17. The tabernacle was then taken down, and the Gershonites and the Merarites set out, transporting the tabernacle.
18. The military divisions of the camp of Reuben with their banner set out, and Elizur son of Shedeur was over Reuben’s division.
19. Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai was over the division of Simeon’s tribe,
20. and Eliasaph son of Deuel was over the division of the tribe of Gad.
21. The Kohathites then set out, transporting the holy objects; the tabernacle was to be set up before their arrival.
22. Next the military divisions of the camp of Ephraim with their banner set out, and Elishama son of Ammihud was over Ephraim’s division.
23. Gamaliel son of Pedahzur was over the division of the tribe of Manasseh,
24. and Abidan son of Gideoni was over the division of the tribe of Benjamin.
25. The military divisions of the camp of Dan with their banner set out, serving as rear guard for all the camps, and Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai was over Dan’s division.
26. Pagiel son of Ochran was over the division of the tribe of Asher,
27. and Ahira son of Enan was over the division of the tribe of Naphtali.
28. This was the order of march for the Israelites by their military divisions as they set out.
29. Moses said to Hobab, son of Moses’ father-in-law Reuel the Midianite: “We’re setting out for the place the Lord promised: ‘I will give it to you.’ Come with us, and we will treat you well, for the Lord has promised good things to Israel.”
30. But he replied to him, “I don’t want to go. Instead, I will go to my own land and my relatives.”