Numbers 2:2
one <0376> [Every man.]
The Israelites, it appears, encamped in four grand divisions, with the tabernacle in the centre; though at some distance from it. The form of the camp was quadrangular, containing, according to Scheuchzer, a little more than twelve square miles. Under each of the four divisions, three tribes were placed, under one general standard. Between these four great camps and the tabernacle, were pitched four smaller camps of the priests and Levites, who were in immediate attendance upon it; the camp of Moses, and of Aaron and his sons, being on the east side of the tabernacle, where the entrance was. Judah was placed on the east, and under him he had Issachar and Zebulun; on the south was Reuben, and under him Simeon and Gad; on the west was Ephraim, and under him Manasseh and Benjamin; and Dan was on the north, and under him Asher and Naphtali. Every tribe had its particular standard, probably with the name of the tribe embroidered with large letters. It seems highly improbable that the figures of animals should have been painted on them, as the Jewish writers assert; for even in after ages, when Vitellius wished to march through Judea, their great men besought him to march another way, as the law of the land did not permit images (such as were on the Roman standard) to be brought into it. Josephus Ant. 1. xviii. c. 7.
camp ......... meeting <02583> [shall pitch.]
emblems <0226> [the ensign.]
some distance <05048> [far off. Heb. over against.]
around ... tent <05439 0168> [about the.]
Numbers 2:34
Lord ......................... family <03068 01004> [according.]
camped ........... traveled <02583 05265> [so they.]
Numbers 10:1-36
two trumpets <02689 08147> [two trumpets.]
The necessity of such instruments will at once appear, when the amazing extent of this army is considered. There were various kinds of trumpets among the ancients, of different forms and materials, as Eustathius shews on Homer, where he mentions six; the second of which was [stroggule,] turned up round, like a ram's horn; which he says the Egyptians used (from being invented by Osiris) when they assembled the people to their sacrifices. But in opposition to that form, Moses commands these to be made long, in the shape of those used at present. So Josephus informs us, who says they were near a cubit long; the tube of the thickness of a common pipe or flute; the mouth no wider than just to admit blowing into them; and their ends wide like those of a modern trumpet.
hammered <04749> [of a whole piece.]
assembling <04744> [the calling.]
blow <08628> [blow.]
camps <04264> [camps.]
blow ......................... sounded <08628> [ye blow.]
A single alarm was a signal for the eastward division to march; two such alarms the signal for the south; and probably three for the west, and four for the North. There appears therefore, a deficiency in the Hebrew Text, which is thus supplied by the LXX.: [kai salpieite semasian triten, kai exarousin ai parembolai ai paremballousai para thalassan. kai salpieite semasian tetarten, kai exarousin ai parembolai ai paremballousai pros bomran.] "And when ye blow a third alarm, or signal, the camps on the west shall march; and when ye blow a fourth alarm, the camps on the north shall march." This addition, however, is not acknowledged by the Samaritan, nor any other version than the Coptic, nor any MS. yet collated.
camps <04264> [the camps.]
blow <08628> [ye shall blow.]
alarm <07321> [sound.]
go <0935> [if ye go.]
opposes <06887> [oppresseth.]
alarm <07321> [then ye shall.]
remembered <02142> [remembered.]
time <03117> [in the day.]
memorial <02146> [a memorial.]
twentieth <06242> [An. Ex. Is 2. Ijar. on.]
The Israelites had lain encamped in the wilderness of Sinai about eleven months and twenty days (comp. Ex 19:1); and they now received the order of God to decamp, and proceed to the promised land: the Samaritan, therefore, introduces at this place, nearly the words of De 1:6-8: "And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying, Ye have dwelt long enough in this mount; turn, and take your journey, etc."
cloud <06051> [the cloud.]
So .... set <05265> [took.]
wilderness .......... wilderness <04057> [out of the.]
wilderness .......... wilderness <04057> [the wilderness.]
first <07223 05265> [the first place.]
The following is the order in which this vast company marched: Judah:----Issachar, Zebulun, Gershonites, and Merarites, bearing the tabernacle. Reuben:---Simeon, Gad, Kohathites, with the sanctuary. Ephraim:--Manasseh, Benjamin. Dan:------Asher, Naphtali. Among other things, it should be remarked, that, according to a well-known rule of military tactics, the advanced, and rear-guards, were stronger then the centre.
[See]
Nahshon <05177> [Nahshon.]
tabernacle .................. tabernacle <04908> [the tabernacle.]
sons ...... sons <01121> [the sons.]
camp <04264> [the camp.]
Elizur <0468> [Elizur.]
Simeonites <08095> [Simeon.]
Eliasaph <0460> [Eliasaph.]
tribe ....... son <01121> [son of Reuel.]
Kohathites <06956> [the Kohathites.]
articles .......... set up <06965> [the other did. that is, the Gershonites and the Merarites.]
camp <04264> [the camp.]
Elishama <0476> [Elishama.]
Gamaliel <01583> [Gamaliel.]
Abidan <027> [Abidan.]
camp ............... camps <04264> [the camp.]
guard <0622> [the rereward.]
Ahiezer <0295> [Ahiezer.]
Pagiel <06295> [Pagiel.]
Ahira <0299> [Ahira.]
These <0428> [Thus were. Heb. These. according.]
[Reuel.]
Lord .................... Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
<03212> [come.]
Lord .................... Lord <03068> [for the Lord.]
places <03651> [forasmuch.]
As the Israelites were under the immediate direction of God himself, and were guided by the pillar of cloud and fire, it might be supposed that they had no need of Hobab. But it should be remembered, that the cloud directed only their general journeys, not their particular excursions. Parties took several journeys while the grand army lay still. (ch. 13; 20; 31; 32.)
guide <05869> [instead of eyes.]
mountain <02022> [the mount.]
ark <0727> [the ark.]
traveled ..................... traveling before <05265 06440> [went before.]
resting place <04496> [a resting place.]
Rise .... Lord <06965 03068> [Rise up, Lord.]
Return ... Lord <07725 03068> [Return, O Lord.]
thousands ... Israel <0505 03478 07233> [many thousands of Israel. Heb. ten thousand thousands.]
Numbers 24:2
camped <07931> [abiding.]
Spirit <07307> [the spirit.]
