Numbers 10:9
And if ye go to war in your land against the enemy that oppresseth you, then ye shall blow an alarm with the trumpets; and ye shall be remembered before the LORD your God, and ye shall be saved from your enemies.
Original Language Analysis
וְכִֽי
H3588
וְכִֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 16
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
תָבֹ֨אוּ
And if ye go
H935
תָבֹ֨אוּ
And if ye go
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
2 of 16
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
מִלְחָמָ֜ה
to war
H4421
מִלְחָמָ֜ה
to war
Strong's:
H4421
Word #:
3 of 16
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)
בְּאַרְצְכֶ֗ם
in your land
H776
בְּאַרְצְכֶ֗ם
in your land
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
4 of 16
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
5 of 16
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הַצֹּרֵ֣ר
the enemy that oppresseth
H6887
הַצֹּרֵ֣ר
the enemy that oppresseth
Strong's:
H6887
Word #:
7 of 16
to cramp, literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive
אֶתְכֶ֔ם
H853
אֶתְכֶ֔ם
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
8 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וַהֲרֵֽעֹתֶ֖ם
you then ye shall blow an alarm
H7321
וַהֲרֵֽעֹתֶ֖ם
you then ye shall blow an alarm
Strong's:
H7321
Word #:
9 of 16
to mar (especially by breaking); figuratively, to split the ears (with sound), i.e., shout (for alarm or joy)
בַּחֲצֹֽצְרֹ֑ת
with the trumpets
H2689
בַּחֲצֹֽצְרֹ֑ת
with the trumpets
Strong's:
H2689
Word #:
10 of 16
a trumpet (from its sundered or quavering note)
וֲנִזְכַּרְתֶּ֗ם
and ye shall be remembered
H2142
וֲנִזְכַּרְתֶּ֗ם
and ye shall be remembered
Strong's:
H2142
Word #:
11 of 16
properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male
לִפְנֵי֙
before
H6440
לִפְנֵי֙
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
12 of 16
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
יְהוָ֣ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
13 of 16
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֔ם
your God
H430
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֔ם
your God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
14 of 16
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
Cross References
1 Samuel 10:18And said unto the children of Israel, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I brought up Israel out of Egypt, and delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all kingdoms, and of them that oppressed you:Genesis 8:1And God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the cattle that was with him in the ark: and God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters asswaged;Judges 2:18And when the LORD raised them up judges, then the LORD was with the judge, and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge: for it repented the LORD because of their groanings by reason of them that oppressed them and vexed them.Psalms 106:42Their enemies also oppressed them, and they were brought into subjection under their hand.Psalms 106:4Remember me, O LORD, with the favour that thou bearest unto thy people: O visit me with thy salvation;Joshua 6:5And it shall come to pass, that when they make a long blast with the ram's horn, and when ye hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city shall fall down flat, and the people shall ascend up every man straight before him.2 Chronicles 13:14And when Judah looked back, behold, the battle was before and behind: and they cried unto the LORD, and the priests sounded with the trumpets.Numbers 31:6And Moses sent them to the war, a thousand of every tribe, them and Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, to the war, with the holy instruments, and the trumpets to blow in his hand.Judges 10:12The Zidonians also, and the Amalekites, and the Maonites, did oppress you; and ye cried to me, and I delivered you out of their hand.Judges 6:9And I delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all that oppressed you, and drave them out from before you, and gave you their land;
Historical Context
The trumpet alarm distinguished between peaceful assembly and military mobilization. Ancient Near Eastern warfare typically began with signals, but Israel's trumpets uniquely appealed to divine intervention rather than merely organizing troops. This practice continued through Israel's history, with numerous instances of God fighting for His people when they called upon Him (2 Chronicles 13:14-15, 20:28). The New Testament presents spiritual warfare where believers' 'trumpets' are prayer and the word of God.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the trumpet alarm teach that God's people should appeal to Him in times of oppression rather than relying solely on human strength?
- What spiritual 'trumpet calls' should you sound when facing spiritual enemies?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The command to blow an alarm when going to war 'against the enemy that oppresseth you' with the promise 'ye shall be remembered before the LORD your God, and ye shall be saved from your enemies' reveals God's covenantal commitment to defend His people. The trumpet call represented an appeal to God's promise of protection, not merely a military signal. This teaches that spiritual warfare requires prayer and divine aid, not merely human strategy. The phrase 'remembered before the LORD' shows that God responds to His people's cries for help.