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Numbers 2:17

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In the middle of the camps, the Tent of Meeting is to travel with the camp of the Levites. They are to set out in the order they encamped, each in his own place under his standard.

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Commentaries

Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.

Matthew Henry Bible Commentaryv. 17

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. 17

אֹהֶל (ʼôhel, H168) — a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance) מוֹעֵד (môwʻêd, H4150) — properly, an appointment, i.e. a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival;… נָסַע (nâçaʻ, H5265) — properly, to pull up, especially the tent-pins, i.e. start on ajourney מַחֲנֶה (machăneh, H4264) — an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or… לֵוִיִּי (Lêvîyîy, H3881) — a Levite or descendant of Levi תָּוֶךְ (tâvek, H8432) — a bisection, i.e. (by implication) the centre חָנָה (chânâh, H2583) — properly, to incline; by implication, to decline (of the slanting rays of evening);… אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), דֶּגֶל (degel, H1714) — a flag

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Cross-references

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

Numbers 10:21rank 4

Then the Kohathites set out, transporting the holy objects; the tabernacle was to be set up before their arrival.

Numbers 10:17rank 3

Then the tabernacle was taken down, and the Gershonites and the Merarites set out, transporting it.

I Corinthians 14:40rank 2

But everything must be done in a proper and orderly manner.

Numbers 3:38rank 2

Moses, Aaron, and Aaron’s sons were to camp to the east of the tabernacle, toward the sunrise, before the Tent of Meeting. They were to perform the duties of the sanctuary as a service on behalf of the Israelites; but any outsider who approached the sanctuary was to be put to death.

Colossians 2:5rank 2

For although I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit, and I delight to see your orderly condition and firm faith in Christ.

Numbers 2:1rank 1

Then the LORD said to Moses and Aaron:

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