The Leadership and Tribes in Camp
Numbers 2, verse 1. Now the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, Numbers 2, verse 2. “Let the children of Israel—each man according to his division and military standard—camp according to their fathers’ houses, around and facing the tabernacle of testimony. Numbers 2, verse 3. Those camping first and on the east side shall be the division of Judah with their army; and the ruler of the children of Judah shall be Nahshon the son of Amminadab.” Numbers 2, verse 4. His army was numbered at seventy-four thousand six hundred. Numbers 2, verse 5. “Those camping next to Judah shall be the tribe of Issachar; and the ruler of the children of Issachar shall be Nethanel the son of Zuar.” Numbers 2, verse 6. His army was numbered at fifty-four thousand four hundred. Numbers 2, verse 7. “Also camping next to Judah shall be the tribe of Zebulun; and the ruler of the children of Zebulun shall be Eliab the son of Helon.” Numbers 2, verse 8. His army was numbered at fifty-seven thousand four hundred. Numbers 2, verse 9. “All those numbered in the armies from the camp of Judah were one hundred eighty-six thousand four hundred—these shall break camp first. Numbers 2, verse 10. “On the south side shall be the division of the camp of Reuben with their army; and the ruler of the children of Reuben shall be Elizur the son of Shedeur.” Numbers 2, verse 11. His army was numbered at forty-six thousand five hundred. Numbers 2, verse 12. “Those camping next to Reuben shall be the tribe of Simeon; and the ruler of the children of Simeon shall be Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai.” Numbers 2, verse 13. His army was numbered at fifty-nine thousand three hundred. Numbers 2, verse 14. “Also camping next to Reuben shall be the tribe of Gad; and the ruler of the children of Gad shall be Eliasaph the son of Reuel.” Numbers 2, verse 15. His army was numbered at forty-five thousand six hundred fifty. Numbers 2, verse 16. “All those numbered in the armies from the camp of Reuben were one hundred fifty-one thousand four hundred fifty—they shall be the second to break camp. Numbers 2, verse 17. Then the tabernacle of testimony shall move out with the camp of the Levites in the middle of the camps; as they camp, so they shall break camp, each one next by regiment. Numbers 2, verse 18. “On the west side shall be the division of the camp of Ephraim with their army; and the ruler of the children of Ephraim shall be Elishama the son of Ammihud.” Numbers 2, verse 19. His army was numbered at forty thousand five hundred. Numbers 2, verse 20. “Those camping next to Ephraim shall be the tribe of Manasseh; and the ruler of the children of Manasseh shall be Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.” Numbers 2, verse 21. His army was numbered at thirty-two thousand two hundred. Numbers 2, verse 22. “Also camping next to Ephraim shall be the tribe of Benjamin; and the ruler of the children of Benjamin shall be Abidan the son of Gideoni.” Numbers 2, verse 23. His army was numbered at thirty-five thousand four hundred. Numbers 2, verse 24. “All those numbered in their armies from the camp of Ephraim were one hundred eight thousand one hundred—they shall be the third to break camp. Numbers 2, verse 25. On the north side shall be the division of the camp of Dan with their army; and the ruler of the children of Dan shall be Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.” Numbers 2, verse 26. His army was numbered at sixty-two thousand seven hundred. Numbers 2, verse 27. “Those camping next to Dan shall be the tribe of Asher; and the ruler of the children of Asher shall be Pagiel the son of Ocran.” Numbers 2, verse 28. His army was numbered at forty-one thousand five hundred. Numbers 2, verse 29. “Also camping next to Dan shall be the tribe of Naphtali; and the ruler of the children of Naphtali shall be Ahira the son of Enan.” Numbers 2, verse 30. His army was numbered at fifty-three thousand four hundred. Numbers 2, verse 31. “All those numbered in the armies with Dan were one hundred and fifty-seven thousand six hundred—they shall break camp last, with their divisions.” Numbers 2, verse 32. This numbering of the children of Israel was according to their fathers’ houses. All the numbering of the camps with their armies was six hundred three thousand five hundred fifty. Numbers 2, verse 33. But the Levites were not numbered with them, as the Lord commanded Moses. Numbers 2, verse 34. Thus the children of Israel did all the Lord commanded Moses; so they camped according to their divisions. Thus they broke camp, each one by his family, according to their fathers’ houses.