The trumpet was a straight instrument, differing in this respect from the curved horn or cornet; and is represented, among the other spoils of the temple, on the Arch of Titus. See Exodus 25:23 cut. From Egyptian monuments it appears that the Jewish trumpet was copied from that used in the armies of... [ Continue Reading ]
BLOW AN ALARM - i. e. along continuous peal. Compare Numbers 10:7, ye shall blow, but not sound an alarm: i. e. blow in short, sharp notes, not in a continuous peal. A third and a fourth alarm were probably blown as signals.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SONS OF AARON - As the trumpets were emblematic of the voice of God, the priests only were to use them. At this time there were only two “sons of Aaron;” but in later times, when the number of priests was greater, more trumpets were used; we read of seven in the times of Joshua and David (see th... [ Continue Reading ]
For examples of the employment of trumpets in war compare marginal references and 2 Chronicles 20:28. By employment of them was signified the dependence of God’s people on His aid.... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE DAY OF YOUR GLADNESS - Compare Numbers 29:1; Lev 23:24; 2 Chronicles 29:27; Ezra 3:10; Nehemiah 12:35, Nehemiah 12:41; Psalms 81:3.... [ Continue Reading ]
At this point commences the second great division of the book, extending to the close of Numbers 14. The remaining verses of the present chapter narrate the actual break up of the camp at Sinai and the order of the march.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE WILDERNESS OF PARAN - See Genesis 14:6 note. The wilderness is mentioned here by anticipation. The earliest halting-places, Kibroth-hattaavah and Hazeroth, were not within its limits Numbers 11:35; Numbers 12:16.... [ Continue Reading ]
Rather, And they journeyed (or, set forth) in the order of precedence according to (i. e. established by) the commandment of the Lord, etc., and described in Numbers 10:14.... [ Continue Reading ]
ACCORDING TO THEIR ARMIES - Compare Numbers 1:3. There were three tribal hosts in each camp; and each tribe had of course its subdivisions.... [ Continue Reading ]
A more precise determination of the method of executing the order given in Numbers 2:17. The appointed place of the tabernacle, in the midst of the host, was represented during the march by the ark, the holy vessels, etc. carried by the Kohathites. The actual structure of the tabernacle was borne in... [ Continue Reading ]
HOBAB, THE SON OF RAGUEL - Or Reuel Exodus 2:18. Reuel was probably not identical with Jethro: and Hobab was the brother-in-law, not the father-in-law, of Moses; the Hebrew word translated in the King James Version “father-in-law,” signifying simply any relation by marriage (Exodus 3:1 note). Hobab... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU MAYEST BE TO US INSTEAD OF EYES - A proverbial expression still in use in the East. Hobab would indicate the spots where water, fuel, and pasture might be found, or warn them of the dangers from hurricanes, and point out localities infested by robbers.... [ Continue Reading ]
THREE DAYS’ JOURNEY - Probably a technical expression for such a distance as could not be traversed in a single day, and therefore not without intervals of encampment and due provision: compare Genesis 30:36; Exodus 3:18; Exodus 5:3; Exodus 8:27; Exodus 15:22. The technical use of the phrase “Sabbat... [ Continue Reading ]
Each forward movement and each rest of the ark was made to bear a sacramental character. The one betokened the going forth of God against His enemies; the other, His gathering of His own people to Himself: the one was the pledge of victory, the other the earnest of repose. Numbers 10:36 may be tran... [ Continue Reading ]