11
On the twentieth day of the second month of the second year, the [column of] smoke left the tent of the words of God's promise.
12
So the Israelites moved from the Desert of Sinai and traveled from place to place until the [column of] smoke stopped in the Desert of Paran.
13
This was the first time they moved, following the command that the LORD had given through Moses.
14
With their flag in front, the armies led by Judah's descendants broke camp first. Nahshon, son of Amminadab, was in command.
15
Nethanel, son of Zuar, commanded the army of Issachar.
16
Eliab, son of Helon, commanded the army of Zebulun.
17
Then the tent [of meeting] was taken down, and the Gershonites and Merarites, who carried it, broke camp.
18
With their flag in front, the armies led by Reuben's descendants broke camp next. Elizur, son of Shedeur, was in command.
19
Shelumiel, son of Zurishaddai, commanded the army of Simeon.
20
Eliasaph, son of Deuel, commanded the army of Gad.
21
Then the Kohathites, who carried the holy things, broke camp. By the time they arrived, the tent [of meeting] would already be set up.
22
With their flag in front, the armies led by Ephraim's descendants broke camp next. Elisha, son of Ammihud, was in command.
23
Gamaliel, son of Pedahzur, commanded the army of Manasseh.
24
Abidan, son of Gideoni, commanded the army of Benjamin.
25
As a rear guard for the whole camp, the armies led by Dan's descendants broke camp last with their flag in front. Ahiezer, son of Ammishaddai, was in command.
26
Pagiel, son of Ochran, commanded the army of Asher.
27
Ahira, son of Enan, commanded the army of Naphtali.
28
This was the order in which the Israelite armies broke camp when they went from place to place.
29
Moses said to his brother-in-law Hobab, son of Reuel the Midianite, "We are going to the place the LORD promised to give us. Come with us. We will be good to you, because the LORD has promised good things to Israel."
30
Hobab answered, "No, I won't go. I want to go back to my own country where my relatives are."
31
But Moses said, "Please don't leave us. You know where we can set up camp in the desert, and you could be our guide.
32
If you come with us, we will share with you all the good things the LORD gives us."
33
So they left the mountain of the LORD and traveled for three days. The ark of the LORD's promise went ahead of them a distance of three days' journey to find them a place to rest.
34
The LORD's [column of] smoke was over them by day when they moved the camp.
35
Whenever the ark started to move, Moses would say, "Arise, O LORD! Scatter your enemies! Make those who hate you run away from you!"
36
And whenever it stopped, he would say, "Return, O LORD, to the countless thousands of Israel!"