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Numbers 2:16

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The total number of men in the divisions of the camp of Reuben is 151,450; they shall set out second.

Deep diveReferences (6)

Commentaries

Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.

Matthew Henry Bible Commentaryv. 16

The thousands of Israel, having been mustered in the former chapter, in this are marshalled, and a regular disposition is made of their camp, by a divine appointment. Here is, I. A general order concerning it (Num 2:1, Num 2:2). II. Particular directions for the posting of each of the tribes, in four distinct squadrons, three tribes in each squadron. 1. In the vanguard on the east were posted Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun (Num 2:3-9). 2. In the right wing, southward, Reuben, Simeon, and Gad (Num 2:10-16). 3. In the rear, westward, Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin, (Num 2:18-24). 4. In the left wing, northward, Dan, Asher, and Naphtali (Num 2:25-31). 5. The tabernacle in the centre (Num 2:17). III. The conclusion of this appointment (Num 2:32, etc.).

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Original language

The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).

Strong's Concordancev. 16

פָּקַד (pâqad, H6485) — to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care… מַחֲנֶה (machăneh, H4264) — an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or… רְאוּבֵן (Rᵉʼûwbên, H7205) — Reuben, a son of Jacob מֵאָה (mêʼâh, H3967) — a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction אֶלֶף (ʼeleph, H505) — hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as… חֲמִשִּׁים (chămishshîym, H2572) — fifty אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first אַרְבַּע (ʼarbaʻ, H702) — four צָבָא (tsâbâʼ, H6635) — a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized forwar (an army);… נָסַע (nâçaʻ, H5265) — properly, to pull up, especially the tent-pins, i.e. start on ajourney שֵׁנִי (shênîy, H8145) — properly, double, i.e. second; also adverbially, again

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Cross-references

Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.

Numbers 10:18rank 5

Then the divisions of the camp of Reuben set out under their standard, with Elizur son of Shedeur in command.

Numbers 2:24rank 2

The total number of men in the divisions of the camp of Ephraim is 108,100; they shall set out third.

Numbers 2:31rank 2

The total number of men in the camp of Dan is 157,600; they shall set out last, under their standards.”

Numbers 2:9rank 2

The total number of men in the divisions of the camp of Judah is 186,400; they shall set out first.

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