Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Numbers 10:2
Make thee two trumpets of silver; of a whole piece shalt thou make them: that thou mayest use them for the calling of the assembly, and for the journeying of the camps.
2. trumpets ] or Clarions ( aerth). This rendering serves to distinguish the word from ( a) the ‘ram’s horn’ ( ybhl), used at Sinai (Exo 19:13), at Jericho (Jos 6:5), and to usher in the year of ybhl, i.e. the ‘Jubile’ ( b) the ‘trumpet’ ( shphr), which was the instrument ordinarily employed for secular purposes. The clarion is a secular instrument only in Hos 5:8 (R.V. ‘cornet’), 2Ki 11:14 = 2Ch 23:13 (R.V. ‘trumpet’). It is a sacred instrument in Psa 98:6 and frequently in P and Chr.-Ezr.-Neh. Its shape was that of a straight slender tube with an expanding mouth. See the illustrations in Driver’s Amos, p. 145.
2b 8. During the journeyings the clarions are to be used for summoning an assembly of the congregation ( Num 10:3), or a council of the princes ( Num 10:4), or for a signal to start on the march ( Num 10:5-6).
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
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 Exo 25:23 cut. From Egyptian monuments it appears that the Jewish trumpet was copied from that used in the armies of the Pharaohs. The cornet was at first a simple rams horn Jos 6:4, and the metal instrument of later times preserved the original shape.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 2. Make thee two trumpets of silver] The necessity of such instruments will at once appear, when the amazing extent of this numerous army is considered; and how even the sound of two trumpets could reach them all is difficult to conceive; but we may suppose that, when they were sounded, the motion of those that were within reach of that sound taught the others in succession what they should do.
As the trumpets were to be blown by the priests only, the sons of Aaron, there were only two, because there were only two such persons to use them at this time, Eleazar and Ithamar. In the time of Joshua there were seven trumpets used by the priests, but these were made, according to our text, of rams’ horns, Jos 6:4. In the time of Solomon, when the priests had greatly increased, there were 120 priests sounding with trumpets, 2Ch 5:12.
Josephus intimates that one of these trumpets was always used to call the nobles together, the other to assemble the people; see Nu 9:4. It is possible that these trumpets were made of different lengths and wideness, and consequently they would emit different tones. Thus the sound itself would at once show which was the summons for the congregation, and which for the princes only. These trumpets were allowed to be emblematical of the sound of the Gospel, and in this reference they appear to be frequently used. Of the fate of the trumpets of the sanctuary, See Clarke on Ex 25:31.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Two trumpets, for Aarons two sons; though afterwards the number of trumpets was much increased, as the number of the priests also was. See 2Ch 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.
Silver is a metal pure and precious, and giving a clear sound.
A whole piece. See Exo 25:31; Num 8:4.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
2. Make thee two trumpets ofsilverThese trumpets were of a long form, in opposition tothat of the Egyptian trumpets, with which the people were convened tothe worship of Osiris and which were curved like rams’ horns. Thosewhich Moses made, as described by JOSEPHUSand represented on the arch of Titus, were straight, a cubit or morein length, the tubes of the thickness of a flute. Both extremitiesbore a close resemblance to those in use among us. They were of solidsilverso as, from the purity of the metal, to give a shrill,distinct sound; and there were two of them, probably because therewere only two sons of Aaron; but at a later period the number wasgreatly increased (Jos 6:8;2Ch 5:12). And although the campcomprehended 2,500,000 of people, two trumpets would be quitesufficient, for sound is conveyed easily through the pure atmosphereand reverberated strongly among the valleys of the Sinaitic hills.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Make thee two trumpets of silver,…. A metal very valuable and precious, durable, and fit for sound; only two are ordered, Aaron having but two sons, Eleazar and Ithamar, who were to blow with them,
Nu 10:8; for though Moses’s order is, “make thee”, or for thee, yet not for his own use, but for the priests to use when he should order them: the Targum of Jonathan adds, of what is thine own, as if they were to be made at his own expense; but others say, and which is more probable, that they were to be made at the public expense: Josephus i gives a description of them, and says, that they were little less than a cubit long, the pipe of them narrow, but broader about the mouth to receive the breath, and ended like a bell; they seem to be much of the shape of our trumpets: these trumpets were an emblem of the ministry of the Gospel, called the great trumpet, and in the ministration of which, the preachers of it are to lift up their voice like a trumpet, to show men their perishing condition through sin, and to encourage them, as such who are ready to perish, to come to Christ for salvation,
Isa 27:13; the Gospel is comparable to silver, being fetched out of the mines of the sacred Scriptures, pure and free from the dross of errors and human inventions, will bear to be tried by the standard of the word, and is lasting and durable, yea, the everlasting Gospel; as well as valuable and precious, containing the unsearchable riches of Christ, c. treasures of divine truths, comparable to gold, silver, and precious stones yea, it is more valuable and precious than silver, not to be obtained by that, more profitable and useful, more satisfying and lasting: the number two may be applicable to the two dispensations, under which the Gospel has been ministered, directing to the same Saviour, and to the same way of salvation, by his grace, his blood, righteousness, and sacrifice; and to the two Testaments, which agree in the same truths respecting his person, offices, obedience, sufferings, and death; and to the prophets and apostles of both dispensations and testaments, who have united in laying Christ as the foundation; and also to the two witnesses that are still to prophecy in sackcloth, that is, preach the Gospel and blow the trumpet of it: Re 11:3
of an whole piece shall thou make them; of one solid mass of silver, beaten with an hammer, as Jarchi, such a piece as the candlestick was made of in Ex 25:31, where the same word is used as here, and rendered “beaten work”: this may denote the pure and unmixed Gospel of Christ, having no dross, nor bad nor base metal of human corruptions in it; no jar, discord, or contradiction in it, but all in perfect harmony and agreement; and the whole of it, no part of it dropped or concealed; and the ministry of it, laboured by those employed in it, who study to show themselves workmen that need not be ashamed:
that thou mayest use them for the calling the assembly; the body of the people of Israel, either on civil or sacred accounts, see Joe 1:15; the ministry of the Gospel is for the calling and gathering of souls to Christ, and to his churches; even the remnant of Israel, all that are given to Christ and redeemed by his blood, whether Jews or Gentiles; these are gathered out of the world, which is an act of distinguishing grace; it is by means of the Gospel trumpet that they are awakened, and quickened, and directed to Christ:
and for the journeying of the camps: both of the four camps of the Israelites, and the camp of the Levites, to direct them when they should set forward on a journey: and of like use is the ministry of the Gospel; saints are pilgrims and travellers here; they are passing through a wilderness, their way is attended with many difficulties; Canaan is the place they are travelling to, and the Gospel is of singular use to them by the way, both to refresh them with its joyful sound, and to direct them in the path in which they should go.
i Antiqu. l. 3. c. 12. sect. 6.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
2 Make thee two trumpets of silver. This passage respecting the silver trumpets, which gave the gathering-signal, so that the people should always be attentive to the voice and will of God, is properly annexed to the First Commandment. For God would have the Israelites set in motion by their sound, whithersoever they were to go, so that they should not dare to commence anything either in war or in peace, except under His guidance and auspices, as it were. But their use was threefold, viz., to gather the people or the rulers to public assemblies; to arm them against their enemies; and, thirdly, to announce the sacrifices and festivals. It might seem absurd, and somewhat indecorous, to appoint the priests to be trumpeters, since there was no splendor or dignity in this office; but God would in this way awaken greater reverence in the minds of the people, that the authority of the priests should precede all their actions. For this office, to which they were appointed, was no servile one, as that they should blow the trumpets at the command of others; but rather did God thus set them over public affairs, that the people might not tumultuously call their assemblies in the blindness and precipitation of passion, but rather that modesty, gravity, and moderation should be observed in them. We know how often in earthly affairs God is not regarded, but counsels are confidently discussed without reference to His word. He testified, therefore, by this employment of the priests, that all assemblies, except those in which He should preside, were accursed. Profane nations also had their ceremonies, such as auguries, supplications, soothsayings, victims, (75) because natural reason dictated that nothing could be engaged in successfully without Divine assistance; but God would have His people bound to Him in another way, so that, when called by the sound of the sacred trumpets as by a voice from heaven, they should assemble to holy and pious deliberations. The circumstance of the place also has the same object. The door of the Tabernacle was to them, as if they placed themselves in the sight; of God. We will speak of the word מועד , mogned (76) elsewhere. Although it signifies an appointed time, or place, and also an assembly of the people, I prefer translating it convention, because God there in a solemn manner, as if before His sacred tribunal, called the people to witness, or, according to appointment, proceeded to make a covenant with them.
He was also unwilling that wars should be undertaken precipitately, or with the desire of vengeance, but that the priests should perform the office of heralds, ( feciales,) in order that he might be the originator of them himself. But it was honorable for the priests to be the proclaimers of the festivals, and to cite the people to the sanctuary. Now, since we understand the intention of the Legislator, let us briefly touch upon the words. We have said that the priests, when they sounded, were, as it were, the organs or interpreters of God, that the Israelites might depend upon His voice and commandment. If the princes or heads of thousands only were to be called, they sounded only once; if it was a convocation of the whole people, they doubled the sound. A similar distinction was observed in war, that a different signal should be given, according as the camps of either side were to advance. Some use the fictitious word taratantara, (77) in place of what I have translated “with jubilation:” it is probable that it was a louder and more protracted sound, but blown with intervals. We must, however, observe the promise, which is inserted, that the Israelites “should be remembered before the Lord,” that He should put their enemies to flight; not as if the safety or deliverance of the people was attached to the trumpets, but because they did not go to the battle except in reliance on God’s aid. For the reality itself is conjoined with the external symbol, viz., that they should fight under God, should follow Him as their Leader, and should account all their strength to be in His grace. And that all the saints were guided by this rule appears from Psa 20:7, —
“Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the Lord our God:”
and again, “There is no king saved by the multitude of an host; a mighty man is not delivered by much strength. Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy.” (Psa 33:16)
(75) “ Comme d’espier le vol des oiseaux, ou de regarder les entrailles des sacrifices, et meme sacrifier, et faire prieres solennelles;” such as observing the flight of birds or examining the entrails of sacrifices, and even sacrificing and offering solemn prayers. — Fr.
(76) “ Le mot Hebrieu, que nons avons translate convenance .” — Fr. An heemantic from יעד, to give previous notice, to summon together. W.
(77) Thus Malvenda in Poole’s Syn., “ et clangetis taratantara ” The word is used by Ennius “ At tuba terribili sonitu taratantara dixit.” — Serv. in, AEn, 4. A.V. , “an alarm.”
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
X.
(2) Of a whole piece.Better, of beaten (or, turned) work. (See Notes on Exo. 25:18; Exo. 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 supposed to have differed from the cornet or horn, keren or shophar (which is interchanged with keren), which was crooked. (See Jos. 6:5. compared with 6:4, 6, 8, 13.) We find reference to the jubilee trumpet in Lev. 25:9, from which it has been inferred that the trumpets here mentioned were not first made at this time. It is true, indeed, that the first verse might be rendered: Now the Lord had spoken unto Moses, saying; but the word used in Lev. 25:9 is shophar, not hazozerah, and the latter word occurs in this place for the first time.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
Num 10:2. Make thee two trumpets of silver Two trumpets only are ordered; for the priests, the sons of Aaron, who alone were to blow them, (Num 10:8.) were then but two. When the priests were more numerous, the trumpets were increased in proportion: so, in Solomon’s time, we read of an hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets, 2Ch 5:12. They were to be of silver, which gave them a shriller sound; and each made of one piece, to render the sound more distinct and loud, according to Josephus’s description of them, Antiq. lib. 3: cap. 12. They were much after the same form as ours; being a cubit long, and narrow like a pipe, but wider at the bottom. It is observed by antiquaries, that trumpets were anciently used instead of bells; and Eustathius upon Homer says, the Egyptians used a trumpet of ram’s horn, (whereof Osiris was the inventor) when they called the people to their sacrifices. The use of these silver trumpets is described with sufficient clearness in the following verses; see Lev 23:24. The blowing of the trumpets is generally supposed to have been emblematical of the joyful and blessed sound of the gospel; see Isa 27:13; Isa 58:1. Psa 89:15.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Num 10:2 Make thee two trumpets of silver; of a whole piece shalt thou make them: that thou mayest use them for the calling of the assembly, and for the journeying of the camps.
Ver. 2. Two trumpets of silver. ] Signifying the voice of the law and gospel in the mouths of God’s ministers, who must “lift up the voice like a trumpet,” Isa 58:1 with fervour, zeal, and courage; a (1.) To gather the people, and assemble the elders; Joe 2:16 (2.) To put them upon their marchings and motions towards the heavenly Canaan; and here to blow an alarm –
“ Sic clames ut Stentora vincere possis – ”
as that famous Farellus did, when the friars, to drown his voice in the pulpit, rang their greatest bells, but he drowned them out; (3.) To get them upon their battlements, and there hence to blow an alarm likewise, upon the approach of spiritual enemies; taking the same liberty to cry down sin, that men take to commit it; b and to descry the devil’s stratagems that are so destructive to men’s souls. They must cast away the inverse trumpets of Furius Fulvius, which sounded a retreat when they should have sounded an alarm; they must faithfully show God’s “people their transgressions, and the house of Jacob their sins,” Isa 58:1 yea, “all their transgressions in all their sins.” Lev 16:21 Lastly, as the priests were to sound the silver trumpets at their solemn feasts, Psa 81:3 for a monument of spiritual gladness before the Lord; so must ministers of the gospel publish the glad tidings of the gospel; “Speak to the heart of Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, her sin is pardoned”; Isa 40:2 make the people hear the joyful sound, that they may walk in the sense of God’s presence, and in the light of his countenance; yea, “rejoice in his name all the day long.” Psa 89:15-16
a Ad ravim usque vocem intendit, nec vinci se a strepitu ullo passus est. – Melch. Adam., 114.
b Suetonius ea libertate scripsit Imperatorum vitas qua ipsi vixerunt.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
two: here only two. Later, 120 (2Ch 5:12).
trumpets. These were of two principal kinds: those called chazozerah, made of silver, and straight; the other, shophar, a horn. These must be distinguished. The other words are yobel, a jubilee horn (Exo 19:16); and tako’a, the blast of a trumpet (Eze 7:14).
of a whole piece = of beaten work.
use them: for four purposes: (1) assembly; (2) journeying; (3) for war; (4) for the feasts.
assembly = whole congregation: i e. in its civil character.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
two trumpets: The necessity of such instruments will at once appear, when the amazing extent of this army is considered. There were various kinds of trumpets among the ancients, of different forms and materials, as Eustathius shews on Homer, where he mentions six; the second of which was , turned up round, like a ram’s horn; which he says the Egyptians used (from being invented by Osiris) when they assembled the people to their sacrifices. But in opposition to that form, Moses commands these to be made long, in the shape of those used at present. So Josephus informs us, who says they were near a cubit long; the tube of the thickness of a common pipe or flute; the mouth no wider than just to admit blowing into them; and their ends wide like those of a modern trumpet. 2Ki 12:13, 2Ch 5:12
of a whole piece: Exo 25:18, Exo 25:31, Eph 4:5
the calling: Num 10:7, Psa 81:3, Psa 89:15, Isa 1:13, Hos 8:1, Joe 1:14
Reciprocal: Lev 23:2 – proclaim 2Sa 18:16 – blew the trumpet 1Ch 15:28 – the cornet Neh 12:35 – with trumpets Isa 27:13 – the great 1Co 14:7 – except
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Num 10:2. Two trumpets For Aarons two sons; though afterward the number of the trumpets was much increased, as the number of the priests also was. These trumpets were ordained, both to signify the great duty of ministers, to preach the word, and for use, as here follows.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
10:2 Make thee two trumpets of silver; of a {a} whole piece shalt thou make them: that thou mayest use them for the calling of the assembly, and for the journeying of the camps.
(a) Or, of work beaten out with the hammer.