Bible Commentaries
Numbers 2

Introduction

Overview

Numbers 2:1, The order of the tribes in their tents.

Verse 1

Reciprocal: Numbers 2:17 - tabernacle Numbers 7:2 - the princes Numbers 7:17 - this was the offering Deuteronomy 23:12 - General

Verse 2

Every man: The Israelites, it appears, encamped in four grand divisions, with the tabernacle in the centre; though at some distance from it. The form of the camp was quadrangular, containing, according to Scheuchzer, a little more than twelve square miles. Under each of the four divisions, three tribes were placed, under one general standard. Between these four great camps and the tabernacle, were pitched four smaller camps of the priests and Levites, who were in immediate attendance upon it; the camp of Moses, and of Aaron and his sons, being on the east side of the tabernacle, where the entrance was. Judah was placed on the east, and under him he had Issachar and Zebulun; on the south was Reuben, and under him Simeon and Gad; on the west was Ephraim, and under him Manasseh and Benjamin; and Dan was on the north, and under him Asher and Naphtali. Every tribe had its particular standard, probably with the name of the tribe embroidered with large letters. It seems highly improbable that the figures of animals should have been painted on them, as the Jewish writers assert; for even in after ages, when Vitellius wished to march through Judea, their great men besought him to march another way, as the law of the land did not permit images - such as were on the Roman standard to be brought into it. Josephus Ant. 1. xviii. c. 5 sec. 3.

shall pitch: Numbers 2:3, Numbers 2:10, Numbers 1:52, Numbers 10:14, Numbers 10:18, Numbers 10:22, Numbers 10:25

the ensign: Isaiah 11:10-12, Isaiah 18:3, Zechariah 9:16

far off: Heb. over against, Joshua 3:4

about the: Numbers 1:50, Numbers 1:53, Psalms 76:11, Isaiah 12:6, Ezekiel 43:7, 1 Corinthians 14:33, 1 Corinthians 14:40, Philippians 1:27, Colossians 2:19, Revelation 4:2-5

Reciprocal: Numbers 2:34 - so they Numbers 24:2 - abiding Revelation 4:7 - the first beast Revelation 21:12 - and names

Verse 3

the standard: Genesis 49:8-10, Judges 1:1, Judges 1:2, 1 Chronicles 5:2

Nahshon: Numbers 1:7, Numbers 7:12, Numbers 7:17, Numbers 10:14-16, Numbers 26:19-22, Ruth 4:20, 1 Chronicles 2:10, Matthew 1:4, Luke 3:32, Luke 3:33, Naasson

Reciprocal: Genesis 35:22 - Now the sons Exodus 6:23 - Amminadab Numbers 1:4 - General Numbers 1:16 - the renowned Numbers 1:26 - General Numbers 1:27 - General Numbers 2:2 - shall pitch Numbers 3:38 - toward Numbers 10:5 - camps Numbers 17:2 - all their princes Numbers 26:22 - General Ezekiel 1:10 - the face of a lion

Verse 4

Numbers 1:27, Numbers 26:22

Reciprocal: Exodus 28:1 - Nadab Numbers 1:26 - General 1 Chronicles 4:27 - like to

Verse 5

Numbers 1:8, Numbers 1:28, Numbers 1:29, Numbers 7:18, Numbers 7:23, Numbers 10:15, Numbers 26:23-25

Reciprocal: Numbers 26:25 - threescore

Verse 6

Numbers 1:29, Numbers 26:25

Reciprocal: Numbers 1:28 - General

Verse 7

Numbers 1:9, Numbers 1:30, Numbers 1:31, Numbers 7:24, Numbers 7:29, Numbers 10:16

Reciprocal: Numbers 26:27 - General

Verse 8

Numbers 1:31, Numbers 26:26, Numbers 26:27

Reciprocal: Numbers 1:30 - General

Verse 9

These shall: Numbers 10:14

Reciprocal: Numbers 2:16 - an hundred Numbers 2:24 - an hundred Numbers 2:31 - an hundred Numbers 2:32 - General Numbers 3:34 - General Numbers 23:10 - the fourth

Verse 10

camp of Reuben: Genesis 49:3, Genesis 49:4, 1 Chronicles 5:1

Elizur: Numbers 1:5, Numbers 7:30, Numbers 7:35, Numbers 10:18

Reciprocal: Genesis 46:8 - Reuben Numbers 1:20 - General Numbers 1:21 - General Numbers 2:2 - shall pitch Numbers 3:29 - General Numbers 10:6 - the camps Numbers 32:1 - the children Ezekiel 1:10 - the face of a man

Verse 11

Numbers 1:21, Numbers 26:7

Reciprocal: Numbers 1:20 - General Numbers 3:34 - General

Verse 12

Shelumiel: Numbers 1:6, Numbers 7:36, Numbers 7:41, Numbers 10:19

Reciprocal: Genesis 46:10 - Simeon Numbers 1:22 - General Numbers 26:14 - General

Verse 13

Numbers 1:23, Numbers 26:14

Reciprocal: Genesis 46:10 - Simeon Numbers 1:22 - General 1 Chronicles 4:27 - like to

Verse 14

Eliasaph: Numbers 1:14, Numbers 7:42, Numbers 7:47, Numbers 10:20, Son of Deuel

Reciprocal: Numbers 1:24 - General Numbers 26:15 - Zephon Numbers 26:18 - General

Verse 15

Numbers 1:25, Numbers 26:18

Reciprocal: Numbers 1:24 - General

Verse 16

an hundred: Numbers 2:9, Numbers 2:24, Numbers 2:31

they shall: Numbers 10:18

Reciprocal: Numbers 4:5 - And when Numbers 23:10 - the fourth 2 Kings 3:16 - Make this valley

Verse 17

tabernacle: Numbers 2:1, Numbers 1:50-53, Numbers 3:38, Numbers 10:17, Numbers 10:21, 1 Corinthians 14:40, Colossians 2:5

Reciprocal: Numbers 3:6 - General Numbers 3:23 - General Numbers 4:5 - And when

Verse 18

camp of Ephraim: Numbers 1:32, Numbers 10:22, Genesis 48:5, Genesis 48:14-20, Deuteronomy 33:17, Psalms 80:1, Psalms 80:2

Elishama: Numbers 1:10, Numbers 7:48, Numbers 7:53, Numbers 10:22, 1 Chronicles 7:26, 1 Chronicles 7:27

Reciprocal: Genesis 48:20 - and he set Numbers 26:37 - General 2 Kings 3:16 - Make this valley Ezekiel 1:10 - the face of an ox Hosea 13:1 - exalted

Verse 19

Numbers 1:33, Numbers 26:37

Reciprocal: Genesis 48:19 - I know it Numbers 1:32 - General

Verse 20

Gamaliel: Numbers 1:10, Numbers 7:54, Numbers 7:59, Numbers 10:23

Reciprocal: Numbers 26:34 - General

Verse 21

Numbers 1:35, Numbers 26:34

Verse 22

Abidan: Numbers 1:11, Numbers 7:60, Numbers 7:65, Numbers 10:24

Reciprocal: Numbers 26:41 - General

Verse 23

Numbers 1:37, Numbers 26:41

Verse 24

an hundred: Numbers 2:9, Numbers 2:16, Numbers 2:31

And: Numbers 10:22

Reciprocal: Numbers 23:10 - the fourth

Verse 25

Ahiezer: Numbers 1:12, Numbers 7:66, Numbers 7:71, Numbers 10:25

Reciprocal: Numbers 3:35 - northward Numbers 26:43 - General Ezekiel 1:10 - the face of an eagle

Verse 26

Numbers 1:39, Numbers 26:43

Verse 27

Pagiel: Numbers 1:13, Numbers 7:72, Numbers 7:77

Reciprocal: Numbers 26:47 - General

Verse 28

forty: Numbers 1:41, Numbers 26:47, Reyher, who is followed by Scheuchzer, assigns the following space to the soldiers of each of the tribes, whilst remaining close to each other in their ranks, allowing one square cubit to each; but if we take in the arrangement, not only the soldiers, but the tents, the families, etc., a much larger extent of ground is requisite:

Tribes Breadth - in cubits Length - in cubits Totals - sq.cubits

Judah 298-3/5 250 74,600

Dan 156-3/4 400 62,700

Simeon 182-6/13 325 59,300

Zebulun 229-3/4 250 57,400

Issachar 217-3/5 250 54,400

Naphtali 133-1/2 400 53,400

Reuben 143-1/5 325 46,500

Gad 140-5/11 325 45,650

Asher 103-3/4 400 41,500

Ephraim 202-1/2 200 40,500

Benjamin 177 200 35,400

Manasseh 161 200 32,200

Reciprocal: Numbers 10:25 - the camp,

Verse 29

the tribe: Numbers 1:42, Numbers 1:43, Numbers 26:48-50

Ahira: Numbers 1:15, Numbers 7:78, Numbers 7:83, Numbers 10:27

Reciprocal: Numbers 26:50 - General

Verse 30

Numbers 1:42, Numbers 1:43, Numbers 26:50

Verse 31

an hundred: Numbers 2:9, Numbers 2:16, Numbers 2:24

They: Numbers 10:25

Reciprocal: Numbers 23:10 - the fourth

Verse 32

Numbers 2:9, Numbers 1:46, Numbers 11:21, Numbers 26:51, Exodus 12:37, Exodus 38:26

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 23:24 - after the house

Verse 33

Numbers 1:47-49

Reciprocal: Numbers 1:49 - General Numbers 3:6 - General Numbers 4:49 - According to the

Verse 34

according: Numbers 1:54, Exodus 39:42, Psalms 119:6, Luke 1:6

so they: Numbers 2:2, Numbers 10:28, Numbers 23:9, Numbers 23:10, Numbers 23:21, Numbers 24:2, Numbers 24:5, Numbers 24:6

Reciprocal: Numbers 1:52 - General Numbers 26:64 - General