Leaving Mount Sinai

¹¹On the 20th day of the 2nd month, in the 2nd year, the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle of the testimony. ¹²So the Israelites set out on their journey from the wilderness of Sinai, and the cloud came to rest in the wilderness of Paran. ¹³This was the first time they broke camp, and they did so at the LORD's command through Moses. ¹⁴The division of Judah marched out first under their banner, with their troops organized by units. Nahshon son of Amminadab commanded their army. ¹⁵Nethanel son of Zuar commanded the army of the tribe of Issachar. ¹⁶Eliab son of Helon commanded the army of the tribe of Zebulun. ¹⁷Then the tabernacle was taken down, and the sons of Gershon and the sons of Merari marched out carrying it. ¹⁸Next, the division of Reuben marched out under their banner, with their troops organized by units. Elizur son of Shedeur commanded their army. ¹⁹Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai commanded the army of the tribe of Simeon. ²⁰Eliasaph son of Deuel commanded the army of the tribe of Gad. ²¹Then the Kohathites marched out, carrying the holy objects from the sanctuary. The others would have the tabernacle set up and ready before they arrived at the next camp. ²²Next, the division of Ephraim marched out under their banner, with their troops organized by units. Elishama son of Ammihud commanded their army. ²³Gamaliel son of Pedahzur commanded the army of the tribe of Manasseh. ²⁴Abidan son of Gideoni commanded the army of the tribe of Benjamin. ²⁵Finally, the division of Dan marched out under their banner, serving as the rear guard for all the other camps. Their troops were organized by units, and Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai commanded their army. ²⁶Pagiel son of Ocran commanded the army of the tribe of Asher. ²⁷Ahira son of Enan commanded the army of the tribe of Naphtali. ²⁸This was the marching order of the Israelite divisions whenever they broke camp and moved out. ²⁹Moses spoke to Hobab son of Raguel the Midianite, who was Moses' father-in-law. He said, "We're heading to the place the LORD promised to give us. Come with us, and we'll treat you well, because the LORD has promised good things for Israel." ³⁰But Hobab replied, "No, I won't go. I'm heading back to my own land and my own people." ³¹Moses urged him, "Please don't leave us. You know this wilderness and where to set up camp — you can be our eyes out here." ³²"If you come with us, we promise that whatever good the LORD gives us, we'll share it with you." ³³They set out from the mountain of the LORD and traveled for 3 days. The ark of the LORD's covenant went ahead of them during those 3 days to find them a place to rest. ³⁴The cloud of the LORD was over them by day whenever they set out from camp. ³⁵Whenever the ark moved forward, Moses would cry out, "Rise up, LORD! Let your enemies be scattered! Let those who hate you flee before you!" ³⁶And whenever it came to rest, he would say, "Return, O LORD, to the countless thousands of Israel."