Numbers 2:18

Numbers 2:18 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

On the west side, the divisions of Ephraim are to camp under their standard: The leader of the Ephraimites is Elishama son of Ammihud,

King James Version KJV

¶ 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.

American Standard Version ASV

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.

Bible in Basic English BBE

On the west side will be the flag of the children of Ephraim, with Elishama, the son of Ammihud, as their chief.

Free Bible Version FBV

The tribal division of Ephraim is to camp under their flag on the west side. Their leader is Elishama, son of Ammihud,

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

The standerd of the campe of Ephraim shalbe toward the west according to their armies: and ye captaine ouer the sonnes of Ephraim shall be Elishama the sonne of Ammihud:

Young's Literal Translation YLT

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;

World English Bible WEB

“On the west side shall be the standard of the camp of Ephraim according to their divisions. The prince of the children of Ephraim shall be Elishama the son of Ammihud.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

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 1899 DRV

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

Translation for Translators T4T

The tribes of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin must set up their tents on the west side of the Sacred Tent, close to their tribal flags. These are the names of the leaders of those tribes and number of men whom they will lead: Elishama, the son of Ammihud, will be the leader of the 40,500 men of the tribe of Ephraim.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Numbers 2:18

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Numbers 2:18 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB דֶּ֣גֶל מַחֲנֵ֥ה אֶפְרַ֛יִם לְ/צִבְאֹתָ֖/ם יָ֑מָּ/ה וְ/נָשִׂיא֙ לִ/בְנֵ֣י אֶפְרַ֔יִם אֱלִישָׁמָ֖ע בֶּן עַמִּיהֽוּד

דֶּ֣גֶל degel H1714 standard N-ms

מַחֲנֵ֥ה machăneh H4264 camp N-cs

אֶפְרַ֛יִם ʼEphrayim H669 Ephraim N-proper

לְ/צִבְאֹתָ֖/ם tsâbâʼ H6635 army Prep | N-cp | Suff

יָ֑מָּ/ה yâm H3220 West N-ms | Suff

וְ/נָשִׂיא֙ nâsîyʼ H5387 leader Conj | N-ms

לִ/בְנֵ֣י bên H1121 son Prep | N-mp

אֶפְרַ֔יִם ʼEphrayim H669 Ephraim N-proper

אֱלִישָׁמָ֖ע ʼĔlîyshâmâʻ H476 Elishama N-proper

בֶּן bên H1121 son N-ms

עַמִּיהֽוּד ʻAmmîyhûwd H5989 Ammihud N-proper

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Numbers 2:18

דֶּ֣גֶל degel H1714 "standard" N-ms

A degel is a flag or standard, often used to identify a group or nation. In Numbers 1:52, the Israelites were instructed to camp by their standards, and in Psalm 60:4, God is said to lift a flag to gather his people.

Definition: banner, standard

Usage: Occurs in 14 OT verses. KJV: banner, standard. See also: Numbers 1:52; Numbers 2:31; Song of Solomon 2:4.

מַחֲנֵ֥ה machăneh H4264 "camp" N-cs

This word refers to a camp or army, like the Israelites' encampments in the wilderness. It can also mean a group of people or animals. The KJV translates it as 'army, band, or camp'.

Definition: 1) encampment, camp 1a) camp, place of encampment 1b) camp of armed host, army camp 1c) those who encamp, company, body of people

Usage: Occurs in 190 OT verses. KJV: army, band, battle, camp, company, drove, host, tents. See also: Genesis 32:3; Joshua 6:18; Psalms 27:3.

אֶפְרַ֛יִם ʼEphrayim H669 "Ephraim" N-proper

Ephraim means doubly fruitful, referring to Joseph's son and the tribe that descended from him. The tribe of Ephraim was a significant part of Israel's history. Ephraim is also the name of a region in the Bible.

Definition: Ephraim = "double ash-heap: I shall be doubly fruitful" the country of the tribe of Ephraim Also named: Ephraim (Ἐφραίμ "Ephraim" G2187)

Usage: Occurs in 164 OT verses. KJV: Ephraim, Ephraimites. See also: Genesis 41:52; 1 Chronicles 27:20; Psalms 60:9.

לְ/צִבְאֹתָ֖/ם tsâbâʼ H6635 "army" Prep | N-cp | Suff

This Hebrew word means a large group of people or things, often referring to an army or a campaign, and is also used to describe the Lord's hosts. It appears in the Bible as a name for God, emphasizing His power and authority. In the KJV, it's translated as 'host' or 'army'.

Definition: : army 1) that which goes forth, army, war, warfare, host 1a) army, host 1a1) host (of organised army) 1a2) host (of angels) 1a3) of sun, moon, and stars 1a4) of whole creation 1b) war, warfare, service, go out to war 1c) service

Usage: Occurs in 463 OT verses. KJV: appointed time, ([phrase]) army, ([phrase]) battle, company, host, service, soldiers, waiting upon, war(-fare). See also: Genesis 2:1; 1 Samuel 17:55; Psalms 24:10.

יָ֑מָּ/ה yâm H3220 "West" N-ms | Suff

Refers to a large body of water like the Mediterranean Sea or a sea in general, sometimes specifically the west or seaward direction.

Definition: This name means sea, seaward, westward Another name of eph.ron (עֶפְרוֹן "(Mount )Ephron" H6085H)

Usage: Occurs in 339 OT verses. KJV: sea ([idiom] -faring man, (-shore)), south, west (-ern, side, -ward). See also: Genesis 1:10; Joshua 17:10; Psalms 8:9.

וְ/נָשִׂיא֙ nâsîyʼ H5387 "leader" Conj | N-ms

This word refers to a leader or a high-ranking official, like a king or a captain. It can also describe a rising mist, as seen in Isaiah 60:13. In the Bible, it often symbolizes power and authority.

Definition: one lifted up, chief, prince, captain, leader

Usage: Occurs in 120 OT verses. KJV: captain, chief, cloud, governor, prince, ruler, vapour. See also: Genesis 17:20; Numbers 34:26; Psalms 135:7.

לִ/בְנֵ֣י bên H1121 "son" Prep | N-mp

In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.

Definition: : child/son

Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.

אֶפְרַ֔יִם ʼEphrayim H669 "Ephraim" N-proper

Definition: Ephraim = "double ash-heap: I shall be doubly fruitful" the country of the tribe of Ephraim Also named: Ephraim (Ἐφραίμ "Ephraim" G2187)

Usage: Occurs in 164 OT verses. KJV: Ephraim, Ephraimites. See also: Genesis 41:52; 1 Chronicles 27:20; Psalms 60:9.

אֱלִישָׁמָ֖ע ʼĔlîyshâmâʻ H476 "Elishama" N-proper

Elishama was a man from the tribe of Judah and one of King David's sons, mentioned in 2 Samuel 5:15.

Definition: A man of the tribe of Judah living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Sa.5.15; son of: David (H1732); brother of: Amnon (H0550), Chileab (H3609), Absalom (H0053), Adonijah (H0138), Shephatiah (H8203), Ithream (H3507), Shammua (H8051H), Shobab (H7727), Nathan (H5416), Solomon (H8010), Ibhar (H2984), Nepheg (H5298H), Japhia (H3309I), Elishama (H0476H), Eliada (H0450), Eliphelet (H0467), Tamar (H8559H), Elpelet (H0467I), Nogah (H5052) and Jerimoth (H3406N); also called Elishama at 1Ch.3.6; Another name of e.li.shu.a (אֱלִישׁוּעַ "Elishua" H0474) § Elishama = "my God has heard" 1) an Ephraimite chief in the wilderness 2) a son of David 3) Jehoiakim's secretary 4) a priest who taught the law 5) a man of Judah

Usage: Occurs in 17 OT verses. KJV: Elishama. See also: Numbers 1:10; 1 Chronicles 3:6; Jeremiah 36:12.

בֶּן bên H1121 "son" N-ms

Definition: : child/son

עַמִּיהֽוּד ʻAmmîyhûwd H5989 "Ammihud" N-proper

Ammihud means 'my kinsman is majesty', the name of several Israelites, including an Ephraimite and a Simeonite. He is mentioned in 1 Chronicles 9:4 as the son of Omri and father of Uthai. Ammihud lived during the Exile and Return.

Definition: A man of the tribe of Judah living at the time of Exile and Return, only mentioned at 1Ch.9.4; son of: Omri (H6018I); father of: Uthai (H5793) § Ammihud = "my kinsman is majesty" 1) an Ephraimite, father of Elishama, the chief of the tribe at the time of the exodus 2) a Simeonite, father of Shemuel 3) father of Pedahel, prince of the tribe of Naphtali 4) father of king Talmai of Geshur 5) a descendant of Judah through his son Pharez

Usage: Occurs in 10 OT verses. KJV: Ammihud. See also: Numbers 1:10; Numbers 34:20; 1 Chronicles 9:4.

Study Notes — Numbers 2:18

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Numbers 2:18 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Numbers 2:18
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 2:18
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 2:18
Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 2:18
Sermons on Numbers 2:18

Context — The Order of the Camps

16The total number of men in the divisions of the camp of Reuben is 151,450; they shall set out second. 17In the middle of the camps, the Tent of Meeting is to travel with the camp of the Levites. They are to set out in the order they encamped, each in his own place under his standard.

18On the west side, the divisions of Ephraim are to camp under their standard: The leader of the Ephraimites is Elishama son of Ammihud,

19and his division numbers 40,500. 20The tribe of Manasseh will be next to it. The leader of the Manassites is Gamaliel son of Pedahzur,

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Numbers 1:10	from the sons of Joseph: from Ephraim, Elishama son of Ammihud, and from Manasseh, Gamaliel son of Pedahzur;
2	Numbers 10:22	Next, the divisions of the camp of Ephraim set out under their standard, with Elishama son of Ammihud in command.
3	Genesis 48:14–20	But Israel stretched out his right hand and put it on the head of Ephraim, the younger; and crossing his hands, he put his left on Manasseh’s head, although Manasseh was the firstborn. Then he blessed Joseph and said: “May the God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day, the angel who has redeemed me from all harm— may He bless these boys. And may they be called by my name and the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac, and may they grow into a multitude upon the earth.” When Joseph saw that his father had placed his right hand on Ephraim’s head, he was displeased and took his father’s hand to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s. “Not so, my father!” Joseph said. “This one is the firstborn; put your right hand on his head.” But his father refused. “I know, my son, I know!” he said. “He too shall become a people, and he too shall be great; nevertheless, his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his offspring shall become a multitude of nations.” So that day Jacob blessed them and said: “By you shall Israel pronounce this blessing: ‘May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh.’” So he put Ephraim before Manasseh.
4	Psalms 80:1–2	Hear us, O Shepherd of Israel, who leads Joseph like a flock; You who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine forth before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh. Rally Your mighty power and come to save us.
5	Numbers 1:32	From the sons of Joseph: From the sons of Ephraim, according to the records of their clans and families, counting the names of all those twenty years of age or older who could serve in the army,
6	Numbers 7:53	and a peace offering of two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Elishama son of Ammihud.
7	Jeremiah 31:18–20	I have surely heard Ephraim’s moaning: ‘You disciplined me severely, like an untrained calf. Restore me, that I may return, for You are the LORD my God. After I returned, I repented; and after I was instructed, I struck my thigh in grief. I was ashamed and humiliated because I bore the disgrace of my youth.’ Is not Ephraim a precious son to Me, a delightful child? Though I often speak against him, I still remember him. Therefore My heart yearns for him; I have great compassion for him,” declares the LORD.
8	1 Chronicles 7:26–27	Ladan his son, Ammihud his son, Elishama his son, Nun his son, and Joshua his son.
9	Genesis 48:5	And now your two sons born to you in Egypt before I came to you here shall be reckoned as mine; Ephraim and Manasseh shall be mine, just as Reuben and Simeon are mine.
10	Numbers 7:48	On the seventh day Elishama son of Ammihud, the leader of the Ephraimites, drew near.

Numbers 2:18 Summary

In Numbers 2:18, we see the tribe of Ephraim camping under their standard, led by Elishama son of Ammihud. This shows us the importance of organization, unity, and leadership, as each tribe had its own leader and distinct identity (as seen in Exodus 18:21). Just like the Israelites, we can learn to follow God's instructions and fulfill our roles in the body of Christ (as seen in 1 Corinthians 12:12-31). By doing so, we can demonstrate unity and organization in our own lives, just like the Israelites in Numbers 2:18, and fulfill our purpose in God's plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the significance of the tribes camping under their standard in Numbers 2:18?

The tribes camping under their standard signifies unity and organization among the Israelites, as each tribe had its own leader and distinct identity, as seen in Numbers 2:18 and supported by Exodus 18:21, where leaders were chosen to help Moses govern the people.

Who was Elishama son of Ammihud, mentioned in Numbers 2:18?

Elishama son of Ammihud was the leader of the Ephraimites, chosen by God to lead his tribe, as stated in Numbers 2:18, and his leadership was crucial in the wilderness journey, as seen in the context of Numbers 1:10, where the leaders of the tribes were listed.

Why did the tribes have to set out in a specific order, as mentioned in the surrounding verses of Numbers 2:18?

The tribes had to set out in a specific order to maintain organization and to fulfill God's instructions, as stated in Numbers 2:17, and this order was crucial for their journey, as seen in Numbers 10:11-28, where the Israelites set out in the wilderness.

What can we learn from the leadership of Elishama son of Ammihud in Numbers 2:18?

We can learn the importance of leadership and following God's instructions, as Elishama son of Ammihud demonstrated, and this is supported by 1 Timothy 3:1-13, where the qualifications of a leader are listed, and Hebrews 13:17, where leaders are instructed to watch over the flock.

Reflection Questions

What does it mean to 'camp under the standard' of God, and how can I apply this to my life?
How does the leadership of Elishama son of Ammihud inspire me to be a leader in my own community?
In what ways can I demonstrate unity and organization in my own life, just like the Israelites in Numbers 2:18?
What can I learn from the example of the Israelites following God's instructions, and how can I apply this to my own life?
How does the concept of 'each in his own place under his standard' relate to my own role in the body of Christ?

Gill's Exposition on Numbers 2:18

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,

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 2:18

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. On the south side ... the standard of the camp of Reuben.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 2:18

Ephraim is here preferred before his brother, according to the prophecy, ,20.

Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 2:18

18. The camp of Ephraim came next, on the west side of the tabernacle. Here the descendants of Rachel, the tribes of Joseph’s two sons and the tribe of Benjamin, his favourite younger brother, reared their standard.

Sermons on Numbers 2:18

	Sermon	Description
	(Genesis) Genesis 48:14 by J. Vernon McGee	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of the new birth and how God does not choose individuals based on their natural abilities or birth order. The preacher uses t
	Laying on of Hands by Anton Bosch	Anton Bosch discusses the principle of the laying on of hands, tracing its origins from the Old Testament where Jacob blessed Joseph's sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, by crossing his h
	The Ark of God by Leonard Ravenhill	This sermon delves into the story of David and the ark of God, highlighting the consequences of mishandling holy things, the importance of obedience over sacrifice, and the need fo
	Praying for Revial by Richard Owen Roberts	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the topic of revival and the importance of the manifest presence of God. He reads from Psalm 80, where the people of Israel are pleading with
	God Can When We Cannot by Richard Owen Roberts	In this sermon, the speaker uses the analogy of a vine being transported and planted to illustrate God's faithfulness and provision for His people. The vine represents the nation o
	A Psalm of Asaph by Chuck Smith	In this sermon, Pastor Chuck Smith discusses the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonian army. He describes the defilement of the holy temple and the suffering of the people. Th
	A Prayer for Israel's Restoration by Chuck Smith	In this sermon, Pastor Chuck Smith focuses on Psalm 80 and the prayer for Israel's restoration. He begins by highlighting the connection between the previous psalm and Psalm 80, em