And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,
Commentary
Commentary
The thousands of Israel, having been mustered in the former chapter, in
this are marshalled, and a regular disposition is made of their camp,
by a divine appointment. Here is,
I. A general order concerning it, ver. 1, 2 .
II. Particular directions for the posting of each of the tribes, in
four distinct squadrons, three tribes in each squadron.
1. In the van-guard on the east were posted Judah, Issachar, and
Zebulun, ver. 3-9 .
2. In the right wing, southward, Reuben, Simeon, and Gad, ver. 10-16 .
3. In the rear, westward, Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin, ver. 18-24 .
4. In the left wing, northward, Dan, Asher, and Naphtali, ver. 25-31 .
5. The tabernacle in the centre, ver. 17 .
III. The conclusion of this appointment, ver. 32 ,
&c.
1 And the L ORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,
2 Every man of the children of Israel shall pitch by his own
standard, with the ensign of their father's house: far off about
the tabernacle of the congregation shall they pitch.
Here is the general appointment given both for their orderly encampment
where they rested and their orderly march when they moved. Some order,
it is possible, they had observed hitherto; they came out of Egypt in
rank and file
( Exod. xiii. 18 ), but now they were put into a better model.
1. They all dwelt in tents, and when they marched carried all their
tents along with them, for they found no city to dwell in, Ps. cvii. 4 .
This represents to us our state in this world. It is a movable state
(we are here to-day and gone to-morrow); and it is a military state: is
not our life a warfare? We do but pitch our tents in this world, and
have in it no continuing city. Let us, therefore, while we are pitching
in this world, be pressing through it.
2. Those of a tribe were to pitch together, every man by his own
standard. Note, It is the will of God that mutual love and
affection, converse and communion, should be kept up among relations.
Those that are of kin to each other should, as much as they can, be
acquainted with each other; and the bonds of nature should be improved
for the strengthening of the bonds of Christian communion.
3. Every one must know his place and keep in it; they were not allowed
to fix where they pleased, nor to remove when they pleased, but God
quarters them, with a charge to abide in their quarters. Note, It is
God that appoints us the bounds of our habitation, and to him we
must refer ourselves. He shall choose our inheritance for us ( Ps. xlvii. 4 ),
and in his choice we must acquiesce, and not love to
flit, nor be as the bird that wanders from her nest. 4. Every tribe had its standard, flag, or ensign, and it should seem
every family had some particular ensign of their father's house, which
was carried as with us the colours of each troop or company in a
regiment are. These were of use for the distinction of tribes and
families, and the gathering and keeping of them together, in allusion
to which the preaching of the gospel is said to lift up an ensign,
to which the Gentiles shall seek, and by which they shall pitch, Isa. xi. 10, 12 .
Note, God is the God of order, and not of confusion. These standards
made this mighty army seem more beautiful to its friends and more
formidable to its enemies. The church of Christ is said to be as terrible as an army with banners, Cant. vi. 10 .
It is uncertain how these standards were distinguished: some conjecture
that the standard of each tribe was of the same colour with the
precious stone in which the name of that tribe was written in the high
priest's ephod, and that this was all the difference. Many of the
modern Jews think there was some coat of arms painted in each standard,
which had reference to the blessing of that tribe by Jacob. Judah bore
a lion, Dan a serpent, Naphtali a hind, Benjamin a wolf, &c. Some of
them say the four principal standards were, Judah a lion, Reuben a man,
Joseph an ox, and Dan an eagle, making the appearances in Ezekiel's
vision to allude it. Others say the name of each tribe was written in
its standard. Whatever it was, no doubt it gave a certain direction.
5. They were to pitch about the tabernacle, which was to be in the
midst of them, as the tent of pavilion of a general in the centre of an
army. They must encamp round the tabernacle,
(1.) That it might be equally a comfort and joy to them all, as it was
a token of God's gracious presence with them. Ps. xlvi. 5 , God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved. Their camp
had reason to be hearty, when thus they had God in the heart of them.
To have bread from heaven every day round about their camp, and fire
from heaven, with other tokens of God's favour, in the midst of their
camp, was abundantly sufficient to answer that question, Is the Lord
among us, or is he not? Happy art thou, O Israel! It is probable
that the doors of all their tents were made to look towards the
tabernacle from all sides, for every Israelite should have his eyes
always towards the Lord; therefore they worshipped at the tent-door.
The tabernacle was in the midst of the camp, that it might be near to
them; for it is a very desirable thing to have the solemn
administrations of holy ordinances near us and within our reach. The kingdom of God is among you. (2.) That they might be a guard and defence upon the tabernacle and the
Levites on every side. No invader could come near God's tabernacle
without first penetrating the thickest of their squadrons. Note, If God
undertake the protection of our comforts, we ought in our places to
undertake the protection of his institutions, and stand up in defence
of his honour, and interest, and ministers.
6. Yet they were to pitch afar off, in reverence to the sanctuary, that
it might not seem crowded and thrust up among them, and that the common
business of the camp might be no annoyance to it. They were also taught
to keep their distance, lest too much familiarity should breed
contempt. It is supposed (from Joshua iii. 4 )
that the distance between the nearest part of the camp and the
tabernacle (or perhaps between them and the camp of the Levites, who
pitched near the tabernacle) was 2000 cubits, that is, 1000 yards,
little more than half a measured mile with us; but the outer parts of
the camp must needs be much further off. Some compute that the extent
of their camp could be no less than twelve miles square; for it was
like a movable city, with streets and lanes, in which perhaps the manna
fell, as well as on the outside of the camp, that they might have it at
their doors. In the Christian church we read of a throne (as in the
tabernacle there was a mercy-seat) which is called a glorious high
throne from the beginning ( Jer. xvii. 12 ),
and that throne surrounded by spiritual Israelites, twenty-four elders,
double to the number of the tribes, clothed in white raiment ( Rev. iv. 4 ),
and the banner over them is Love; but we are not ordered, as
they were, to pitch afar off; no, we are invited to draw near, and come
boldly. The saints of the Most High are said to be round about
him, Ps. lxxvi. 11 .
God by his grace keep us close to him!
3 And on the east side toward the rising of the sun shall they
of the standard of the camp of Judah pitch throughout their
armies: and Nahshon the son of Amminadab shall be captain of
the children of Judah.
4 And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were threescore and fourteen thousand and six hundred.
5 And those that do pitch next unto him shall be the tribe of
Issachar: and Nethaneel the son of Zuar shall be captain of the
children of Issachar.
6 And his host, and those that were numbered thereof, were fifty and four thousand and four hundred.
7 Then the tribe of Zebulun: and Eliab the son of Helon shall be captain of the children of Zebulun.
8 And his host, and those that were numbered thereof, were fifty and seven thousand and four hundred.
9 All that were numbered in the camp of Judah were an hundred
thousand and fourscore thousand and six thousand and four
hundred, throughout their armies. These shall first set forth.
10 On the south side shall be the standard of the camp of
Reuben according to their armies: and the captain of the children
of Reuben shall be Elizur the son of Shedeur.
11 And his host, and those that were numbered thereof, were forty and six thousand and five hundred.
12 And those which pitch by him shall be the tribe of Simeon:
and the captain of the children of Simeon shall be Shelumiel
the son of Zurishaddai.
13 And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were fifty and nine thousand and three hundred.
14 Then the tribe of Gad: and the captain of the sons of Gad shall be Eliasaph the son of Reuel.
15 And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were forty and five thousand and six hundred and fifty.
16 All that were numbered in the camp of Reuben were an
hundred thousand and fifty and one thousand and four hundred and
fifty, throughout their armies. And they shall set forth in the
second rank.
17 Then the tabernacle of the congregation shall set forward
with the camp of the Levites in the midst of the camp: as they
encamp, so shall they set forward, every man in his place by
their standards.
18 On the west side shall be the standard of the camp of
Ephraim according to their armies: and the captain of the sons of
Ephraim shall be Elishama the son of Ammihud.
19 And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were forty thousand and five hundred.
20 And by him shall be the tribe of Manasseh: and the captain
of the children of Manasseh shall be Gamaliel the son of
Pedahzur.
21 And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were thirty and two thousand and two hundred.
22 Then the tribe of Benjamin: and the captain of the sons of
Benjamin shall be Abidan the son of Gideoni.
23 And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were thirty and five thousand and four hundred.
24 All that were numbered of the camp of Ephraim were an
hundred thousand and eight thousand and an hundred, throughout
their armies. And they shall go forward in the third rank.
25 The standard of the camp of Dan shall be on the north side
by their armies: and the captain of the children of Dan shall
be Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.
26 And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were threescore and two thousand and seven hundred.
27 And those that encamp by him shall be the tribe of Asher:
and the captain of the children of Asher shall be Pagiel the
son of Ocran.
28 And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were forty and one thousand and five hundred.
29 Then the tribe of Naphtali: and the captain of the children
of Naphtali shall be Ahira the son of Enan.
30 And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were fifty and three thousand and four hundred.
31 All they that were numbered in the camp of Dan were an
hundred thousand and fifty and seven thousand and six hundred.
They shall go hindmost with their standards.
32 These are those which were numbered of the children of
Israel by the house of their fathers: all those that were
numbered of the camps throughout their hosts were six hundred
thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty.
33 But the Levites were not numbered among the children of
Israel; as the L ORD commanded Moses.
34 And the children of Israel did according to all that the
L ORD commanded Moses: so they pitched by their standards, and so
they set forward, every one after their families, according to
the house of their fathers.
We have here the particular distribution of the twelve tribes into four
squadrons, three tribes in a squadron, one of which was to lead the
other two. Observe,
1. God himself appointed them their place, to prevent strife and envy
among them. Had they been left to determine precedency among
themselves, they would have been in danger of quarrelling with one
another (as the disciples who strove which should be greatest );
each would have had a pretence to be first, or at least not to be last.
Had it been left to Moses to determine, they would have quarrelled with
him, and charged him with partiality; therefore God does it, who is
himself the fountain and judge of honour, and in his appointment all
must acquiesce. If God in his providence advance others above us, and
abase us, we ought to be as well satisfied in his doing it in that way
as if he did it, as this was done here, by a voice out of the
tabernacle; and this consideration, that it appears to be the will of
God it should be so, should effectually silence all envies and
discontents. And as far as our place comes to be our choice our Saviour
has given us a rule in Luke xiv. 8 , Sit not down in the highest room; and another in Matt. xx. 27 , He that will be chief, let him be your servant. Those that are
most humble and most serviceable are really most honourable.
2. Every tribe had a captain, a prince, or commander-in-chief, whom God
himself nominated, the same that had been appointed to number them, ch. i. 5 .
Our being all the children of one Adam is so far from justifying the
levellers, and taking away the distinction of place and honour, that
even among the children of the same Abraham, the same Jacob, the same
Judah, God himself appointed that one should be captain of all the
rest. There are powers ordained of God, and those to whom
honour and fear are due and must be paid. Some observe the significancy
of the names of these princes, at least, in general, how much God was
in the thoughts of those that gave them their names, for most of them
have El, God, at one end or other of their names. Nethaneel,
the gift of God; Eliab, my God a Father; Elizur, my God a rock;
Shelumiel, God my peace; Eliasaph, God has added; Elishama, my God has
heard: Gamaliel, God my reward; Pagiel, God has met me. By this it
appears that the Israelites in Egypt did not quite forget the name of
their God, but, when they wanted other memorials, preserved the
remembrance of it in the names of their children, and therewith
comforted themselves in their affliction.
3. Those tribes were placed together under the same standard that were
nearest of kin to each other; Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun, were the
three younger sons of Leah, and they were put together; and Issachar
and Zebulun would not grudge to be under Judah, since they were his
younger brethren. Reuben and Simeon would not have been content in
their place. Therefore Reuben, Jacob's eldest son, is made chief of the
next squadron; Simeon, no doubt, is willing to be under him, and Gad,
the son of Zilpah, Leah's handmaid, is fitly added to them in Levi's
room: Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin, are all the posterity of Rachel.
Dan, the eldest son of Bilhah, is made a leading tribe, though the son
of a concubine, that more abundant honour might be bestowed on that
which lacked; and it was said, Dan should judge his people, and
to him were added two younger sons of the handmaids. Thus
unexceptionable was the order in which they were placed.
4. The tribe of Judah was in the first post of honour, encamped towards
the rising sun, and in their marches led the van, not only because it
was the most numerous tribe, but chiefly because from that tribe Christ
was to come, who is the Lion of the tribe of Judah, and was to
descend from the loins of him who was now nominated chief captain of
that tribe. Nahshon is reckoned among the ancestors of Christ, Matt. i. 4 .
So that, when he went before them, Christ himself went before them in
effect, as their leader. Judah was the first of the twelve sons of
Jacob that was blessed. Reuben, Simeon, and Levi, were censured by
their dying father; he therefore being first in blessing, though not in
birth, is put first, to teach children how to value the smiles of their
godly parents and dread their frowns.
5. The tribes of Levi pitched closely about the tabernacle, within the
rest of their tribes, v. 17 .
They must defend the sanctuary, and then the rest of the tribes must
defend them. Thus, in the vision which John saw of the glory of heaven,
between the elders and the throne were four living creatures full of
eyes, Rev. iv. 6, 8 .
Civil powers should protect the religious interests of a nation, and be
a defence upon that glory.
6. The camp of Dan (and so that tribe is called long after their
settlement in Canaan
( Judg. xiii. 25 ),
because celebrated for their military prowess), though posted in the
left wing when they encamped, was ordered in their march to bring up
the rear, v. 31 .
They were the most numerous, next to Judah, and therefore were ordered
into a post which, next to the front, required the most strength, for
as the strength is so shall the day be. Lastly, The children of
Israel observed the orders given them, and did as the Lord commanded
Moses, v. 34 .
They put themselves in the posts assigned them, without murmuring or
disputing, and, as it was their safety, so it was their beauty; Balaam
was charmed with the sight of it: How goodly are thy tents, O
Jacob! ch. xxiv. 5 .
Thus the gospel church, called the camp of saints, 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. ii. 5 .
INTRODUCTION TO NUMBERS 2
This chapter contains the order of the encampment and march of the tribes of Israel in their proper places about the tabernacle; the general direction for the same is in Nu 1:1; the particulars follow; on the cast of the tabernacle the camp of Judah was to pitch, and under his standard the tribes of Issachar and Zebulun, Nu 1:3; on the south side of it the camp of Reuben, and under his standard the tribes of Simeon and Gad, Nu 1:10; then the tabernacle, with the camp of the Levites round it, were next, to stand or set forward, Nu 1:17; and on the west side the camp of Ephraim, and under his standard the tribes of Manasseh and Benjamin, Nu 1:18; and on the north side the camp of Dan, and under his standard the tribes of Asher and Naphtali, Nu 1:25; the sum total of the numbers of which camps are given, exclusive of the camp of Levi, Nu 1:32; and the chapter is concluded with observing, that all was done according to the commandment of God, Nu 1:34.
Ver. 1. And the Lord spake unto Moses, and unto Aaron,.... Very probably after the number of the children of Israel was taken, of which in the preceding chapter, and when the congregation of Israel with the tabernacle were about to set forward on their journey; and therefore directions are here given for their orderly and regular proceeding in it, in what form and manner they should both encamp and march;
saying: as follows.
Numbers 2:2
Ver. 2. Every man of the children of Israel shall pitch by his own standard,.... Or banner, of which there were four, as appears from the following account, under each of which were placed three tribes; and so every man of each tribe was to pitch his tent in the tribe he belonged to, and by the standard under which his tribe was marshalled, and in the rank that he was placed:
with the ensigns of their father's house; which were either lesser standards or banners, somewhat different from the great standard or banner, which belonged to the camp consisting of three tribes, and which were peculiar to their several families and houses, and distinguished one from another, like flags in different regiments; or these were signs {f}, as the word may be rendered, or marks in the standards or banners, which, distinguished one from another; so the Targum of Jonathan, the signs which were marked in their standards: but what they were is not easy to say; Aben Ezra observes, and Abendana from him, that their ancients were used to say, that there was in the standard of Reuben the form of a man, on account of the mandrakes,
Ge 30:14; and in the standard of Judah the form of a lion, because Jacob compared him to one, Ge 49:9; and in the standard of Ephraim the form of an ox, from the sense of those words, the firstling of his bullock, De 33:17; and in the standard of Dan the form of an eagle, so that they might be like the cherubim the prophet Ezekiel saw, Eze 1:10, which is not very likely, such images and representations not being very agreeable, yea, even detestable to the people of the Jews in later times, and can hardly be thought to be in use with their early ancestors: others, as Jarchi, fancy that those standards were distinguished by their colours, as our flags or ensigns are; which, if they stopped here, would not be much amiss, but they go on and say, that each was according to the colour of his stone fixed in the breastplate, so that there were three colours in every flag or standard; thus, for instance, in the standard of Judah, which is the first, were the colours of the three precious stones, on which were the names of Judah, Issachar, and Reuben, namely, the emerald, sapphire, and diamond; and so in the rest of the standards; but others say, the letters of the names of the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, differently disposed of, were on those standards; but rather, one would think, the names of the three tribes under every standard were embroidered on them, which would sufficiently distinguish one from another, and direct where tribe was to pitch; but of those things there is no certainty:
far off about the tabernacle of the congregation shall they pitch: a mile from it, according to Jarchi, or two thousand cubits, which is supposed to be a sabbath day's journey, Ac 1:12; and this distance is gathered from Jos 3:4, and is not improbable.
{f} ttab "in signis", Pagninus, Montanus; "sub signis", Tigurine version; "cum signis", Junius & Tremellius, Drusius; "apud signa", Piscator.
Numbers 2:3
Ver. 3. And on the east side, towards the rising of the sun,.... Which rises in the east; or of all; for, as Jarchi observes, that which is "before" is called "Kedem", the east, as the west is called "behind":
shall they of the standard of the camp of Judah pitch, throughout their armies; the tribes of Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun, formed one camp, which had its name from the principal tribe Judah; and this was divided into various regiments and companies, called armies, who severally pitched under one and the same standard. It is said {g} Judah's stone was the "nophech" (which we render an emerald), and his flag was coloured in the likeness of the colour of the heavens, and there was formed upon it a lion. Issachar's was the sapphire, and his flag was coloured black, like to black lead, and there were framed upon it the sun and moon, on account of what is said, 1Ch 12:32. Zebulun's was a diamond, and his flag was coloured white, and there was formed upon it a ship, because of what is said, Ge 49:13;
and Nahshon, the son of Amminadab, [shall be] captain of the children of Judah; who had been assisting in numbering the people, and who afterwards offered to the dedication of the altar, Nu 1:2.
{g} Bemidbar Rabba, sect. 2. fol. 178. 2.
Numbers 2:4
Ver. 4. And his host, and those that were numbered of them,.... As they had been before; and, supposing these words to be the words of God, there is no necessity of rendering them in the future, as some have observed; though they seem rather to be the words of Moses, who under every tribe repeats the number, which is exactly the same as when taken; and though it was not till twenty days after that they set forward according to their order of encampment, not one of them died, which Aben Ezra observes as a very wonderful thing;
[were] threescore and fourteen thousand and six hundred; the number of the tribe of Judah were 74,600; see Nu 1:27.
Numbers 2:5
Ver. 5. And those that do pitch next unto him [shall be] the tribe of Issachar,.... Who with Zebulun, after mentioned, as placed with him under the same standard, were the brethren of Judah, by the same mother Leah, and so fitly put together, as most likely to continue in harmony and love; and being the youngest sons of Leah, and brethren of Judah, would, without any reluctance or murmuring, pitch under their elder brother's standard:
and Nethaneel, the son of Zuar, [shall be] captain of the children of Issachar; see Nu 1:8.
Numbers 2:6
Ver. 6. And his host,.... The host of Issachar;
and those that were numbered thereof, [were] fifty and four thousand and four hundred. 54,400 men. Which had been numbered, for it does not appear that there was a fresh account taken; see Nu 1:29.
Numbers 2:7
Ver. 7. [Then] the tribe of Zebulun,.... He pitched next; though the order of their encampment was not, as it may seem, first Judah, after him Issachar, and below him Zebulun; for Judah lay between these two, the one before him, and the other behind him; and it was Issachar that was behind, and Zebulun before, as Aben Ezra observes; they were pitched on each side of the standard of Judah, one on one side, and the other on the other side:
and Eliab, the son of Helon, [shall be], captain of the children of Zebulun; see Nu 1:9; each tribe had its own captain; nor does it appear that there was a general over those captains, that had the command of the camp, consisting of three tribes, but Moses was the generalissimo of all the camps.
Numbers 2:8
Ver. 8. And his host,.... That is, the host of Zebulun;
and those that were numbered thereof, [were] fifty and seven thousand and four hundred. 57,400 men; see Nu 1:31.
Numbers 2:9
Ver. 9. All that were numbered in the camp of Judah [were] an hundred thousand and fourscore thousand and six thousand and four hundred,
throughout their armies,.... 186,400 men. The sum total of the three tribes, which formed that camp: this was the largest camp of them all, being near 30,000 more than Dan's, Nu 2:31, which was the next in number unto it, and therefore placed foremost, and as the vanguard to the tabernacle:
these shall first set forth; in a march, when about to journey; when they saw the cloud remove, the priests blew with the trumpets, and then the camp of Judah moved first, as Jarchi observes, and when they went out to fight, Judah went up first, Jud 1:1.
Numbers 2:10
Ver. 10. On the south side [shall be] the standard of the camp of Reuben, according to their armies,.... This camp consisted of the tribes of Reuben, Simeon, and Gad, which was divided into lesser bodies, regiments, or companies, called armies; and this was placed to the south of the tabernacle, or to the right hand, as Aben Ezra interprets it; this was the right wing of the whole army. Reuben's stone, according to the Jewish writers {h}, was the "sardius", and his flag was coloured red, and there were figured upon it mandrakes. Simeon's stone was the topaz, and his flag was coloured green, and on it was figured "shechem". Gad's stone was the agate, and his flag was coloured neither black nor white, but mixed, and there was figured upon it a camp or host, on account of what is said, Ge 49:19;
and the captain of the children of Reuben [shall be] Elizur the son of Shedeur; see Nu 1:5.
{h} Bemidbar Rabba, sect. 2. fol. 178. 2.
Numbers 2:11
Ver. 11. And his host,.... That is, the host of Reuben, as distinct from his camp, of which it was only a part, and of which Elizur was captain;
and those that were numbered thereof, [were] forty and six thousand and five hundred. 46,500 men; see Nu 1:21.
Numbers 2:12
Ver. 12. And those which pitch by him [shall be] the tribe of Simeon,.... Under his standard, and on one side of it; Reuben and Simeon being brothers by the mother as well as the father's side, might well be thought to agree together; and Reuben being the eldest brother, and the eldest of all Jacob's sons, Simeon would not grudge to pitch under him:
and the captain of the children of Simeon [shall be] Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai; of whom see Nu 1:6.
Numbers 2:13
Ver. 13. And his host,.... That is, the host of Simeon:
and those that were numbered of them, [were] fifty and nine thousand and three hundred. 59,300 men; the same as in Nu 1:23.
Numbers 2:14
Ver. 14. Then the tribe of Gad,.... Who was placed on the other side of Reuben's standard, and according to the former direction he must be before, and Simeon behind; and Gad being the eldest son of Leah's handmaid Zilpah, is fitly placed under Leah's firstborn, and being the son of an handmaid, could not object to his situation:
and the captain of the sons of Gad [shall be] Eliasaph the son of Reuel: who is called Deuel, Nu 1:14. The letters r, "resh", and d, "daleth", being similar, are sometimes put one for the other, of which there are other instances, as in Ge 10:3, compared with 1Ch 1:6.
Numbers 2:15
Ver. 15. And his host,.... That is, the host of Gad, as distinct from those of Reuben and Simeon, which together formed the camp;
and those that were numbered of them, [were] forty and five thousand and six hundred and fifty. 45,650 men; see Nu 1:25.
Numbers 2:16
Ver. 16. And all that were numbered in the camp of Reuben [were] an hundred thousand and fifty and one thousand and four hundred and fifty,
throughout their armies,.... 151,450 men. Putting Reuben's host, and the hosts of Simeon and Gad together, Nu 2:13, which was much lesser than the preceding camp, being 34,500 fewer in number:
and they shall set forth in the second rank: they in journeying moving next to the camp of Judah, and before the tabernacle; for though, while encamped, the camp of Reuben lay on the south, or right side of it, yet, when marching, went before it.
Numbers 2:17
Ver. 17. Then the tabernacle of the congregation shall set forward with the camp of the Levites,.... Which reached four miles, according to the Targum of Jonathan, as did Judah's. Levi's stone, as the Jews say {i}, was the carbuncle, and his flag was coloured, a third part white, and a third part black, and a third part red, and on it were formed Urim and Thummim:
in the midst of the camp; or "camps" {k}; between the camps of Judah and Reuben, before mentioned, and those of Ephraim and Dan, which are after spoken of: the order in which they moved was this, as Aben Ezra observes; the Gershonites and Merarites marched between the standard of Judah and the standard of Reuben; and the Kohathites marched, and with them Aaron and his sons, between the standard of Reuben and the standard of Ephraim:
as they encamp, so shall they set forward; this is to be understood, according to Aben Ezra, not of the camp of Levi, since the standard of Judah was to the east, and the Gershonites, which were to the west of the sanctuary, and the Merarites in the north, set forward together; but of the camps of Israel, which set forward, not as they were encamped about the tabernacle, for those that were encamped on the side of it, in marching went before and behind, but as they were encamped with respect to themselves; first marched the standard of Judah, then that of Reuben, which went before, and then those of Ephraim and Dan, which followed; and besides, as each camp was pitched, so it moved; as the camp of Judah, his host marched between those of Issachar and Zebulun, and the same order the rest observed:
every man in his place by their standards, as every individual person in the several tribes were ranked under their respective banners, so they marched.
{i} Bemidbar Rabba, sect. 2. fol. 178. 2. {k} hnxmh Kwtb "in medio castrorum", Pagninus, Montanus, Tigurine version; so Ainsworth; "in medio reliquorum castrorum", Junius & Tremellius.
Numbers 2:18
Ver. 18. On the west side [shall be] the standard of the camp of Ephraim, according to their armies,.... It was in the rear or behind, consisting of his tribe, and of the tribes of Manasseh and Benjamin, divided into several companies, and extended four miles, as the above Targum. The Jewish writers say {l}, that Joseph's stone is the onyx or sardonyx, and his flag was coloured very black, and on it were figured for the two princes, Ephraim and Manasseh, Egypt, because they were born in Egypt; and upon the flag of Ephraim was figured an ox, because of what is said in De 33:17; and on the flag of the tribe of Manasseh was figured an unicorn, because of what is said in the same place. Benjamin's stone was the jasper, and his flag was coloured like to twelve colours, and on it was figured a wolf, because of what is said
Ge 49:27;
and the captain of the sons of Ephraim [shall be] Elishama the son of Ammihud; of whom see Nu 1:10.
{l} Bemidbar Rabba, ut supra. (sect. 2. fol. 178. 2.)
Numbers 2:19
Ver. 19. And his host,.... That is, the host of Ephraim;
and those that were numbered of them, [were] forty thousand and five hundred. 40,500 men. Not his camp, but his host, or the army, which consisted only of his own tribe see Nu 1:33.
Numbers 2:20
Ver. 20. And by him [shall be] the tribe of Manasseh,.... Who though the elder brother to Ephraim, yet Ephraim was preferred to him, and had a standard given him, and his elder brother was directed to pitch by it; and this being agreeably to the prophecy of Jacob, could not well be objected to; and Benjamin, the younger brother of Joseph, being placed under the standard of a son of his, that stood in his father's room, could not be offended; and these all being the descendants of Rachel, might well be thought to agree together, and be very well pleased with their situation:
and the captain of the children of Manasseh shall be Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur; the same as in Nu 1:10.
Numbers 2:21
Ver. 21. And his host,.... That is, the host of Manasseh;
and those that were numbered of them, [were] thirty and two thousand and two hundred. 32,200 men; see Nu 1:35.
Numbers 2:22
Ver. 22. Then the tribe of Benjamin,.... He was to pitch under the same standard of Ephraim, and the other side of it from that of Manasseh; the one being before, and the other behind, and the standard in the middle; See Gill on "Nu 2:7";
and the captains of the sons of Benjamin [shall be] Abidan the son of Gideoni; of whom see Nu 1:11.
Numbers 2:23
Ver. 23. And his host, &c. That is, the host of Benjamin;
and those that were numbered of them, [were] thirty and five thousand and four hundred. 35,400 men. The least number of all the tribes, excepting the tribe of Manasseh, Nu 2:21; see Nu 1:37.
Numbers 2:24
Ver. 24. All that were numbered of the camp of Ephraim [were] an hundred thousand and eight thousand and an hundred, throughout their armies,.... 108,100 men. Which was the smallest of all the camps, and near eighty thousand fewer than the camp of Judah, Nu 2:9:
and they shall go forward in the third rank; and which was the first following the tabernacle.
Numbers 2:25
Ver. 25. The standard of the camp of Dan [shall be] on the north side by their armies,.... To the left of the tabernacle as encamped, and so was the left wing of the grand army; it consisted of the tribes of Dan, Asher, and Naphtali, in which were several divisions and companies, whose camp also the Targum of Jonathan says reached four miles. According to the Jewish writers {m}, Dan's stone was the "ligure", and his flag was coloured like to a sapphire, and there was figured upon it a serpent, on account of what is said Ge 49:17; Asher's stone was the "tarshish" or beryl, and his flag was coloured like to a precious stone, with which women adorn themselves, and on it was figured an olive tree, on account of what is said Ge 49:20. Naphtali's stone was the amethyst, and his flag was coloured like to clear wine, whose redness is not strong, and on it was figured an hind, on account of what is said of him Ge 49:21:
and the captain of the children of Dan [shall be] Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai; who made mention of in Nu 1:10.
{m} Bemidbar Rabba, ut supra. (sect. 2. fol. 178. 2.)
Numbers 2:26
Ver. 26. And his host,.... That is, the host of Dan;
and those that were numbered of them, [were] threescore and two thousand and seven hundred. 62,700 men, which agrees with the account of this tribe in Nu 1:39.
Numbers 2:27
Ver. 27. And those that encamp by him [shall be] the tribe of Asher,.... Dan had a standard given him, though the son of an handmaid, being the firstborn of the sons of the handmaids, and his tribe being a warlike tribe, and very numerous; and Asher and Naphtali are placed by him, being the sons of handmaids also, and could not but contentedly pitch by him, who was the eldest of the sons of the handmaids Naphtali being his younger brother by mother's as well as father's side, and Asher the second son of Zilpah, Leah's maid:
and the captain of the children of Asher [shall be] Pagiel the son of Ocran; the same as in Nu 1:13.
Numbers 2:28
Ver. 28. And his host,.... That is, the host of Asher;
and those that were numbered of them, [were] forty and one thousand and five hundred. 41,500 men; as they were numbered Nu 1:41.
Numbers 2:29
Ver. 29. Then the tribe of Naphtali,.... That was to pitch by the same standard of Dan, on the other side of it:
and the captain of the children of Naphtali [shall be] Ahira the son of Enan; who is mentioned Nu 1:15.
Numbers 2:30
Ver. 30. And his host,.... That is, the host of Naphtali;
and those that were numbered of them; not that some part of the tribe of Naphtali was numbered, which made up the host Ahira was captain of, but the whole of it, who were all numbered that were of twenty years of age and upwards; and the same is to be observed in all the above places, where this phrase is used;
[were] fifty and three thousand and four hundred. 53,400 men; see Nu 1:43.
Numbers 2:31
Ver. 31. All they that were numbered in the camp of Dan [were] an hundred thousand and fifty and seven thousand and six hundred,.... 157,600 men. Consisting of his own tribe, and those of Asher and Naphtali, which make the largest camp next to Judah:
they shall go hindmost with their standards; for though, while encamped, they lay to the north, or the left side of the tabernacle, yet, when marching, they brought up the rear, and were the rear guard to the tabernacle; so that it had in its van and rear the two largest camps, which were wisely ordered for its safety: "standards" is put for "standard", the plural for the singular; for there was but one standard to a camp, unless this takes in their ensigns, of which they had many.
Numbers 2:32
Ver. 32. These [are] those that were numbered of the children of Israel by the house of their fathers,.... As the number was taken by Moses and Aaron, assisted by twelve princes of the tribe, who were now constituted captains over them, as so many hosts or armies:
all those that were numbered of the camp throughout their hosts: of the four camps, of Judah, Reuben, Ephraim, and Dan, throughout the respective tribes or hosts that belonged to each of them,
[were] six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty; 603,550 men, which is exactly the sum total of them, as taken Nu 1:46. It is a large number, considering in how short a time, and that great part of it a state of bondage, from seventy persons, they rose unto it; but the spiritual Israel of God, consisting of his people of all nations, is a number which no man can number, Re 7:9; besides, the number of the sealed ones, of every tribe, Nu 2:4; Now this encampment of the people of Israel was an emblem of the form and order of the spiritual Israel or church of God, under the Gospel dispensation. Christ in human nature is the tabernacle, who is in the midst of his people by his gracious presence; as the heart and life of the congregation of his saints, in whom they all centre and terminate, and where he sits enthroned as King of saints; and as the Levites encamped in four squadrons next unto the tabernacle, all around it, to these answer the living creatures in Eze 1:5; which design the ministers of the word, who are in the highest place in the church, between Christ and the congregation, and are near to him, to be supplied by him; then encamped the whole body of the people of Israel by their standards, with their ensigns, to whom answer the wheels in Eze 1:15; and the twenty four elders in Re 4:4; all which show the church to be militant, and that there is an order in Gospel churches, which makes them both comely and terrible, So 6:4; and may teach every member to abide by his standard, and follow his ensign and ensign bearer, Isa 11:10.
Numbers 2:33
Ver. 33. But the Levites were not numbered among the children of Israel,.... At this time, not among the Israelites, but by themselves, they being a camp of themselves:
as the Lord commanded Moses; Nu 1:48.
Numbers 2:34
Ver. 34. And the children of Israel did according to all that the Lord commanded Moses,.... Formed themselves into camps, so many tribes to a camp, and over each tribe or host appointed a captain, and erected a standard to each camp, by which they pitched as directed, which is next particularly observed:
so they pitched by their standards; every tribe, and every person in the tribe, as they were ranked, pitched by the standard to which they belonged:
and so they set forward, after their families according to the house of their fathers; the camps, and the tribes in them the families in those tribes, and the houses or lesser families under them, when they marched, proceeded in this regular order, as they did on the twentieth of this month; see Nu 10:11.
John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible.
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