Nombres 2:1-34

The Position of the Tribes in the Camp and on the March. The encampment, when stationary, was arranged as a quadrilateral, containing within it the Tabernacle, surrounded by the consecrated tribe of Levi, and having each of its four sides constituted by the camps of three tribes. On the E. (or front) were Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun (descended from Leah, Genèse 29:35; Genèse 30:18); on the S.

were Reuben. Simeon (also descended from Leah, Genèse 29:32 f.), and Gad (descended from Zilpah, Genèse 30:10 f.); on the W. were Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin (descendants of Rachel, Genèse 30:24; Genèse 35:16; Genèse 41:51 f.

); on the N. were Dan, Asher, and Naphtali (descended from either Zilpah or Bilhah, Genèse 30:5 f., Genèse 30:12 f., Genèse 30:7 f.). The four groups of tribes were reckoned as the camps of Judah, Reuben, Ephraim, and Dan respectively.

When the encampment was in motion, Judah's camp went first, followed by Reuben's; then came the Levites with the Tabernacle; behind it followed Ephraim's camp; whilst Dan's camp closed the rear. A somewhat different arrangement is described in ch. 10.

Nombres 2:2. standard: better, company or division (LXX, τάγμα), a meaning more appropriate in Nombres 2:3 and suitable in Nombres 2:17 f., Nombres 2:25; Nombres 2:31; Nombres 2:34. ensigns: the use of a pennon or other device attached to a spear is said to be still a custom of the Arabs, to mark the site of a camp.