Numbers 10:5
When ye blow an alarm, then the camps that lie on the east parts shall go forward.
Original Language Analysis
וּתְקַעְתֶּ֖ם
When ye blow
H8628
וּתְקַעְתֶּ֖ם
When ye blow
Strong's:
H8628
Word #:
1 of 6
to clatter, i.e., slap (the hands together), clang (an instrument); by analogy, to drive (a nail or tent-pin, a dart, etc.); by implication, to become
תְּרוּעָ֑ה
an alarm
H8643
תְּרוּעָ֑ה
an alarm
Strong's:
H8643
Word #:
2 of 6
clamor, i.e., acclamation of joy or a battle-cry; especially clangor of trumpets, as an alarum
וְנָֽסְעוּ֙
shall go forward
H5265
וְנָֽסְעוּ֙
shall go forward
Strong's:
H5265
Word #:
3 of 6
properly, to pull up, especially the tent-pins, i.e., start on a journey
הַֽמַּחֲנ֔וֹת
then the camps
H4264
הַֽמַּחֲנ֔וֹת
then the camps
Strong's:
H4264
Word #:
4 of 6
an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e
Historical Context
The alarm (teruah) was a broken, rapid succession of notes creating urgency. This same signal announced war (verse 9), the Year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25:9), and accompanied shouting in victory (Joshua 6:5). The sound conveyed emotional intensity—joy, warning, or celebration—versus the solemn, sustained gathering call.
Questions for Reflection
- How do we discern between regular Christian duties and urgent spiritual crises requiring immediate action?
- What spiritual 'alarm signals' should prompt the church to urgent prayer or action?
- How can we avoid confusion between routine obedience and crisis response?
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Analysis & Commentary
The alarm signal 'when ye blow an alarm' (Hebrew teruah—sharp, staccato blast) differed from the sustained gathering call. The alarm signaled movement or danger, requiring urgent response. The distinction between ceremonial gathering (long blast) and urgent alarm (short blasts) taught Israel to discern different divine calls. This parallels spiritual discernment between regular means of grace and urgent calls to action, repentance, or defense against error. The church must recognize when circumstances demand immediate action versus patient endurance.