Numbers 10:4
Numbers 10:4 in Multiple Translations
But if only one is sounded, then the leaders, the heads of the clans of Israel, are to gather before you.
And if they blow but with one trumpet, then the princes, which are heads of the thousands of Israel, shall gather themselves unto thee.
And if they blow but one, then the princes, the heads of the thousands of Israel, shall gather themselves unto thee.
If only one of them is sounded, then the chiefs, the heads of the thousands of Israel, are to come to you.
But if only one is blown, then only the tribal leaders are to gather before you.
But if they blowe with one, then the princes, or heades ouer the thousandes of Israel shall come vnto thee.
And if with one they blow, then have the princes, heads of the thousands of Israel, met together unto thee;
If they blow just one, then the princes, the heads of the thousands of Israel, shall gather themselves to you.
And if they blow but with one trumpet , then the princes, who are heads of the thousands of Israel, shall assemble themselves to thee.
If thou sound but once, the princes and the heads of the multitude of Israel shall come to thee.
If only one trumpet is blown, it means that only the twelve leaders of the tribes must gather together.
Berean Amplified Bible — Numbers 10:4
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Numbers 10:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/אִם
בְּ/אַחַ֖ת
יִתְקָ֑עוּ
וְ/נוֹעֲד֤וּ
אֵלֶ֨י/ךָ֙
הַ/נְּשִׂיאִ֔ים
רָאשֵׁ֖י
אַלְפֵ֥י
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל
וְ/אִם
ʼim
H518
if
Conj | Conj
בְּ/אַחַ֖ת
ʼechâd
H259
one
Prep | Adj
יִתְקָ֑עוּ
tâqaʻ
H8628
to blow
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
וְ/נוֹעֲד֤וּ
yâʻad
H3259
to appoint
Conj | V-Niphal-3cp
אֵלֶ֨י/ךָ֙
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Prep | Suff
הַ/נְּשִׂיאִ֔ים
nâsîyʼ
H5387
leader
Art | N-mp
רָאשֵׁ֖י
rôʼsh
H7218
head
N-mp
אַלְפֵ֥י
ʼeleph
H505
thousand
Adj
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
Israel
N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Numbers 10:4
וְ/אִם
ʼim
H518
"if"
Conj | Conj
This Hebrew word is used to express conditions or questions, like if or whether. It can also be used to make oaths or express wishes, as in Oh that! It appears in various forms in the KJV, including if, though, and when.
Definition: : if/whether_or/though 1) if 1a) conditional clauses 1a1) of possible situations 1a2) of impossible situations 1b) oath contexts 1b1) no, not 1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or 1d) when, whenever 1e) since 1f) interrogative particle 1g) but rather
Usage: Occurs in 931 OT verses. KJV: (and, can-, doubtless, if, that) (not), [phrase] but, either, [phrase] except, [phrase] more(-over if, than), neither, nevertheless, nor, oh that, or, [phrase] save (only, -ing), seeing, since, sith, [phrase] surely (no more, none, not), though, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] unless, [phrase] verily, when, whereas, whether, while, [phrase] yet. See also: Genesis 4:7; Exodus 22:3; Leviticus 27:27.
בְּ/אַחַ֖ת
ʼechâd
H259
"one"
Prep | Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means one or united, and is used to describe something that is single or unique. It is often translated as one, first, or alone. For example, in Genesis 1:5, God calls the light day and the darkness night, and separates them into one thing from another.
Definition: 1) one (number) 1a) one (number) 1b) each, every 1c) a certain 1d) an (indefinite article) 1e) only, once, once for all 1f) one...another, the one...the other, one after another, one by one 1g) first 1h) eleven (in combination), eleventh (ordinal)
Usage: Occurs in 739 OT verses. KJV: a, alike, alone, altogether, and, any(-thing), apiece, a certain, (dai-) ly, each (one), [phrase] eleven, every, few, first, [phrase] highway, a man, once, one, only, other, some, together, See also: Genesis 1:5; Exodus 36:26; Numbers 7:70.
יִתְקָ֑עוּ
tâqaʻ
H8628
"to blow"
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
This word means to blow or strike something, like a trumpet or a nail. In the Bible, it is used to describe making a loud noise or driving something into place. The KJV translates it as blow, clap, or strike.
Definition: 1) to blow, clap, strike, sound, thrust, give a blow, blast 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to thrust, drive (of weapon) 1a2) to give a blast, give a blow 1a3) to strike or clap hands 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be blown, blast (of horn) 1b2) to strike or pledge oneself
Usage: Occurs in 62 OT verses. KJV: blow (a trumpet), cast, clap, fasten, pitch (tent), smite, sound, strike, [idiom] suretiship, thrust. See also: Genesis 31:25; 1 Kings 1:34; Psalms 47:2.
וְ/נוֹעֲד֤וּ
yâʻad
H3259
"to appoint"
Conj | V-Niphal-3cp
To appoint or agree on something, like setting a time to meet or making a plan, as seen in Esther when the king appoints a new leader. It can also mean to gather or assemble people for a purpose.
Definition: 1) to fix, appoint, assemble, meet, set, betroth 1a)(Qal) to appoint, assign, designate 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to meet 1b2) to meet by appointment 1b3) to gather, assemble by appointment 1c) (Hiphil) to cause to meet 1d) (Hophal) to be set, be placed before, be fixed
Usage: Occurs in 29 OT verses. KJV: agree,(maxke an) appoint(-ment, a time), assemble (selves), betroth, gather (selves, together), meet (together), set (a time). See also: Exodus 21:8; 2 Samuel 20:5; Psalms 48:5.
אֵלֶ֨י/ךָ֙
ʼêl
H413
"to(wards)"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
הַ/נְּשִׂיאִ֔ים
nâsîyʼ
H5387
"leader"
Art | N-mp
This word refers to a leader or a high-ranking official, like a king or a captain. It can also describe a rising mist, as seen in Isaiah 60:13. In the Bible, it often symbolizes power and authority.
Definition: one lifted up, chief, prince, captain, leader
Usage: Occurs in 120 OT verses. KJV: captain, chief, cloud, governor, prince, ruler, vapour. See also: Genesis 17:20; Numbers 34:26; Psalms 135:7.
רָאשֵׁ֖י
rôʼsh
H7218
"head"
N-mp
This Hebrew word means chief or prince, and is used to describe leaders in the Bible, such as in the book of 1 Samuel. It signifies a position of authority and importance.
Definition: : head 1) head, top, summit, upper part, chief, total, sum, height, front, beginning 1a) head (of man, animals) 1b) top, tip (of mountain) 1c) height (of stars) 1d) chief, head (of man, city, nation, place, family, priest) 1e) head, front, beginning 1f) chief, choicest, best 1g) head, division, company, band 1h) sum
Usage: Occurs in 547 OT verses. KJV: band, beginning, captain, chapiter, chief(-est place, man, things), company, end, [idiom] every (man), excellent, first, forefront, (be-)head, height, (on) high(-est part, (priest)), [idiom] lead, [idiom] poor, principal, ruler, sum, top. See also: Genesis 2:10; Numbers 17:18; 2 Samuel 4:7.
אַלְפֵ֥י
ʼeleph
H505
"thousand"
Adj
A thousand, as in Exodus 20:6 where God shows love to thousands of people. It represents a large number or a company of people under one leader, like an army or a group of soldiers.
Definition: : thousand 1) a thousand 1a) as numeral 2) a thousand, company 2a) as a company of men under one leader, troops
Usage: Occurs in 390 OT verses. KJV: thousand. See also: Genesis 20:16; Joshua 3:4; 2 Kings 18:23.
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
"Israel"
N-proper
Israel is the symbolic name of Jacob, also referring to his descendants. Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekah, had 12 sons who became the tribes of Israel, as told in Genesis 25:26. His story is crucial to the Bible's narrative.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently § Israel = "God prevails" 1) the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel 2) the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob 2a) the name of the nation until the death of Solomon and the split 2b) the name used and given to the northern kingdom consisting of the 10 tribes under Jeroboam; the southern kingdom was known as Judah 2c) the name of the nation after the return from exile
Usage: Occurs in 2231 OT verses. KJV: Israel. See also: Genesis 32:29; Exodus 13:18; Exodus 40:38.
Study Notes — Numbers 10:4
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — The Two Silver Trumpets
2“Make two trumpets of hammered silver to be used for calling the congregation and for having the camps set out.
3When both are sounded, the whole congregation is to assemble before you at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.
4But if only one is sounded, then the leaders, the heads of the clans of Israel, are to gather before you.
5When you sound short blasts, the camps that lie on the east side are to set out. 6When you sound the short blasts a second time, the camps that lie on the south side are to set out. The blasts are to signal them to set out.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Numbers 7:2 | And the leaders of Israel, the heads of their families, presented an offering. These men were the tribal leaders who had supervised the registration. |
| 2 | Exodus 18:21 | Furthermore, select capable men from among the people—God-fearing, trustworthy men who are averse to dishonest gain. Appoint them over the people as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. |
| 3 | Numbers 1:4–16 | And one man from each tribe, the head of each family, must be there with you. These are the names of the men who are to assist you: From the tribe of Reuben, Elizur son of Shedeur; from Simeon, Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai; from Judah, Nahshon son of Amminadab; from Issachar, Nethanel son of Zuar; from Zebulun, Eliab son of Helon; from the sons of Joseph: from Ephraim, Elishama son of Ammihud, and from Manasseh, Gamaliel son of Pedahzur; from Benjamin, Abidan son of Gideoni; from Dan, Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai; from Asher, Pagiel son of Ocran; from Gad, Eliasaph son of Deuel; and from Naphtali, Ahira son of Enan.” These men were appointed from the congregation; they were the leaders of the tribes of their fathers, the heads of the clans of Israel. |
| 4 | Deuteronomy 1:15 | So I took the leaders of your tribes, wise and respected men, and appointed them as leaders over you—as commanders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens, and as officers for your tribes. |
Numbers 10:4 Summary
In Numbers 10:4, we see that when only one trumpet is sounded, the leaders of the clans of Israel are to gather before Moses. This shows us the importance of leadership and gathering together to seek God's guidance and direction, as seen in Matthew 18:20, where Jesus says that when two or three gather in His name, He is with them. Just like the Israelites, we need to be obedient to God's instructions and gather together to seek His will, as seen in Hebrews 10:25, where we are encouraged to gather together to spur one another on towards love and good deeds. By doing so, we can experience unity, harmony, and God's presence in our lives, just like the Israelites did in the wilderness.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the single trumpet sound in Numbers 10:4?
The single trumpet sound is a signal for the leaders of the clans of Israel to gather before Moses, as instructed in Numbers 10:4, similar to how Moses was instructed by God in Exodus 18:13-26 to appoint leaders to assist him in governing the people.
Who are the leaders, the heads of the clans of Israel, mentioned in Numbers 10:4?
The leaders, the heads of the clans of Israel, refer to the appointed leaders of the twelve tribes of Israel, as listed in Numbers 1:5-15, who were responsible for governing and making decisions for their respective tribes, as seen in Deuteronomy 1:13-17.
How does the use of trumpets in Numbers 10:4 relate to the rest of the Bible?
The use of trumpets as a means of communication and gathering is seen throughout the Bible, such as in Leviticus 25:9, where the trumpet is used to signal the Year of Jubilee, and in 1 Corinthians 15:52, where the trumpet is used to signal the resurrection of the dead.
What can we learn from the organization and structure of the Israelite camps in Numbers 10:4?
The organization and structure of the Israelite camps, as described in Numbers 10:4, demonstrate the importance of order, discipline, and obedience to God's instructions, as seen in Psalm 133:1, where it is written that unity and harmony among God's people is a beautiful thing.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I can gather with other leaders or believers to seek God's guidance and direction in my life, just like the leaders of the clans of Israel gathered before Moses in Numbers 10:4?
- How can I apply the principle of obedience to God's instructions, as seen in Numbers 10:4, to my own life and circumstances?
- What are some ways that I can use my gifts and talents to serve and lead others, just like the leaders of the clans of Israel served and led their tribes?
- How can I balance the need for structure and organization with the need for flexibility and adaptability in my own life and ministry, as seen in the Israelite camps in Numbers 10:4?
- What can I learn from the example of Moses and the leaders of the clans of Israel about the importance of humility, obedience, and trust in God's plan?
Gill's Exposition on Numbers 10:4
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
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 10:4
And if they blow but with one trumpet, then the princes, which are heads of the thousands of Israel, shall gather themselves unto thee. No JFB commentary on this verse.
Ellicott's Commentary on Numbers 10:4
(4) With one trumpet.—Or, but once (or, at the same time). (Comp. Job 33:14; Proverbs 28:18; Jeremiah 10:8.) Some suppose that the meaning is that the trumpets were to be blown at the same time with one even or uniform sound, and that not a continuous one.
Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 10:4
4. Heads of the thousands — Numbers 1:16, note.
Sermons on Numbers 10:4
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Nahshon by Ron Bailey | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the book of Numbers in the Bible and the journey of the Israelites from Egypt to the Promised Land. The speaker highlights the tragic nature |
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(Through the Bible) Exodus 16-18 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of having a genuine fear of God and the accountability that comes with being a teacher of the Word. He shares his personal str |
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The Meaning of Head in the Bible by Wayne Grudem | In this sermon transcript, the speaker discusses the importance of citing references in a way that makes them difficult to locate. He emphasizes that evangelical scholarship should |
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If My People - Part 1 by Shane Idleman | This sermon emphasizes the importance of addressing controversial topics and recapturing the prophetic zeal in churches. It highlights the impact of the Johnson Amendment on church |
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Give Me More, Give Me More - Part 1 by Steve Mays | In this sermon, Pastor Steve Mays discusses the issue of coveting and its impact on society. He emphasizes that the greed and covetousness of individuals and nations are causing co |
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Keeping the Flock by Samuel Logan Brengle | Samuel Logan Brengle emphasizes the vital role of soul-winners in nurturing and maintaining the faith of their converts, drawing parallels to Paul's dedication in strengthening bel |
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Precious in the Sight of God by K.P. Yohannan | K.P. Yohannan emphasizes the significance of fearing God, illustrating that this reverence is what makes individuals precious in His sight. He highlights Job as a prime example, no |