Numbers2
New Living Translation
1Then the Lord gave these instructions to Moses and Aaron:
2“When the Israelites set up camp, each tribe will be assigned its own area. The tribal divisions will camp beneath their family banners on all four sides of the Tabernacle, but at some distance from it.
3-“The divisions of Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun are to camp toward the sunrise on the east side of the Tabernacle, beneath their family banners. These are the names of the tribes, their leaders, and the numbers of their registered troops:TribeLeaderNumberJudah Nahshon son of Amminadab74,600
4-IssacharNethanel son of Zuar 54,400
5-Zebulun Eliab son of Helon57,400
6So the total of all the troops on Judah’s side of the camp is 186,400. These three tribes are to lead the way whenever the Israelites travel to a new campsite.
7-“The divisions of Reuben, Simeon, and Gad are to camp on the south side of the Tabernacle, beneath their family banners. These are the names of the tribes, their leaders, and the numbers of their registered troops:TribeLeaderNumberReubenElizur son of Shedeur 46,500
8-Simeon Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai59,300
9-GadEliasaph son of Deuel 45,650
10So the total of all the troops on Reuben’s side of the camp is 151,450. These three tribes will be second in line whenever the Israelites travel.
11“Then the Tabernacle, carried by the Levites, will set out from the middle of the camp. All the tribes are to travel in the same order that they camp, each in position under the appropriate family banner.
12-“The divisions of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin are to camp on the west side of the Tabernacle, beneath their family banners. These are the names of the tribes, their leaders, and the numbers of their registered troops:TribeLeaderNumberEphraim Elishama son of Ammihud40,500
13-ManassehGamaliel son of Pedahzur 32,200
14-Benjamin Abidan son of Gideoni35,400
15So the total of all the troops on Ephraim’s side of the camp is 108,100. These three tribes will be third in line whenever the Israelites travel.
16-“The divisions of Dan, Asher, and Naphtali are to camp on the north side of the Tabernacle, beneath their family banners. These are the names of the tribes, their leaders, and the numbers of their registered troops:TribeLeaderNumberDanAhiezer son of Ammishaddai 62,700
17-Asher Pagiel son of Ocran41,500
18-NaphtaliAhira son of Enan 53,400
19So the total of all the troops on Dan’s side of the camp is 157,600. These three tribes will be last, marching under their banners whenever the Israelites travel.”
20In summary, the troops of Israel listed by their families totaled 603,550.
21But as the Lord had commanded, the Levites were not included in this registration.
22So the people of Israel did everything as the Lord had commanded Moses. Each clan and family set up camp and marched under their banners exactly as the Lord had instructed them.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Numbers 2.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The order of the tribes in their tents. (1-34).
vv1-34
The tribes were to encamp about the tabernacle, which was to be in the midst of them. It was a token of God's gracious presence. Yet they were to pitch their tents afar off, in reverence to the sanctuary. The children of Israel put themselves in their posts, without murmuring or disputing; and as it was their safety, so it was their beauty. It is our duty and interest to be contented with the place allotted to us, and to endeavour to occupy it in a proper manner, without envying or murmuring; without ambition or covetousness. Thus the gospel church ought to be compact, according to the Scripture model, every one knowing and keeping his place; and then all that wish well to the church rejoice, beholding their order, Col 2:5.
Key Words
דָבַר: perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
מֹשֶׁה: Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver
אַהֲרוֹן: Aharon, the brother of Moses
אָמַר: to say (used with great latitude)
בֵּן: a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.)
יִשְׂרָאֵל: Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
חָנָה: properly, to incline; by implication, to decline (of the slanting rays of evening); specifically, to pitch atent; gen. to encamp (for abode or siege)
אִישׁ: a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
דֶּגֶל: a flag
אוֹת: a signal (literally or figuratively), as aflag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence, etc.
Cross References
Numbers 2Establishes the 'far off' distance of 2000 cubits between the camp of Israel and the Ark.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Spiritual parallel to the order, beauty, and compact structure of the gospel church.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Nahshon, captain of Judah, is listed in the messianic genealogy of Jesus Christ.
Supported by JFB
Confirms the fulfillment of the marching order with Judah departing first.
Supported by JFB
Explains how the Levites set forward in the midst of the camps during journeys.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Details the sanctuary being carried in the midst, matching the encampment layout.
Supported by JFB
Ephraim is preferred before his older brother Manasseh, fulfilling Jacob's prophetic blessing.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Levites pitching around the Tabernacle explains why Israel pitched 'far off' to prevent wrath.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Judah's preeminence and standard (lion) relate to Jacob's blessing of the tribes.
Supported by JFB
Direct parallel linking the command to pitch by standards to the initial census.
Balaam's admiration of Israel's order when he saw them tents abiding by standards.
The total sum of the camps matches the exact military census figure.
Apostolic mandate that all things in the church should be done decently and in order.
Identifies the command exempting the Levites from the general military numbering.