the children of Ephraim set out according to their armies; over their army was Elishama the son of Ammihud.

   YLT  22And the standard of the camp of the sons of Ephraim hath journeyed by their hosts and over its host [is] Elishama son of Ammihud.

And the standard of the camp of the children of Ephraim set forward according to their armies .... Next followed the standard of the camp of Ephraim under which were Manasseh and Benjamin Numbers 10:23

and over his host was Elishama the son of Ammihud; over whom were the same captains as in Numbers 2:18.

 

Numbers 10:23   23 Over the army of the tribe of the children of Manasseh was Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.

   YLT  23And over the host of the tribe of the sons of Manasseh [is] Gamalial son of Pedahzur.

And over the host of the tribe of the children of Manasseh was Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur. See Gill on Numbers 10:22.

 

Numbers 10:24   24 And over the army of the tribe of the children of Benjamin was Abidan the son of Gideoni.

   YLT  24And over the host of the tribe of the sons of Benjamin [is] Abidan son of Gideoni.

And over the host of the tribe of the children of Benjamin was Abidan the son of Gideoni. See Gill on Numbers 10:22.

 

Numbers 10:25   25 Then the standard of the camp of the children of Dan (the rear guard of all the camps) set out according to their armies; over their army was Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.

   YLT  25And the standard of the camp of the sons of Dan hath journeyed (rearward to all the camps) by their hosts and over its host [is] Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai.

And the standard of the camp of the children of Dan set forward .... Next after that of Ephraim the last of all: which was the rearward of all the camps throughout their host; which brought up the rear and was fittest for that purpose being the most numerous next to that of Judah which led the van; or the gatherer up of all the campsF14מאסף לכל המחנת "colligens omnia castra" Montanus Drusius; "vel collector omnium castrorum" Fagius Vatablus; "colligens omnia agmina" Tigurine version Munster. under which were collected and brought on all that belonged to the other tribes; as all under twenty years of age which were not taken into the camps and the women and children and weak and sickly persons the mixed multitude and all stragglers: these were all under the care and charge of this camp and under the standard of which were Asher and Naphtali Numbers 10:26; over whom were the same captains as in Numbers 2:25.

 

Numbers 10:26   26 Over the army of the tribe of the children of Asher was Pagiel the son of Ocran.

   YLT  26And over the host of the tribe of the sons of Asher [is] Pagiel son of Ocran.

And over the host of the tribe of the children of Asher was Pagiel the son of Ocran. See Gill on Numbers 10:25.

 

Numbers 10:27   27 And over the army of the tribe of the children of Naphtali was Ahira the son of Enan.

   YLT  27And over the host of the tribe of the sons of Naphtali [is] Ahira son of Enan.

And over the host of the tribe of the children of Naphtali was Ahira the son of Enan. See Gill on Numbers 10:25.

 

Numbers 10:28   28 Thus was the order of march of the children of Israel according to their armies when they began their journey.

   YLT  28These [are] journeyings of the sons of Israel by their hosts -- and they journey.

Thus were the journeyings of the children of Israel .... Or this was the order of them as Jarchi; in this form and manner they marched and a most wise beautiful and regular order it was; first the standard of Judah a camp consisting of 186 400 able men fit for war then followed the Gershonites and Merarites with six wagons carrying the heavier parts of the tabernacle; next to them the standard of the camp of Reuben having in it 151 450 warlike men; next to them were the Kohathites bearing the holy things of the sanctuary on their shoulders who were followed by the standard of the camp of Ephraim which was formed of 108 100 men fit for military service; and last of all the standard of the camp of Dan which consisted of 157 600 men able to bear arms and which had under their care all that were not able which belonged to the other tribes; an emblem of the church of God in its militant state walking according to the order of the Gospel and in all the ordinances of it which is a lovely sight to behold Song of Solomon 6:4; thus they marched

according to their armies; ranged under their several standards:

when they set forward; in their journey through the wilderness; as now so at all other times this order was carefully observed by them.

 

Numbers 10:29   29 Now Moses said to Hobab the son of Reuel[a] the Midianite Moses’ father-in-law “We are setting out for 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 promised good things to Israel.”

   YLT  29And Moses saith to Hobab son of Raguel the Midianite father-in-law of Moses `We are journeying unto the place of which Jehovah hath said I give it to you; go with us and we have done good to thee; for Jehovah hath spoken good concerning Israel.'

And Moses said unto Hobab the son of Raguel the Midianite

Moses's father in law .... Some think this Hobab was the same with Jethro whose father's name was Raguel or Reuel; so Jarchi and Ben Gersom; but rather Raguel or Reuel and Jethro seem to be the same and was Moses's father-in-law and this Hobab was the son of him and brother of Zipporah Moses's wife; and the same relation is designed whether the word is rendered his "father-in-law" or his "wife's brother" so Aben Ezra; as it may be either; if the former then it may be joined to Raguel if the latter then to Hobab: Jethro or Raguel Moses's father-in-law came to see him as soon as he came to Horeb and after some short stay with him returned to Midian and left this his son Hobab who remained with Moses unto this time; but now as Israel was about to remove from the wilderness of Sinai he showed a disposition to return to his own country when Moses addressed him in order to persuade him to continue with them:

we are journeying unto the place of which the Lord said I will give it you; that is the land of Canaan which God had promised to Abraham Isaac and Jacob and to their posterity: Moses puts himself among the children of Israel as journeying towards Canaan with an expectation to possess it; for as yet the decree as Jarchi observes was not made or made manifest that he should not enter it; or he said this as others think because he would not discourage the Israelites nor Hobab who might argue from thence that if he by whom God had brought Israel out of Egypt and had done such wonders by him should not enter into the good! and how should they? but as yet Moses himself knew not that he should not enter into it; however he speaks of it as a certain thing that God had promised to give it to Israel and it might be depended upon; and now they were just going to set forward in their journey in order to take possession of it he entreats that Hobab would go with them:

come thou with us and we will do thee good; by giving him a part of the spoils of their enemies and a settlement in the land:

for the Lord hath spoken good concerning Israel; and he is faithful who has promised and will perform.

 

Numbers 10:30   30 And he said to him “I will not go but I will depart to my own land and to my relatives.”

   YLT  30And he saith unto him `I do not go; but unto my land and unto my kindred do I go.'

And he said unto him I will not go .... Which was a very peremptory answer he seemed determined and at a point about it for the present though it is probable he afterwards changed his mind like the young man in the parable Matthew 21:29

but I will depart to mine own land and to my kindred; which were prevailing motives with him his native country his relations and father's house; to this resolution he came both because of his substance and because of his family as Jarchi.

 

Numbers 10:31   31 So Moses said “Please do not leave inasmuch as you know how we are to camp in the wilderness and you can be our eyes.

   YLT  31And he saith `I pray thee forsake us not because thou hast known our encamping in the wilderness and thou hast been to us for eyes;

And he said .... That is Moses he replied to Hobab unwilling to take him at his word and go without him:

leave us not I pray thee; or "not now"; as the Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan; at this present time under our present difficulties while we are in the wilderness; though Jarchi says the particle נא signifies beseeching or supplication:

forasmuch as thou knowest how we are to encamp in the wilderness; that this will be our case that we shall be obliged before we get to the promised land to pitch our tents in the wilderness in our passage through it; and thou knowest which are the best and most convenient places for that purpose and therefore must entreat thee to go with us:

and thou mayest be to us instead of eyes; not to show the way as Aben Ezra notes or guide and direct them in the road through the wilderness; for the cloud by day and the fire by night were of that use to them as well as when it rested it directed them when and where to pitch their tents; rather to assist with his advice in difficult matters when they should be in pressing circumstances: the Targum of Jonathan is

"thou hast been dear unto us as the apple of our eyes and therefore we cannot part with thee.'

 

Numbers 10:32   32 And it shall be if you go with us—indeed it shall be—that whatever good the Lord will do to us the same we will do to you.”

   YLT  32and it hath come to pass when thou goest with us yea it hath come to pass -- that good which Jehovah doth kindly with us -- it we have done kindly to thee.'

And it shall be if thou go with us yea it shall be .... This repetition is for the confirmation of it more strongly assuring him of what follows:

that what goodness the Lord shall do unto us the same will we do unto thee; signifying that whatsoever they enjoyed in the land of Canaan he should have his share with them: the Targum of Jonathan adds "in the division of the land;'Jarchi says when the land was divided the fatness of Jericho was given to the sons of Jethro to Jonadab the son of Rechab see Judges 1:16; from whence however as well as from other places Judges 4:11; it appears that the posterity of this man had a settlement in the land of Canaan and from his silence it may be thought that he was prevailed upon to go along with Moses; or if he departed into his own country as he said he would he returned again; at least some of his children did.

 

Numbers 10:33   33 So they departed from the mountain of the Lord on a journey of three days; and the ark of the covenant of the Lord went before them for the three days’ journey to search out a resting place for them.

   YLT  33And they journey from the mount of Jehovah a journey of three days; and the ark of the covenant of Jehovah is journeying before them the journey of three days to spy out for them a resting-place;

And they departed from the mount of the Lord three days' journey .... From Mount Sinai so called because the Lord descended upon it and gave the law from it; so the Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan "from the mount on which the glory of the Lord (or of his Shechinah or divine Majesty) was revealed.'This they left after they had been nearly twelve months about it and travelled three days' journey from it before the cloud rested so as to abide otherwise is stopped no doubt to give them time to eat their food and take sleep and rest. The Targum of Jonathan expressly says they went thirty six miles on that day; but according to BuntingF15Travels of the Patriarchs &c. p. 82. Taberah or Kibrothhattaavah to which the children of Israel first came and where they abode a month was but eight miles from Sinai; wherefore the three days' journey were not successively one after another but the first day's journey was to Taberah where they continued a month; the second day's journey was to Hazeroth where they stayed seven days; and the third day's journey was to the wilderness of Paran and there the cloud rested Numbers 10:12; and there was their resting place for there they continued long from whence the spies were sent to the good land and whither they returned after forty days Numbers 13:1

and the ark of the covenant of the Lord went before them in the three days' journey to search out a resting place for them; the ark being carried by the Kohathites must proceed in the middle of the camps after the camps of Judah and Reuben and before the camps of Ephraim and Dan according to the order of the marches of the children of Israel Numbers 10:21; wherefore Aben Ezra thinks that this three days' journey was different from all their other journeys; and that in this the ark went before them which in other journeys was carried in the midst of them; yet others think it may be said to go before though in the middle; just as a general of an army may be said to go before and lead his army though he is not directly in the front of it; so the cloud being always over the ark directing the march it may be said to go before and point out a convenient place to rest in; for searching cannot be properly ascribed to the ark nor even to the Lord himself and can only signify pointing out or discovering a proper place to take up their abode in: this ark of the covenant so called because the covenant or law was laid up in it was a type of Christ the end of the law for righteousness and who is the forerunner of his people is gone before them to prepare a place for them; and the three days' journey may have respect to his resurrection from the dead on the third day for their justification which is the foundation of their rest peace and joy.

 

Numbers 10:34   34 And the cloud of the Lord was above them by day when they went out from the camp.

   YLT  34and the cloud of Jehovah [is] on them by day in their journeying from the camp.

And the cloud of the Lord was upon them by day .... Not only upon the tabernacle and upon the ark particularly but it spread itself in journeying over the whole body of the people and therefore said to be a covering to them from the heat of the sun Psalm 105:39; as well as it was a guide unto them and a token of the divine Presence with them see Isaiah 4:5

when they went out of the camp; or out of the place of their encampment when they removed from Sinai; and appears from hence that it was in the daytime.

 

Numbers 10:35   35 So it was whenever the ark set out that Moses said: “Rise up O Lord! Let Your enemies be scattered And let those who hate You flee before You.”

   YLT  35And it cometh to pass in the journeying of the ark that Moses saith `Rise O Jehovah and Thine enemies are scattered and those hating Thee flee from Thy presence.'

And it came to pass when the ark set forward .... Carried by the Kohathites Numbers 10:21

that Moses said; in prayer as both the Targums of Jonathan and Jerusalem express it; and it was a prayer of faith and prophetic of what would be done and might serve greatly to encourage and animate the children of Israel in their journeys; for the following prayer was put up not only at this time but at all times when the ark set forward; and so Ben Gersom says it was the custom of Moses at whatsoever time the ark was moved to pray as follows:

rise up Lord and let thine enemies be scattered; the Jerusalem Targum is

"rise up now O Word of the Lord;'

and the Targum of Jonathan

"be revealed now O Word of the Lord;'

the essential Word of God the Messiah to whom these words may be applied; either to his incarnation and manifestation in the flesh his end in which was to destroy all his and his people's enemies particularly the devil and his works Hebrews 2:14; or to his resurrection from the dead these words standing at the head of a prophecy of his ascension to heaven which supposes his resurrection from the dead Psalm 68:1; at the death of Christ all the spiritual enemies of his people were defeated scattered confounded and conquered; Satan and his principalities were spoiled sin was made an end of death was abolished and the world overcome; at his resurrection the keepers of the sepulchre fled; and after his ascension wrath came upon the Jewish nation those enemies of his that would not have him to rule over them and they were scattered about on the face of the whole earth as they are to this day:

and let them that hate thee flee before thee; the same petition expressed in different words but to the same sense; enemies and those that hate the Lord are the same as their defeat conclusion and destruction are signified by their flight and dispersion; and it may be observed that those who were the enemies and haters of Israel were reckoned the enemies and haters of God himself; as the enemies of Christ's people and those that hate them are accounted Christ's enemies and such that hate him. Perhaps Moses may have a special respect to the Canaanites whose land was promised unto Israel and they were going to dispossess them of it in order to inherit it and Moses might expect it would be quickly done at the end of these three days; which brought them to the wilderness of Paran so near the good land that they sent from thence spies into it and in all probability they would have then entered the possession of it had it not been for their complaints and murmurs and the ill report brought on the good land on which account they were stopped thirty eight years in the wilderness.

 

Numbers 10:36   36 And when it rested he said: “Return O Lord To the many thousands of Israel.”

   YLT  36And in its resting he saith `Return O Jehovah [to] the myriads the thousands of Israel.'

And when it passed .... The ark and the cloud over it:

he said; Moses stood and prayed as before according to the above Targums in the following manner:

return O Lord unto the many thousands of Israel; who were six hundred thousand footmen besides women and children Numbers 11:21; the import of this petition is that upon the resting of the ark God would take up his abode with them grant them his presence and manifest his love grace mercy and goodness unto them; or as it may be rendered that he would "return the many thousands of Israel"; that is to the land which he had sworn to their fathers as Ben Gersom interprets it; and who observes that the word "return" is used because of the holy fathers who dwelt in the land of Israel; or else as the same writer further observes the sense of the petition is that it might be the will of God to turn the thousands of Israel into myriads or increase and multiply them ten times more than they were; and so the Targum of Jerusalem is "bless the myriads and multiply the thousands of the children of Israel.'Perhaps Moses under a spirit of prophecy might have a further view even to the conversion of the Jews in the latter day when they shall return and seek the true Messiah and be turned to him and when all Israel shall be saved.

 

──John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible

 

New King James Version (NKJV)

Footnotes:

  1. Numbers 10:29 Septuagint reads Raguel (compare Exodus 2:18).