Annotations.
MAke unto thee] After the constitution and order of the Church about the Lords San∣〈…〉〈…〉ie, and for their journeying towards Canaan; here followeth the appointment of such publike instruments as were requisite for the congregation, both when they journeyed and when they rested, when they went to war, or were in distresse, and when they were in peace. two trumpets] a trum∣pet (called Chatsotsrah) was of metall, a Cornet (called Shophar, whereof see Levit. 23. 24.) was of horne; both these were used after in Israel, 2 Chron. 15. 14. Psalm. 98. 6. Here at first were but two trumpets, as Aaron had but two sons Priests, Eleazar and Ithamar: after as the Priests and busi∣nesse were increased, so were the number of trum∣pets, that in Solomons time there were 120. Priests sounding with trumpets, 2 Chron. 5. 12. From which places compared, the Hebrew canons shew, that there never might be in the Sanctuarie at Gods publike worship there, fewer than two trum∣pets, nor moe than 120. Maimony in Cle ham∣mikdash, ch. 3. sect. 4. of silver] which was the purest metall, and fittest for sound; fit also for sig∣nification, for the word of God, and lively graces of his spirit, were figured by these trumpets, as Esai. 58. 1. and 27. 13. Ezek. 33. 3. Rev. 4. 1. 1 Cor. 14. 8. So the Hebrewes say, the trumpets were to be made of silver; if of any other kinde of me∣tall, they were unlawfull, Maim. in Cle hammik∣dash, ch. 3. sect. 5. The tongue of the just, is as choise silver, Prov. 10. 20. and, the words of the LORD, are pure words, as silver tried, &c. Psalm. 12. 7. beaten worke] wrought with the hammer, bea∣ten into a plate, of one whole peece: so the gol∣den Candlesticke was, Exod. 25. 31. It signified the labour of the ministers of God, giving them∣selves continually to praier, and to the ministerie of the word, Act. 6. 4. that the trumpets may give a cleare and certaine sound, for and unto the people. for the calling] for to call together the congrega∣tion. This was the first of the foure speciall uses of these trumpets, when the people rested, to as∣semble them unto the Lord in his Sanctuarie, for to heare his word, to pray, and to doehim worship. As, Blow the trumpet in Sion, sanctifie a fast, call a solemne assembly, Gather the people, sanctifie the congregation, &c. Ioel 2. 15, 16. and, Blow the trumpet in the new moone, &c. Psalm. 81. 4. It sig∣nified that all the meetings of the Church should be sanctified by the word of God and prayer. for the journeying] to cause the camps, (that is, the people in their camps or tents) to take their journeyes. This was the second use of the trum∣pets, to sanctifie by their sound, the journeyes and travels of Gods people; that as their rest, so all their motions might be in God, by the conduct of his word and spirit. Thus were there three things to be observed at their removings; the Lords ta∣king up of the cloud, Num. 9. 18. 22. the sound of the trumpets, Num. 10. 2. 5. 6. and the prayer of Moses, Num. 10. 35.
Verse 3. And they] that is, the Priests shall [unspec 3] blow, as is expressed in vers. 8. The Greeke tran∣slateth, thou shalt blow, meaning Moses, by the Priests whom he appointed thereto. with them] with both of them: for when but one was blowne, the Princes onely assembled, vers. 4.