Two silver trumpets are made for summoning the assembly and directing camp movements, with different signals for leaders' gatherings, full assemblies, and marching orders. On the twentieth day of the second month of the second year, the cloud lifts and Israel departs Sinai in prescribed order. Moses invites his father-in-law Hobab to join them as a guide, and the ark goes before them as they journey toward the promised land.
Read Numbers Chapter 10 Summary
Characters in This Chapter

Leader of Israel through the wilderness, mediator between God and the people

High priest of Israel, brother of Moses

Prophetess, sister of Moses and Aaron

One of the faithful spies, future leader of Israel

One of the faithful spies who believed God's promise

Pagan prophet hired to curse Israel but compelled to bless them

Son of Jacob, Ancestor of David and Christ

The One Who Saw Salvation

King of Judah who Repented

Youngest Son of Jacob
Places in This Chapter

Final encampment before entering Canaan, where Moses gave his final addresses

The Tabernacle was the portable sanctuary that Israel built according to God's instructions at Mount Sinai. It served as God's dwelling place among His people during the wilderness wanderings and early settlement in Canaan. It contained the Ark of the Covenant, the altar, and the holy place.

The Wilderness of Sinai is the desert region where the Israelites wandered for 40 years after their exodus from Egypt, receiving the Law and covenant at Mount Sinai. This barren wilderness became the place of Israel's formation as a nation under God's guidance, where they learned dependence on divine provision through manna and water from the rock.

The Wilderness of Paran is a vast desert region in the northeastern Sinai Peninsula where the Israelites camped after leaving Mount Sinai. It was from Kadesh in this wilderness that Moses sent the twelve spies to explore Canaan, leading to Israel's 40 years of wandering. Hagar and Ishmael also settled in this region after being sent away by Abraham, and David fled here after Samuel's death.
Position in Book
Census of the tribes, organization of the camp, Levitical duties, laws of purity, and departure from Sinai.
Bible Bites
Why 'Numbers' Got Its Name
The book of Numbers is named for the two censuses of Israel—one at Mount Sinai counting 603,550 fighting men and another in Moab nearly 40 years later. The Hebrew title 'Bemidbar' means 'in the wilderness.'
Numbers


