וְתָקְע֖וּ בָּהֵ֑ן וְנֹֽועֲד֤וּ אֵלֶ֨יךָ֙ כָּל־הָ֣עֵדָ֔ה אֶל־פֶּ֖תַח אֹ֥הֶל מֹועֵֽד׃
(Numbers 10:3)
And you shall blow with them, and all the congregation shall assemble to you at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting.
Numbers 10 describes the use of silver trumpets as instruments of communication for Israel in the wilderness. Verse 3 gives a specific instruction: when the trumpets are blown, the entire congregation must gather at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting. The verse is grammatically straightforward, yet the syntax, verbal forms, and prepositional phrases reveal important insights into how Israel’s worship and community life was ordered linguistically and ritually.
The Imperative of Sound: וְתָקְעוּ בָּהֵן
- וְתָקְעוּ: Qal perfect with prefixed conjunction, functioning here as an imperative sense (“you shall blow”). From the root תקע, “to blow, to thrust, to blast.” The verb is plural, addressing the priests (cf. Numbers 10:8).
- בָּהֵן: preposition + pronominal suffix (3fp), “with them,” referring to the trumpets (חֲצֹצְרֹות in v. 2).
The instruction begins with the act of blowing — the ritual trigger. Syntax puts action before response, showing causality: the sound summons, the people obey.
The Consequence Clause: וְנֹועֲדוּ אֵלֶיךָ
- וְנֹועֲדוּ: Niphal perfect with prefixed conjunction, 3mp of יעד, “to meet, assemble, appoint.” The Niphal conveys reciprocal action: “they shall be assembled, they shall gather together.”
- אֵלֶיךָ: preposition + 2ms suffix, “to you.” The assembly is directed toward Moshe as mediator, not only to the sanctuary itself.
The structure shows divine order: priestly trumpet signals, prophetic mediation, communal response. Hebrew grammar weaves ritual, leadership, and obedience into a single sentence.
The Subject of the Assembly: כָּל־הָעֵדָה
- כָּל: “all, the entirety.”
- הָעֵדָה: noun fs with definite article, “the congregation.”
The definite noun marks Israel not as scattered individuals but as a single covenantal community. The collective subject emphasizes unity in worship and obedience.
The Location Phrase: אֶל־פֶּתַח אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד
- אֶל־פֶּתַח: “to the entrance.” The preposition אֶל denotes direction toward.
- אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד: “Tent of Meeting.” The sanctuary functions as both physical meeting place and theological focal point.
The grammar moves centripetally: the people are summoned inward, toward the sacred space where YHWH’s presence dwells and revelation occurs.
Parsing Table of Key Forms
| Form | Parsing | Literal Sense | Grammatical Insight |
|---|---|---|---|
| וְתָקְעוּ | Qal perfect (plural) with waw | “and you shall blow” | Imperative force directed at priests |
| בָּהֵן | Preposition + 3fp suffix | “with them” | Refers back to the trumpets |
| וְנֹועֲדוּ | Niphal perfect 3mp with waw | “and they shall assemble” | Reciprocal nuance: gathering by mutual action |
| כָּל־הָעֵדָה | Noun phrase | “all the congregation” | Collective subject, marks unity |
| אֶל־פֶּתַח אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד | Preposition + noun chain | “to the entrance of the Tent of Meeting” | Locative phrase defines sacred gathering place |
Masoretic Rhythm and Instructional Tone
The accents divide the verse into two clear halves: (1) the action command (וְתָקְעוּ בָּהֵן), (2) the communal consequence (וְנֹועֲדוּ … אֶל־פֶּתַח אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד). This rhythm mirrors instruction-response, making the verse both easy to recite and practical for ritual use.
The Grammar of Communal Worship
Numbers 10:3 illustrates how Hebrew grammar enshrines worship practice. A single verb of sound (תקע) triggers an entire nation’s response. Niphal forms highlight reciprocal gathering, construct chains define unity, and prepositional phrases center the community at the Tent of Meeting. The verse is not only an instruction but a liturgical pattern encoded in syntax — sound leads to assembly, and assembly centers on the divine presence.
