Numbers 10:17-35

¹⁷The descendants of Gershon and of Merari, who cared for the tabernacle, took down the tabernacle and then set out on their journey.

¹⁸Next, the armies under the banner of Reuben's camp set out on their journey. Elizur son of Shedeur led Reuben's army.

¹⁹Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai led the army of the tribe of Simeon's descendants.

²⁰Eliasaph son of Deuel led the army of the tribe of Gad's descendants.

²¹The Kohathites set out. They carried the sanctuary's holy equipment. Others would set up the tabernacle before the Kohathites arrived at the next camp.

²²The armies under the banner of Ephraim's descendants set out next. Elishama son of Ammihud led Ephraim's army.

²³Gamaliel son of Pedahzur led the army of the tribe of Manasseh's descendants.

²⁴Abidan son of Gideoni led the army of the tribe of Benjamin's descendants.

²⁵The armies that camped under the banner of Dan's descendants set out last. Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai led Dan's army.

²⁶Pagiel son of Okran led the army of the tribe of Asher's descendants.

²⁷Ahira son of Enan led the army of the tribe of Naphtali's descendants.

²⁸This is the way that the armies of the people of Israel set out on their journey.

²⁹Moses spoke to Hobab son of Reuel the Midianite. Reuel was the father of Moses' wife. Moses spoke to Hobab and said, “We are traveling to a place that Yahweh described. Yahweh said, 'I will give it to you.' Come with us and we will do you good. Yahweh has promised to do good for Israel.”

³⁰But Hobab said to Moses, “I will not go with you. I will go to my own land and my own people.”

³¹Then Moses replied, “Please do not leave us. You know how to camp in the wilderness. You must watch out for us.

³²If you go with us, we will do for you the same good that Yahweh does to us.”

³³They journeyed from the mountain of Yahweh for three days. The ark of the covenant of Yahweh went before them for three days to find a place for them to rest.

³⁴Yahweh's cloud was over them by daylight as they journeyed.

³⁵Whenever the ark set out, Moses would say, “Rise up, Yahweh. Scatter your enemies. Make those who hate you run from you.”