Numbers 10:6

KJV

When ye blow an alarm the second time, then the camps that lie on the south side shall take their journey: they shall blow an alarm for their journeys.

KJV (with Strong's)

When ye blow {H8628} an alarm {H8643} the second time {H8145}, then the camps {H4264} that lie {H2583} on the south side {H8486} shall take their journey {H5265}: they shall blow {H8628} an alarm {H8643} for their journeys {H4550}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When you sound a second alarm, the camps to the south will set out; they will sound alarms to announce when to travel.

Berean Standard Bible

When you sound the short blasts a second time, the camps that lie on the south side are to set out. The blasts are to signal them to set out.

American Standard Version

And when ye blow an alarm the second time, the camps that lie on the south side shall take their journey: they shall blow an alarm for their journeys.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 10:6 precisely details the second trumpet alarm, a divine signal for the camps positioned on the south side of the Israelite tabernacle to break camp and commence their journey. This specific command highlights God's meticulous provision for order and unified movement among His vast people as they navigated the wilderness, underscoring His sovereign guidance over every aspect of their pilgrimage and teaching them profound lessons in obedience and dependence.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers chapter 10 marks a pivotal transition in the Israelite narrative, signifying their long-awaited departure from Mount Sinai, where they had encamped for nearly a year, receiving the Law and establishing the Tabernacle worship. The preceding verses ([Numbers 10:1-8](/numbers/10-1-8 "Instructions for the Silver Trumpets")) meticulously outline the divine instructions for crafting and employing two silver trumpets. These trumpets were not mere instruments but sacred tools for communication, used to assemble the congregation, summon leaders, and, most pertinent to this verse, orchestrate the movement of the various tribal camps. The specific command in [Numbers 10:6](/numbers/10-6 "The Second Trumpet Alarm") for the "second alarm" follows the signal given in [Numbers 10:5](/numbers/10-5 "The First Trumpet Alarm") for the camps on the east side to move out, establishing a divinely ordained, sequential, and orderly departure for the entire nation, emphasizing God's precise control over their pilgrimage.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Israelites' journey through the wilderness was an immense undertaking, involving an estimated two to three million people, along with their livestock and possessions. Such a vast population required an unparalleled degree of organization and clear communication to prevent chaos and ensure survival in a harsh, unpredictable environment. The detailed instructions for the trumpet signals underscore God's provision for this logistical challenge, transforming a potentially chaotic exodus into an orderly procession. The camps were arranged around the central Tabernacle in a specific formation, as described in [Numbers 2](/numbers/2 "The Arrangement of the Israelite Camps"), with designated tribes on each side. The trumpets, blown by the priests, served as the audible manifestation of God's direct command, requiring immediate and unified obedience from every family and tribe. This system ensured that the entire community, from the leaders to the common Israelite, moved as one body, utterly dependent on divine direction for their safety and progress, mirroring the divine guidance seen in the pillar of cloud and fire ([Exodus 13:21](/exodus/13-21 "The Pillar of Cloud and Fire")).

* **Key Themes:** Numbers 10:6 contributes significantly to several key themes within the book of Numbers and the broader Pentateuch. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Guidance and Sovereignty**, demonstrating God's active and meticulous leadership over His people's journey. Every movement was initiated by His command, communicated through the trumpets, emphasizing Israel's complete reliance on Him. Another crucial theme is **Order and Discipline**, as the specific, sequential signals prevented chaos and ensured a structured progression for the immense community. This divine order was foundational to their identity as God's chosen people. Furthermore, the passage highlights **Obedience and Unity**, as the success of the system depended on the immediate and collective response of all the tribes. Their willingness to move at the precise divine signal underscored their corporate submission to God's will, forging a unified identity as they journeyed toward the Promised Land, a journey marked by both divine provision and human challenge, as seen in passages like [Numbers 14](/numbers/14 "Israel's Rebellion and God's Judgment").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Alarm (Hebrew, _tᵉrûwʻâh'_):** This word (H8643) denotes a loud, often urgent sound – a clamor, a battle-cry, or, as here, a trumpet blast. It signifies a distinct, attention-grabbing signal designed to elicit an immediate and decisive response. Unlike a gentle call, _tᵉrûwʻâh_ implies a forceful, declarative sound, leaving no ambiguity about the command to act. In this context, it was the unmistakable signal for breaking camp and commencing a journey, demanding swift and unified action.
* **Journey (Hebrew, _maççaʻ'_):** The Hebrew term (H4550) refers to a departure, a march, or a journey. It implies not merely a random movement but a purposeful, directed progression from one place to another, often involving the striking of tents. In Numbers, _maççaʻ_ is frequently used to describe the various stages of Israel's wilderness wanderings, each initiated by a divine signal, emphasizing that their entire pilgrimage was under God's precise direction and not a haphazard wandering.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"When ye blow an alarm the second time":** This clause emphasizes the precise timing and sequence of the divine command. The "second time" indicates a pre-established order of movement, following the first alarm for the eastern camps ([Numbers 10:5](/numbers/10-5 "The First Trumpet Alarm")). This specificity ensured that the immense Israelite community moved in a disciplined, staggered fashion, preventing congestion and maintaining order among the millions.
* **"then the camps that lie on the south side shall take their journey":** This identifies the specific group designated to move at this particular signal. According to the camp arrangement in [Numbers 2](/numbers/2 "The Arrangement of the Camps"), the tribes of Reuben, Simeon, and Gad were positioned on the south side. This highlights God's meticulous organization, assigning each tribal division its distinct role and timing within the larger corporate movement, ensuring efficiency and preventing chaos.
* **"they shall blow an alarm for their journeys":** This reiterates the purpose of the trumpet blast – it was specifically a signal for movement, a call to action for the journey. The repetition underscores the clarity and singular focus of the command. It also implies that the Levites, who were responsible for the Tabernacle's dismantling and transport and whose encampment was also on the south side (between the Tabernacle and the southern tribes), would also respond to this signal, as their readiness was crucial for the sacred objects' safe transport.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to convey its message of divine order and precise instruction. **Repetition** is prominent, particularly with the word "alarm" (_tᵉrûwʻâh_) and the concept of "journeys," reinforcing the singular purpose and clarity of the command. This repetition serves to emphasize the critical nature of the signal and its direct connection to the act of movement. **Specificity** is also a key device, as the verse precisely identifies "the second time" and "the camps that lie on the south side," leaving no room for misinterpretation. This precision underscores the meticulous nature of God's guidance and His attention to detail in orchestrating the vast movement of His people. Furthermore, the trumpets themselves function as **Symbolism**, representing divine communication and the audible manifestation of God's will. Their sound was not merely noise but a sacred signal, symbolizing God's active presence, leadership, and the necessity of immediate obedience in the midst of His people.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 10:6 profoundly illustrates God's character as a God of order, precision, and sovereign guidance. His meticulous instructions for the trumpet signals reveal His desire for His people to live and move in a structured, unified, and obedient manner. This divine orchestration was not merely for logistical efficiency but also for the spiritual formation of Israel, teaching them absolute dependence on His voice and timing. The passage emphasizes that God's people are called to move in concert with His commands, trusting His perfect plan even when the path ahead is uncertain. It underscores the truth that true freedom and progress are found not in chaotic independence but in disciplined submission to divine leadership.

* [Exodus 13:21](/exodus/13-21 "God's Guidance by Cloud and Fire")
* [1 Corinthians 14:33](/1_corinthians/14-33 "God is Not a God of Disorder")
* [Psalm 32:8](/psalms/32-8 "God's Instruction and Guidance")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While we no longer hear literal trumpet alarms signaling our physical movements, Numbers 10:6 offers timeless principles for believers navigating their spiritual journeys today. God remains a God of order and desires to guide His people with clarity and precision. Our spiritual readiness involves cultivating a posture of attentiveness to His "signals"—whether through the clear teaching of His Word, the promptings of the Holy Spirit, the wise counsel of the believing community, or the providential opening and closing of doors. This verse calls us to embrace divine timing, understanding that God orchestrates our transitions and movements for our good and His glory. It encourages us to be prepared to break camp from old habits, comfortable routines, or even seemingly good endeavors when God calls us to a new phase, trusting that His leadership will prevent chaos and lead us safely. Embracing God's order in our personal lives, our families, and our churches fosters unity, efficiency, and a deeper reliance on His sovereign hand, ensuring that our collective journey is purposeful and aligned with His will.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do we discern God's "alarms" for movement or change in our lives today, particularly when the path ahead seems uncertain or requires a significant shift?**
* **In what areas of your life might God be calling you to greater order, intentionality, or a more unified movement with His purposes, perhaps by letting go of something familiar?**
* **What does it mean to trust God's timing for your "journeys" and transitions, even when His signal seems delayed, or when it requires immediate, uncomfortable action?**

### FAQ
**Why were there different signals for different camps?**

Answer: The different signals for various camps were a logistical necessity and a profound demonstration of divine order. With an estimated two to three million people, along with their livestock and possessions, the Israelite camp was immense. A single, undifferentiated signal for everyone to move simultaneously would have resulted in immediate chaos, congestion, and potential injury. By providing specific signals for different tribal divisions (first the eastern camps in [Numbers 10:5](/numbers/10-5 "First Trumpet Alarm"), then the southern camps in [Numbers 10:6](/numbers/10-6 "Second Trumpet Alarm"), and so on), God ensured an orderly, sequential departure. This system allowed each segment of the vast population to break camp, pack, and begin their journey in a disciplined manner, maintaining the integrity of the camp's formation and preventing bottlenecks. It underscored God's meticulous planning for His people's well-being and demonstrated His ability to bring order out of potential confusion, ensuring their safety and progress through the vast wilderness.

**What was the significance of the "second time" for the alarm?**

Answer: The phrase "the second time" in [Numbers 10:6](/numbers/10-6 "The Second Trumpet Alarm") indicates a specific, pre-ordained sequence for the Israelite encampments to move. The first trumpet alarm, detailed in [Numbers 10:5](/numbers/10-5 "The First Trumpet Alarm"), was the signal for the camps on the east side (Judah, Issachar, Zebulun) to set out. The "second time" was then the cue for the camps on the south side (Reuben, Simeon, Gad) to begin their journey. This sequential signaling was crucial for maintaining order and preventing the entire massive camp from attempting to move at once. It ensured that the journey was not a chaotic rush but a well-orchestrated procession, reflecting God's nature as a God of order and precision. Each alarm served as a clear, unmistakable command for a specific group, ensuring smooth transitions and efficient movement during their arduous wilderness pilgrimage.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The precise trumpet alarms in [Numbers 10:6](/numbers/10-6 "The Second Trumpet Alarm"), guiding Israel's physical journey, find their ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is the divine signal and ultimate guide for His people's spiritual pilgrimage. Just as the sound of the trumpet called Israel to unified movement, the voice of Christ calls His Church to follow Him on the path of discipleship. He is the Good Shepherd who leads His sheep, and they "hear his voice" and "follow him" ([John 10:27](/john/10-27 "Jesus' Sheep Hear His Voice")). The orderly progression of the camps foreshadows the Church's mission, which is to advance the Kingdom of God in a unified and purposeful manner, not in disarray but under the clear direction of its Head. Christ provides the perfect timing and direction for our spiritual "journeys," equipping us with His Spirit to discern His will and obey His commands. Our ultimate destination is the heavenly Canaan, and Christ Himself is the way, the truth, and the life ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life")), leading us through the wilderness of this world. He is the true "alarm" that awakens us to salvation and mobilizes us for His global mission, empowering us to "go therefore and make disciples of all nations" ([Matthew 28:19-20](/matthew/28-19-20 "The Great Commission")), trusting in His abiding presence and perfect guidance until the journey's end.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Numbers 2:10

On the south side [shall be] the standard of the camp of Reuben according to their armies: and the captain of the children of Reuben [shall be] Elizur the son of Shedeur.

Numbers 2:16

All that were numbered in the camp of Reuben [were] an hundred thousand and fifty and one thousand and four hundred and fifty, throughout their armies. And they shall set forth in the second rank.

Numbers 10:18

And the standard of the camp of Reuben set forward according to their armies: and over his host [was] Elizur the son of Shedeur.