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The Israelites Leave Sinai

11 In the second year after Israel’s departure from Egypt—on the twentieth day of the second month[a]—the cloud lifted from the Tabernacle of the Covenant.[b] 12 So the Israelites set out from the wilderness of Sinai and traveled on from place to place until the cloud stopped in the wilderness of Paran.

13 When the people set out for the first time, following the instructions the Lord had given through Moses, 14 Judah’s troops led the way. They marched behind their banner, and their leader was Nahshon son of Amminadab. 15 They were joined by the troops of the tribe of Issachar, led by Nethanel son of Zuar, 16 and the troops of the tribe of Zebulun, led by Eliab son of Helon.

17 Then the Tabernacle was taken down, and the Gershonite and Merarite divisions of the Levites were next in the line of march, carrying the Tabernacle with them. 18 Reuben’s troops went next, marching behind their banner. Their leader was Elizur son of Shedeur. 19 They were joined by the troops of the tribe of Simeon, led by Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai, 20 and the troops of the tribe of Gad, led by Eliasaph son of Deuel.

21 Next came the Kohathite division of the Levites, carrying the sacred objects from the Tabernacle. Before they arrived at the next camp, the Tabernacle would already be set up at its new location. 22 Ephraim’s troops went next, marching behind their banner. Their leader was Elishama son of Ammihud. 23 They were joined by the troops of the tribe of Manasseh, led by Gamaliel son of Pedahzur, 24 and the troops of the tribe of Benjamin, led by Abidan son of Gideoni.

25 Dan’s troops went last, marching behind their banner and serving as the rear guard for all the tribal camps. Their leader was Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai. 26 They were joined by the troops of the tribe of Asher, led by Pagiel son of Ocran, 27 and the troops of the tribe of Naphtali, led by Ahira son of Enan.

28 This was the order in which the Israelites marched, division by division.

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Footnotes

  1. 10:11a This day in the ancient Hebrew lunar calendar occurred in late April, May, or early June.
  2. 10:11b Or Tabernacle of the Testimony.

Order of Travel in the Wilderness

11 On the twentieth day of the second month in the second year, the cloud was lifted up from the Tent of Meeting, 12 so the Israelis set out from the Sinai Wilderness until the cloud settled in the Paran Wilderness, 13 doing what the Lord had said through Moses.

14 The standard of the camp of Judah was the first to travel, accompanied by its army with Amminadab’s son Nahshon in charge. 15 Zuar’s son Nethanel was in charge of the camp of Issachar. 16 Helon’s son Eliab was in charge of the camp of Zebulun. 17 The tent was taken down, and the descendants of Gershon and Merari carried the tent.

18 Then the standard of the camp of Reuben set out, accompanied by its army with Shedeur’s son Elizur in charge. 19 Zurishaddai’s son Shelumiel was in charge of the tribe of Simeon. 20 Deuel’s son Eliasaph was in charge of the tribe of Gad. 21 Then the descendants of Kohath, carrying the sanctuary, set out, since the tent was to be set up before they arrive.

22 After this, the standard of the camp of Ephraim set out, accompanied by its army with Ammihud’s son Elishama in charge. 23 Pedazzur’s son Gamaliel was in charge of the tribe of Manasseh. 24 Gideoni’s son Abidan was in charge of the army of the tribe of Benjamin.

25 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. 26 Ochran’s son Pagiel was in charge of the tribe of Asher. 27 Enan’s son Ahira was in charge of the tribe of Naphtali.

28 This was the travel order for the Israelis, whenever their companies traveled.

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