The Blowing of Trumpets

1The Lord spoke to Moses: 2“Make two trumpets of silver; you are to make them from a single hammered piece. You will use them for assembling the community and for directing the traveling of the camps. 3When they blow them both, all the community must come to you to the entrance of the tent of meeting.

4“But if they blow with one trumpet, then the leaders, the heads of the thousands of Israel, must come to you. 5When you blow an alarm, then the camps that are located on the east side must begin to travel. 6And when you blow an alarm the second time, then the camps that are located on the south side must begin to travel. An alarm must be sounded for their journeys. 7But when you assemble the community, you must blow, but you must not sound an alarm. 8The sons of Aaron, the priests, must blow the trumpets; and they will be to you for an eternal ordinance throughout your generations. 9If you go to war in your land against an adversary who opposes you, then you must sound an alarm with the trumpets, and you will be remembered before the Lord your God, and you will be saved from your enemies.

10“Also in the time when you rejoice, such as on your appointed festivals or at the beginnings of your months, you must blow with your trumpets over your burnt offerings and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings, so that they may become a memorial for you before your God: I am the Lord your God.”

The Journey From Sinai to Kadesh

11On the twentieth day of the second month, in the second year, the cloud was taken up from the tabernacle of the testimony. 12So the Israelites set out on their journeys from the wilderness of Sinai; and the cloud settled in the wilderness of Paran.

Judah Begins the Journey

13This was the first time they set out on their journey according to the commandment of the Lord, by the authority of Moses.

14The standard of the camp of the Judahites set out first according to their companies, and over his company was Nahshon son of Amminadab.

15Over the company of the tribe of Issacharites was Nathanel son of Zuar, 16and over the company of the tribe of the Zebulunites was Elion son of Helon. 17Then the tabernacle was dismantled, and the sons of Gershon and the sons of Merari set out, carrying the tabernacle.

Journey Arrangements for the Tribes

18The standard of the camp of Reuben set out according to their companies; over his company was Elizur son of Shedeur. 19Over the company of the tribe of the Simeonites was Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai, 20and over the company of the tribe of the Gadites was Eliasaph son of Deuel. 21And the Kohathites set out, carrying the articles for the sanctuary; the tabernacle was to be set up before they arrived. 22And the standard of the camp of the Ephraimites set out according to their companies; over his company was Elishama son of Ammihud. 23Over the company of the tribe of the Manassehites was Gamaliel son of Pedahzur, 24and over the company of the tribe of Benjaminites was Abidan son of Gideoni.

25The standard of the camp of the Danites set out, which was the rear guard of all the camps by their companies; over his company was Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai. 26Over the company of the tribe of the Asherites was Pagiel son of Ocran, 27and over the company of the tribe of the Naphtalites was Ahira son of Enan. 28These were the traveling arrangements of the Israelites according to their companies when they traveled.

The Appeal to Hobab

29Moses said to Hobab son of Reuel, the Midianite, Moses’ father-in-law, “We are journeying to the place about which the Lord said, ‘I will give it to you.’ Come with us and we will treat you well, for the Lord has promised good things for Israel.” 30But Hobab said to him, “I will not go, but I will go instead to my own land and to my kindred.” 31Moses said, “Do not leave us, because you know places for us to camp in the wilderness, and you could be our guide. 32And if you come with us, it is certain that whatever good things the Lord will favor us with, we will share with you as well.”

33So they traveled from the mountain of the Lord three days’ journey; and the ark of the covenant of the Lord was traveling before them during the three days’ journey, to find a resting place for them. 34 And the cloud of the Lord was over them by day, when they traveled from the camp. 35And when the ark traveled, Moses would say, “Rise up, O Lord! May your enemies be scattered, and may those who hate you flee before you!” 36And when it came to rest he would say, “Return, O Lord, to the many thousands of Israel!”