12. So the Israelites broke camp and left the Sinai Desert. And some time later, the cloud stopped in the Paran Desert.
13. This was the first time the Lord had told Moses to command the people of Israel to move on.
14. Judah and the tribes that camped beside it marched out first, carrying their banner. Nahshon son of Amminadab was the leader of the Judah tribe,
15. Nethanel son of Zuar was the leader of the Issachar tribe,
16. and Eliab son of Helon was the leader of the Zebulun tribe.
17. The sacred tent had been taken down, and the Gershonites and the Merarites carried it, marching behind the Judah camp.
18. Reuben and the tribes that camped beside it marched out second, carrying their banner. Elizur son of Shedeur was the leader of the Reuben tribe,
19. Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai was the leader of the Simeon tribe,
20. and Eliasaph son of Deuel was the leader of the Gad tribe.
21. Next were the Kohathites, carrying the objects for the sacred tent, which was to be set up before they arrived at the new camp.
22. Ephraim and the tribes that camped beside it marched next, carrying their banner. Elishama son of Ammihud was the leader of the Ephraim tribe,
23. Gamaliel son of Pedahzur was the leader of the Manasseh tribe,
24. and Abidan son of Gideoni was the leader of the Benjamin tribe.
25. Dan and the tribes that camped beside it were to protect the Israelites against an attack from behind, and so they marched last, carrying their banner. Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai was the leader of the tribe of Dan,
26. Pagiel son of Ochran was the leader of the Asher tribe,
27. and Ahira son of Enan was the leader of the Naphtali tribe.
28. This was the order in which the Israelites marched each time they moved their camp.
29. Hobab the Midianite, the father-in-law of Moses, was there. And Moses said to him, “We're leaving for the place the Lord has promised us. He has said that all will go well for us. So come along, and we will make sure that all goes well for you.”