John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 2:17
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 say F9 Bemidbar 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" F11 בתוך המחנה "in medio castrorum",... read more
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