Numbers 10:2
New International Version
“Make two trumpets of hammered silver, and use them for calling the community together and for having the camps set out.

New Living Translation
“Make two trumpets of hammered silver for calling the community to assemble and for signaling the breaking of camp.

English Standard Version
“Make two silver trumpets. Of hammered work you shall make them, and you shall use them for summoning the congregation and for breaking camp.

Berean Standard Bible
“Make two trumpets of hammered silver to be used for calling the congregation and for having the camps set out.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
“Make two silver trumpets for yourself; you shall make them of hammered work; you shall use them for calling the congregation and for directing the movement of the camps.

New American Standard Bible
“Make yourself two trumpets of silver, you shall make them of hammered work; and you shall use them for summoning the congregation and breaking camp.

NASB 1995
“Make yourself two trumpets of silver, of hammered work you shall make them; and you shall use them for summoning the congregation and for having the camps set out.

NASB 1977
“Make yourself two trumpets of silver, of hammered work you shall make them; and you shall use them for summoning the congregation and for having the camps set out.

Legacy Standard Bible
“Make yourself two trumpets of silver, of hammered work you shall make them; and you shall use them for summoning the congregation and for having the camps set out.

Amplified Bible
“Make two trumpets of silver; you shall make them of hammered work. You shall use them to summon the congregation and to have the camps move out.

Christian Standard Bible
“Make two trumpets of hammered silver to summon the community and have the camps set out.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Make two trumpets of hammered silver to summon the community and have the camps set out.

American Standard Version
Make thee two trumpets of silver; of beaten work shalt thou make them: and thou shalt use them for the calling of the congregation, and for the journeying of the camps.

Contemporary English Version
Have someone make two trumpets out of hammered silver. These will be used to call the people together and to give the signal for moving your camp.

English Revised Version
Make thee two trumpets of silver; of beaten work shalt thou make them: and thou shalt use them for the calling of the congregation, and for the journeying of the camps.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Make two trumpets out of hammered silver. Use them to call the community together and as a signal to break camp.

Good News Translation
"Make two trumpets of hammered silver to use for calling the people together and for breaking camp.

International Standard Version
"Make two trumpets, crafting them from beaten silver, for use in calling the congregation together and for notifying the camps to set out for travel.

NET Bible
"Make two trumpets of silver; you are to make them from a single hammered piece. You will use them for assembling the community and for directing the traveling of the camps.

New Heart English Bible
"Make two trumpets of silver. You shall make them of beaten work. You shall use them for the calling of the congregation, and for the journeying of the camps.

Webster's Bible Translation
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.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
“Make two trumpets of hammered silver to be used for calling the congregation and for having the camps set out.

World English Bible
“Make two trumpets of silver. You shall make them of beaten work. You shall use them for the calling of the congregation and for the journeying of the camps.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
“Make two trumpets of silver for yourself; you make them of beaten work, and they have been for you for the convocation of the congregation, and for the journeying of the camps;

Young's Literal Translation
'Make to thee two trumpets of silver; beaten work thou dost make them, and they have been to thee for the convocation of the company, and for the journeying of the camps;

Smith's Literal Translation
Make to thyself two trumpets of silver; turned work shalt thou make them: and they were to thee for calling the assembly and for the removing the camp.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Make thee two trumpets of beaten silver, wherewith thou mayest call together the multitude when the camp is to be removed.

Catholic Public Domain Version
“Make for yourself two trumpets of ductile silver, with which you may be able to call together the multitude when the camp is to be moved.

New American Bible
Make two trumpets of silver, making them of hammered silver, for you to use in summoning the community and in breaking camp.

New Revised Standard Version
Make two silver trumpets; you shall make them of hammered work; and you shall use them for summoning the congregation, and for breaking camp.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Make two trumpets of silver; of casting work shall you make them, that you may use them for the calling of the assembly and for the journeying of the camps.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
“Make for yourselves two horns of silver; make them of forged work and they shall be for you to call the assembly and to pick up camp.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Make thee two trumpets of silver; of beaten work shalt thou make them; and they shall be unto thee for the calling of the congregation, and for causing the camps to set forward.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Make to thyself two silver trumpets: thou shalt make them of beaten work; and they shall be to thee for the purpose of calling the assembly, and of removing the camps.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Two Silver Trumpets
1Then the LORD said to Moses, 2“Make two trumpets of hammered silver to be used for calling the congregation and for having the camps set out. 3When both are sounded, the whole congregation is to assemble before you at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.…

Cross References
Exodus 19:13
No hand shall touch him, but he shall surely be stoned or shot with arrows—whether man or beast, he must not live.’ Only when the ram’s horn sounds a long blast may they approach the mountain.”

Leviticus 25:9
Then you are to sound the horn far and wide on the tenth day of the seventh month, the Day of Atonement. You shall sound it throughout your land.

Joshua 6:4-5
Have seven priests carry seven rams’ horns in front of the ark. Then on the seventh day, march around the city seven times, while the priests blow the horns. / And when there is a long blast of the ram’s horn and you hear its sound, have all the people give a mighty shout. Then the wall of the city will collapse and all your people will charge straight into the city.”

2 Chronicles 13:12-14
Now behold, God Himself is with us as our head, and His priests with their trumpets sound the battle call against you. O children of Israel, do not fight against the LORD, the God of your fathers, for you will not succeed.” / Now Jeroboam had sent troops around to ambush from the rear, so that while he was in front of Judah, the ambush was behind them. / When Judah turned and discovered that the battle was both before and behind them, they cried out to the LORD. Then the priests blew the trumpets,

Joel 2:1
Blow the ram’s horn in Zion; sound the alarm on My holy mountain! Let all who dwell in the land tremble, for the Day of the LORD is coming; indeed, it is near—

Amos 3:6
If a ram’s horn sounds in a city, do the people not tremble? If calamity comes to a city, has not the LORD caused it?

Psalm 81:3
Sound the ram’s horn at the New Moon, and at the full moon on the day of our Feast.

Psalm 98:6
With trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn shout for joy before the LORD, the King.

Isaiah 27:13
And in that day a great ram’s horn will sound, and those who were perishing in Assyria will come forth with those who were exiles in Egypt. And they will worship the LORD on the holy mountain in Jerusalem.

Jeremiah 4:5
Announce in Judah, proclaim in Jerusalem, and say: “Blow the ram’s horn throughout the land. Cry aloud and say, ‘Assemble yourselves and let us flee to the fortified cities.’

Ezekiel 33:3-6
and he sees the sword coming against that land and blows the ram’s horn to warn the people. / Then if anyone hears the sound of the horn but fails to heed the warning, and the sword comes and takes him away, his blood will be on his own head. / Since he heard the sound of the horn but failed to heed the warning, his blood will be on his own head. If he had heeded the warning, he would have saved his life. ...

Matthew 24:31
And He will send out His angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.

1 Corinthians 14:8
Again, if the trumpet sounds a muffled call, who will prepare for battle?

Revelation 8:2
And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and they were given seven trumpets.

Revelation 8:6
And the seven angels with the seven trumpets prepared to sound them.


Treasury of Scripture

Make you two trumpets of silver; of a whole piece shall you make them: that you may use them for the calling of the assembly, and for the journeying of the camps.

two trumpets.

2 Kings 12:13
Howbeit there were not made for the house of the LORD bowls of silver, snuffers, basons, trumpets, any vessels of gold, or vessels of silver, of the money that was brought into the house of the LORD:

2 Chronicles 5:12
Also the Levites which were the singers, all of them of Asaph, of Heman, of Jeduthun, with their sons and their brethren, being arrayed in white linen, having cymbals and psalteries and harps, stood at the east end of the altar, and with them an hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets:)

of a whole piece

Exodus 25:18,31
And thou shalt make two cherubims of gold, of beaten work shalt thou make them, in the two ends of the mercy seat…

Ephesians 4:5
One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

the calling

Numbers 10:7
But when the congregation is to be gathered together, ye shall blow, but ye shall not sound an alarm.

Psalm 81:3
Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day.

Psalm 89:15
Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance.

Jump to Previous
Assembly Beaten Breaking Camp Camps Causing Community Company Congregation Convocation Forward Getting Hammered Horns Journeying Mayest Moving Piece Serve Sign Silver Summoning Tents Together Trumpets Use Used Whole Work
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Assembly Beaten Breaking Camp Camps Causing Community Company Congregation Convocation Forward Getting Hammered Horns Journeying Mayest Moving Piece Serve Sign Silver Summoning Tents Together Trumpets Use Used Whole Work
Numbers 10
1. The use of the silver trumpets
11. The Israelites move from Sinai to Paran
14. The order of their march
29. Hobab is entreated by Moses not to leave them
33. The blessing of Moses at the removing and resting of the ark














Make two trumpets of hammered silver
The instruction to make two trumpets signifies the importance of communication and order within the Israelite community. The use of silver, a precious metal, indicates the value and sacredness of these instruments. Silver was often used in the tabernacle, symbolizing purity and redemption. The process of hammering suggests craftsmanship and care, reflecting the divine nature of the instructions. In the ancient Near East, trumpets were commonly used in military and religious contexts, highlighting their role in both worship and warfare. The duality of the trumpets may symbolize the unity and cooperation required among the tribes of Israel.

to be used for calling the congregation
The primary function of the trumpets was to gather the people, emphasizing the need for unity and collective action. This reflects the communal nature of Israelite society, where the congregation was called together for worship, instruction, or to prepare for travel. The sound of the trumpet was a clear and authoritative signal, cutting through the noise of daily life. This practice is echoed in the New Testament, where the trumpet is associated with the gathering of believers at the return of Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:16). The call to gather also prefigures the call to worship and assembly in the Christian church.

and for having the camps set out
The trumpets also signaled the movement of the Israelite camps, indicating the importance of order and obedience in their journey through the wilderness. This reflects the nomadic lifestyle of the Israelites during their 40 years of wandering, where they relied on divine guidance for their movements. The orderly setting out of the camps underscores the discipline required to follow God's leading. This concept is mirrored in the Christian life, where believers are called to follow Christ's leading with discipline and readiness. The movement of the camps can also be seen as a type of the Christian journey towards the promised land of eternal life.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, who received God's instructions on how to organize the camp and communicate with the people.

2. Israelites
The congregation of God's chosen people, who were to be gathered and directed by the sound of the trumpets.

3. Trumpets
Instruments made of hammered silver, used for communication and signaling within the Israelite camp.

4. Tabernacle
The central place of worship and the dwelling place of God's presence among the Israelites, around which the camp was organized.

5. Wilderness Journey
The context in which these instructions were given, as the Israelites journeyed from Mount Sinai towards the Promised Land.
Teaching Points
Divine Communication
God provides clear instructions for communication within His people. Just as the trumpets were used to convey messages, we should seek clarity in our communication with God and others.

Order and Organization
The use of trumpets for organizing the camp reflects God's desire for order. In our lives, we should strive for orderliness in our spiritual practices and community interactions.

Symbolism of Silver
Silver, often associated with redemption, reminds us of the purity and value of God's instructions. We should value and adhere to God's guidance in our lives.

Community Gathering
The trumpets called the congregation together, emphasizing the importance of community worship and fellowship. We should prioritize gathering with fellow believers for worship and encouragement.

Readiness to Move
The trumpets signaled when it was time to set out, teaching us to be attentive and ready to move in obedience to God's direction in our lives.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Numbers 10:2?

2. How were the silver trumpets used to guide the Israelites' journey?

3. What does Numbers 10:2 teach about God's guidance through leaders?

4. How can church leaders today implement principles from Numbers 10:2?

5. What other biblical instances involve trumpets as divine communication tools?

6. How can believers discern God's direction in their lives, like in Numbers 10:2?

7. Why did God command the making of silver trumpets in Numbers 10:2?

8. What is the significance of silver trumpets in ancient Israelite worship?

9. How do the trumpets in Numbers 10:2 relate to God's communication with His people?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Numbers 10?

11. What musical instruments are mentioned in the Old Testament?

12. What musical instruments are mentioned in the Old Testament?

13. What musical terms are mentioned in the Bible?

14. Numbers 10:1-2: How could two silver trumpets effectively coordinate such a large multitude across vast desert distances?
What Does Numbers 10:2 Mean
Make two trumpets

Numbers 10:2 opens with the simple, direct order: “Make two trumpets…”.

•Two—not one, not three—showing God’s precise design for worship and leadership (compare Noah’s “two of every kind,” Genesis 6:19, and the paired cherubim over the mercy seat, Exodus 25:18–20).

•They were fashioned for Aaron’s priestly sons to blow (Numbers 10:8), emphasizing that guidance for God’s people flows through divinely appointed spiritual leadership (Hebrews 13:17).

•In Scripture, trumpets consistently mark divine announcements: Sinai’s thunderous blast (Exodus 19:16), Jericho’s fall (Joshua 6:20), and the future resurrection “with the trumpet call of God” (1 Thessalonians 4:16). The pattern begins here in the wilderness.


of hammered silver

Silver in the tabernacle often speaks of redemption and atonement; the “atonement money” collected from every Israelite was silver (Exodus 30:11–16).

•The trumpets themselves, born of redemptive metal, remind the people that every divine summons rests on the price God pays for His own (1 Peter 1:18–19).

•“Hammered” highlights both durability and beauty that come through shaping pressure—reflecting a God who forges instruments fit for holy use (Malachi 3:3).

•Their brilliance would catch the sun, a visual cue that God’s call pierces the darkness (John 1:5).


to be used for calling the congregation

When both trumpets sounded, “the whole congregation is to assemble” (Numbers 10:3).

•God Himself creates community; He gathers rather than scatters (Psalm 50:5; Acts 2:44).

•Regular gathering safeguards unity and fuels worship (Psalm 133:1; Hebrews 10:25).

•The clear, unified note of two trumpets prevented confusion—echoing Paul’s warning that an “uncertain sound” fails to rally an army (1 Corinthians 14:8).

•Every blast reminded Israel that meeting together was a privilege, not a chore (Deuteronomy 12:5–6).


and for having the camps set out

A distinct blast signaled movement: tribes east of the tabernacle at the first sound, south at the second, and so on (Numbers 10:5–6).

•This ensured orderly progress (Numbers 2:1–34) and kept the Ark at the center (Numbers 10:33), reflecting that God is “not a God of disorder but of peace” (1 Corinthians 14:33).

•The people advanced only when summoned—teaching dependence on God’s timing (Exodus 40:36–38).

•The pattern foreshadows the pilgrim life of believers who await a final trumpet signaling our own departure (1 Corinthians 15:52; Philippians 3:20).

•Obedience to the trumpet produced safety from enemy attack (Numbers 10:9); today, heeding God’s Word guards us from spiritual ambush (Ephesians 6:17).


summary

Numbers 10:2 reveals a God who speaks with clarity, gathers His redeemed people, and guides them step by orderly step. Two gleaming silver trumpets—fashioned exactly as He said—echo through Scripture, reminding us that every call to assemble in worship and every cue to move forward in faith comes from the Lord who redeemed us at great cost and who will one day sound the final trumpet to bring His people home.

X.

(2) Of a whole piece.--Better, of beaten (or, turned) work. (See Notes on Exodus 25:18; Exodus 25:31.) The trumpets here spoken of are supposed to have been straight, like that on the triumphal arch of Titus at Rome and on the old Egyptian monuments. In this respect the hazozerah is supposed to have differed from the cornet or horn, keren or shophar (which is interchanged with keren), which was crooked. (See Joshua 6:5. compared with 6:4, 6, 8, 13.) We find reference to the jubilee trumpet in Leviticus 25:9, from which it has been inferred that the trumpets here mentioned were not first made at this time. It is true, indeed, that the first verse might be rendered: "Now the Lord had spoken unto Moses, saying"; but the word used in Leviticus 25:9 is shophar, not hazozerah, and the latter word occurs in this place for the first time. . . .

Verse 2. - Make thee two trumpets. Hebrew, khatsotserah. From the testimony of Josephus, from the representation on the arch of Titus, and from a comparison of ancient Egyptian trumpets, it is clear that these trumpets were straight, long, and narrow, with an expanded mouth. The shophar, or trumpet of the Jubilee, on the other hand, was a buccina or cornet, either made of a ram's horn, or shaped like one. Of a whole piece. Rather, "of beaten work." Hebrew, mikshah (see on Exodus 25:18). Septuagint, ἐλατὰς ποιήσεις αὐτάς. Probably they were made of a single plate of silver beaten out into the required shape, which was very simple.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“Make
עֲשֵׂ֣ה (‘ă·śêh)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

two
שְׁתֵּי֙ (šə·tê)
Number - fdc
Strong's 8147: Two (a cardinal number)

trumpets
חֲצֽוֹצְרֹ֣ת (ḥă·ṣō·wṣ·rōṯ)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 2689: (an ancient) trumpet

of hammered
מִקְשָׁ֖ה (miq·šāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4749: Rounded work, moulded by hammering

silver
כֶּ֔סֶף (ke·sep̄)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3701: Silver, money

to be used
וְהָי֤וּ (wə·hā·yū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

for calling
לְמִקְרָ֣א (lə·miq·rā)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4744: Something called out, a public meeting, a rehearsal

the congregation
הָֽעֵדָ֔ה (hā·‘ê·ḏāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5712: A stated assemblage

and for having the camps
הַֽמַּחֲנֽוֹת׃ (ham·ma·ḥă·nō·wṯ)
Article | Noun - common plural
Strong's 4264: An encampment, an army

set out.
וּלְמַסַּ֖ע (ū·lə·mas·sa‘)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4550: A pulling up, breaking (camp), setting out, a journey


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OT Law: Numbers 10:2 Make two trumpets of silver (Nu Num.)
Numbers 10:1
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