Numbers 10:13-27

And they first took their journey according to the commandment of the LORD by the hand of Moses.

They first took their journey ... by the hand of Moses. It is probable that Moses, on the breaking up of the encampment, stationed himself on some eminence to see the ranks defile in order through the embouchure of the mountains. The marching order is described, Numbers 2:1; but as the vast horde are represented here in actual migration, it may be proper to notice the extraordinary care that was taken for ensuring the safe conveyance of the holy things. In the rear of Judah, which, with the tribes of Issachar and Zebulun, led the van, followed the Gershonites and Merarites with the heavy and coarser materials of the tabernacle. Next in order were set in motion the flank divisions of Reuben and Ephraim; and then came the Kohathites, who occupied the center of the moving mass, bearing the sacred utensils on their shoulders, and were so far behind the other portions of the Levitical body, that these would have time at the new encampment to erect the framework of the tabernacle before the Kohathites arrived. Last of all Dan, with the associated tribes, brought up the rear of the immense caravan. Each tribe was marshaled under its prince or chief, and in all their movements rallied around its own standard.