Open English Translation NUM Chapter 10

10 Then Yahweh told Mosheh (Moses), 2 “Make two hammered silver trumpets for yourself to use for assembling the community and for signalling when it’s time to leave the camp. 3 When both are sounded, the whole community is to assemble in front of you at the entrance to the sacred tent. 4 If just one is sounded, then it’s only the leaders and heads of clans who must assemble. 5 A single blast means that the camps on the eastern side should start moving out. 6 A double blast means that the camps on the southern side should start moving out. So the blasts will signal them to get going. 7 (To assemble the community as above, use long blows, not short blasts.) 8 The priests (Aharon’s descendants) must be the ones to blow the trumpets. That is a permanent regulation.

9 When you need to defend yourselves against an attacker, then you must sound an alarm with the trumpets, and you’ll all be noticed by Yahweh, and you’ll be saved from your enemies.

10 On festival days and at times of celebrations and at the beginning of each new month, then the trumpets will be blown as the burnt offerings and peace offerings are made as a memorial for you all towards your god. I am your god, Yahweh.

11 Then on the 20th of the second month in that second year (after leaving Egypt), the cloud was lifted up from above the sacred tent 12 and the Israelis started moving out from the Sinai wilderness as per the pre-arranged order. The cloud moved to the Paran wilderness. 13 That was the first time that they had moved as a result of Yahweh signalling Mosheh by means of the cloud.

14 Yehudah tribe with their banner was the first to leave under the leadership of Amminadav’s son Nahshon. 15 Tsuar’s son Netanel led the company from Yissakar tribe, 16 and Helon’s son Eliav led the company from Zevulun tribe.

17 Then the sacred tent was disassembled, and the men of Gershon and Merari set off, carrying the tent.

18 Reuven tribe with their banner was next to leave under the leadership of Shedeyur’s son Elitsur. 19 Tsurishaddai’s son Shelumiel led the company from Shimeon tribe. 20 Deuel’s son Elyasaf led the company from Gad tribe.

21 Then the sacred utensils were carried out by the Kohatite men, who then helped set up the sacred tent when they arrived.

22 Efrayim tribe with their banner was next to leave under the leadership of Ammihud’s son Elishama. 23 Pedahtsur’s son Gamaliel led the company from Menashsheh tribe. 24 Gideoni’s son Avidan led the company from Benyamin tribe.

25 Dan tribe with their banner was last to leave as the rear guard under the leadership of Ammishaddai’s son Ahiezer. 26 Okran’s son Pagiel led the company from Asher tribe. 27 Eynan’s son Ahira led the company from Naftali tribe. 28 That was the order of the departures of the companies of the Israeli tribes when they set off.

29 Then Mosheh told Hovav (son of the Midianite Reuel who was Mosheh’s father-in-law), “We’re heading towards the place that Yahweh said he’d give us. Come and join us, and we’ll look after you, because Yahweh has promised to look after Yisrael.”

30 “Thank you but no,” Hovav replied, “I’ll return to my land and to my relatives.”

31 “Please don’t leave us,” Mosheh insisted, “because you’re the one who knows about camping in the wilderness, and you could be our guide. 32 When you come with us, Yahweh will be blessing us so we’ll also bless you.”

33 Then they left Yahweh’s mountain and travelled for three days, with the box containing Yahweh’s agreement being carried at the front to find a resting place for them, 34 and Yahweh’s cloud was over them each day as they set out from their stop.

35 As the box started moving, Mosheh would say, “Yahweh, take action and then your enemies will scatter, and the ones hating you will flee away from your presence.”[ref] 36 Then at the end of the day when it came to rest, he would say, “Yahweh, return to the tens of thousands of Israelis.”