Numbers 2:31

2:1-34 The order of the tribes in their tents. - The tribes were to encamp about the tabernacle, which was to be in the midst of them. It was a token of God's gracious presence. Yet they were to pitch their tents afar off, in reverence to the sanctuary. The children of Israel put themselves in their posts, without murmuring or disputing; and as it was their safety, so it was their beauty. It is our duty and interest to be contented with the place allotted to us, and to endeavour to occupy it in a proper manner, without envying or murmuring; without ambition or covetousness. Thus the gospel church ought to be compact, according to the Scripture model, every one knowing and keeping his place; and then all that wish well to the church rejoice, beholding their order, Col 2:5.

All they that were numbered in the camp of Dan were an hundred thousand and fifty and seven thousand and six hundred,.... 157,600 men. Consisting of his own tribe, and those of Asher and Naphtali, which make the largest camp next to Judah: they shall go hindmost with their standards; for though, while encamped, they lay to the north, or the left side of the tabernacle, yet, when marching, they brought up the rear, and were the rear guard to the tabernacle; so that it had in its van and rear the two largest camps, which were wisely ordered for its safety: "standards" is put for "standard", the plural for the singular; for there was but one standard to a camp, unless this takes in their ensigns, of which they had many.

Numbers 2:31 . The camp of Dan — The strongest camp next after Judah, and therefore he comes in the rear, as Judah marched in the front, that the tabernacle might be best guarded where there was most danger. The Jews say this camp made a square of twelve miles in compass about the tabernacle, three miles on each side.

10-31. On the south side the standard of the camp of Reuben—The description given of the position of Reuben and his attendant tribes on the south, of Ephraim and his associates on the west, of Dan and his confederates on the north, with that of Judah on the east, suggests the idea of a square or quadrangle, which, allowing one square cubit to each soldier while remaining close in the ranks, has been computed to extend over an area of somewhat more than twelve square miles. But into our calculations of the occupied space must be taken not only the fighting men, whose numbers are here given, but also the families, tents, and baggage. The tabernacle or sacred tent of their Divine King, with the camp of the Levites around it (see on [53]Nu 3:38), formed the center, as does the chief's in the encampment of all nomad people. In marching, this order was adhered to, with some necessary variations. Judah led the way, followed, it is most probable, by Issachar and Zebulun [Nu 10:14-16]. Reuben, Simeon, and Gad formed the second great division [Nu 10:18-20]. They were followed by the central company, composed of the Levites, bearing the tabernacle [Nu 10:21]. Then the third and posterior squadron consisted of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin [Nu 10:22-24], while the hindmost place was assigned to Dan, Asher, and Naphtali [Nu 10:25-27].

Thus Judah's, which was the most numerous, formed the van: and Dan's, which was the next in force, brought up the rear; while Reuben's and Ephraim's, with the tribes associated with them respectively, being the smallest and weakest, were placed in the center. (See on [54]Nu 10:13).

[Reformed Biblical] Numbers 7:18 Numbers 7:19 Numbers 7:20 Numbers 7:21 Numbers 7:22 Numbers 7:23 Numbers 7:24 Numbers 7:25 Numbers 7:26 Numbers 7:27 Numbers 7:28 Numbers 7:29 Numbers 7:30 Numbers 7:31 Numbers 7:32 Numbers 7:33 Numbers 7:34 Numbers 7:35 Numbers 7:36 Numbers 7:37 Numbers 7:38 Numbers 7:39 Numbers 7:40 Numbers 7:41 Numbers 7:42 Numbers 7:43 Numbers 7:44 Numbers 7:45 Numbers 7:46 Numbers 7:47 Numbers 7:48 Numbers 7:49 Numbers 7:50 Numbers 7:51 Numbers 7:52 Numbers 7:53 Numbers 7:54 Numbers 7:55 Numbers 7:56 Numbers 7:57 Numbers 7:58 Numbers 7:59 Numbers 7:60 Numbers 7:61 Numbers 7:62 Numbers 7:63 Numbers 7:64 Numbers 7:65 Numbers 7:66 Numbers 7:67 Numbers 7:68 Numbers 7:69 Nu

[Reformed Biblical] , and withal ## for a memorial, as it is said Num_31:54, or by way of gratitude for such a stupendous assistance and deliverance, as appears fro m the word the refore in the beginning of this verse, and from Num_31:49. Numbers 31:51 Numbers 31:52 Numbers 31:53 Numbers 31:54 ## Numbers 32:1 NUMBERS CHAPTER 32 The Reubenites and Gadites sue for their inheritance on that side Jordan, as being fit for cattle, Num_32:1-5. Moses reproves them as discouraging the people, and herein following their fathers’ ill example, Num_32:6-15. They promise to leave their children and cattle there, and go armed before their brethren till Canaan should be subdued, Num_32:16-19; on which condition they, together with the half-tribe of Manasseh, obtain their desire, Num_32:20- 42. ## Jazer; a city and country taken from the Amorites, Num_21:32. Gilead; a mountainous country, famous for pasturage, Jer_1:19 Mic_7:14. Numbers 32:2 Numbers 32:3 ## Ataroth; different from that Ataroth , Jos_16:2 ,7 , which was on the other side of Jordan. ## Nimrah, called Beth-nimrah , Num_22:36 Jos_13:27; and the waters of Nimrim , Isa_15:6. Shebam , called Shibmah ,

Verse 31. - And to offer ; Hebrew, "and for all the offering of burnt offerings." For other references to the help which the Levites gave in the matter of the burnt offerings, and for the number ( 2 Samuel 2:15 ; Numbers 28:1-31 ) of them, see Numbers 29:2-34 ; 2 Chronicles 29:32-34 ; 2 Chronicles 35:2-12 . The priests alone performed the actual sacrifices. The set feasts. These refer to the three: (1) the Passover ( Leviticus 23:4, 5 ); (2) the Pentecost ( Leviticus 23:15-17 ); (3) the Feast of Tabernacles ( Leviticus 23:33-37 ). 1 Chronicles 23:31