Numbers 10

The Silver Trumpets

1 The Lord told Moses.

2 Make two silver trumpets. Use them to call the people together and to signal when it is time to break camp.

3 When both trumpets are blown, everyone must gather at the entrance of the Tabernacle.

4 If only one trumpet is blown, only the leaders of Israel must come.

5 When you blow a loud blast, the tribes camped on the east side must start moving.

6 When you blow a second loud blast, the tribes camped on the south side must start moving. A loud blast means it is time to travel.

7 But when you want to gather the people together, blow the trumpets with a regular blast, not a loud alarm.

8 Aaron’s sons, the priests, must blow the trumpets. This is a permanent law for all generations.

9 When you go to war in your land against an enemy attacking you, blow a loud blast on the trumpets. Then the Lord will remember you and save you from your enemies.

10 On your joyful days, your festivals, and at the beginning of each month, blow the trumpets when you bring your burnt offerings and peace offerings. This will remind you that I am the Lord your God.

The Israelites Leave Sinai

11 On the twentieth day of the second month in the second year, the cloud lifted from the Tabernacle of the Testimony.

12 The Israelites set out from the wilderness of Sinai and traveled until the cloud stopped in the wilderness of Paran.

13 This was the first time they moved after following the Lord’s command through Moses.

How the Tribes Moved Out

14 The first tribe to move out, marching under its banner, was Judah’s camp, led by Nahshon son of Amminadab.

15 The tribe of Issachar followed, led by Nethanel son of Zuar.

16 Then came the tribe of Zebulun, led by Eliab son of Helon.

17 When the Tabernacle was taken down, the Gershonites and the Merarites, who carried the Tabernacle, moved out next.

18 Then Reuben’s camp moved out under its banner, led by Elizur son of Shedeur.

19 The tribe of Simeon followed, led by Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai.

20 Then came the tribe of Gad, led by Eliasaph son of Deuel.

21 Then the Kohathites moved out, carrying the holy things. The Tabernacle had to be set up before they arrived.

22 Then Ephraim’s camp moved out under its banner, led by Elishama son of Ammihud.

23 The tribe of Manasseh followed, led by Gamaliel son of Pedahzur.

24 Then came the tribe of Benjamin, led by Abidan son of Gideoni.

25 Then Dan’s camp, acting as the rear guard, moved out under its banner, led by Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai.

26 The tribe of Asher followed, led by Pagiel son of Ocran.

27 Then came the tribe of Naphtali, led by Ahira son of Enan.

28 This was the order in which the Israelites marched as they moved from place to place.

Moses Asks Hobab to Travel with Them

29 Moses told his brother-in-law, Hobab son of Reuel the Midianite, We are heading to the place the Lord promised to give us. Come with us, and we will treat you well, because the Lord has promised good things for Israel.

30 Hobab said, No, I am going back to my own land and my family.

31 Moses said, Please do not leave us. You know the wilderness well and can guide us.

32 If you come with us, whatever good the Lord gives us, we will share with you.

The Lord Leads Israel with the Cloud

33 They traveled for three days after leaving the Lord’s mountain, and the Ark of the Covenant went ahead of them to find a place for them to rest.

34 The Lord’s cloud was over them during the day as they moved from camp to camp.

35 Whenever the Ark was lifted to move, Moses would say, Rise up, Lord! Scatter Your enemies! Let those who hate You run away!

36 And whenever the Ark stopped, Moses would say, Return, Lord, to the countless thousands of Israel.