1 And the LORD 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.
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 LORD commanded Moses.
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.
Overview of Numbers Chapter 2
Numbers Chapter 2 provides a detailed account of the organization of the Israelite camp during their journey in the wilderness. This chapter outlines the arrangement of the tribes of Israel, their encampment around the Tabernacle, and the significance of their positioning.
Structure of the Israelite Camp
The chapter describes how the Israelites were to camp in a specific formation around the Tabernacle, which served as the center of their worship and community life. The arrangement was strategic, reflecting both order and hierarchy among the tribes.
Tribes and Their Positions
The chapter specifies the tribes of Israel and their designated positions around the Tabernacle. The organization is as follows:
- East Side: The tribes of Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun
- South Side: The tribes of Reuben, Simeon, and Gad
- West Side: The tribes of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin
- North Side: The tribes of Dan, Asher, and Naphtali
Significance of the Arrangement
The arrangement of the tribes around the Tabernacle had several implications:
- Symbolic Center: The Tabernacle represented God’s presence among His people, and its central location emphasized the importance of worship and obedience.
- Community Identity: Each tribe’s position reinforced their identity and role within the larger community of Israel.
- Military Readiness: The formation allowed for organized movement and defense, reflecting the necessity of being prepared for potential conflicts during their journey.
Role of the Levites
The Levites were assigned specific responsibilities regarding the Tabernacle. They were to camp around it, serving as guardians and caretakers of the sacred space. Their role was crucial in maintaining the sanctity of the worship environment.
Conclusion
Numbers Chapter 2 illustrates the meticulous planning and divine order that governed the Israelites’ encampment. The strategic arrangement of the tribes around the Tabernacle not only facilitated worship but also fostered a sense of community and readiness for the challenges ahead. This chapter serves as a reminder of the importance of structure and organization within the community of faith.
