Numbers 10:7-30

⁷When the community gathers together, blow the trumpets, but not loudly.

⁸The sons of Aaron, the priests, must blow the trumpets. This will always be a regulation for you throughout your people's generations.

⁹When you go to war in your land against an adversary who oppresses you, then you must sound an alarm with the trumpets. I, Yahweh your God, will call you to mind and save you from your enemies.

¹⁰Also, at the times of celebration, both your regular festivals and at the beginnings of the months, you must blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings and over the sacrifices for your fellowship offerings. These will act as a reminder of you to me, your God. I am Yahweh your God.”

¹¹In the second year, in the second month, on the twentieth day of the month, the cloud was lifted from the tabernacle of the covenant decrees.

¹²The people of Israel then went on their journey from the wilderness of Sinai. The cloud stopped in the wilderness of Paran.

¹³They made their first journey, following Yahweh's command given through Moses.

¹⁴The camp under the banner of Judah's descendants went out first, moving out their individual armies. Nahshon son of Amminadab led Judah's army.

¹⁵Nethanel son of Zuar led the army of the tribe of Issachar's descendants.

¹⁶Eliab son of Helon led the army of the tribe of Zebulun's descendants.

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.”