Numbers 10:1-32
two trumpets <02689 08147> [two trumpets.]
The necessity of such instruments will at once appear, when the amazing extent of this army is considered. There were various kinds of trumpets among the ancients, of different forms and materials, as Eustathius shews on Homer, where he mentions six; the second of which was [stroggule,] turned up 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 or flute; the mouth no wider than just to admit blowing into them; and their ends wide like those of a modern trumpet.
hammered <04749> [of a whole piece.]
assembling <04744> [the calling.]
blow <08628> [blow.]
camps <04264> [camps.]
blow ......................... sounded <08628> [ye blow.]
A single alarm was a signal for the eastward division to march; two such alarms the signal for the south; and probably three for the west, and four for the North. There appears therefore, a deficiency in the Hebrew Text, which is thus supplied by the LXX.: [kai salpieite semasian triten, kai exarousin ai parembolai ai paremballousai para thalassan. kai salpieite semasian tetarten, kai exarousin ai parembolai ai paremballousai pros bomran.] "And when ye blow a third alarm, or signal, the camps on the west 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.
camps <04264> [the camps.]
blow <08628> [ye shall blow.]
alarm <07321> [sound.]
go <0935> [if ye go.]
opposes <06887> [oppresseth.]
alarm <07321> [then ye shall.]
remembered <02142> [remembered.]
time <03117> [in the day.]
memorial <02146> [a memorial.]
twentieth <06242> [An. Ex. Is 2. Ijar. on.]
The Israelites had lain encamped in the wilderness of Sinai about eleven months and twenty days (comp. Ex 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 De 1:6-8: "And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying, Ye have dwelt long enough in this mount; turn, and take your journey, etc."
cloud <06051> [the cloud.]
So .... set <05265> [took.]
wilderness .......... wilderness <04057> [out of the.]
wilderness .......... wilderness <04057> [the wilderness.]
first <07223 05265> [the first place.]
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 well-known rule of military tactics, the advanced, and rear-guards, were stronger then the centre.
[See]
Nahshon <05177> [Nahshon.]
tabernacle .................. tabernacle <04908> [the tabernacle.]
sons ...... sons <01121> [the sons.]
camp <04264> [the camp.]
Elizur <0468> [Elizur.]
Simeonites <08095> [Simeon.]
Eliasaph <0460> [Eliasaph.]
tribe ....... son <01121> [son of Reuel.]
Kohathites <06956> [the Kohathites.]
articles .......... set up <06965> [the other did. that is, the Gershonites and the Merarites.]
camp <04264> [the camp.]
Elishama <0476> [Elishama.]
Gamaliel <01583> [Gamaliel.]
Abidan <027> [Abidan.]
camp ............... camps <04264> [the camp.]
guard <0622> [the rereward.]
Ahiezer <0295> [Ahiezer.]
Pagiel <06295> [Pagiel.]
Ahira <0299> [Ahira.]
These <0428> [Thus were. Heb. These. according.]
[Reuel.]
Lord .................... Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
<03212> [come.]
Lord .................... Lord <03068> [for the Lord.]
places <03651> [forasmuch.]
As 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. 13; 20; 31; 32.)
guide <05869> [instead of eyes.]
