Numbers 10

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 10:29

Moses said unto Hobab - For a circumstantial account of this person see the notes on Exodus 2:15 , Exodus 2:16 ; (note), Exodus 2:18 ; (note); Exodus 3:1 ; Exodus 4:20 ; (note), Exodus 4:24 ; (note); and for the transaction recorded here, and which is probably out of its place, see Exodus 18:5 ; (note), where the subject is discussed at large. We are journeying - God has brought us out of thraldom, and we are thus far on our way through the wilderness, travelling towards... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 10:30

I will not go; but I will depart to mine own land, and to my kindred - From the strong expostulations in Numbers 10:31 ; and Numbers 10:32 , and from Judges 1:16 ; Judges 4:11 , and 1 Samuel 15:6 , it is likely that Hobab changed his mind; or that, if he did go back to Midian, he returned again to Israel, as the above scriptures show that his posterity dwelt among the Israelites in Canaan. Reader, after having been almost persuaded to become a Christian, to take Christ, his cross,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 10:31

Thou mayest be to us instead of eyes - But what need had they of Hobab, when they had the pillar and fire continually to point out their way? Answer: The cloud directed their general journeys, but not their particular excursions. Parties took several journeys while the grand army lay still. (See Numbers 13, 20, 31, 32, etc). They therefore needed such a person as Hobab, who was well acquainted with the desert, to direct these particular excursions; to point them out watering places, and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 10:33

The ark - went before them - We find from Numbers 10:21 ; that the ark was carried by the Kohathites in the center of the army; but as the army never moved till the cloud was taken up, it is said to go before them, i. e., to be the first to move, as without this motion the Israelites continued in their encampments. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 10:35

Rise up, Lord, and let thine enemies be scattered - If God did not arise in this way and scatter his enemies, there could be no hope that Israel could get safely through the wilderness. God must go first, if Israel would wish to follow in safety. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 10:36

Return, O Lord, unto the many thousands of Israel - These were the words spoken by Moses, at the moment the divisions halted in order to pitch their tents. In reference to this subject, and the history with which it is connected, the 68th Psalm seems to have been composed, though applied by David to the bringing the ark from Kirjath-jearim to Jerusalem. See the notes on Psalm 68 (note). Many thousands, literally the ten thousand thousands. Unless the ark went with them, and the cloud of the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 10:2

Verse 2 2Make 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,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 10:10

Verse 10 10.Also in the day of your gladness. This was as if God should make it manifest that He approved of no festivals, and that no sacrifices pleased Him, except His command should go before them; for it was not lawful for the people to choose this or that day, but the authority for prescribing them was in the hands of the ministers of sacred things. And, indeed, God Himself had appointed the New-moons (Neomenias, vel novilunia) and the other solemnities; but, lest any change should occur,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 10:11

Verse 11 11.And it came to pass on the twentieth day Moses records that after leaving Mount Sinai, the camp was first pitched in the wilderness of Paran; and although the distance was not great, — being, as we shall soon see, a three days’ journey, — still the fatigue was sufficient to harass and weary the people. It is mentioned in praise of their obedience that they were expeditious in setting forth “according to the commandment of God;” but presently, through failure of the spirit of... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 10:14

Verse 14 14.In the first place went the standard of the camp The actual order of march is here described. The whole people, with the exception of the Levites, is divided into four hosts, or parts, since four of the tribes were set over the others, so as to have two under the command of each. And this was the mode of proceeding, that whenever they halted anywhere, the four standards encompassed the sanctuary and the Ark of the Covenant from the four quarters of the world; whilst on the march,... read more

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