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)
"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,

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
"On the west side the armies led by Ephraim will camp under their flag. The leader for the people of Ephraim is Elishama, son of Ammihud.

King James Bible
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.

Douay-Rheims Bible
On the west side shall be the camp of the sons of Ephraim, whose prince was Elisama, the son of Ammiud.

Darby Bible Translation
The standard of the camp of Ephraim according to their hosts shall be westward; and the prince of the sons of Ephraim shall be Elishama the son of Ammihud;

English Revised Version
On the west side shall be the standard of the camp of Ephraim according to their hosts: and the prince of the children of Ephraim shall be Elishama the son of Ammihud.

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

World English Bible
"On the west side shall be the standard of the camp of Ephraim according to their divisions: and the prince of the children of Ephraim shall be Elishama the son of Ammihud.

Young's Literal Translation
The standard of the camp of Ephraim, by their hosts, is westward; and the prince of the sons of Ephraim is Elishama son of Ammihud;

Cross References

Genesis 48:14 But Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it on the head of Ephraim, who was the younger, and his left hand on Manasseh's head, crossing his hands, although Manasseh was the firstborn.

Numbers 1:10 of the sons of Joseph: of Ephraim, Elishama the son of Ammihud; of Manasseh, Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur;

Numbers 2:19 and his army, even their numbered men, 40,500.

Numbers 7:48 On the seventh day it was Elishama the son of Ammihud, leader of the sons of Ephraim;

Numbers 10:22 Next the standard of the camp of the sons of Ephraim, according to their armies, was set out, with Elishama the son of Ammihud over its army,

Psalm 80:2 Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh, stir up Your power And come to save us!

Jeremiah 31:9 "With weeping they will come, And by supplication I will lead them; I will make them walk by streams of waters, On a straight path in which they will not stumble; For I am a father to Israel, And Ephraim is My firstborn."

Jeremiah 31:18 "I have surely heard Ephraim grieving, 'You have chastised me, and I was chastised, Like an untrained calf; Bring me back that I may be restored, For You are the LORD my God.

Commentary

Matthew Henry's Whole Bible Commentary

Verses 3-34

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 Lu. 14:8, Sit not down in the highest room; and another in Mt. 20:27, 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. 1:5. 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, Mt. 1:4. 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. 4:6, 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 (Jdg. 13:25), 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. 24:5. 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. 2:5.

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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