Numbers 2:2-31

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Numbers 2:1-2

Here is the general appointment given both for their orderly encampment where they rested and their orderly march when they moved. Some order, it is possible, they had observed hitherto; they came out of Egypt in rank and file (Exod. 13:18), but now they were put into a better model. 1. They all dwelt in tents, and when they marched carried all their tents along with them, for they found no city to dwell in, Ps. 107:4. This represents to us our state in this world. It is a movable state (we... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Numbers 2:3-34

We have here the particular distribution of the twelve tribes into four squadrons, three tribes in a squadron, one of which was to lead the other two. Observe, 1. God himself appointed them their place, to prevent strife and envy among them. Had they been left to determine precedency among themselves, they would have been in danger of quarrelling with one another (as the disciples who strove which should be greatest); each would have had a pretence to be first, or at least not to be last. Had... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 2:2

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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 2:3

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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 2:4

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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 2:5

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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 2:6

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 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 2:7

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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 2:8

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 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 2:9

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... read more

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