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Numbers Chapter
Ten
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 × × 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)