Whether it might rest many days long (האריך, to lengthen out the resting), or only a few days (Genesis 34:30), or only from evening till morning, and then rise up again in the morning, or for a day and a night, or for two days, or for a month, or for days (yamim), i.e., a space of time not precisely determined (cf. Genesis 4:3; Genesis 40:4), they encamped without departing. "Kept the charge of the Lord" (Numbers 9:19 and Numbers 9:23), i.e., observed what was to be observed towards Jehovah (see Leviticus 8:35). With אשׁר וישׁ, "was it that," or "did it happen that," two other possible cases are introduced. After Numbers 9:20, the apodosis, "they kept the charge of the Lord," is to be repeated in thought from Numbers 9:19. The elaboration of the account (Numbers 9:15-23), which abounds with repetitions, is intended to bring out the importance of the fact, and to awaken the consciousness not only of the absolute dependence of Israel upon the guidance of Jehovah, but also of the gracious care of their God, which was thereby displayed to the Israelites throughout all their journeyings.

Numbers 10:2 Parallel Commentaries

two trumpets. The necessity of such instruments will at once appear, when the amazing extent of this army is considered. There were various kinds of trumpets among the ancients, of different forms and materials, as Eustathius shows on Homer, where he mentions six; the second of which was turned up round, like a ram's horn; which he says the Egyptians used (from being invented by Osiris) when they assembled the people to their sacrifices. But in opposition to that form, Moses commands these to be made long, in the shape of those used at present. So Josephus informs us, who says they were near a cubit long; the tube of the thickness of a common pipe or flute; the mouth no wider than just to admit blowing into them; and their ends wide like those of a modern trumpet.

2 Kings 12:13 However, there were not made for the house of the LORD bowls of silver, snuffers, basins, trumpets, any vessels of gold...

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 brothers...

of a whole piece

Exodus 25:18,31 And you shall make two cherubim of gold, of beaten work shall you 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, you shall blow, but you 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 your countenance.

Isaiah 1:13 Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination to me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies...

Hosea 8:1 Set the trumpet to your mouth. He shall come as an eagle against the house of the LORD, because they have transgressed my covenant...

Joel 1:14 Sanctify you a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of the LORD your God...