John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 6. When ye blow an alarm the second time , etc.] Another “tara-tantara”: then the camps that lie on the south side shall take their journey ; the camps of Reuben, Simeon, and Gad, which were encamped on the south side of the tabernacle, ( Numbers 2:10,12,14); and, as Josephus says, at the third sounding of the alarm, that part of the camp which lay to the west moved, which were the camps of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin, ( Numbers 2:18,20,22); and at the fourth sounding, as he says, those which were at the north, the camps of Dan, Asher, and Naphtali, ( Numbers 2:25,27,29); which, though not expressed in the Hebrew text, are added in the Septuagint version, as they are to be understood: they shall blow an alarm for their journeys ; for the journeys of the said camps, as a signal or token when they should begin to march.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-10 - Here are directions concerning the public notices to be given the people by sound of trumpet. Their laws in every case were to be Divine therefore, even in this matter Moses is directed. These trumpets typif the preached gospel. It sounds an alarm to sinners, calls them to repent, proclaims liberty to the captives and slaves of Satan, an collects the worshippers of God. It directs and encourages their heavenly journey; stirs them up to combat against the world and sin encouraging them with the assurance of victory. It leads their attention to the sacrifice of Christ, and shows the Lord's presence for their protection. It is also necessary that the gospel trumpet give distinct sound, according to the persons addressed, or the en proposed; whether to convince, humble, console, exhort, reprove, or teach. The sounding of the trumpet of the gospel is God's ordinance and demands the attention of all to whom it is sent. (Nu 10:11-28)
Original Hebrew ותקעתם8628 תרועה8643 שׁנית8145 ונסעו5265 המחנות4264 החנים2583 תימנה8486 תרועה8643 יתקעו8628 למסעיהם׃4550
