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Numbers Chapter
Two
New King James Version (NKJV)
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 Numbers 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
Numbers 1:3; on the
south side of it the camp of Reuben
and under his standard the tribes of
Simeon and Gad
Numbers 1:10; then
the tabernacle
with the camp of the Levites round it
were next
to stand or
set forward
Numbers 1:17; and
on the west side the camp of Ephraim
and under his standard the tribes of
Manasseh and Benjamin
Numbers 1:18; and
on the north side the camp of Dan
and under his standard the tribes of Asher
and Naphtali
Numbers 1:25; the
sum total of the numbers of which camps are given
exclusive of the camp of
Levi
Numbers 1:32; and
the chapter is concluded with observing
that all was done according to the
commandment of God
Numbers 1:34.
Numbers 2:1 And the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron
saying:
YLT
1And Jehovah speaketh unto
Moses
and unto Aaron
saying
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 2 “Everyone of the children of Israel shall camp by his
own standard
beside the emblems of his father’s house; they shall camp some
distance from the tabernacle of meeting.
YLT
2`Each by his standard
with
ensigns of the house of their fathers
do the sons of Israel encamp;
over-against round about the tent of meeting they encamp.'
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 signsF6באתת "in signis"
Pagninus
Montanus; "sub
signis"
Tigurine version; "cum signis"
Junius &
Tremellius
Drusius; "apud signa"
Piscator.
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
Genesis 30:14; and
in the standard of Judah the form of a lion
because Jacob compared him to one
Genesis 49:9; and
in the standard of Ephraim the form of an ox
from the sense of those words
the firstling of his bullock
Deuteronomy 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
Ezekiel 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
Acts 1:12; and this
distance is gathered from Joshua 3:4
and is
not improbable.
Numbers 2:3 3 On the east side
toward the rising of the sun
those
of the standard of the forces with Judah shall camp according to their armies;
and Nahshon the son of Amminadab shall be the leader of the children of
Judah.”
YLT
3And those encamping
eastward towards the sun-rising
[are of] the standard of the camp of Judah
by
their hosts; and the prince of the sons of Judah [is] Nahshon
son of
Amminadab;
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 saidF7Bemidbar Rabba
sect. 2. fol.
178. 2. 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
1 Chronicles 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
Genesis 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
Numbers 1:2.
Numbers 2:4 4 And his army was numbered at seventy-four thousand six
hundred.
YLT
4and his host
and their
numbered ones
[are] four and seventy thousand and six hundred.
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 Numbers 1:27.
Numbers 2:5 5 “Those who camp next to him shall be the tribe
of Issachar
and Nethanel the son of Zuar shall be the leader of the
children of Issachar.”
YLT
5And those encamping by him
[are of] the tribe of Issachar; and the prince of the sons of Issachar [is]
Nethaneel son of Zuar;
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 Numbers 1:8.
Numbers 2:6 6 And his army was numbered at fifty-four thousand four
hundred.
YLT
6and his host
and its
numbered ones
[are] four and fifty thousand and four hundred.
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 Numbers 1:29.
Numbers 2:7 7 “Then comes the tribe of Zebulun
and Eliab the
son of Helon shall be the leader of the children of Zebulun.”
YLT
7The tribe of Zebulun; and
the prince of the sons of Zebulun [is] Eliab son of Helon;
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 Numbers 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 8 And his army was numbered at fifty-seven thousand four
hundred.
YLT
8and his host
and its
numbered ones
[are] seven and fifty thousand and four hundred;
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 Numbers 1:31.
Numbers 2:9 9 “All who were numbered according to their armies of the
forces with Judah
one hundred and eighty-six thousand four hundred—these shall
break camp first.
YLT
9all those numbered of the
camp of Judah [are] a hundred thousand
and eighty thousand
and six thousand
and four hundred
by their hosts; they journey first.
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
Numbers 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
Judges 1:1.
Numbers 2:10 10 “On the south side shall be the standard of the
forces with Reuben according to their armies
and the leader of the children of
Reuben shall be Elizur the son of Shedeur.”
YLT
10The standard of the camp of
Reuben [is] southward
by their hosts; and the prince of the sons of Reuben
[is] Elizur son of Shedeur;
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 writersF8Bemidbar
Rabba
sect. 2. fol. 178. 2.
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
Genesis 49:19
and the captain of the children of Reuben shall be Elizur
the son of Shedeur; see Numbers 1:5.
Numbers 2:11 11 And his army was numbered at forty-six thousand five
hundred.
YLT
11and his host
and its numbered
ones
[are] six and forty thousand and five hundred.
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 Numbers 1:21.
Numbers 2:12 12 “Those who camp next to him shall be the tribe
of Simeon
and the leader of the children of Simeon shall be Shelumiel
the son of Zurishaddai.”
YLT
12And those encamping by him
[are of] the tribe of Simeon; and the prince of the sons of Simeon [is]
Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai;
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 Numbers 1:6.
Numbers 2:13 13 And his army was numbered at fifty-nine thousand three
hundred.
YLT
13and his host
and their
numbered ones
[are] nine and fifty thousand and three hundred.
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 Numbers 1:23.
Numbers 2:14 14 “Then comes the tribe of Gad
and the leader of
the children of Gad shall be Eliasaph the son of Reuel.”[a]
YLT
14And the tribe of Gad; and
the prince of the sons of Gad [is] Eliasaph son of Reuel;
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
Numbers 1:14. The
letters ר
"resh"
and ד
"daleth"
being similar
are sometimes put one for the other
of
which there are other instances
as in Genesis 10:3
compared
with 1 Chronicles 1:6.
Numbers 2:15 15 And his army was numbered at forty-five thousand six
hundred and fifty.
YLT
15and his host
and their numbered
ones
[are] five and forty thousand and six hundred and fifty.
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 Numbers 1:25.
Numbers 2:16 16 “All who were numbered according to their armies of
the forces with Reuben
one hundred and fifty-one thousand four hundred and
fifty—they shall be the second to break camp.
YLT
16All those numbered of the
camp of Reuben [are] a hundred thousand
and one and fifty thousand
and four
hundred and fifty
by their hosts; and they journey second.
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
Numbers 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 17 “And the tabernacle of meeting shall move out with the
camp of the Levites in the middle of the camps; as they camp
so they shall
move out
everyone in his place
by their standards.
YLT
17And the tent of meeting --
the camp of the Levites -- hath journeyed in the midst of the camps; as they
encamp so they journey
each at his station by their standards.
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 sayF9Bemidbar
Rabba
sect. 2. fol. 178. 2.
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"F11בתוך המחנה "in medio
castrorum"
Pagninus
Montanus
Tigurine version; so Ainsworth; "in
medio reliquorum castrorum"
Junius & Tremellius. ; 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.
Numbers 2:18 18 “On the west side shall be the standard of the
forces with Ephraim according to their armies
and the leader of the children
of Ephraim shall be Elishama the son of Ammihud.”
YLT
18The standard of the camp of
Ephraim
by their hosts
[is] westward; and the prince of the sons of Ephraim
[is] Elishama son of Ammihud;
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 sayF12Bemidbar Rabba
ut supra. (sect. 2. fol.
178. 2.)
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 Deuteronomy 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 Genesis 49:27
and the captain of the sons of Ephraim shall be Elishama
the son of Ammihud; of whom see Numbers 1:10.
Numbers 2:19 19 And his army was numbered at forty thousand five
hundred.
YLT
19and his host
and their
numbered ones
[are] forty thousand and five hundred.
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 Numbers 1:33.
Numbers 2:20 20 “Next to him comes the tribe of Manasseh
and
the leader of the children of Manasseh shall be Gamaliel the son of
Pedahzur.”
YLT
20And by him [is] the tribe
of Manasseh; and the prince of the sons of Manasseh [is] Gamaliel son of
Pedahzur;
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 Numbers 1:10.
Numbers 2:21 21 And his army was numbered at thirty-two thousand two
hundred.
YLT
21and his host
and their
numbered ones
[are] two and thirty thousand
and two hundred.
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 Numbers 1:35.
Numbers 2:22 22 “Then comes the tribe of Benjamin
and the
leader of the children of Benjamin shall be Abidan the son of Gideoni.”
YLT
22And the tribe of Benjamin;
and the prince of the sons of Benjamin [is] Abidan son of Gideoni;
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 Numbers 2:7
and the captains of the sons of Benjamin shall be Abidan
the son of Gideoni; of whom see Numbers 1:11.
Numbers 2:23 23 And his army was numbered at thirty-five thousand four
hundred.
YLT
23and his host
and their
numbered ones
[are] five and thirty thousand and four hundred.
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
Numbers 2:21; see Numbers 1:37.
Numbers 2:24 24 “All who were numbered according to their armies of
the forces with Ephraim
one hundred and eight thousand one hundred—they shall
be the third to break camp.
YLT
24All those numbered of the
camp of Ephraim [are] a hundred thousand
and eight thousand
and a hundred
by
their hosts; and they journey third.
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
Numbers 2:9
and they shall go forward in the third rank; and which was
the first following the tabernacle.
Numbers 2:25 25 “The standard of the forces with Dan shall be
on the north side according to their armies
and the leader of the children of
Dan shall be Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.”
YLT
25The standard of the camp of
Dan [is] northward
by their hosts; and the prince of the sons of Dan [is]
Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai;
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 writersF13Bemidbar
Rabba
ut supra. (sect. 2. fol. 178. 2.)
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 Genesis 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 Genesis 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 Genesis 49:21
and the captain of the children of Dan shall be Ahiezer the
son of Ammishaddai; who made mention of in Numbers 1:10.
Numbers 2:26 26 And his army was numbered at sixty-two thousand seven
hundred.
YLT
26and his host
and their
numbered ones
[are] two and sixty thousand and seven hundred.
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 Numbers 1:39.
Numbers 2:27 27 “Those who camp next to him shall be the tribe
of Asher
and the leader of the children of Asher shall be Pagiel the
son of Ocran.”
YLT
27And those encamping by him
[are of] the tribe of Asher; and the prince of the sons of Asher [is] Pagiel
son of Ocran;
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 Numbers 1:13.
Numbers 2:28 28 And his army was numbered at forty-one thousand five
hundred.
YLT
28and his host
and their
numbered ones
[are] one and forty thousand and five hundred.
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 Numbers 1:41.
Numbers 2:29 29 “Then comes the tribe of Naphtali
and the
leader of the children of Naphtali shall be Ahira the son of Enan.”
YLT
29And the tribe of Naphtali;
and the prince of the sons of Naphtali [is] Ahira son of Enan;
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 Numbers 1:15.
Numbers 2:30 30 And his army was numbered at fifty-three thousand four
hundred.
YLT
30and his host
and their
numbered ones
[are] three and fifty thousand and four hundred.
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 Numbers 1:43.
Numbers 2:31 31 “All who were numbered of the forces with Dan
one
hundred and fifty-seven thousand six hundred—they shall break camp last
with
their standards.”
YLT
31All those numbered of the
camp of Dan [are] a hundred thousand
and seven and fifty thousand
and six
hundred; at the rear they journey
by their standards.
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 32 These are the ones who were numbered of the
children of Israel by their fathers’ houses. All who were numbered according to
their armies of the forces were six hundred and three thousand five
hundred and fifty.
YLT
32These [are] those numbered
of the sons of Israel by the house of their fathers; all those numbered of the
camps by their hosts [are] six hundred thousand
and three thousand
and five
hundred and fifty.
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 Numbers 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
Revelation 7:9;
besides
the number of the sealed ones
of every tribe
Numbers 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 Ezekiel 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 Ezekiel 1:15; and
the twenty four elders in Revelation 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
Song of Solomon 6:4;
and may teach every member to abide by his standard
and follow his ensign and
ensign bearer
Isaiah 11:10.
Numbers 2:33 33 But the Levites were not numbered among the children
of Israel
just as the Lord commanded Moses.
YLT
33And the Levites have not
numbered themselves in the midst of the sons of Israel
as Jehovah hath
commanded Moses.
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; Numbers 1:48.
Numbers 2:34 34 Thus the children of Israel did according to all that
the Lord commanded Moses; so they camped by their standards and so they
broke camp
each one by his family
according to their fathers’ houses.
YLT
34And the sons of Israel do
according to all that Jehovah hath commanded Moses; so they have encamped by
their standards
and so they have journeyed; each by his families
by the house
of his fathers.
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 Numbers 10:11.
──《John Gill’s
Exposition of the Bible》
New King James
Version (NKJV)