Numbers 2:3-13

3 To the east toward the sunrise are the companies of the camp of Judah under its flag, led by Nahshon son of Amminadab.

4 His troops number 74,600.

5 The tribe of Issachar will camp next to them, led by Nethanel son of Zuar.

6 His troops number 54,400.

7 And the tribe of Zebulun is next to them, led by Eliab son of Helon.

8 His troops number 57,400.

9 The total number of men assigned to Judah, troop by troop, is 186,400. They will lead the march.

10 To the south are the companies of the camp of Reuben under its flag, led by Elizur son of Shedeur.

11 His troops number 46,500.

12 The tribe of Simeon will camp next to them, led by Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai.

13 His troops number 59,300.

Numbers 2:3-13 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO NUMBERS 2

This chapter contains the order of the encampment and march of the tribes of Israel in their proper places about the tabernacle; the general direction for the same is in Nu 1:1,2; the particulars follow; on the cast of the tabernacle the camp of Judah was to pitch, and under his standard the tribes of Issachar and Zebulun, Nu 1:3-9; on the south side of it the camp of Reuben, and under his standard the tribes of Simeon and Gad, Nu 1:10-16; then the tabernacle, with the camp of the Levites round it, were next, to stand or set forward, Nu 1:17; and on the west side the camp of Ephraim, and under his standard the tribes of Manasseh and Benjamin, Nu 1:18-24; and on the north side the camp of Dan, and under his standard the tribes of Asher and Naphtali, Nu 1:25-31; the sum total of the numbers of which camps are given, exclusive of the camp of Levi, Nu 1:32,33; and the chapter is concluded with observing, that all was done according to the commandment of God, Nu 1:34.