11 In the second year, in the second month, on the twentieth day of the month, the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle of the testimony, 12 and the people of Israel set out by stages from the wilderness of Sinai; and the cloud settled down in the wilderness of Paran. 13 They set out for the first time at the command of the Lord by Moses. 14 The standard of the camp of the men of Judah set out first by their companies; and over their host was Nahshon the son of Ammin'adab. 15 And over the host of the tribe of the men of Is'sachar was Nethan'el the son of Zu'ar. 16 And over the host of the tribe of the men of Zeb'ulun was Eli'ab the son of Helon. 17 And when the tabernacle was taken down, the sons of Gershon and the sons of Merar'i, who carried the tabernacle, set out. 18 And the standard of the camp of Reuben set out by their companies; and over their host was Eli'zur the son of Shed'eur. 19 And over the host of the tribe of the men of Simeon was Shelu'mi-el the son of Zurishad'dai. 20 And over the host of the tribe of the men of Gad was Eli'asaph the son of Deu'el. 21 Then the Ko'hathites set out, carrying the holy things, and the tabernacle was set up before their arrival. 22 And the standard of the camp of the men of E'phraim set out by their companies; and over their host was Eli'shama the son of Ammi'hud. 23 And over the host of the tribe of the men of Manas'seh was Gama'liel the son of Pedah'zur. 24 And over the host of the tribe of the men of Benjamin was Abi'dan the son of Gideo'ni. 25 Then the standard of the camp of the men of Dan, acting as the rear guard of all the camps, set out by their companies; and over their host was Ahie'zer the son of Ammishad'dai. 26 And over the host of the tribe of the men of Asher was Pa'giel the son of Ochran. 27 And over the host of the tribe of the men of Naph'tali was Ahi'ra the son of Enan. 28 This was the order of march of the people of Israel according to their hosts, when they set out.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Numbers 10:11-28
Commentary on Numbers 10:11-28
(Read Numbers 10:11-28)
After the Israelites had continued nearly a year at mount Sinai, and all was settled respecting their future worship, they began their march to Canaan. True religion begins with the knowledge of the holy law of God, and humiliation for sin, but we must go on towards perfection, in acquaintance with Christ and his gospel, and those effectual encouragements, motives, and assistances to holiness, which it proposes. They took their journey according to the commandment of the Lord, Deuteronomy 1:6-8, and as the cloud led them. Those who give themselves to the direction of God's word and Spirit, steer a steady course, even when they seem bewildered. While they are sure they cannot lose their God and Guide, they need not fear losing their way. They went out of the wilderness of Sinai, and rested in the wilderness of Paran. All our removes in this world are but from one wilderness to another. The changes we think will be for the better do not always prove so. We shall never be at rest, never at home, till we come to heaven, but all will be well there.