On the twentieth day of the second month in the second year, the cloud was lifted up from the Tent of Meeting, so the Israelis set out from the Sinai Wilderness until the cloud settled in the Paran Wilderness, doing what the LORD had said through Moses. read more.
The standard of the camp of Judah was the first to travel, accompanied by its army with Amminadab's son Nahshon in charge. Zuar's son Nethanel was in charge of the camp of Issachar. Helon's son Eliab was in charge of the camp of Zebulun. The tent was taken down, and the descendants of Gershon and Merari carried the tent. Then the standard of the camp of Reuben set out, accompanied by its army with Shedeur's son Elizur in charge. Zurishaddai's son Shelumiel was in charge of the tribe of Simeon. Deuel's son Eliasaph was in charge of the tribe of Gad. Then the descendants of Kohath, carrying the sanctuary, set out, since the tent was to be set up before they arrive. After this, the standard of the camp of Ephraim set out, accompanied by its army with Ammihud's son Elishama in charge. Pedazzur's son Gamaliel was in charge of the tribe of Manasseh. Gideoni's son Abidan was in charge of the army of the tribe of Benjamin. Then the standard of the camp of Dan set out, functioning as the rear guard for all the encampments, accompanied by its army with Ammishaddai's son Ahiezer. Ochran's son Pagiel was in charge of the tribe of Asher. Enan's son Ahira was in charge of the tribe of Naphtali. This was the travel order for the Israelis, whenever their companies traveled. Then Moses told Reuel's son Hobab, Moses' relative by marriage from Midian, "We are traveling to the place about which the LORD said "I will give it to you.' So come with us and we'll be good to you, because the LORD has spoken good things about Israel." But he said, "I won't go with you because I'm returning to my land and to my own family." Then Moses responded, "Please don't leave us now, since you know where we can camp in the wilderness. You could be our guide. And when you come with us, the good things that the LORD will grant us, we'll give you as well." So they traveled from the mountain of the LORD, a three-day trip, with the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD traveling in front of them a three day trip to explore a place for them to rest. Moreover, the cloud of the LORD protected them during the day when they left their camp. Whenever the ark was ready to travel, Moses would say: "Arise, LORD, to scatter your enemies, so that whoever hates you will flee from your presence." Whenever the ark was being readied to rest, he would say: "Return, LORD, to the countless thousands of Israel."