---
title: "Clarke"
description: "and promises, 31, 32. They depart from Sinai three days"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/numbers/10"
---

*and promises*, 31, 32.
*They depart from Sinai three days' journey*, 33.
*The cloud accompanies them by day and night*, 34.
*The words used by Moses when the ark set forward*, 35,
*and when it rested*, 36.
NOTES ON CHAP. X

Verse [Numbers 10:2](../../../kjv/numbers/10/2). ***Make thee two trumpets of silver*** — The necessity of such instruments will at once appear, when the amazing extent of this numerous army is considered; and how even the sound of two trumpets could reach them all is difficult to conceive; but we may suppose that, when they were sounded, the motion of those that were within reach of that sound taught the others in *succession* what they should do.
As the trumpets were to be blown by the *priests* only, the sons of Aaron, there were only *two*, because there were only two such persons to use them at this time, *Eleazar* and *Ithamar*. In the time of Joshua there were *seven* trumpets used by the priests, but these were made, according to our text, of *rams' horns*, [Joshua 6:4](../../../kjv/joshua/6/4). In the time of Solomon, when the priests had greatly increased, there were 120 priests sounding with trumpets, [2 Chronicles 5:12](../../../kjv/2-chronicles/5/12).
Josephus intimates that one of these trumpets was always used to call the *nobles* together, the other to assemble the *people*; see [Numbers 9:4](../../../kjv/numbers/9/4). It is possible that these trumpets were made of different *lengths* and *wideness*, and consequently they would emit different tones. Thus the *sound* itself would at once show which was the summons for the *congregation*, and which for the *princes* only. These trumpets were allowed to be emblematical of the sound of the Gospel, and in this reference they appear to be frequently used. Of the *fate* of the trumpets of the sanctuary, [Exodus 25:31](../../../kjv/exodus/25/31); [Exodus 25:31](../../../kjv/exodus/25/31).

Verse [Numbers 10:5](../../../kjv/numbers/10/5). ***When ye blow an alarm*** — תרועה *teruah*, probably meaning *short, broken, sharp* tones, terminating with *long* ones, blown with both the trumpets at once. From the similarity in the words some suppose that the Hebrew *teruah* was similar to the Roman *taratantara*, or sound of their *clarion*.

Verse [Numbers 10:6](../../../kjv/numbers/10/6). ***When ye blow an alarm the second time*** — A *single* alarm, as above stated, was a signal for the *eastward* division to march; *two* such alarms, the signal for the *south* division; and probably *three* for the *west* division, and *four* for the *north*. It is more likely that this was the case, than that a single alarm served for each, with a small interval between them.
The camps, or grand divisions of this great army, always lay, as we have already seen, to the east, south, west, and north: and here the east and south camps alone are mentioned; the *first* containing *Judah, Issachar*, and *Zebulun*; the second, *Reuben*, *Simeon*, and *Gad*. The *west* and *north* divisions are not named, and yet we are sure they marched in consequence of express orders or signals, as well as the other two. There appears therefore a deficiency here in the Hebrew text, which is thus supplied by the Septuagint: Και σαλπιειτε σημασιαν τριτην, και εξαρουσιν αἱ παρεμβολαι αἱ παρεμβαλλουσαι παρα θαλασσαν· και σαλπιειτε σημασιαν τεταρτην, και εξαρουσιν αἱ παρεμβολαι αἱ παρεμβαλλουσαι προς βορῥαν. "And when ye blow a *third* alarm or signal, the camps on the *west* shall march: and when ye blow a *fourth* alarm or signal, the camps on the *north* shall march." This addition, however, is not acknowledged by the *Samaritan*, nor by any of the other versions but the *Coptic*. Nor are there any various readings in the collections of *Kennicott* and *De Rossi*, which countenance the *addition* in the above versions. Houbigant thinks this addition so evidently necessary, that he has inserted the Latin in his text, and in a note supplied the Hebrew words, and thinks that these words were originally in the Hebrew text, but happened to be omitted in consequence of so many *similar words* occurring so often in the same verse, which might dazzle and deceive the eye of a transcriber.

Verse [Numbers 10:9](../../../kjv/numbers/10/9). ***If ye go to war*** — These trumpets shall be sounded for the purpose of collecting the people together, to deliberate about the war, and to implore the protection of God against their enemies.
***Ye shall be remembered before the Lord*** — When *ye decamp, encamp*, *make war*, and hold *religious festivals*, according to his appointment, which appointment shall be signified to you by the priests, who at the command of God, for such purposes, shall blow the trumpets, then ye may expect both the presence and blessing of Jehovah in all that ye undertake.

Verse [Numbers 10:10](../../../kjv/numbers/10/10). ***In the day of your gladness*** — On every festival the people shall be collected by the same means.

Verse [Numbers 10:11](../../../kjv/numbers/10/11). ***The twentieth day of the second month*** — The Israelites had lain encamped in the wilderness of Sinai about *eleven months* and *twenty days*; compare [Exodus 19:1](../../../kjv/exodus/19/1) with this verse. They now received the order of God to decamp, and proceed towards the promised land; and therefore the Samaritan introduces at this place the words which we find in [Deuteronomy 1:6-8](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/1/6-8): "The Lord our God spake unto us *in Horeb*, saying: Ye have dwelt long enough in this mount, turn and take your journey," &c.

Verse [Numbers 10:12](../../../kjv/numbers/10/12). ***The cloud rested in the wilderness of Paran.*** — This was three days' journey from the wilderness of Sinai, (see [Numbers 10:33](../../../kjv/numbers/10/33),) and the people had three stations; the first at *Kibroth-hattaavah*, the second at *Hazeroth*, [Numbers 11:35](../../../kjv/numbers/11/35), and the third in the wilderness of *Paran*, see [Numbers 12:16](../../../kjv/numbers/12/16). But it is extremely difficult to determine these journeyings with any degree of exactness; and we are often at a loss to know whether the place in question was in a *direct* or *retrograde* position from the place previously mentioned.

Verse [Numbers 10:14](../../../kjv/numbers/10/14). ***The standard - of Judah*** — See this order of marching explained at large on [Numbers 2:1-31](../../../kjv/numbers/2/1-31). The following is the order in which this vast company proceeded in their march: -
JUDAH
Issachar
Zebulun
Gershonites, and
Merarites carrying the tabernacle.
REUBEN
Simeon
Gad
The Kohathites with the sanctuary.
EPHRAIM
Manasseh
Benjamin
DAN
Asher
Naphtali.

Verse [Numbers 10:29](../../../kjv/numbers/10/29). ***Moses said unto Hobab*** — For a circumstantial account of this person see the notes on [Exodus 2:15-16](../../../kjv/exodus/2/15-16); [Exodus 2:18](../../../kjv/exodus/2/18); [Exodus 3:1](../../../kjv/exodus/3/1); [Exodus 4:20](../../../kjv/exodus/4/20); [Exodus 4:24](../../../kjv/exodus/4/24); and for the transaction recorded here, and which is probably out of its place, see [Exodus 18:5](../../../kjv/exodus/18/5), where the subject is discussed at large.
***We are journeying*** — God has brought us out of thraldom, and we are thus far on our way through the wilderness, travelling towards the place of rest which he has appointed us, trusting in his promise, guided by his presence, and supported by his power. *Come* *thou with us, and we will do thee good*. Those who wish to enjoy the heavenly inheritance must walk in the way towards it, and associate with the people who are going in that way. True religion is ever benevolent. They who know most of the goodness of God are the most forward to invite others to partake of that goodness. That religion which excludes all others from salvation, unless they believe a particular creed, and worship in a particular way, is not of God. Even *Hobab*, the Arab, according to the opinion of Moses, might receive the same blessings which God had promised to Israel, provided he accompanied them in the same way.
***The Lord hath spoken good concerning Israel.*** — The name *Israel* is taken in a general sense to signify the *followers of God*, and to them all the promises in the Bible are made. God has spoken good *of* them, and he has spoken good *to* them; and not one word that he hath spoken shall fail. Reader, hast thou left thy unhallowed connections in life? Hast thou got into the camp of the Most High? Then continue to follow God with Israel, and thou shalt be incorporated in the heavenly family, and share in Israel's benedictions.

Verse [Numbers 10:30](../../../kjv/numbers/10/30). ***I will not go; but I will depart to mine own land,**********and to my kindred.*** — From the strong expostulations in verses [Numbers 10:31](../../../kjv/numbers/10/31) and [Numbers 10:32](../../../kjv/numbers/10/32), and from [Judges 1:16](../../../kjv/judges/1/16); [Judges 4:11](../../../kjv/judges/4/11), and [1 Samuel 15:6](../../../kjv/1-samuel/15/6), it is likely that Hobab changed his mind; or that, if he did go back to Midian, he returned again to Israel, as the above scriptures show that his *posterity* dwelt among the Israelites in Canaan. Reader, after having been almost persuaded to become a Christian, to take Christ, his cross, his reproach, and his crown, for thy portion, art thou again purposing to go back to thy own land, and to thy kindred? Knowest thou not that this land is the place of destruction-that the children of this world, who are not taking God for their portion, are going to perdition? Up, get thee hence, for the Lord will destroy this place by fire; and all who are not of the kindred and family of Christ shall perish at the brightness of his appearing!

Verse [Numbers 10:31](../../../kjv/numbers/10/31). ***Thou mayest be to us instead of eyes.*** — But what need had they of Hobab, when they had the pillar and fire continually to point out their way? Answer: The cloud directed their *general* *journeys*, but not their *particular* excursions. Parties took several journeys while the grand army lay still. (See [Numbers 13](../../../kjv/numbers/13), [Numbers 20](../../../kjv/numbers/20), [Numbers 31](../../../kjv/numbers/31), [Numbers 32](../../../kjv/numbers/32), c.) They therefore needed such a person as Hobab, who was well acquainted with the desert, to direct these particular excursions to point them out watering places, and places where they might meet with fuel, c., c. What man cannot, under the direction of God's providence, do for himself, God will do in the way of especial mercy. He could have directed them to the fountains and to the places of fuel, but *Hobab* can do this, therefore let Hobab be employed and let Hobab know for his encouragement that, while he is serving others in the way of God's providence, he is securing his own best interests. On these grounds Hobab should be invited, and for this reason Hobab should go. Man cannot do God's work and God will not do the work which he has qualified and commanded man to perform. Thus then the Lord is ever seen, even while he is helping man by man. See some valuable observations on this subject in *Harmer*, vol. ii., 286. Instead of, *And thou mayest be to us instead of* *eyes*, the Septuagint translate the passage thus: Και εσῃ εν ἡμιν πρεσβυτης, *And thou shalt be an elder among us*. But Moses probably refers to Hobab's accurate knowledge of the wilderness, and to the assistance he could give them as a *guide*.

Verse [Numbers 10:33](../../../kjv/numbers/10/33). ***The ark - went before them*** — We find from [Numbers 10:21](../../../kjv/numbers/10/21) that the ark was carried by the *Kohathites* in the center of the army; but as the army never moved till the cloud was taken up, it is said to *go before them*, i. e., to be the first to move, as without this motion the Israelites continued in their encampments.

Verse [Numbers 10:35](../../../kjv/numbers/10/35). ***Rise up, Lord, and let thine enemies be scattered*** — If God did not arise in this way and scatter his enemies, there could be no hope that Israel could get safely through the wilderness. God must go first, if Israel would wish to follow in safety.

Verse [Numbers 10:36](../../../kjv/numbers/10/36). ***Return, O Lord, unto the many thousands of Israel.*** — These were the words spoken by Moses, at the moment the divisions halted in order to pitch their tents. In reference to this subject, and the history with which it is connected, the [Psalms 68](../../../kjv/psalms/68) seems to have been composed, though applied by David to the bringing the ark from Kirjath-jearim to Jerusalem. See the notes on [Psalms 68](../../../kjv/psalms/68) *Many thousands*, literally *the ten thousand* *thousands*. Unless the ark *went* with *them*, and the cloud of the Divine glory with it, they could have neither *direction* nor *safety*; unless the ark *rested* with them, and the cloud of glory with *it*, they could have neither *rest* nor *comfort*. How necessary are the *word of God* and the *Spirit of God* for the direction, comfort, and defence of every genuine follower of Christ! Reader, pray to God that thou mayest have both with thee through all the wilderness, through all the changes and chances of this mortal life: if thou be guided by *his* counsel, thou shalt be at last received into his glory.

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