11 And it cometh to pass—in the second year, in the second month, in the twentieth of the month—the cloud hath gone up from off the tabernacle of the testimony, 12 and the sons of Israel journey in their journeyings from the wilderness of Sinai, and the cloud doth tabernacle in the wilderness of Paran; 13 and they journey at first, by the command of Jehovah, in the hand of Moses. 14 And the standard of the camp of the sons of Judah journeyeth in the first 'place', by their hosts, and over its host 'is' Nahshon son of Amminadab. 15 And over the host of the tribe of the sons of Issachar 'is' Nathaneel son of Zuar. 16 And over the host of the tribe of the sons of Zebulun 'is' Eliab son of Helon; 17 And the tabernacle hath been taken down, and the sons of Gershon and the sons of Merari have journeyed, bearing the tabernacle. 18 And the standard of the camp of Reuben hath journeyed, by their hosts, and over its host 'is' Elizur son of Shedeur. 19 And over the host of the tribe of the sons of Simeon 'is' Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai. 20 And over the host of the tribe of the sons of Gad 'is' Eliasaph son of Deuel; 21 And the Kohathites have journeyed, bearing the tabernacle, and the 'others' have raised up the tabernacle until their coming in. 22 And the standard of the camp of the sons of Ephraim hath journeyed, by their hosts, and over its host 'is' Elishama son of Ammihud. 23 And over the host of the tribe of the sons of Manasseh 'is' Gamalial son of Pedahzur. 24 And over the host of the tribe of the sons of Benjamin 'is' Abidan son of Gideoni. 25 And the standard of the camp of the sons of Dan hath journeyed (rearward to all the camps), by their hosts, and over its host 'is' Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai. 26 And over the host of the tribe of the sons of Asher 'is' Pagiel son of Ocran. 27 And over the host of the tribe of the sons of Naphtali 'is' Ahira son of Enan. 28 These 'are' journeyings of the sons of Israel by their hosts—and they journey.
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.