1Now the LORD spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying, 2“The sons of Israel shall camp, each by his own standard, with the banners of their fathers’ households; they shall camp around the tent of meeting at a distance. 3“Now those who camp on the east side toward the sunrise shall be of the standard of the camp of Judah, by their armies, and the leader of the sons of Judah: Nahshon the son of Amminadab, 4and his army, even their numbered men, 74,600. 5“Those who camp next to him shall be the tribe of Issachar, and the leader of the sons of Issachar: Nethanel the son of Zuar, 6and his army, even their numbered men, 54,400. 7“Then comes the tribe of Zebulun, and the leader of the sons of Zebulun: Eliab the son of Helon, 8and his army, even his numbered men, 57,400. 9“The total of the numbered men of the camp of Judah: 186,400, by their armies. They shall set out first.

      10“On the south side shall be the standard of the camp of Reuben by their armies, and the leader of the sons of Reuben: Elizur the son of Shedeur, 11and his army, even their numbered men, 46,500. 12“Those who camp next to him shall be the tribe of Simeon, and the leader of the sons of Simeon: Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai, 13and his army, even their numbered men, 59,300. 14“Then comes the tribe of Gad, and the leader of the sons of Gad: Eliasaph the son of Deuel, 15and his army, even their numbered men, 45,650. 16“The total of the numbered men of the camp of Reuben: 151,450 by their armies. And they shall set out second.

      17“Then the tent of meeting shall set out with the camp of the Levites in the midst of the camps; just as they camp, so they shall set out, every man in his place by their standards.

      18“On the west side shall be the standard of the camp of Ephraim by their armies, and the leader of the sons of Ephraim shall be Elishama the son of Ammihud, 19and his army, even their numbered men, 40,500. 20“Next to him shall be the tribe of Manasseh, and the leader of the sons of Manasseh: Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur, 21and his army, even their numbered men, 32,200. 22“Then comes the tribe of Benjamin, and the leader of the sons of Benjamin: Abidan the son of Gideoni, 23and his army, even their numbered men, 35,400. 24“The total of the numbered men of the camp of Ephraim: 108,100, by their armies. And they shall set out third.

      25“On the north side shall be the standard of the camp of Dan by their armies, and the leader of the sons of Dan: Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai, 26and his army, even their numbered men, 62,700. 27“Those who camp next to him shall be the tribe of Asher, and the leader of the sons of Asher: Pagiel the son of Ochran, 28and his army, even their numbered men, 41,500. 29“Then comes the tribe of Naphtali, and the leader of the sons of Naphtali: Ahira the son of Enan, 30and his army, even their numbered men, 53,400. 31“The total of the numbered men of the camp of Dan was 157,600. They shall set out last by their standards.”

      32These are the numbered men of the sons of Israel by their fathers’ households; the total of the numbered men of the camps by their armies, 603,550. 33The Levites, however, were not numbered among the sons of Israel, just as the LORD had commanded Moses. 34Thus the sons of Israel did; according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so they camped by their standards, and so they set out, every one by his family according to his father’s household.

Parallel Verses

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
Now the LORD spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying,

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
The LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron,

King James Bible
And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,

Douay-Rheims Bible
And the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying:

Darby Bible Translation
And Jehovah spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying,

English Revised Version
And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,

Webster's Bible Translation
And the LORD spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying,

World English Bible
Yahweh spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying,

Young's Literal Translation
And Jehovah speaketh unto Moses, and unto Aaron, saying,

Cross References

Numbers 1:54 Thus the sons of Israel did; according to all which the LORD had commanded Moses, so they did.

Numbers 2:2 "The sons of Israel shall camp, each by his own standard, with the banners of their fathers' households; they shall camp around the tent of meeting at a distance.

Commentary

Matthew Henry's Whole Bible Commentary

Chapter 2

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 (v. 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 (v. 3-9). 2. In the right wing, southward, Reuben, Simeon, and Gad (v. 10-16). 3. In the rear, westward, Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin, (v. 18-24). 4. In the left wing, northward, Dan, Asher, and Naphtali (v. 25-31). 5. The tabernacle in the centre (v. 17). III. The conclusion of this appointment (v. 32, etc.).

Verses 1-2

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 (Ex. 13:18), 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. 107:4. 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. 47:4), 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. 11:10, 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. 6:10. 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, etc. 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. 46:5, 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 3:4) 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. 17:12), and that throne surrounded by spiritual Israelites, twenty-four elders, double to the number of the tribes, clothed in white raiment (Rev. 4:4), 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. 76:11. God by his grace keep us close to him!

Calvin's Commentary

1. And the Lord spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,

1. Et loquutus est Jehova Mosi et Aharon, dicendo:

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.

2. Singuli juxta vexillum suum, juxta signa domus patrum suorum, castrametabuntur filii Israel: procul, circum tabernaculum conventionis castrametabuntur.

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.

3. Hi autem castrametabuntur ad orientem, a d exortum vexillum exercitus Juda per turmas suas: et princeps filiorum Juda erit SaMson filius Amminadab.

4. And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were threescore and fourteen thousand and six hundred.

4. Et exercitus ejus, numeratique eorum, quatuor et septuaginta miIlia, atque sexcenti.

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.

5. Castrametabuntur vero juxta eum tribus Issachar: et princeps filiorum Issachar erit Nethanel filius Suar.

6. And his host, and those that were numbered thereof, were fifty and four thousand and four hundred.

6. Et exercitus ejus numeratique ejus, quatuor et quinquaginta millia atque quadringenti.

7. Then the tribe of Zebulun: and Eliab the son of Helon shall be captain of the children of Zebulun.

7. Tribus Zebulon, et princeps filiorum Zebulon, Eliab illius Helon.

8. And his host, and those that were numbered thereof, were fifty and seven thousand and four hundred.

8. Et exercitus ejus, numeratique ejus, septem et quinquaginta millia atque quadringenti.

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.

9. Omnes numerati in exercitu Juda, centum octoginta sex millia atque quadringenti, per exercitus suos: primum proficiscentur.

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.

10. Vexillum exercitus Reuben erit ad meridiem per turmas suas: et princeps filiorum Reuben erit Elisur filius Sedeur.

11. And his host, and those that were numbered thereof, were forty and six thousand and five hundred.

11. Exercitus ejus, numeratique ejus, sex et quadraginta millla atque quingenti.

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.

12. Castrametabuntar autem juxta enm tribus Simeon: et princeps filiorum Simeon, Selumiel, fillus Surisaddai.

13. And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were fifty and nine thousand and three hundred.

13. Et exercitus ejus, numeratique eorum, novem et quinquaginta millia atque trecenti.

14. Then the tribe of Gad: and the captain of the sons of Gad shall be Eliasaph the son of Reuel.

14. Tribus item Gad: et princeps filiorum Gad, Eliasaph filius Reuel:

15. And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were forty five thousand and six hundred and fifty.

15. Et exercitus ejus, numeratique eorum, quinqne et quadraginta millia atque sexcenti et quinquaginta.

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.

16. Omnes numerati in excreitu Reuben, centum quinquaginta millia, mille et quadringenti quinquaginta, per exercitus suos: et secundi proficiscentur.

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.

17. Turn proficiscetur tabernaculum conventionis in castris Levitarum, in medio castrorum: quemadmodum castrametabuntur, sic proficiscetur quisque in loco suo, juxta vexilia sua.

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.

18. Vexilium excreitus Ephraim per turmas suas erit ad occidentem: et princeps filiorum Ephraim erit Elisarea filius Ammihud.

19. And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were forty thousand and five hundred.

19. Et excreitus ejus, numeratique eorum, quadraginta millia et quingenti.

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.

20. Et juxta eum erit tribus Manasse: et princeps filiorum Manasse erit Gamliel filius Pedahsur.

21. And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were thirty and two thousand and two hundred.

21. Et exercitus ejus, numeratique eorum, duo et triginta millia atque ducenti.

22. Then the tribe of Benjamin: and the captain of the sons of Benjamin shall be Abidan the son of Gideoni.

22. Tribus item Benjamin, et princeps filiorum Benjamin erit Abidan filius Gidoni.

23. And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were thirty and five thousand and four hundred.

23. Et exercitus ejus, numeratique, eorum, quinque et triginta millia atque quadringenti.

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.

24. Omnes numerati in excreitu Ephraim, centum et octo millia atque centum, per excreitus suos: et tertii proficiscentur.

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.

25. Vexilium castrorum Dan erit ad Aquilonem, per exercitus suos: et princeps filiorum Dan, Ahiezer filius Ammisaddai.

26. And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were threescore and two thousand and seven hundred.

26. Et exercitus ejus, numeratique eorum, duo et sexaginta millia atque septingenti.

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.

27. Castrametabuntur autem juxta eum tribus Aser; et princeps filiorum Aser erit Pagiel filius Ochran.

28. And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were forty and one thousand and five hundred.

28. Et exercitus ejus, numeratique eorum, unum et quadraginta millia et quingenti.

29. Then the tribe of Naphtali: and the captain of the children of Naphtali shall be Ahira the son of Enan.

29. Tribus item Nephthali: et princeps filiorum Nephthali, Ahira filius Enan.

30. And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were fifty and three thousand and four hundred.

30. Et exercitus ejus numeratique eorum, tria et quinquaginta millia atque quadringenti.

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.

31. Omnes numerati in exercitu Dan, centum millia et quinquaginta septem millia, atque sexcenti: postremi proficiscentur per vexilla.

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.

32. Isti sunt numerati filiorum Israel per domos patrum suorum, omnes numerati qui erant in castris per turmas suas, sexcenta tria millia atque quingenti quinquaginta.

33. But the Levites were not numbered among the children of Israel; as the Lord commanded Moses.

33. Craterum Levite non fuerunt numerati inter filius Israel quemadmodum praceperat Jehova Mosi.

34. And the children of Israel did according to all that the Lord 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.

34. Et fecerunt filii Israel juxta omnia qum praecepit Jehova Mosi: sic castrametati sunt per vexilia sua, sicque profecti sunt quisque per familias suas, per domum patrum suorum.

1. And the Lord spake unto Moses, and unto Aaron This distribution into separate bands must have served to prevent contention; for, had not God thus assigned to each their proper position, so natural is ambition to man, that they would have quarrelled for the place of honor. It would have been grievous to the family of Reuben, the first-born, to resign his dignity; and, even if they had patiently submitted to the punishment inflicted upon them, they would have been made to take the lowest place, as being condemned to ignominy. Disputes would also have arisen respecting the children of the concubines, for they would not have thought it consistent that; those who sprang from Leah and Rachel should yield them the superior place. Besides, in proportion as they severally had the advantage in numbers, they would have thought themselves injured unless they preceded others.

Thus the children of Simeon would never have suffered themselves to be ranged under the standard of Reuben. Again, dispute would also have arisen between the children of Ephraim and Manasseh. God, therefore, at once put a stop to all these disturbances by so arranging their ranks that each one knew his own band. Consequently, Judah, although the fourth son of Leah, received the first standard as an honorable distinction, that he might thus in a manner begin to fulfill the prophecy of Jacob by anticipation; and two tribes were united with him which would willingly submit to his rule, Issachar and Zebuhm; because they derived their origin from the children of the [421] handmaid whom Leah had substituted in her own place.

Although Reuben had been deprived of his primogeniture, still, that some consolation might remain for his posterity, he was set over the second standard; two tribes were associated with him, which on account of their connection would not be aggrieved at fighting under his command, the tribe of Simeon his uterine brother, and the tribe of Gad, which also sprang from the handmaid of Leah.

It was necessary that God should interpose His authorify, in order that two tribes should be formed of a single head, Joseph; otherwise the fact would have led to contention, because the inequality was odious in itself, and that family might appear to be elevated not without disgrace to the others. Besides, the children of Manasseh, who were superior by the law of nature, would never have been induced to obey, unless a divine decree had interposed. But thtat division could not have been better formed than of the sons of Rachel, because their consanguinity was closer; for a sharp contest might also have arisen for the leadership of the fourth band, because it was unjust that the son of a handmaid should have been placed at its head, and thus preferred to a legitimate son of Leah, and to the other son of Rachel, especially when Benjamin was so singularly beloved by Jacob, the common father of them all. [422] The sole will of God, indeed, was sufficient, and more than sufficient to prevent all quarrels; but, inasmuch as He chose rather to rule over them generously and paternally, than in a despotic manner, He rather conformed Himself to their wishes than drove them by compulsion. Still, however, because their contentions could not be prevented by mere human decisions, it is again said at the end of the chapter that Moses did nothing except by God's command. At the same time the obedience of the people is noticed in that they peaceably obeyed Moses, since thus they ratified their acknowledgment of Moses as a true and faithful minister of God; for this submissiveness is the inseparable companion of sincere piety towards God, that whatever is proposed by His approved ministers the people should reverently accept.

Footnotes:

[421] This is a singular oversight of C., which is also copied in the French; "Pource qu'elles estoyent descendues de la chambriere de Lea;" because they were descended from the handmaid of Leah. It is perhaps still more strange that Attersoll in his Commentary on the Book of Numbers should have adopted it, evidently following C.; "He (Judah) was the fourth son of Jacob by Leah, with whom he associateth such two tribes as were in reason most likely to submit themselves to him, inasmuch as Zebulun and Issachar were the sons of Zilpah, Leah's maid, whom she gave to her husband, and set in her own place." I need scarcely remind my readers that Gad and Asher were the sons of Zilpah, and Zebulun and Issachar of Leah herself.

[422] Attersoll seems to have correctly, though somewhat quaintly, interpreted here the meaning of C., which else perhaps may not be quite clear; "from hence might hurly-burlies and heart-burnings arise, which are all pacified and compounded by the express commandment of God, who joineth to Dan, Naphtali his mother's son, (for both of them were the sons of Bilhah, Rachel's maid,) and Asher, the son of Zilpah, Leah's maid." -- Commentary on numbers in loco.

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