Departure From Sinai

By

Holy Moses

Departure From Sinai

Now it came to pass on the twentieth day of the second month, in the second year, that the cloud was taken up from above the Tabernacle Of The Testimony. And the children of Israel set out from the Wilderness of Sinai on their journeys; then the cloud settled down in the Wilderness of Paran. So they started out for the first time according to the command of the Lord by the hand of Moses.

First Standard Moves

The standard of the camp of the children of Judah set out first according to their armies; over their army was Nahshon the son of Amminadab.

Over the army of the tribe of the children of Issachar was Nethanel the son of Zuar.

And over the army of the tribe of the children of Zebulun was Eliab the son of Helon.

Followed By The Tabernacle

Then the Tabernacle was taken down; and the sons of Gershon and the sons of Merari set out, carrying the Tabernacle.

Second Standard Moves

And the standard of the camp of Reuben set out according to their armies; over their army was Elizur the son of Shedeur.

Over the army of the tribe of the children of Simeon was Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai.

And over the army of the tribe of the children of Gad was Eliasaph the son of Deuel.

Followed By The Holy Things

Then the Kohathites set out, carrying the holy things. (The Tabernacle would be prepared for their arrival.)

Third Standard Moves

And the standard of the camp of the children of Ephraim set out according to their armies; over their army was Elishama the son of Ammihud.

Over the army of the tribe of the children of Manasseh was Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.

And over the army of the tribe of the children of Benjamin was Abidan the son of Gideoni.

Fourth Standard Moves

Then the standard of the camp of the children of Dan (the rear guard of all the camps) set out according to their armies; over their army was Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.

Over the army of the tribe of the children of Asher was Pagiel the son of Ocran.

And over the army of the tribe of the children of Naphtali was Ahira the son of Enan.

Thus was the order of march of the children of Israel, according to their armies, when they began their journey.

Son Of Reuel

Now Moses said to Hobab the 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 treat you well; for the Lord has promised good things to Israel."

And he said to him, "I will not go, but I will depart to my own land and to my relatives."

So Moses said, "Please do not leave, inasmuch as you know how we are to camp in the wilderness, and you can be our eyes. And it shall be, if you go with us — indeed it shall be — that whatever good the Lord will do to us, the same we will do to you."

So they departed 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 the three days' journey, to search out a resting place for them. And the cloud of the Lord was above them by day when they went out from the camp.

So it was, whenever the ark set out, that Moses said:

"Arise, Oh Lord!

Let Your enemies be scattered,

And let those who hate You flee before You."

And when it rested, he said:

"Return, Oh Lord,

To the many thousands of Israel."