The People of Israel Leave the Sinai Desert
11 It was the 20th day of the second month of the second year. On that day the cloud began to move. It went up from above the holy tent where the tablets of the covenant were kept.
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Then the people of Israel started out from the Desert of Sinai. They traveled from place to place. They kept going until the cloud came to rest in the Desert of Paran.
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The first time they started out, the LORD commanded Moses to tell them to do it. And they did it.
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The companies of the camp of Judah went first. They went out under their flag. Nahshon was their commander. He was the son of Amminadab.
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Nethanel was over the company of the tribe of Issachar. Nethanel was the son of Zuar.
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Eliab was over the company of the tribe of Zebulun. Eliab was the son of Helon.
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The holy tent was taken down. The men of Gershon and Merari started out. They carried the tent.
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The companies of the camp of Reuben went next. They went out under their flag. Elizur was their commander. He was the son of Shedeur.
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Shelumiel was over the company of the tribe of Simeon. Shelumiel was the son of Zurishaddai.
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Eliasaph was over the company of the tribe of Gad. Eliasaph was the son of Deuel.
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The men of Kohath started out. They carried the holy things. The holy tent had to be set up before they arrived.
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The companies of the camp of Ephraim went next. They went out under their flag. Elishama was their commander. He was the son of Ammihud.
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Gamaliel was over the company of the tribe of Manasseh. Gamaliel was the son of Pedahzur.
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Abidan was over the company of the tribe of Benjamin. Abidan was the son of Gideoni.
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Finally, the companies of the camp of Dan started out. They marched out under their flag. They followed behind all of the other companies and guarded them. Ahiezer was their commander. He was the son of Ammishaddai.
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Pagiel was over the company of the tribe of Asher. Pagiel was the son of Ocran.
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Ahira was over the company of the tribe of Naphtali. Ahira was the son of Enan.
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As the companies of Israel started out, that was the order they marched in.
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Moses spoke to Hobab, the son of Reuel. Reuel was Moses' father-in-law. Reuel was from Midian. Moses said to Hobab, "We're starting out for the place the LORD promised to us. He said to us, 'I will give it to you.' So come with us. We'll treat you well. The LORD has promised to give good things to Israel."
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Hobab answered, "No. I can't go. I'm going back to my own land. I'm returning to my own people."
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But Moses said, "Please don't leave us. You know where we should camp in the desert. You can be our guide.
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So come with us. The LORD will give us good things. We'll share them with you."
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So they started out from the mountain of the Lord. They traveled for three days. The ark of the covenant of the LORD went in front of them during those three days. It went ahead of them to find a place for them to rest.
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They started out from the camp by day. And the cloud of the LORD was above them.
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When the ark started out, Moses said, "Lord, rise up! Let your enemies be scattered. Let them run away from you."
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When the ark came to rest, Moses said, "Lord, return. Return to the many thousands of people in Israel."