_Two trumpets. These were probably deemed sufficient at first, though in the days of Josue there were seven, (Calmet) and in those of Solomon 20,000. (Josephus, [Antiquities?] viii. 2.) (Tirinus) --- They were used for all public assemblies. Josephus (iii. 11,) says, one was sounded to call the prin... [ Continue Reading ]
_Once. Hebrew, "with one trumpet." If both sounded together uniformly, the people assembled, ver. 7._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Longer, and with interruptions. Hebrew teruha, "a signal," an alarm. Septuagint, "a loud cry of victory." Chaldean, "the taratantara," as Montanus translates, in allusion to the sound of the Hebrew word, (Calmet) or of the trumpets. When they were sounded with a variety of notes, or at different in... [ Continue Reading ]
_And, &c. Hebrew, "they shall blow an alarm for their marches." This must be referred to the camps on the west, which proceeded forward at the third sounding, as those on the north did at the fourth, according to the Septuagint. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Sound. High mysteries must be reserved for the more learned. (Theodoret, q. 15.) (Worthington)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Priests. God's officers and heralds. Curtius (3) observes, that among the Persians at day-break, the signal was given from the king's tent by sound of trumpet._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Your God, who will reward your obedience with victory._... [ Continue Reading ]
_And on. This serves to explain what kind of banquet was meant. On the festivals of religion, peace-offerings were made, of which those who were pure, might partake. (Haydock) --- On solemn and extraordinary occasions, holocausts were also presented to God by the whole nation; and the trumpets annou... [ Continue Reading ]
_The second. The Samaritan copy here places what we read, Deuteronomy i. 7, 8; and it is certain that those words were addressed to Moses on this occasion, though it be not so certain that they were written by him in this place. (Calmet) --- Of the month Jiar. The Hebrews had continued near Sinai a... [ Continue Reading ]
_It. Hence it would appear, that part of the Levites followed Juda's division, which was preceded by the priests bearing the ark, (ver. 33,) while the Caathites bore the sacred vessels after Ruben, (ver. 21,) and were followed by Ephraim and Gad. But Calmet observes, that the Levites, and the whole... [ Continue Reading ]
_Sanctuary, or holy vessels. They never set them down, till they arrived at the place where the tabernacle was to be fixed. Hebrew may be, "the sons of Caath set forward, bearing the vessels of the sanctuary, (Calmet) and they ( the other Levites, ver. 17,) set up the boards and curtains of the tabe... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER X.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Hobab; probably the brother of Sephora, and son of Raguel or Jethro, who had departed, leaving this son for a guide to Moses. Though God directed the marches of the Hebrews, he would not have them to neglect human means. --- Kinsman. The Hebrew clothen, and Greek gambros, are not more determinate,... [ Continue Reading ]
Guide, being well acquainted with the country, and consequently able to point out the best places for pasturage and for water, and to inform us what sort of people we are near. Hebrew, "thou shalt serve us for eyes." Septuagint, "as a senator." The Persians had officers who had the title of eyes and... [ Continue Reading ]
Journey. During this time, we know not where they encamped. The first place that is specified is Tabera, or "the burning," (chap. xi. 3.; Calmet) which St. Jerome believes is the same place which was also called the sepulchres of concupiscence, (ver. 34,) the 13th station, (Haydock) which is describ... [ Continue Reading ]
_Host. Septuagint, "Bring, or turn back, (Haydock) O Lord, the thousands, the myriads in Israel." Some give the same sense to the Hebrew. (Calmet) --- Prayers are composed, not only for the obtaining of good in general, but also for particular purposes. (Worthington)_... [ Continue Reading ]