Numbers 2:7

7 And they that encamp next of the tribe of Zabulon, and the prince of the sons of Zabulon Eliab the son of Chaelon.

Numbers 2:7 Meaning and 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 children of
Zebulun;
see ( Numbers 1:9 ) ( 7:24 ) ; each tribe had its own captain; nor does it appear that there was a general over those captains, that had the command of the camp, consisting of three tribes, but Moses was the generalissimo of all the camps.

Numbers 2:7 In-Context

5 And they that encamp next of the tribe of Issachar, and the prince of the sons of Issachar Nathanael the son of Sogar.

6 His forces that were numbered, were fifty-four thousand and four hundred.

7 And they that encamp next of the tribe of Zabulon, and the prince of the sons of Zabulon Eliab the son of Chaelon.

8 His forces that were numbered, were fifty-seven thousand and four hundred.

9 All that were numbered of the camp of Juda were a hundred and eighty thousand and six thousand and four hundred: they shall move first with their forces.