Encamp

Encamp

An encampment was the resting-place for a longer or shorter period of an army or company of travellers ( Exodus 13:20 ; 14:19 ; Joshua 10:5 ; 11:5 ).

The manner in which the Israelites encamped during their march through the wilderness is described in Numbers 2 and 3. The order of the encampment (see CAMP) was preserved in the march ( Numbers 2:17 ), the signal for which was the blast of two silver trumpets. Detailed regulations affecting the camp for sanitary purposes are given ( Leviticus 4:11 Leviticus 4:12 ; 6:11 ; 8:17 ; Leviticus 10:4 Leviticus 10:5 ; 13:46 ; 14:3 ; Numbers 12:14 Numbers 12:15 ; 31:19 ; Deuteronomy 23:10 Deuteronomy 23:12 ).

Criminals were executed without the camp ( Leviticus 4:12 ; Compare John 19:17 John 19:20 ), and there also the young bullock for a sin-offering was burnt ( Leviticus 24:14 ; Compare Hebrews 13:12 ).

In the subsequent history of Israel frequent mention is made of their encampments in the time of war ( Judges 7:18 ; 1 Samuel 13:2 1 Samuel 13:3 1 Samuel 13:16 1 Samuel 13:23 ; 17:3 ; 29:1 ; 1 Samuel 30:9 1 Samuel 30:24 ). The temple was sometimes called "the camp of the Lord" ( 2 Chronicles 31:2 , RSV; Compare Psalms 78:28 ). The multitudes who flocked to David are styled "a great host (i.e., "camp;" Heb. mahaneh), like the host of God" ( 1 Chronicles 12:22 ).

These dictionary topics are from
M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition,
published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. Public Domain, copy freely.

Bibliography Information

Easton, Matthew George. "Entry for Encamp". "Easton's Bible Dictionary". .