Numbers 2:5-15

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.

10 the order of the camp of Ruben; their forces toward the south, and the prince of the children of Ruben Elisur the son of Sediur.

11 His forces that were numbered, were forty-six thousand and five hundred.

12 And they that encamp next to him of the tribe of Symeon, and the prince of the sons of Symeon Salamiel the son of Surisadai.

13 His forces that were numbered, were fifty-nine thousand and three hundred.

14 And they that encamp next to them the tribe of Gad; and the prince of the sons of Gad, Elisaph the son of Raguel.

15 His forces that were numbered, were forty-five thousand and six hundred and fifty.

Numbers 2:5-15 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.