Numbers 10 :: New Living Translation (NLT)

The Silver Trumpets

Num 10:1Now the LORD said to Moses,

Num 10:2“Make two trumpets of hammered silver for calling the community to assemble and for signaling the breaking of camp.

Num 10:3

Num 10:3When both trumpets are blown, everyone must gather before you at the entrance of the Tabernacle.[fn]

Num 10:4

Num 10:4But if only one trumpet is blown, then only the leaders—the heads of the clans of Israel—must present themselves to you.

Num 10:5

Num 10:5“When you sound the signal to move on, the tribes camped on the east side of the Tabernacle must break camp and move forward.

Num 10:6

Num 10:6When you sound the signal a second time, the tribes camped on the south will follow. You must sound short blasts as the signal for moving on.

Num 10:7

Num 10:7But when you call the people to an assembly, blow the trumpets with a different signal.

Num 10:8

Num 10:8Only the priests, Aaron’s descendants, are allowed to blow the trumpets. This is a permanent law for you, to be observed from generation to generation.

Num 10:9

Num 10:9“When you arrive in your own land and go to war against your enemies who attack you, sound the alarm with the trumpets. Then the LORD your God will remember you and rescue you from your enemies.

Num 10:10

Num 10:10Blow the trumpets in times of gladness, too, sounding them at your annual festivals and at the beginning of each month. And blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings and peace offerings. The trumpets will remind the LORD your God of his covenant with you. I am the LORD your God.”

The Israelites Leave Sinai

Num 10:11

Num 10:11In the second year after Israel’s departure from Egypt—on the twentieth day of the second month[fn]—the cloud lifted from the Tabernacle of the Covenant.[fn]

Num 10:12

Num 10:12So the Israelites set out from the wilderness of Sinai and traveled on from place to place until the cloud stopped in the wilderness of Paran.

Num 10:13

Num 10:13When the people set out for the first time, following the instructions the LORD had given through Moses,

Num 10:14

Num 10:14Judah’s troops led the way. They marched behind their banner, and their leader was Nahshon son of Amminadab.

Num 10:15

Num 10:15They were joined by the troops of the tribe of Issachar, led by Nethanel son of Zuar,

Num 10:16

Num 10:16and the troops of the tribe of Zebulun, led by Eliab son of Helon.

Num 10:17

Num 10:17Then the Tabernacle was taken down, and the Gershonite and Merarite divisions of the Levites were next in the line of march, carrying the Tabernacle with them.

Num 10:18

Num 10:18Reuben’s troops went next, marching behind their banner. Their leader was Elizur son of Shedeur.

Num 10:19

Num 10:19They were joined by the troops of the tribe of Simeon, led by Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai,

Num 10:20

Num 10:20and the troops of the tribe of Gad, led by Eliasaph son of Deuel.

Num 10:21

Num 10:21Next came the Kohathite division of the Levites, carrying the sacred objects from the Tabernacle. Before they arrived at the next camp, the Tabernacle would already be set up at its new location.

Num 10:22

Num 10:22Ephraim’s troops went next, marching behind their banner. Their leader was Elishama son of Ammihud.

Num 10:23

Num 10:23They were joined by the troops of the tribe of Manasseh, led by Gamaliel son of Pedahzur,

Num 10:24

Num 10:24and the troops of the tribe of Benjamin, led by Abidan son of Gideoni.

Num 10:25

Num 10:25Dan’s troops went last, marching behind their banner and serving as the rear guard for all the tribal camps. Their leader was Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai.

Num 10:26

Num 10:26They were joined by the troops of the tribe of Asher, led by Pagiel son of Ocran,

Num 10:27

Num 10:27and the troops of the tribe of Naphtali, led by Ahira son of Enan.

Num 10:28

Num 10:28This was the order in which the Israelites marched, division by division.

Num 10:29

Num 10:29One day Moses said to his brother-in-law, Hobab son of Reuel the Midianite, “We are on our way to the place the LORD promised us, for he said, ‘I will give it to you.’ Come with us and we will treat you well, for the LORD has promised wonderful blessings for Israel!”

Num 10:30

Num 10:30But Hobab replied, “No, I will not go. I must return to my own land and family.”

Num 10:31

Num 10:31“Please don’t leave us,” Moses pleaded. “You know the places in the wilderness where we should camp. Come, be our guide.

Num 10:32

Num 10:32If you do, we’ll share with you all the blessings the LORD gives us.”

Num 10:33

Num 10:33They marched for three days after leaving the mountain of the LORD, with the Ark of the LORD’s Covenant moving ahead of them to show them where to stop and rest.

Num 10:34

Num 10:34As they moved on each day, the cloud of the LORD hovered over them.

Num 10:35

Num 10:35And whenever the Ark set out, Moses would shout, “Arise, O LORD, and let your enemies be scattered! Let them flee before you!”

Num 10:36

Num 10:36And when the Ark was set down, he would say, “Return, O LORD, to the countless thousands of Israel!”