Numbers – Chapter 10

Old Testament • 36 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 10 of Numbers begins: "And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:" The chapter centers on Moses, Nathanael and Manasses. Across its 36 verses, two threads run through the text: family and covenant relationships and God's covenant promises. Taken as a whole, the chapter forms one movement in the account, preparing what follows and completing what came before.

1And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:

2Make thee two trumpets of beaten silver, wherewith thou mayest call together the multitude when the camp is to be removed.

3And when thou shalt sound the trumpets, all the multitude shall gather unto thee to the door of the tabernacle of the covenant.

4If thou sound but once, the princes and the heads of the multitude of Israel shall come to thee.

5But if the sound of the trumpets be longer, and with interruptions, they that are on the east side, shall first go forward.

6And at the second sounding and like noise of the trumpet, they who lie on the south side shall take up their tents. And after this manner shall the rest do, when the trumpets shall sound for a march.

7But when the people is to be gathered together, the sound of the trumpets shall be plain, and they shall not make a broken sound.

8And the sons of Aaron the priest shall sound the trumpets: and this shall be an ordinance for ever in your generations.

9If you go forth to war out of your land against the enemies that fight against you, you shall sound aloud with the trumpets, and there shall be a remembrance of you before the Lord your God, that you may be delivered out of the hands of your enemies.

10If at any time you shall have a banquet, and on your festival days, and on the first days of your months, you shall sound the trumpets over the holocausts, and the sacrifices of peace offerings, that they may be to you for a remembrance of your God. I am the Lord your God.

11The second year, in the second month, the twentieth day of the month, the cloud was taken up from the tabernacle of the covenant.

12And the children of Israel marched by their troops from the desert of Sinai, and the cloud rested in the wilderness of Pharan.

13And the first went forward according to the commandment of the Lord by the hand of Moses.

14The sons of Juda by their troops: whose prince was Nahasson the son of Aminadab.

15In the tribe of the sons of Issachar, the prince was Nathanael the son of Suar.

16In the tribe of Zabulon, the prince was Eliab the son of Helon.

17And the tabernacle was taken down, and the sons of Gerson and Merari set forward, bearing it.

18And the sons of Ruben also marched, by their troops and ranks, whose prince was Helisur the son of Sedeur.

19And in the tribe of Simeon, the prince was Salamiel the son of Surisaddai.

20And in the tribe of Gad, the prince was Eliasaph the son of Duel.

21Then the Caathites also marched carrying the sanctuary. So long was the tabernacle carried, till they came to the place of setting it up.

22The sons of Ephraim also moved their camp by their troops, in whose army the prince was Elisama the son of Ammiud.

23And in the tribe of the sons of Manasses, the prince was Gamaliel the son of Phadassur.

24And in the tribe of Benjamin, the prince was Abidan the son of Gedeon.

25The last of all the camp marched the sons of Dan by their troops, in whose army the prince was Ahiezer the son of Ammisaddai.

26And in the tribe of the sons of Aser, the prince was Phegiel the son of Ochran.

27And in the tribe of the sons of Nephtali, the prince was Ahira the son of Enan.

28This was the order of the camps, and marches of the children of Israel by their troops, when they set forward.

29And Moses said to Hobab the son of Raguel the Madianite, his kinsman: We are going towards the place which the Lord will give us: come with us, that we may do thee good: for the Lord hath promised good things to Israel.

30But he answered him: I will not go with thee, but I will return to my country, wherein I was born.

31And he said: Do not leave us: for thou knowest in what places we should encamp in the wilderness, and thou shalt be our guide.

32And if thou comest with us, we will give thee what is the best of the riches which the Lord shall deliver to us.

33So they marched from the mount of the Lord three days' journey, and the ark of the covenant of the Lord went before them, for three days providing a place for the camp.

34The cloud also of the Lord was over them by day when they marched.

35And when the ark was lifted up, Moses said: Arise, O Lord, and let thy enemies be scattered, and let them that hate thee, flee from before thy face.

36And when it was set down, he said: Return, O Lord, to the multitude of the host of Israel.

Important Verses in Numbers 10

“And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:”

Numbers 10:1

“If at any time you shall have a banquet, and on your festival days, and on the first days of your months, you shall sound the trumpets over the holocausts, and the sacrifices of peace offerings, that they may be to you for a remembrance of your God. I am the Lord your God.”

Numbers 10:10

“So they marched from the mount of the Lord three days' journey, and the ark of the covenant of the Lord went before them, for three days providing a place for the camp.”

Numbers 10:33

“And when it was set down, he said: Return, O Lord, to the multitude of the host of Israel. ”

Numbers 10:36

Historical Context

As a Old Testament book, Numbers was written with israel on the threshold of the Promised Land, warned by the failures of the wilderness generation in view. Chapter 10 of 36 belongs to the early movement of the book, where the narrative or argument is still unfolding. It is a genealogical record linking earlier promises to later generations with 36 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Moses, Nathanael, Manasses and Gideon appear at the center of the events recorded here. The chapter begins: "And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:" It concludes: "And when it was set down, he said: Return, O Lord, to the multitude of the host of Israel. " Read against its original backdrop, Numbers takes its name from the two censuses of Israel and covers nearly forty years of wandering between Sinai and the plains of Moab. Scholarly and ecclesial tradition places the composition of Numbers around Wilderness traditions of the 13th century BC; final form by the 5th century BC.

Who Wrote It

Traditionally attributed to Moses, with priestly editing

When It Was Written

Wilderness traditions of the 13th century BC; final form by the 5th century BC

Catholic Commentary

The list of names is not mere record-keeping: it anchors the story of wilderness journey and God's faithfulness in real families and real history. A pivotal line is verse 1: "And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:" The passage repeatedly touches on family and covenant relationships.

The Church teaches that every passage of Scripture must be read in light of Christ and the Magisterium (CIC 854). Here, the Church sees Israel's journey as an image of our pilgrimage to heaven (CIC 2119). The spiritual sense invites believers to recognize family and covenant relationships as part of God's pedagogy of salvation.

Applied to the life of faith, the passage supports the Church's conviction that God guides His people through the desert. Whether read privately or heard in the liturgy, Numbers 10 calls for a response of faith, repentance, and charity.

Main Teachings

  • ✓The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • ✓God binds Himself to His people by covenant, and He never breaks His word.
  • ✓The Lord is a refuge and deliverer for all who call upon Him in trouble.

People in This Chapter

Moses4 mentionsNathanael1 mentionManasses1 mentionGideon1 mentionSimeon1 mention

Reflection for Today

In Numbers Chapter 10, the Church invites us to listen attentively to God's Word within the broader narrative of wilderness journey and God's faithfulness.

The Second Vatican Council reminded the faithful that Scripture should permeate Catholic spirituality (Dei Verbum, 21-26). Numbers Chapter 10 supports that call by drawing attention to trust in providence amid uncertainty within the wider message that God guides His people through the desert.

If this passage raises questions, seek the Church's teaching through the Catechism, a faithful priest, or sound Catholic commentaries. Private interpretation must remain in harmony with the Magisterium (CIC 1431).

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Numbers Chapter 10 about?

Numbers 10 contains 36 verses. It opens with "And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:" and closes with "And when it was set down, he said: Return, O Lord, to the multitude of the host of Israel. ". The book as a whole is narrative, census lists, and law.

What is a key verse in Numbers 10?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:" It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Numbers Chapter 10?

This chapter mentions Moses, Nathanael, Manasses, Gideon, Simeon.

Who wrote Numbers and when?

Traditionally attributed to Moses, with priestly editing. Wilderness traditions of the 13th century BC; final form by the 5th century BC.

Related Chapters

Judges 1Shares people and themes with this chapter2 Chronicles 15Shares people and themes with this chapterDeuteronomy 33Shares people and themes with this chapter

Prayers Related to This Chapter

🙏Prayer for the Family🙏Novena to the Holy Family🙏The Magnificat🙏The Nicene Creed

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