Numbers 10

The Silver Trumpets

1The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 2“Make two silver trumpets for yourself; make them of hammered work. Use them for summoning the congregation and for setting the camps in motion. 3When both are blown, the whole congregation shall gather to you at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting. 4But if only one is blown, the leaders, the heads of Israel’s thousands, shall gather to you. 5When you sound a signal blast, the camps on the east shall set out. 6When you sound a second signal blast, the camps on the south shall set out. A signal blast shall be sounded for their setting out. 7But when the assembly is gathered, you shall blow the trumpets without sounding the signal blast.

8The sons of Aaron, the priests, shall blow the trumpets. This shall be a perpetual statute for you throughout your generations. 9When you go to war in your land against an adversary who oppresses you, you shall sound the signal with the trumpets, and you shall be remembered before the LORD your God and be saved from your enemies. 10Also on your days of rejoicing, your appointed festivals, and the beginnings of your months, you shall blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings and your sacrifices of well-being. They shall be for you as a remembrance before your God. I am the LORD your God.”

Israel Leaves Sinai

11In the second year, in the second month, on the twentieth day of the month, the cloud lifted from over the tabernacle of the testimony. 12Then the Israelites set out from the wilderness of Sinai by stages, and the cloud settled in the wilderness of Paran. 13They set out for the first time according to the command of the LORD through Moses.

14The standard of the camp of the Judahites set out first by their divisions, and over its division was Nahshon son of Amminadab. 15Over the division of the tribe of Issachar was Nethanel son of Zuar. 16Over the division of the tribe of Zebulun was Eliab son of Helon. 17Then the tabernacle was taken down, and the Gershonites and Merarites, who carried the tabernacle, set out.

18Then the standard of the camp of Reuben set out by their divisions, and over its division was Elizur son of Shedeur. 19Over the division of the tribe of Simeon was Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai. 20Over the division of the tribe of Gad was Eliasaph son of Deuel. 21Then the Kohathites set out, carrying the holy things. The others would set up the tabernacle before they arrived.

22Then the standard of the camp of the Ephraimites set out by their divisions, and over its division was Elishama son of Ammihud. 23Over the division of the tribe of Manasseh was Gamaliel son of Pedahzur. 24Over the division of the tribe of Benjamin was Abidan son of Gideoni.

25Then the standard of the camp of the Danites set out as the rear guard for all the camps, by their divisions, and over its division was Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai. 26Over the division of the tribe of Asher was Pagiel son of Ochran. 27Over the division of the tribe of Naphtali was Ahira son of Enan. 28This was the order of setting out for the Israelites by their divisions whenever they set out.

Moses Invites Hobab

29Moses said to Hobab son of Reuel the Midianite, Moses’ father-in-law, “We are setting out for the place of which the LORD said, ‘I will give it to you.’ Come with us, and we will do good to you, for the LORD has spoken good concerning Israel.” 30But he said to him, “I will not go; rather, I will go to my own land and my own kindred.” 31Moses said, “Please do not leave us, for you know where we should camp in the wilderness, and you can be eyes for us. 32If you come with us, whatever good the LORD does for us, we will do for you.”

The Ark Goes Before Them

33So they set out from the mountain of the LORD on a journey of three days, and the ark of the covenant of the LORD went before them for those three days to seek out a resting place for them. 34The cloud of the LORD was over them by day when they set out from the camp.

35Whenever the ark set out, Moses said:
“Rise up, O LORD,
and let your enemies be scattered;
let those who hate you flee before you.” 36And whenever it came to rest, he said:
“Return, O LORD,
to the countless thousands of Israel.”