John Calvin Commentary Numbers 10:11

"And it came to pass in the second year, in the second month, on the twentieth day of the month, that the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle of the testimony." — Numbers 10:11 (ASV)

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 soon after, 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 do not know why Jerome translated it turmas, (troops,) for its root is the verb נסע 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 French journees, or gistes.

⁴²⁷ “Stationibus, vel auspiciis;” the latter being evidently a misprint for hospitiis. — — Lat. “Gistum, hospitium, susceptio; Gall, 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 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 sub prima et secunda Regum Francorum stirpe, sub tertia vero Gistum, Procuratio, Coenaticum, Comestio, Pastus, Prandium dictum suis locis observamus.” — Adelung’s Du Cange. dictum suis locis observamus.” — Adelung’s Du Cange.