Study Desk

Now in ^(C1)the second year, in the second month, on the twentieth of the month, the cloud was lifted from above the ^(F1)tabernacle of the testimony;

and the sons of Israel set out on ^(C1)their journeys from the wilderness of Sinai. Then the cloud settled in the ^(C2)wilderness of Paran.

^(C1)So they moved on for the first time in accordance with the ^(F1)command of the LORD through Moses.

The ^(F1)flag of the camp of the sons of Judah, by their armies, ^(C1)set out first, with Nahshon the son of Amminadab, over its army,

and Nethanel the son of Zuar, over the tribal army of the sons of Issachar;

and Eliab the son of Helon over the tribal army of the sons of Zebulun.

^(C1)Then the tabernacle was taken down; and the sons of Gershon and the sons of Merari, who were carrying the tabernacle, set out.

Next ^(C1)the flag of the camp of Reuben, by their armies, set out with Elizur the son of Shedeur, over its army,

and Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai over the tribal army of the sons of Simeon,

and Eliasaph the son of Deuel was over the tribal army of the sons of Gad.

^(C1)Then the Kohathites set out, carrying the holy objects; and ^(C2)the tabernacle was set up before their arrival.

^(C1)Next the flag of the camp of the sons of Ephraim, by their armies, set out, with Elishama the son of Ammihud over its army,

and Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur over the tribal army of the sons of Manasseh;

and Abidan the son of Gideoni over the tribal army of the sons of Benjamin.

^(C1)Then the flag of the camp of the sons of Dan, by their armies, which formed the ^(C2)rear guard for all the camps, set out, with Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai over its army,

and Pagiel the son of Ochran over the tribal army of the sons of Asher;

and Ahira the son of Enan over the tribal army of the sons of Naphtali.

^(F1)This was the order of marching for the sons of Israel by their armies as they set out.

Then Moses said to ^(C1)Hobab the son of ^(C2)Reuel the Midianite, Moses' father-in-law, "We are setting out to the place of which the LORD said, '^(C3)I will give it to you.' ^(C4)Come with us and we will do you good, for the LORD ^(C5)has ^(F1)promised good concerning Israel."

But he said to him, "^(C1)I will not come, but rather will go to my own land and relatives."

Then he said, "Please do not leave us, since you know ^(F1)where we should camp in the wilderness, and you ^(C1)will be as eyes for us.

"So it will be, if you go with us, that ^(F1)(C1)whatever good the LORD ^(F2)does for us, ^(C2)we will ^(F3)do for you."

^(C1)So they moved on from the mountain of the LORD three days' journey, with ^(C2)the ark of the covenant of the LORD going on in front of them for the ^(F1)three days, to seek out ^(C3)a resting place for them.

^(C1)And the cloud of the LORD was over them by day when they set out from the camp.

Then it came about when the ark set out that Moses said, "^(C1)Rise up, LORD! And may Your enemies be scattered, And those ^(C2)who hate You flee from Your presence."

And when it came to rest, he said, "^(C1)Return, LORD, To the myriad ^(C2)thousands of Israel."