The Departure 10:11–13 Here we leave the narrative flashback begun in Numbers 7 as we come to the present and the long-anticipated departure from Sinai. The departure actually begins on the twentieth day of the second month of the second year, when the cloud lifted over the tabernacle. The book of Numbers began on the first day of this month. The people have been at Sinai for nearly a year (Exod. 19:1) and have now made meticulous preparation and precautions for the journey. The repetitious and detailed style of the Priestly tradents in this first part of Numbers has created for readers much anticipation of the departure. The departure now comes at the divine command and the Israelites travel to the Desert of Paran.

10:14–28 The tribes set out according to the order given in chapter 2, led …