From Sinai to Paran
11 During the second year, in the second month on the twentieth [day] of the month, the cloud was lifted up above the tabernacle of the testimony.
12
The Israelites traveled on from the Wilderness of Sinai, moving from one place to the next until the cloud stopped in the Wilderness of Paran.
13
They set out for the first time according to the Lord's command through Moses.
14
The military divisions of the camp of Judah with their banner set out first, and Nahshon son of Amminadab was over Judah's divisions.
15
Nethanel son of Zuar was over the division of the Issachar tribe,
16
and Eliab son of Helon was over the division of the Zebulun tribe.
17
The tabernacle was then taken down, and the Gershonites and the Merarites set out, transporting the tabernacle.
18
The military divisions of the camp of Reuben with their banner set out, and Elizur son of Shedeur was over Reuben's division.
19
Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai was over the division of Simeon's tribe,
20
and Eliasaph son of Deuel was over the division of the tribe of Gad.
21
The Kohathites then set out, transporting the holy objects; the tabernacle was to be set up before their arrival.
22
Next the military divisions of the camp of Ephraim with their banner set out, and Elishama son of Ammihud was over Ephraim's division.
23
Gamaliel son of Pedahzur was over the division of the tribe of Manasseh,
24
and Abidan son of Gideoni was over the division of the tribe of Benjamin.
25
The military divisions of the camp of Dan with their banner set out, serving as rear guard for all the camps, and Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai was over Dan's division.
26
Pagiel son of Ochran was over the division of the tribe of Asher,
27
and Ahira son of Enan was over the division of the tribe of Naphtali.
28
This was the order of march for the Israelites by their military divisions as they set out.
29
Moses said to Hobab, son of Moses' father-in-law Reuel the Midianite: "We're setting out for the place the Lord promised: 'I will give it to you.' Come with us, and we will treat you well, for the Lord has promised good things to Israel."
30
But he replied to him, "I don't want to go. Instead, I will go to my own land and my relatives."
31
"Please don't leave us," Moses said, "since you know where we should camp in the wilderness, and you can serve as our eyes.
32
If you come with us, whatever good the Lord does for us we will do for you."
33
They set out from the mountain of the Lord on a three-day journey to seek a resting place for them, with the ark of the Lord's covenant traveling ahead of them for the three days.
34
Meanwhile, the cloud of the Lord was over them by day when they set out from the camp.
35
Whenever the ark set out, Moses would say: Arise, Lord! Let Your enemies be scattered, and those who hate You flee from Your presence.
36
When it came to rest, he would say: Return, Lord, to the countless thousands of Israel.