God commands Moses to craft two silver trumpets for summoning the assembly and signaling camp movements. Distinct blast patterns communicate different orders: sustained notes for assembly, staccato blasts for marching. Israel then departs Sinai for the first time, following the prescribed marching order. Moses invites his father-in-law Hobab to accompany them as a wilderness guide.
This chapter marks the pivot of the entire book. Everything before it (chapters 1-9) takes place at Sinai; everything after it is movement through the wilderness. The departure formula (v. 33) places the ark of the covenant three days' journey ahead of the people — the LORD's presence leads, not follows. Moses's invocation when the ark set out — qumah YHWH ('Arise, O LORD,' v. 35) — and when it rested transforms troop movement into liturgy.
The chatsotsrot kesef ('silver trumpets,' v. 2) are distinct from the shofar (ram's horn). We rendered teru'ah as 'staccato blast' to distinguish it from the teki'ah ('sustained note'), since the Hebrew signal system depends on the hearer recognizing the difference. The term shefi (v. 33 in some versifications) for the place Balaam goes is debated — in chapter 10 the wilderness geography is similarly uncertain at several points.
The silver trumpets are made miqshah ('hammered work,' v. 2), the same technique as the menorah (Exodus 25:18). Moses's prayer at the ark's departure (v. 35) is quoted in Psalm 68:1. The invitation to Hobab (vv. 29-32) connects to the Kenite clan tradition in Judges 1:16 and 4:11. The marching order follows Numbers 2 precisely. **Tradition comparisons:** The Samaritan Pentateuch shows 1 moderate variant(s) in this chapter. See the [Samaritan Pentateuch](/samaritan-pentateuch/numbers). Targum Onkelos interprets this chapter with notable Aramaic renderings: Onkelos preserves Moses' battle cry including the anthropomorphic 'arise' (qum). As with the priestly blessing, fixed liturgical/battle formulas are treated as sacrosanct. (2 notable renderings in this chapter) See the [Targum Onkelos on Numbers](/targum/numbers).
וַיְדַבֵּ֥ר יְהֹוָ֖ה אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֥ה לֵּאמֹֽר׃
The LORD spoke to Moses:
KJV And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
עֲשֵׂ֣ה לְךָ֗ שְׁתֵּי֙ חֲצֽוֹצְרֹ֣ת כֶּ֔סֶף מִקְשָׁ֖ה תַּעֲשֶׂ֣ה אֹתָ֑ם וְהָי֤וּ לְךָ֙ לְמִקְרָ֣א הָֽעֵדָ֔ה וּלְמַסַּ֖ע אֶת־הַֽמַּחֲנֽוֹת׃
"Make two silver trumpets — craft them from hammered metalwork. They will serve you for summoning the congregation and for signaling the camps to move out."
KJV 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.
וְתָקְע֖וּ בָּהֵ֑ן וְנֽוֹעֲד֤וּ אֵלֶ֙יךָ֙ כׇּל־הָ֣עֵדָ֔ה אֶל־פֶּ֖תַח אֹ֥הֶל מוֹעֵֽד׃
When both are sounded, the entire congregation must gather to you at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting.
KJV And when they shall blow with them, all the assembly shall assemble themselves to thee at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
וְאִם־בְּאַחַ֖ת יִתְקָ֑עוּ וְנוֹעֲד֤וּ אֵלֶ֙יךָ֙ הַנְּשִׂיאִ֔ים רָאשֵׁ֖י אַלְפֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
If only one is sounded, then the chieftains — the heads of Israel's divisions of a thousand — must gather to you.
KJV And if they blow but with one trumpet, then the princes, which are heads of the thousands of Israel, shall gather themselves unto thee.
וּתְקַעְתֶּ֖ם תְּרוּעָ֑ה וְנָֽסְעוּ֙ הַֽמַּחֲנ֔וֹת הַחֹנִ֖ים קֵֽדְמָה׃
When you sound a staccato blast, the camps stationed on the east side will set out.
KJV When ye blow an alarm, then the camps that lie on the east parts shall go forward.
וּתְקַעְתֶּ֤ם תְּרוּעָה֙ שֵׁנִ֔ית וְנָֽסְעוּ֙ הַֽמַּחֲנ֔וֹת הַחֹנִ֖ים תֵּימָ֑נָה תְּרוּעָ֥ה יִתְקְע֖וּ לְמַסְעֵיהֶֽם׃
When you sound a staccato blast a second time, the camps stationed on the south will begin their march. A staccato blast will be sounded for each stage of departure.
KJV When ye blow an alarm the second time, then the camps that lie on the south side shall take their journey: they shall blow an alarm for their journeys.
וּבְהַקְהִ֖יל אֶת־הַקָּהָ֑ל תִּתְקְע֖וּ וְלֹ֥א תָרִֽיעוּ׃
When assembling the community, you must sound a sustained note but not a staccato blast.
KJV But when the congregation is to be gathered together, ye shall blow, but ye shall not sound an alarm.
וּבְנֵ֤י אַהֲרֹן֙ הַכֹּ֣הֲנִ֔ים יִתְקְע֖וּ בַּחֲצֹֽצְר֑וֹת וְהָי֥וּ לָכֶ֛ם לְחֻקַּ֥ת עוֹלָ֖ם לְדֹרֹתֵיכֶֽם׃
The sons of Aaron, the priests, are the ones who must sound the trumpets. This is a permanent statute for you throughout your generations.
KJV And the sons of Aaron, the priests, shall blow with the trumpets; and they shall be to you for an ordinance for ever throughout your generations.
וְכִֽי־תָבֹ֨אוּ מִלְחָמָ֜ה בְּאַרְצְכֶ֗ם עַל־הַצַּר֙ הַצֹּרֵ֣ר אֶתְכֶ֔ם וַהֲרֵעֹתֶ֖ם בַּחֲצֹצְרֹ֑ת וְנִזְכַּרְתֶּ֗ם לִפְנֵי֙ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֔ם וְנוֹשַׁעְתֶּ֖ם מֵאֹיְבֵיכֶֽם׃
When you go to war in your land against an adversary who is oppressing you, sound the staccato blast on the trumpets. You will then be remembered before the LORD your God, and you will be delivered from your enemies.
KJV And if ye go to war in your land against the enemy that oppresseth you, then ye shall blow an alarm with the trumpets; and ye shall be remembered before the LORD your God, and ye shall be saved from your enemies.
וּבְי֨וֹם שִׂמְחַתְכֶ֥ם וּֽבְמוֹעֲדֵיכֶם֮ וּבְרָאשֵׁ֣י חׇדְשֵׁיכֶם֒*(בספרי ספרד ואשכנז חׇדְשֵׁכֶם֒) וּתְקַעְתֶּ֣ם בַּחֲצֹֽצְרֹ֗ת עַ֚ל עֹלֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם וְעַ֖ל זִבְחֵ֣י שַׁלְמֵיכֶ֑ם וְהָי֨וּ לָכֶ֤ם לְזִכָּרוֹן֙ לִפְנֵ֣י אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֔ם אֲנִ֖י יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽם׃ {פ}
On your days of celebration, at your appointed festivals, and at the beginning of each month, you must sound the trumpets over your burnt offerings and over your fellowship sacrifices. They will serve as a reminder on your behalf before your God. I am the LORD your God.
KJV Also in the day of your gladness, and in your solemn days, and in the beginnings of your months, ye shall blow with the trumpets over your burnt offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; that they may be to you for a memorial before your God: I am the LORD your God.
Samaritan Pentateuch (4th c. BCE divergence)moderate
"(SP adds contextual reference to worship at the chosen place)"
SP connects the trumpet legislation to the designated sanctuary, reinforcing centralized worship at Gerizim.
וַיְהִ֞י בַּשָּׁנָ֧ה הַשֵּׁנִ֛ית בַּחֹ֥דֶשׁ הַשֵּׁנִ֖י בְּעֶשְׂרִ֣ים בַּחֹ֑דֶשׁ נַעֲלָה֙ הֶֽעָנָ֔ן מֵעַ֖ל מִשְׁכַּ֥ן הָעֵדֻֽת׃
On the twentieth day of the second month in the second year, the cloud lifted from above the Tabernacle of the Testimony.
KJV And it came to pass on the twentieth day of the second month, in the second year, that the cloud was taken up from off the tabernacle of the testimony.
וַיִּסְע֧וּ בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל לְמַסְעֵיהֶ֖ם מִמִּדְבַּ֣ר סִינָ֑י וַיִּשְׁכֹּ֥ן הֶעָנָ֖ן בְּמִדְבַּ֥ר פָּארָֽן׃
The Israelites set out on their stages of travel from the Wilderness of Sinai, and the cloud settled in the Wilderness of Paran.
KJV And the children of Israel took their journeys out of the wilderness of Sinai; and the cloud rested in the wilderness of Paran.
וַיִּסְע֖וּ בָּרִאשֹׁנָ֑ה עַל־פִּ֥י יְהֹוָ֖ה בְּיַד־מֹשֶֽׁה׃
They set out for the first time according to the LORD's directive, communicated through Moses.
KJV And they first took their journey according to the commandment of the LORD by the hand of Moses.
וַיִּסַּ֞ע דֶּ֣גֶל מַחֲנֵ֧ה בְנֵֽי־יְהוּדָ֛ה בָּרִאשֹׁנָ֖ה לְצִבְאֹתָ֑ם וְעַ֨ל־צְבָא֔וֹ נַחְשׁ֖וֹן בֶּן־עַמִּינָדָֽב׃
The banner of the camp of Judah's descendants set out first, organized by their military divisions. Commanding its forces was Nahshon son of Amminadab.
KJV In the first place went the standard of the camp of the children of Judah according to their armies: and over his host was Nahshon the son of Amminadab.
וְעַ֨ל־צְבָ֔א מַטֵּ֖ה בְּנֵ֣י יִשָּׂשכָ֑ר נְתַנְאֵ֖ל בֶּן־צוּעָֽר׃
Over the forces of the tribe of Issachar's descendants was Nethanel son of Zuar.
KJV And over the host of the tribe of the children of Issachar was Nethaneel the son of Zuar.
וְעַ֨ל־צְבָ֔א מַטֵּ֖ה בְּנֵ֣י זְבוּלֻ֑ן אֱלִיאָ֖ב בֶּן־חֵלֹֽן׃
Over the forces of the tribe of Zebulun's descendants was Eliab son of Helon.
KJV And over the host of the tribe of the children of Zebulun was Eliab the son of Helon.
וְהוּרַ֖ד הַמִּשְׁכָּ֑ן וְנָסְע֤וּ בְנֵֽי־גֵרְשׁוֹן֙ וּבְנֵ֣י מְרָרִ֔י נֹשְׂאֵ֖י הַמִּשְׁכָּֽן׃
Then the Tabernacle was dismantled, and the Gershonites and Merarites — who carried the Tabernacle's structural components — set out.
KJV And the tabernacle was taken down; and the sons of Gershon and the sons of Merari set forward, bearing the tabernacle.
וְנָסַ֗ע דֶּ֛גֶל מַחֲנֵ֥ה רְאוּבֵ֖ן לְצִבְאֹתָ֑ם וְעַ֨ל־צְבָא֔וֹ אֱלִיצ֖וּר בֶּן־שְׁדֵיאֽוּר׃
The banner of the camp of Reuben set out next, organized by their military divisions. Commanding its forces was Elizur son of Shedeur.
KJV And the standard of the camp of Reuben set forward according to their armies: and over his host was Elizur the son of Shedeur.
וְעַ֨ל־צְבָ֔א מַטֵּ֖ה בְּנֵ֣י שִׁמְע֑וֹן שְׁלֻֽמִיאֵ֖ל בֶּן־צוּרִֽישַׁדָּֽי׃
Over the forces of the tribe of Simeon's descendants was Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai.
KJV And over the host of the tribe of the children of Simeon was Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai.
וְעַל־צְבָ֖א מַטֵּ֣ה בְנֵי־גָ֑ד אֶלְיָסָ֖ף בֶּן־דְּעוּאֵֽל׃
Over the forces of the tribe of Gad's descendants was Eliasaph son of Deuel.
KJV And over the host of the tribe of the children of Gad was Eliasaph the son of Deuel.
וְנָסְעוּ֙ הַקְּהָתִ֔ים נֹשְׂאֵ֖י הַמִּקְדָּ֑שׁ וְהֵקִ֥ימוּ אֶת־הַמִּשְׁכָּ֖ן עַד־בֹּאָֽם׃
Then the Kohathites set out, carrying the sacred objects. The Tabernacle structure would be reassembled before they arrived at the new site.
KJV And the Kohathites set forward, bearing the sanctuary: and the other did set up the tabernacle against they came.
וְנָסַ֗ע דֶּ֛גֶל מַחֲנֵ֥ה בְנֵֽי־אֶפְרַ֖יִם לְצִבְאֹתָ֑ם וְעַ֨ל־צְבָא֔וֹ אֱלִישָׁמָ֖ע בֶּן־עַמִּיהֽוּד׃
The banner of the camp of Ephraim's descendants set out next, organized by their military divisions. Commanding its forces was Elishama son of Ammihud.
KJV And the standard of the camp of the children of Ephraim set forward according to their armies: and over his host was Elishama the son of Ammihud.
וְעַ֨ל־צְבָ֔א מַטֵּ֖ה בְּנֵ֣י מְנַשֶּׁ֑ה גַּמְלִיאֵ֖ל בֶּן־פְּדָהצֽוּר׃
Over the forces of the tribe of Manasseh's descendants was Gamaliel son of Pedahzur.
KJV And over the host of the tribe of the children of Manasseh was Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.
וְעַ֨ל־צְבָ֔א מַטֵּ֖ה בְּנֵ֣י בִנְיָמִ֑ן אֲבִידָ֖ן בֶּן־גִּדְעוֹנִֽי׃
Over the forces of the tribe of Benjamin's descendants was Abidan son of Gideoni.
KJV And over the host of the tribe of the children of Benjamin was Abidan the son of Gideoni.
וְנָסַ֗ע דֶּ֚גֶל מַחֲנֵ֣ה בְנֵי־דָ֔ן מְאַסֵּ֥ף לְכׇל־הַֽמַּחֲנֹ֖ת לְצִבְאֹתָ֑ם וְעַ֨ל־צְבָא֔וֹ אֲחִיעֶ֖זֶר בֶּן־עַמִּישַׁדָּֽי׃
The banner of the camp of Dan's descendants set out last, serving as the rear guard for all the camps, organized by their military divisions. Commanding its forces was Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai.
KJV And the standard of the camp of the children of Dan set forward, which was the rereward of all the camps throughout their hosts: and over his host was Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.
וְעַ֨ל־צְבָ֔א מַטֵּ֖ה בְּנֵ֣י אָשֵׁ֑ר פַּגְעִיאֵ֖ל בֶּן־עׇכְרָֽן׃
Over the forces of the tribe of Asher's descendants was Pagiel son of Ocran.
KJV And over the host of the tribe of the children of Asher was Pagiel the son of Ocran.
וְעַ֨ל־צְבָ֔א מַטֵּ֖ה בְּנֵ֣י נַפְתָּלִ֑י אֲחִירַ֖ע בֶּן־עֵינָֽן׃
Over the forces of the tribe of Naphtali's descendants was Ahira son of Enan.
KJV And over the host of the tribe of the children of Naphtali was Ahira the son of Enan.
אֵ֛לֶּה מַסְעֵ֥י בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל לְצִבְאֹתָ֑ם וַיִּסָּֽעוּ׃ {ס}
This was the marching order of the Israelites, organized by their military divisions. And so they set out.
KJV Thus were the journeyings of the children of Israel according to their armies, when they set forward.
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר מֹשֶׁ֗ה לְ֠חֹבָ֠ב בֶּן־רְעוּאֵ֣ל הַמִּדְיָנִי֮ חֹתֵ֣ן מֹשֶׁה֒ נֹסְעִ֣ים ׀ אֲנַ֗חְנוּ אֶל־הַמָּקוֹם֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אָמַ֣ר יְהֹוָ֔ה אֹת֖וֹ אֶתֵּ֣ן לָכֶ֑ם לְכָ֤ה אִתָּ֙נוּ֙ וְהֵטַ֣בְנוּ לָ֔ךְ כִּֽי־יְהֹוָ֥ה דִּבֶּר־ט֖וֹב עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
Moses said to Hobab son of Reuel the Midianite, Moses's father-in-law, "We are setting out for the place about which the LORD said, 'I will give it to you.' Come with us, and we will treat you well, because the LORD has promised good things for Israel."
KJV And Moses said unto Hobab, the son of Raguel the Midianite, Moses' father in law, We are journeying unto the place of which the LORD said, I will give it you: come thou with us, and we will do thee good: for the LORD hath spoken good concerning Israel.
וַיֹּ֥אמֶר אֵלָ֖יו לֹ֣א אֵלֵ֑ךְ כִּ֧י אִם־אֶל־אַרְצִ֛י וְאֶל־מוֹלַדְתִּ֖י אֵלֵֽךְ׃
But he replied, "I will not go. Instead, I will return to my own land and to my relatives."
KJV And he said unto him, I will not go; but I will depart to mine own land, and to my kindred.
וַיֹּ֕אמֶר אַל־נָ֖א תַּעֲזֹ֣ב אֹתָ֑נוּ כִּ֣י ׀ עַל־כֵּ֣ן יָדַ֗עְתָּ חֲנֹתֵ֙נוּ֙ בַּמִּדְבָּ֔ר וְהָיִ֥יתָ לָּ֖נוּ לְעֵינָֽיִם׃
Moses said, "Please do not leave us. You know where we should camp in the wilderness, and you can serve as our eyes."
KJV And he said, Leave us not, I pray thee; forasmuch as thou knowest how we are to encamp in the wilderness, and thou mayest be to us instead of eyes.
וְהָיָ֖ה כִּי־תֵלֵ֣ךְ עִמָּ֑נוּ וְהָיָ֣ה ׀ הַטּ֣וֹב הַה֗וּא אֲשֶׁ֨ר יֵיטִ֧יב יְהֹוָ֛ה עִמָּ֖נוּ וְהֵטַ֥בְנוּ לָֽךְ׃
"If you come with us, then whatever good the LORD does for us, we will share that same good with you."
KJV And it shall be, if thou go with us, yea, it shall be, that what goodness the LORD shall do unto us, the same will we do unto thee.
וַיִּסְעוּ֙ מֵהַ֣ר יְהֹוָ֔ה דֶּ֖רֶךְ שְׁלֹ֣שֶׁת יָמִ֑ים וַאֲר֨וֹן בְּרִית־יְהֹוָ֜ה נֹסֵ֣עַ לִפְנֵיהֶ֗ם דֶּ֚רֶךְ שְׁלֹ֣שֶׁת יָמִ֔ים לָת֥וּר לָהֶ֖ם מְנוּחָֽה׃
They traveled from the mountain of the LORD a distance of three days. The ark of the LORD's covenant went ahead of them during the three-day march to scout out a resting place for them.
KJV And they departed from the mount of the LORD three days' journey: and the ark of the covenant of the LORD went before them in the three days' journey, to search out a resting place for them.
Samaritan Pentateuch (4th c. BCE divergence)minor
"three days"
The ark's journey from Sinai — text agrees between MT and SP.
וַעֲנַ֧ן יְהֹוָ֛ה עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם יוֹמָ֑ם בְּנׇסְעָ֖ם מִן־הַֽמַּחֲנֶֽה׃ {ס}
The cloud of the LORD was over them by day whenever they set out from the camp.
KJV And the cloud of the LORD was upon them by day, when they went out of the camp.
׆ וַיְהִ֛י בִּנְסֹ֥עַ הָאָרֹ֖ן וַיֹּ֣אמֶר מֹשֶׁ֑ה קוּמָ֣ה ׀ יְהֹוָ֗ה וְיָפֻ֙צוּ֙ אֹֽיְבֶ֔יךָ וְיָנֻ֥סוּ מְשַׂנְאֶ֖יךָ מִפָּנֶֽיךָ׃
Whenever the ark set out, Moses would say: "Rise up, LORD! Let your enemies be scattered, and let those who hate you flee from your presence!"
KJV And it came to pass, when the ark set forward, that Moses said, Rise up, LORD, and let thine enemies be scattered; and let them that hate thee flee before thee.
Targum Onkelos (Aramaic, 1st-5th c. CE)literal
"Arise now, O LORD, and let your enemies be scattered."
Onkelos preserves Moses' battle cry including the anthropomorphic 'arise' (qum). As with the priestly blessing, fixed liturgical/battle formulas are treated as sacrosanct.
וּבְנֻחֹ֖ה יֹאמַ֑ר שׁוּבָ֣ה יְהֹוָ֔ה רִֽבְב֖וֹת אַלְפֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ ׆ {פ}
And when it came to rest, he would say: "Return, LORD, to the countless thousands of Israel."
KJV And when it rested, he said, Return, O LORD, unto the many thousands of Israel.
Targum Onkelos (Aramaic, 1st-5th c. CE)shekinah
"Return now, O LORD, and cause your Shekinah to dwell among the tens of thousands of Israel."
When the ark rests, God's 'returning' is interpreted as the Shekinah dwelling among Israel. The military cry becomes a prayer for renewed Shekinah presence among the myriads of Israel.