101 God spoke to Moses: 2 "Make two bugles of hammered silver. Use them to call the congregation together and give marching orders to the camps. 3 When you blow them, the whole community will meet you at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting. 4 "When a bugle gives a single, short blast, that's the signal for the leaders, the heads of the clans, to assemble. 5 When it gives a long blast, that's the signal to march. At the first blast the tribes who were camped on the east set out. 6 At the second blast the camps on the south set out. The long blasts are the signals to march. 7 The bugle call that gathers the assembly is different from the signal to march. 8 "The sons of Aaron, the priests, are in charge of blowing the bugles; it's their assigned duty down through the generations.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Numbers 10:1-8
Commentary on Numbers 10:1-10
(Read Numbers 10:1-10)
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 typify the preached gospel. It sounds an alarm to sinners, calls them to repent, proclaims liberty to the captives and slaves of Satan, and 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 a distinct sound, according to the persons addressed, or the end 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.