Numbers 10

Chap. X. Ver. 1—36. The silver trumpets—Israel removes three days’ journey.—The first part of this chapter relates to the form and use of the trumpets. The form was, doubtless, that of a simple pipe, enlarged into a bell at the end, like the flowers of the convolvulus. Such are the trumpets representedon the celebrated arch of Titus. These trumpets (as St. Paul says) ‘‘ gave a certain sound,” ((1 Corinthians 14:8).) which the pent understood. As for instance, when they were both lown, all the people assembled at the door of the tabernacle; when they blew with one only, then the princes (or chiefs) alone assembled; and when they blew an alarm, then were they to begin their journey, in the manner and order here prescribed.

‘They were also to blow over the sacrifices, as a notice to the people, to accompany their offerings with prayer. When the people had remained nearly a year at Sinai, and received the law and erected the tabernacle, they removed forward three days’ journey, from the wilderness of Sinai to the wilderness of Paran; thus all our journeys in the present life, as good Matthew Henry observes, are but from one wilderness to another. At Paran, the cloud rested, as a signal for enecampment. It appears, however, from other scriptures, that in this march they had two intermediate stations not here mentioned. Both »when they advanced and when they stopped, Moses implored the divine blessing and presence: ‘Rise up!’ or, ‘Return, O Lord:”

this, however, dil not make him indifferent to the use of proper means for his guidance and protection. He, therefore, entreats Hobab to go with him asa guide through the wilderness; or, in the language of the East. to be to him “‘instead of eyes;” for though the pillar of clou and fire was to be their leader, there were many points in which aman like Hobab, who was well acquainted with the wilderness, might be of use; particularly in pointing out the springs of water, their different qualities, the times and course of the Bearel (or pestilential wind,) and the place of the moving Whether or not, Hobab was the same person with Jethro, (See note on (Exodus 2:18).; iii. 1.) he appears to have been a man in whom Moses could place great confidence; and though he proposed to go back to his kindred, (and possibly did so at the present time,) yet he afterwards returned to Israel, as we read of his inheritance in the promised land.

((Judges 1:16).3; iv. 11.) Perhaps he was like the son in the gospel, who said, ‘‘ I will not: and afterwards repented and went;” and whom Jesus himself 4 The people lust for flesh, and loathe manna. 10 Moses complaineth of his charge. 16 God divideth his burden unto seventy elders. 31 Quails are given. ND * when the » people « complained, it displeased the Lord: and the Lord heard it: and his “anger was kindled; and the © fire of ean the Lord burnt among them, and consumed toa. them that were in the uttermost parts of the aon camp. 1 Th.2.7. 2 And the people cried unto Moses; and | gees when Moses prayed unto the Lord, the ‘ fire | » Mavis was quenched. w Ex.18.18. 3 And he called the name of the place ¢ Ta-| }’ berah: because the fire of the Lord burnt} =1ki.104 among them.

y Bx.24.1,9. 4 J And the * mixed multitude that was|* (iii. among them: fell a lusting: and the children | 18, of Israel also } wept again, and said, Who |e2xi2», « shall give us flesh to eat? Tes 5 We remember the fish which we did eat in commended, as far before the hypocritical son, who said, ‘* Sir, I go: and went not.” ((Matthew 21:28-31).) It is certain, at least, that Hobab did not return to idolatry, but remained a worshipper of the God of Israel. Those that are bound for the heavenly Canaan, (says Henry, should invite and encourage their friends to go with them; an what argument can be more powerful, than that God hath spoken good concerning Israel?… - Those that are willing to take their lot with God’s Israel in a wilderness, shall have also their lot with them in Canaan: “If we suffer with them, we shall also reign with them.”

((Luke 22:28-29).)

Notes on the verses

Chap. X, Ver. 2. Two trumpets.—(The necessity of such instruments will at once appear, when the amazing extent of this army is consi There were various kinds of trumpets among the ancients, of different forms and materials, as Ewstathius shows on Homer, where he mentions six; the second of which was turned wp round, like a ram’s horn; which he says the Egyptians used (from being invented by Osiris) when they assembled the people to their sacrifices. But in opposition to that form, Moses commands these to be made long, in the shape of those used at present. So Josephus informs us, who says, they were near a cubit long; the tube of the thickness of a common pipe orfiute; the mouth no wider than just to admit blowing into them; and their ends wide like those of the modern trumpet.]—Bagster.

Ver. 5. When ye blow an alarm.—lA single alarm was a signal for the eastward division to march; trvo such alarms the signal for the south; and robably three for the west, and four for the north. There appears, thereore, a deficiency in the Hebrew Text, which is thus supplied by the LXX.: ** And when ye blow a third alarm, or signal, the camps on the ¢est shall march; and when ye blow a fourth alarm, the camps on the north shall march.” ‘This addition, however, is not acknowledged by the Samaritan, nor any other version than the Coptic, nor any MS. yet collated.]|—Bagster. The Persians began their march at sun-rising, a signal being given by a trumpet from the king’s tent.—Oriental Lit. Ver. 11.

Twentieth day.—{The Israelites had lain encamped in the wilderness of Sinai about eleven months and twenty days, (comp. (Exodus 19:1).) and they now received the order of God to decamp, and proceed to the promised, land: the Samaritan, therefore, introduces, at this place, nearly the words of Deut, i. 6—8.: ‘‘ And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying, Ye have dwelt long enough in this mount, turn, und take your journey,” &c. |—Bagster. Ver. 12. In the wilderness of Paran.—This journey was in fact divided into three stations, Kibroth, Hazeroth, and Paran. See ch. xi. 35.; xii. 16. Ver. 14. Went the standard.—(‘The following is the order in which this vast company marched: Judah, Issachar, Zebulun; Gershonites, and Merarites, bearing the tabernacle.—Reuben, Simeon, Gad; Kohathites, with the sanctuary.—Ephraim, Manasseh, Benjamin.—Dan, Asher, Naphtali.

Among’ other things, it should be remarked, that, according to a wall known rule o} military tactics, the advanced and rear-guards were stronger than the centre: see ch. xi.|—Bagster. 4: e§ Ver. 29. Raguel.—(This person is also called Rewel in (Exodus 2:18).; but the Hebrew is the same in both places. The reason of this difference is, that the letter ayin, is sometimes pronounced according to the vowel which is attached to it, and sometimes as a strong guttural, which aed any Buropean organs can enunciate; and therefore as an approach to its sound, represented by g, gn, or ng. Most probably Rewel was the same person as Jethro, and that Hobab was bis son. |—Bagster. 2 Ver. 31.. Thou knowest.—lAs the Israelites were under the immediate direction of God himself, and were guided by the pillar of cloud and fire, it might be supposed, that they had no need of Hobab.

But it should be remembered, that the cloud directed only their general journeys, not their particular excursions. Parties took several journeys while the grand army lay still, (ch. xiii. xx. xxxi. xxxii.;) and, therefore, they needed such a person as Hobab, well acquainted with the desert, to direct these excursions; to point out the watering places, and where they might meet with fuel, &c. &c. Beene valuable observations on this subject in Harmer and Dr. 4. Clarke.) Ver. 33. Went before them.—This expression has led some commentators to conclude, that occasionally (as in this instance) the ark went before the camp, aig and guarded by the sacred cloud. We know it did so in passing Jordan, (Joshua 3:6). F