21Then the Kohathites set out, carrying the holy objects; and the tabernacle was set up before their arrival. 22Next the standard of the camp of the sons of Ephraim, according to their armies, was set out, with Elishama the son of Ammihud over its army, 23and Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur over the tribal army of the sons of Manasseh; 24and Abidan the son of Gideoni over the tribal army of the sons of Benjamin.

      25Then the standard of the camp of the sons of Dan, according to their armies, which formed the rear guard for all the camps, set out, with Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai over its army, 26and Pagiel the son of Ochran over the tribal army of the sons of Asher; 27and Ahira the son of Enan over the tribal army of the sons of Naphtali. 28This was the order of march of the sons of Israel by their armies as they set out.

      29Then Moses said to Hobab the son of Reuel the Midianite, Moses’ father-in-law, “We are setting out to the place of which the LORD said, ‘I will give it to you’; come with us and we will do you good, for the LORD has promised good concerning Israel.” 30But he said to him, “I will not come, but rather will go to my own land and relatives.” 31Then he said, “Please do not leave us, inasmuch as you know where we should camp in the wilderness, and you will be as eyes for us. 32“So it will be, if you go with us, that whatever good the LORD does for us, we will do for you.”

      33Thus they set out from the mount of the LORD three days’ journey, with the ark of the covenant of the LORD journeying in front of them for the three days, to seek out a resting place for them. 34The cloud of the LORD was over them by day when they set out from the camp.

      35Then it came about when the ark set out that Moses said,
         “Rise up, O LORD!
         And let Your enemies be scattered,
         And let those who hate You flee before You.”

36When it came to rest, he said,
         “Return, O LORD,
         To the myriad thousands of Israel.”

Parallel Verses

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
and Eliasaph the son of Deuel was over the tribal army of the sons of Gad.

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
Eliasaph, son of Deuel, commanded the army of Gad.

King James Bible
And over the host of the tribe of the children of Gad was Eliasaph the son of Deuel.

Douay-Rheims Bible
And in the tribe of Cad, the prince was Eliasaph the son of Duel.

Darby Bible Translation
and over the host of the tribe of the children of Gad was Eliasaph the son of Deuel.

English Revised Version
And over the host of the tribe of the children of Gad was Eliasaph the son of Deuel.

Webster's Bible Translation
And over the host of the tribe of the children of Gad was Eliasaph the son of Deuel.

World English Bible
Eliasaph the son of Deuel was over the army of the tribe of the children of Gad.

Young's Literal Translation
And over the host of the tribe of the sons of Gad is Eliasaph son of Deuel;

Cross References

Numbers 1:14 of Gad, Eliasaph the son of Deuel;

Numbers 7:42 On the sixth day it was Eliasaph the son of Deuel, leader of the sons of Gad;

Numbers 10:19 and Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai over the tribal army of the sons of Simeon,

Numbers 10:21 Then the Kohathites set out, carrying the holy objects; and the tabernacle was set up before their arrival.

Commentary

Matthew Henry's Whole Bible Commentary

Verses 11-28

Here is, I. A general account of the removal of the camp of Israel from mount Sinai, before which mountain it had lain now about a year, in which time and place a great deal of memorable business was done. Of this removal, it should seem, God gave them notice some time before (Deu. 1:6, 7): You have dwelt long enough in this mountain, turn you and take your journey towards the land of promise. The apostle tells us that mount Sinai genders to bondage (Gal. 4:24), and signifies the law there given, which is of use indeed as a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ, yet we must not rest in it, but advance towards the joys and liberties of the children of God, for our happiness is conferred not by the law, but by promise. Observe, 1. The signal given (v. 11): The cloud was taken up, and we may suppose it stood for some time, till they were ready to march; and a great deal of work it was to take down all those tents, and pack up all those goods that they had there; but every family being employed about its own, and all at the same time, many hands made quick work of it. 2. The march began: They took their journey according to the commandment of the Lord, and just as the cloud led them, v. 13. Some think that mention is thus frequently made in this and the foregoing chapter of the commandment of the Lord, guiding and governing them in all their travels, to obviate the calumny and reproach which were afterwards thrown upon Israel, that they tarried so long in the wilderness, because they had lost themselves there, and could not find the way out. No, the matter was not so; in every stage, in every step, they were under divine direction; and, if they knew not where they were, yet he that led them knew. Note, Those that have given up themselves to the direction of God's word and Spirit steer a steady course, even when they seem to be bewildered. While they are sure they cannot lose their God and guide, they need not fear losing their way. 3. The place they rested in, after three days' march: They went out of the wilderness of Sinai, and rested in the wilderness of Paran. Note, All our removals in this world are but from one wilderness to another. The changes which we think will be for the better do not always prove so; while we carry about with us, wherever we go, the common infirmities of human nature, we must expect, wherever we go, to meet with its common calamities; we shall never be at rest, never at home, till we come to heaven, and all will be well there.

II. A particular draught of the order of their march, according to the late model. 1. Judah's squadron marched first, v. 14-16. The leading standard, now lodged with that tribe, was an earnest of the sceptre which in David's time should be committed to it, and looked further to the captain of our salvation, of whom it was likewise foretold that unto him should the gathering of the people be. 2. Then came those two families of the Levites which were entrusted to carry the tabernacle. As soon as ever the cloud was taken up, the tabernacle was taken down, and packed up for removing, v. 17. And here the six wagons came laden with the more bulky part of the tabernacle. This frequent removing of the tabernacle in all their journeys signified the movableness of that ceremonial dispensation. That which was so often shifted would at length vanish away, Heb. 8:13. 3. Reuben's squadron marched forward next, taking place after Judah, according to the commandment of the Lord, v. 18-20. 4. Then the Kohathites followed with their charge, the sacred furniture of the tabernacle, in the midst of the camp, the safest and most honourable place, v. 21. And they (that is, says the margin, the Gershonites and Merarites) did set up the tabernacle against they came; and perhaps it is expressed thus generally because, if there was occasion, not those Levites only, but the other Israelites that were in the first squadron, lent a hand to the tabernacle to hasten the rearing of it up, even before they set up their own tents. 5. Ephraim's squadron followed next after the ark (v. 22-24), to which some think the psalmist alludes when he prays (Ps. 80:2), Before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh, the three tribes that composed this squadron, stir up thy strength (and the ark is called his strength, Ps. 78:61), and come and save us. 6. Dan's squadron followed last, v. 25-27. It is called the rearward, or gathering host, of all the camps, because it gathered up all that were left behind; not the women and children (these we may suppose were taken care of by the heads of their families in their respective tribes), but all the unclean, the mixed multitude, and all that were weak and feeble, and cast behind in their march. Note, He that leadeth Joseph like a flock has a tender regard to the hindmost (Eze. 34:16), that cannot keep pace with the rest, and of all that are given him he will lose none, Jn. 17:11.

Calvin's Commentary

11. And it came to pass on the twentieth day of the second month, in the second year, that the cloud was taken up from off the tabernacle of the testimony.

11. Fuit autem anno secundo, mense secundo, vicesima mensis, ascendit nubes a tabernaculo testimonii.

12. And the children of Israel took their journeys out of the wilderness of Sinai; and the cloud rested in the wilderness of Paran.

12. Tunc profecti sunt filii Israel per profectiones suas e deserto Sinai, substititque nubes in deserto Paran.

13. And they first took their journey, according to the commandment of the Lord by the hand of Moses.

13. Profecti itaque sunt primum ad os Jehovae per manum Mosis.

14. In the first place went the standard of the camp of the children of Judah, according to their armies: and over his host was Nahshon the son of Amminadab.

14. Et profectum est vexilium castrorum filiorum Jehuda primo loco per exercitus suos: et super exercitum ejus erat Nahason filius Amminadab.

15. And over the host of the tribe of the children of Issachar was Nethaneel the son of Zuar.

15. Super exercitum autem tribus filiorum Issachar erat Nethanel filius Suar.

16. And over the host of the tribe of the children of Zebuluu was Eliab the son of Helon.

16. Et super exercitum tribus filiorum Zabulon erat Eliab filius Helon.

17. And the tabernacle was taken down; and the sons of Gershon and the sons of Merari set forward, bearing the tabernacle.

17. Depositum autem fuerat tabernaculum: et profecti sunt filii Gerson et filii Merari portantes illum.

18. And the standard of the camp of Reuben set forward, according to their armies: and over his host was Elizur the son of Shedeur.

18. Deinde profectum est vexillum castrorum Ruben per exercitus suos: et super exercitum ejus erat Elisur filius Sedeur.

19. And over the host of the tribe of the children of Simeon, was Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai.

19. Super exercitum vero tribus filiorum Simeon erat Selumiel filius Surisaddai.

20. And over the host of the tribe of the children of Gad was Eliasaph the son of Denel.

20. Et super exercitum tribus filiorum Gad erat Eliasaph filius Deuel.

21. And the Kohathites set forward, bearing the sanctuary; and the other did set up the tabernacle against they came.

21. Et progredi eccperunt Cehathitae portantes sanctuarium: erexerunt autem tabernaculum donec venerint ipsi.

22. And the standard of the camp of the children of Ephraim set forward, according to their armies: and over his host was Elishmna the son of Ammihud.

22. Postea profectum est vexilium castrorum filiorum Ephraim per exercitus suos: et super exercitum ejus erat Elisama filius Ammihud.

23. And over the host of the tribe of the children of Manasseh was Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.

23. Super exercitum vero tribus filiorum Manasse erat Gamliel filius Pedahsur.

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

24. Et super exercitum tribus filiorum Benjamin erat Abidan filius Gidoni.

25. And the standard of the camp of the children of Dan set forward, which was the rere-ward of all the camps throughout their hosts: and over his host was Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.

25. Profectum est insuper vexillum castrorum filiorum Dan, recolligens onmia castra per exercitus suos: et, super exercitum ejus erat Ahiezer filius Ammisaddai.

26. And over the host of the tribe of the children of Asher was Pagiel the son of Ocran.

26. Super exercitum tribus filiorum Aser erat Pagiel filius Ochran.

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

27. Et super exercitum tribus filiorum Nephthali erat Ahira filius Enan.

28. Thus were the journeyings of the children of Israel, according to their armies, when they set forward.

28. Istm sunt profectiones filiorum Israel per exercitus suos: ac ita profecti sunt.

11. And it came to pass on the twentieth day Moses records that after leaving Mount Sinai, the camp was first pitched in the wilderness of Paran; and although the distance was not great, -- being, as we shall soon see, a three days' journey, -- still the fatigue was sufficient to harass and weary the people. It is mentioned in praise of their obedience that they were expeditious in setting forth "according to the commandment of God;" but presently, through failure of the spirit of perseverance, their levity and inconstancy betrayed itself.

When it is said that "they journeyed by their journeyings," (profectos esse per suas profectiones,) it refers to their whole progress through the desert. As to the word, I know not why Jerome translated it turmas, (troops,) for its root; is the verb ns nasang, which is used with it; and according to its constant use in Scripture, it plainly means stations, [427] or halting-places. We say in Frealch journees, or gistes.

14. In the first place went the standard of the camp The actual order of march is here described. The whole people, with the exception of the Levites, is divided into four hosts, or parts, since four of the tribes were set over the others, so as to have two under the command of each. And this was the mode of proceeding, that whenever they halted anywhere, the four standards encompassed the sanctuary and the Ark of the Covenant from the four quarters of the world; whilst on the march, the Levites carrying the tabernacle, according to the burdens respectively imposed upon them, were mixed with the several bands. The Ark, borne upon the shoulders of the Levites, preceded the whole army, in order that all might more confidently follow, God thus manifestly shewing them the way. Nahshon, of the tribe of Judah, led the first host; Elizur, of the tribe of Reuben, the second; Elishama, of the tribe of Ephraim, the third; and Ahiezer, of the tribe of Dan, the fourth. It is obvious that in the precedency given to the tribe of Judah, God in some degree afforded an anticipation of the prophecy of Jacob; for the Reubenites, being descended from the first-born, would not have willingly abandoned their position, unless that right had been transferred to the tribe of Judah by God's decree, pronounced through the mouth of Jacob. Not that the sovereignty and royal power was actually his before the time of David, but because God would have a single spark to shine in the midst of the thick darkness, whereby He might cherish the hope of the promised salvation in every heart; and that thus the dignity of this tribe might at length more readily reduce all to obedience. Herein, however, it appeared how perverse and intractable was the spirit of that greater portion of them who strove against the divine decree in their rejection of David.

Reuben occupied the second place, as an alleviation of his disgrace. Again, by the subjection of the tribe of Manasseh to the posterity of Ephraim, in this respect, too, the prophecy of the same patriarch was fulfilled. Nor does there seem to be any other reason why the fourth standard should have been given to the tribe of Dan, except because Jacob had declared, "Dan shall judge his people." (Genesis 49:16,) by which expression his pre-eminence was denoted.

Although it may be that the four standard-bearing tribes were chosen from their strength and the numbers of their people, still, unless the children of Reuben and Manasseh had been thoroughly persuaded that their degradation was in accordance with the command of God, their jealousy would never have suffered them calmly to submit themselves to others, whose superiors they were by the ordinary rules of nature. Their self-restraint, therefore, was praiseworthy, in that voluntary subjection kept them within bounds, without the application of any power of compulsion; and at the end, Moses records that it was not once only that they thus advanced, but that they observed the same order and regulations during the whole course of their travel, and that their camp was always so arranged that no contention arose to disturb them.

Footnotes:

[427] "Stationibus, vel auspiciis;" the latter being evidently a misprint for hospitiis. -- Lat. "Gistum, hospitium, susceptio; Gall, giste; jus, quod dominis feudalibus competebat in vassallorum suorum praediis, qui staffs ae condietis vicibus eos in domibus suis hospitio, et conviviis excipere tenebantur. Quod quidem jus Mansionaticum sub prima et secunda Regum Francorum stirpe, sub tertia vero Gistum, Procuratio, Coenaticum, Comestio, Pastus, Prandium dictum suis locis observamus." -- Adelung's Du Cange.

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Alphabetical: and army Deuel division Eliasaph Gad of over son sons the tribal tribe was

Bible Browser

Hobab
'And Moses said unto Hobab ... Come thou with us, and we will do thee good: for the Lord hath spoken good concerning Israel.'--NUM. x. 29. There is some doubt with regard to the identity of this Hobab. Probably he was a man of about the same age as Moses, his brother- in-law, and a son of Jethro, a wily Kenite, a Bedouin Arab. Moses begs him to join himself to his motley company, and to be to him in the wilderness 'instead of eyes.' What did Moses want a man for, when he had the cloud? What do we …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Hallowing of Work and of Rest
'And it came to pass, when the ark set forward, that Moses said, Rise up, Lord, and let Thine enemies be scattered; and let them that hate Thee flee before Thee. 36. And when it rested, he said, Return, O Lord, unto the many thousands of Israel.'--Num. x. 35, 36. The picture suggested by this text is a very striking and vivid one. We see the bustle of the morning's breaking up of the encampment of Israel. The pillar of cloud, which had lain diffused and motionless over the Tabernacle, gathers itself …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Publication of the Gospel
The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it [or of the preachers] P erhaps no one Psalm has given greater exercise to the skill and patience of commentators and critics, than the sixty-eighth. I suppose the difficulties do not properly belong to the Psalm, but arise from our ignorance of various circumstances to which the Psalmist alludes; which probably were, at that time, generally known and understood. The first verse is the same with the stated form of benediction …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

Letter Lv. Replies to Questions of Januarius.
Or Book II. of Replies to Questions of Januarius. (a.d. 400.) Chap. I. 1. Having read the letter in which you have put me in mind of my obligation to give answers to the remainder of those questions which you submitted to me a long time ago, I cannot bear to defer any longer the gratification of that desire for instruction which it gives me so much pleasure and comfort to see in you; and although encompassed by an accumulation of engagements, I have given the first place to the work of supplying …
St. Augustine—The Confessions and Letters of St

How the Humble and the Haughty are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 18.) Differently to be admonished are the humble and the haughty. To the former it is to be insinuated how true is that excellence which they hold in hoping for it; to the latter it is to be intimated how that temporal glory is as nothing which even when embracing it they hold not. Let the humble hear how eternal are the things that they long for, how transitory the things which they despise; let the haughty hear how transitory are the things they court, how eternal the things they …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

The Second Coming of Christ.
^A Matt. XXIV. 29-51; ^B Mark XIII. 24-37; ^C Luke XXI. 25-36. ^b 24 But in those days, ^a immediately after the { ^b that} ^a tribulation of those days. [Since the coming of Christ did not follow close upon the destruction of Jerusalem, the word "immediately" used by Matthew is somewhat puzzling. There are, however, three ways in which it may be explained: 1. That Jesus reckons the time after his own divine, and not after our human, fashion. Viewing the word in this light, the passage at II. Pet. …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Country of Jericho, and the Situation of the City.
Here we will borrow Josephus' pencil, "Jericho is seated in a plain, yet a certain barren mountain hangs over it, narrow, indeed, but long; for it runs out northward to the country of Scythopolis,--and southward, to the country of Sodom, and the utmost coast of the Asphaltites." Of this mountain mention is made, Joshua 2:22, where the two spies, sent by Joshua, and received by Rahab, are said to "conceal themselves." "Opposite against this, lies a mountain on the other side Jordan, beginning from …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah
"And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah, out of thee shall come forth unto Me (one) [Pg 480] to be Ruler in Israel; and His goings forth are the times of old, the days of eternity." The close connection of this verse with what immediately precedes (Caspari is wrong in considering iv. 9-14 as an episode) is evident, not only from the [Hebrew: v] copulative, and from the analogy of the near relation of the announcement of salvation to the prophecy of disaster …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament