X. (2) OF A WHOLE PIECE. — Better, _of beaten_ (or, _turned_)_ work._ (See Notes on Exodus 25:18; Exodus 25:31.) The trumpets here spoken of are supposed to have been straight, like that on the triumphal arch of Titus at Rome and on the old Egyptian monuments. In this respect the _hazozerah_ is supp... [ Continue Reading ]
WITH ONE TRUMPET. — Or, _but once_ (or, _at the same time_). (Comp. Job 33:14; Proverbs 28:18; Jeremiah 10:8.) Some suppose that the meaning is that the trumpets were to be blown at the same time with one even or uniform sound, and that not a continuous one.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN YE BLOW AN ALARM. — The word _teruah, alarm,_ is supposed to denote a loud and continuous blast, by which the signal for the moving of the camps was distinguished from those which were used for the summoning of the congregation, or of the princes (Numbers 10:7). In the former of these cases som... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT YE SHALL NOT SOUND AN ALARM. — A clear and intelligible distinction was to be made between the summons to the princes, or to the congregation, to assemble at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting and the signal for the moving of the camps. So the gospel trumpet must at no time give an uncertain so... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE SONS OF AARON, THE PRIESTS, SHALL BLOW WITH THE TRUMPETS. — As Aaron had only two sons at this time, there was need only of two trumpets. In most of the places in which the word _hazozerah_ (trumpet) occurs (as, _e.g.,_ Numbers 31:6; 1 Chronicles 15:24), this instrument appears to have been... [ Continue Reading ]
AND IF YE GO TO WAR. — Better, _And when ye shall go to war._ In Numbers 31:6 we read that in the war against the Midianites, Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, had these trumpets of alarm (_hazozeroth_) in his hand. So also Abijah, in his address to Jeroboam, previously to the battle, lays great stress... [ Continue Reading ]
In THE DAY OF YOUR GLADNESS. — As, _e.g.,_ at the dedication of Solomon’s temple (2 Chronicles 5:13), and at the cleansing of the Temple by Hezekiah (2 Chronicles 29:27). Compare Psalms 98:6. FOR A MEMORIAL. — Compare Leviticus 23:24. BEFORE YOUR GOD: I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD. — Or, _Before your God... [ Continue Reading ]
ON THE TWENTIETH DAY OF THE SECOND MONTH. — It appears from Exodus 19:1 that the Israelites encamped before Mount Sinai in the third month of the preceding year, and, as is generally supposed, on the first day of the month. In this case the encampment at the foot of Mount Sinai had lasted eleven mon... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE CLOUD RESTED IN THE WILDERNESS OF PARAN. — The fact is here mentioned by way of anticipation (see Numbers 10:33). The spot referred to is probably Kibroth-hattaavah, which may have been at the southernmost extremity of the wilderness of Paran. In Deuteronomy 1:19 it is called “that great and... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE TABERNACLE WAS TAKEN DOWN... — The order of precedence as regards the twelve tribes which were encamped on the four sides of the Tabernacle is clearly laid down in Numbers 2, where it is ordered that the camp of the Lervites should set forward “in the midst of the camps” (Numbers 10:17). The... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN THEY SET FORWARD. — Better, _and they set forward. _... [ Continue Reading ]
HOBAB, THE SON OF RAGUEL THE MIDIANITE, MOSES’ FATHER IN LAW. — Raguel is the same as Reuel (Exodus 2:18), and the orthography should be the same in all places. Reuel is commonly supposed to be identical with Jether (Exodus 4:18), or Jethro (Exodus 3:1), who is frequently described as the _hothen_ ... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE SAID UNTO HIM, I WILL NOT GO... — It is not expressly stated in the narrative whether Hobab did or did not ultimately accompany the Israelites on their march. It appears most probable, however, that the renewed solicitation of Moses proved effectual. In any case, it is certain from Judges 1:1... [ Continue Reading ]
HOW WE ARE TO ENCAMP... — It is clear from these words, as well as from many indications of the same nature, that notwithstanding the direct guidance which was vouchsafed from heaven, and the miraculous interpositions of Providence which the Israelites experienced throughout their journeys, Moses di... [ Continue Reading ]
THREE DAYS’ JOURNEY. — The place at which the first protracted halt was made appears to have been either at Taberah, which means _burning,_ or at Kibroth-hattaavah, _the graves of lust._ (Comp. Numbers 11:3; Numbers 33:16; see also Note on Numbers 11:34.) AND THE ARK OF THE COVENANT OF THE LORD WENT... [ Continue Reading ]
(35-36) AND IT CAME TO PASS... — It appears from these words that the marches of the Israelites began and ended with prayer, a significant lesson to the Church of all after ages. It is deserving of observation that the prayers were offered by Moses, not by Aaron. The inverted _nuns,_ or parenthetica... [ Continue Reading ]