Matthew Poole and continuators on Numbers 10

2 Make thee two trumpets of silver : of an whole piece shalt thou make them, that thou mayest use them for the calling of the assembly: and for the journeying of the camps.

For Aarons two Sons: though afterwards the number of the trumpets was much increased, as the number of the Priests also was. See 2 Chron. 5. 12. These trumpets were ordained, both for signification of the great duty of Ministers, to wit, to preach the word; and for use, as here follows.

A metal pure and pretious, and giving a clear sound.

See Exod. 25. 31. Numb. 8. 4.

3 And when they shall blow with them , all the assembly shall assemble themselves to thee at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

(i. e.) The Priests by comparing this with ver. 8.

(i. e.) With both of them, by comparing this with the next verse.

Marginal references: Joel 2. 15.

5 When ye blow an alarm , then the camps that lie on the east-part, shall go forward.

To wit▪ once, as appears from ver. 6.

6 When ye blow an alarm the second time, then the camps that lie on the south-side, shall take their journey: they shall blow an alarm for their journeys .

As a sign for them to march forward, and consequently for the rest to follow them, which is easily understood out of these words.

8 And the sons of Aaron, the priests, shall blow with the trumpets : and they shall be to you for an ordinance for ever throughout your generations.

To oblige them to the greater regard and observance, as if God himself had called them.

9 And if ye go to war in your land against the enemy that oppresseth you, then ye shall blow an alarm with the trumpets , and ye shall be remembred before the LORD your God, and ye shall be saved from your enemies .

Which was practised accordingly. See Numb. 31. 6. 2 Chron. 13. 12.

If you use this ordinance of God with trust and dependance upon God for help, which condition is necessarily to be understood from divers other Scriptures, where it is expressed.

10 Also in the dayes of your gladness , and in your solemn dayes , and in the beginnings of your months , ye shall blow with the trumpets over your burnt-offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace-offerings, that they may be to you for a memorial before your God : I am the LORD your God.

(i. e.) Days appointed for rejoycing and thanksgiving to God, either for former mercies, or for succeeding deliverances, as Esth. 9. 18. &c. Compare Hos. 2. 11.

Your stated and constant festivals.

Of which see Psal. 81. 3.

That God may remember you for good to accept and bless you, as that phrase oft signifies.

Marginal references: chap. 29. 1. 1 Chro. 15. 24. 2 Chron. 5. 12. and 7. 6. and 29. 26. Ezra 3. 10. Neh. 12. 35.

12 And the children of Israel took their journeys out of the wilderness of Sinai, and the cloud rested in the wilderness of Paran :

From which they travelled to other places, and then returned into it again, Numb. 12. 16.

Marginal references: chap. 2. 9, 16, 24, 31.

21 And the Kohathite set forward, bearing the sanctuary, and the other did set up the tabernacle against they came.

(i. e.) The Gershonites, and Merarites, as is evident both from their work and office, which was to take down and set up the Tabernacle, Numb. 3. 25. - 26. and 4. 22.—33. and from ver. 17. who therefore marched after the first camp, a good distance from and before the Kohathites, that they might prepare the Tabernacle for the reception of its utensils, which the Kohathites brought some time after them.

Marginal references: chap. 4. 4.; That is, the Gershonites, and the Merarites. See ver. 17.

28 Thus were the journeyings of the children of Israel, according to their armies when they set forward.

(i. e.) In this manner and order they marched.

Marginal references: Heb. Tui

29 And Moses said unto Hobab, the son of Raguel the Midianite, Moses father in law , We are journeying unto the place of which the LORD said, I will give it you: come thou with us, and we will do thee good: for the LORD hath spoken good concerning Israel.

Called also Revel, Exod. 2. 18. who seems to be the same who is called Iethro, Exod. 3. 1. it being usual in Scripture for one person to have two or three names. And therefore this Hobab not Iethro, but his son, which may seem more probable, because Iethro was old and unfit for travel and desirous, as may well be thought, to die in his own Countrey, whether he returned, Exod. 18. 27. but Hobab was young and fitter for these journeys, and therefore intreated by Moses to stay and bear them company.

Which words are ambiguous, but seem to belong to Raguel, or Revel, not to Hobab, though others are of another mind.

Marginal references: Judg. [illegible: 1+ letters]. [illegible: 1 word]

30 And he said unto him, I will not go , but I will depart to mine own land, and to my kindred.

So he might truly and sincerely say, though after this speech he was overcome by the intreaties and perswasions of Moses. Or, he did go and settle his affairs and afterwards return: for we find his posterity settled among the Israelites. See Iudg. 1. 16. and 4. 11, 18. &c.

31 And he said, Leave us not, I pray thee, forasmuch as thou knowest how we are to encamp in the wilderness, and thou mayest be to us in stead of eyes .

To direct and guide us: for though the cloud determined them to a general place, yet many particulars might be uncertain and unknown to Moses, wherein Hobab, having long lived in those parts, might be able to advise him, as concerning the conveniences of water for their Cattle, concerning the safety or danger of the several parts by reason of Serpents or Wild-beasts or Enemies in the parts adjoyning to them, that so they might guard themselves better against them. Or, this is to be understood of his directing them not so much in their way, as about great and difficult matters, wherein the counsel he had from God did not exclude the advise of men, as we see in Hobabs father Iethro. Exod. 18. And it is probable, this was the wise son of a wise Father.

33 And they departed from the mount of the LORD three days journey : and the ark of the covenant of the LORD went before them in the three dayes journey: to search out a resting place for them.

With continued journeys, onely it seems most probable, that the cloud made little pauses that they might have time for sleep and necessary refreshments, which their natures required. And thus all writers, when they relate the continued journeys of persons for many days together, are to be understood with this exception.

Not so much in place, say some, for so it went in the midst, or at least after the first camp, as may seem from ver. 21. as in office and authority, as a general who is said to go before or lead his Army, though he do not go in the very first place. But others more probably think, that the Ark, which indeed is not mentioned ver. 21. albeit in their stations it was in the middle, where also the cloud was, yet in their marches it went before them, as also the cloud did, and so the cloud was constantly over the Ark whether it stood or went, and therefore the Ark is said to go before and direct them, not as if the Ark could be seen of all the camps, which being carried onely upon mens shoulders was impossible, but because the cloud, which always attended upon the Ark, and did together with the Ark constitute in a manner one sign of Gods presence, did lead and direct them.

Where they might safely and commodiously rest. But this is a metaphorical expression, for discovering to them, for otherwise the Ark could not search, and God, who knew all places and things, needed not to search.

Marginal references: Deut. 1. 33. Jer. 31. 2. Ezek. 20. 6.

34 And the cloud of the LORD was upon them by day , when they went out of the camp.

And by night too, as was expressed before. So we must learn to compare places of Scripture, and to supply the defects of one out of another, as we do in all authors.

36 And when it rested, he said, Return , O LORD, unto the many thousands of Israel.

Or, give rest, i. e. a safe and quiet place, free from enemies and dangers.

Marginal references: Heb. ten thousand thousands.