Numbers 2

Chap. II. Ver. 1—34. As to an exposition of this chapter, our readers will find, in the Diagram, but particularly in the plate at the commencement of the volume, a much better idea of the arrangement of the camp, than we can give in words. To each tribe we have added the number recorded in the text. “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.

Plan of the Encampment of the Tribes of Israel: UOIvY puB sasoyy “S07 1} VYOH 35 400.

Notes on the verses

Chap. II. Ver. 2. With the ensign of their father’s house.—These ensigns are variously explained by Jewish writers, some supposing them to be of various colours, according to those of the jewels in the high priest’s breastplate. Others suppose them to be emblems taken from the blessings of the tribes by Jacob, (Genesis 49)But it is remarkable only four standards are mentioned; namely, those of Judah, Reuben, Ephraim, and Dan; on which Aben Ezra (a learned ancestor who lived in the 12th century) remarks, “Our ancestors have said that in Judah’s was a lion; in Ephraim’s, a bullock; in Reuben’s standard was the figure of a man; and in Dan’s, an eagle; so they were like the cherubim which Ezekiel saw.”

(Ezekiel 1:10). But of this we have no Scriptural evidence. Ver. 28. Forty and one thousand.—(Reyher, who is followed by Scheuchzer, assigns the following space to the soldiers of the tribes, whilst re-