FocusNumbering, worship, and preparation
Connection to the wholeThe camp is organized around the tabernacle and prepared to depart from Sinai.
interpretation Numbers 2:20
KJVAnd by him shall be the tribe of Manasseh: and the captain of the children of Manasseh shall be Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.
Read it in context
The Order of the Camps
Start reading at Numbers 2:1 (Numbers 2:1 to Numbers 2:34).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
The camp is organized around the tabernacle and prepared to depart from Sinai.
- 2:1 And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,
- 2:2 Every man of the children of Israel shall pitch by his own standard, with the ensign of their father's house: far off about the tabernacle of the congregation shall they pitch.
- 2:3 And on the east side toward the rising of the sun shall they of the standard of the camp of Judah pitch throughout their armies: and Nahshon the son of Amminadab shall be captain of the children of Judah.
- 2:4 And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were threescore and fourteen thousand and six hundred.
- 2:5 And those that do pitch next unto him shall be the tribe of Issachar: and Nethaneel the son of Zuar shall be captain of the children of Issachar.
- 2:6 And his host, and those that were numbered thereof, were fifty and four thousand and four hundred.
- 2:7 Then the tribe of Zebulun: and Eliab the son of Helon shall be captain of the children of Zebulun.
- 2:8 And his host, and those that were numbered thereof, were fifty and seven thousand and four hundred.
- 2:9 All that were numbered in the camp of Judah were an hundred thousand and fourscore thousand and six thousand and four hundred, throughout their armies. These shall first set forth.
- 2:10 On the south side shall be the standard of the camp of Reuben according to their armies: and the captain of the children of Reuben shall be Elizur the son of Shedeur.
- 2:11 And his host, and those that were numbered thereof, were forty and six thousand and five hundred.
- 2:12 And those which pitch by him shall be the tribe of Simeon: and the captain of the children of Simeon shall be Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai.
- 2:13 And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were fifty and nine thousand and three hundred.
- 2:14 Then the tribe of Gad: and the captain of the sons of Gad shall be Eliasaph the son of Reuel.
- 2:15 And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were forty and five thousand and six hundred and fifty.
- 2:16 All that were numbered in the camp of Reuben were an hundred thousand and fifty and one thousand and four hundred and fifty, throughout their armies. And they shall set forth in the second rank.
- 2:17 Then the tabernacle of the congregation shall set forward with the camp of the Levites in the midst of the camp: as they encamp, so shall they set forward, every man in his place by their standards.
- 2:18 On the west side shall be the standard of the camp of Ephraim according to their armies: and the captain of the sons of Ephraim shall be Elishama the son of Ammihud.
- 2:19 And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were forty thousand and five hundred.
- 2:20 And by him shall be the tribe of Manasseh: and the captain of the children of Manasseh shall be Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.
- 2:21 And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were thirty and two thousand and two hundred.
- 2:22 Then the tribe of Benjamin: and the captain of the sons of Benjamin shall be Abidan the son of Gideoni.
- 2:23 And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were thirty and five thousand and four hundred.
- 2:24 All that were numbered of the camp of Ephraim were an hundred thousand and eight thousand and an hundred, throughout their armies. And they shall go forward in the third rank.
- 2:25 The standard of the camp of Dan shall be on the north side by their armies: and the captain of the children of Dan shall be Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.
- 2:26 And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were threescore and two thousand and seven hundred.
- 2:27 And those that encamp by him shall be the tribe of Asher: and the captain of the children of Asher shall be Pagiel the son of Ocran.
- 2:28 And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were forty and one thousand and five hundred.
- 2:29 Then the tribe of Naphtali: and the captain of the children of Naphtali shall be Ahira the son of Enan.
- 2:30 And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were fifty and three thousand and four hundred.
- 2:31 All they that were numbered in the camp of Dan were an hundred thousand and fifty and seven thousand and six hundred. They shall go hindmost with their standards.
- 2:32 These are those which were numbered of the children of Israel by the house of their fathers: all those that were numbered of the camps throughout their hosts were six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty.
- 2:33 But the Levites were not numbered among the children of Israel; as the LORD commanded Moses.
- 2:34 And the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses: so they pitched by their standards, and so they set forward, every one after their families, according to the house of their fathers.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Moses is the traditional author. He is explicitly credited with writing Israel's journeys at the LORD's command. Biblical references: Numbers 33:2. Historical source: Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 14b–15a (record of Jewish attribution, not contemporary proof). traditionally held
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Numbers 1:1–4:49): Moses and Aaron organize the Israelite tribes and the Levites. Tribal leaders and the Levite families are assigned particular census and sanctuary responsibilities. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Israel during the wilderness journey, including the generation preparing to enter Canaan, with the record preserved for later Israel. Biblical references: Numbers 1:1; Numbers 26:63; Numbers 36:13. stated in the text
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? The Order of the Camps. Read Numbers 2:1 through Numbers 2:34 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? The camp is organized around the tabernacle and prepared to depart from Sinai. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The book moves from the second year after departure from Egypt toward the fortieth year, through the deaths of the wilderness generation and preparation of its successors. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? The setting moves from Sinai through wilderness stations to the plains of Moab east of Jordan. Individual journeys and encounters name more precise locations. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in The Order of the Camps (Numbers 2:1 to Numbers 2:34). Start reading at Numbers 2:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? Jesus explicitly refers to Moses lifting up the serpent when speaking about the Son of man. Paul also uses wilderness events as warnings for the church; these connections preserve both God's provision and human responsibility. See John 3:14, John 3:15, 1 Corinthians 10:6, 1 Corinthians 10:12. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Receive warnings about complaint, unbelief, and rebellion without presuming that participation in a community removes personal responsibility. Read each event with its stated circumstances. interpretation
Cited: Numbers 2:1, Numbers 2:34, John 3:14, John 3:15, 1 Corinthians 10:6, 1 Corinthians 10:12
Who wrote it, and how we know
Moses (traditional)
Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe book states that Moses wrote the record of the journeys at the LORD's command.
Numbers 33:2
Early traditionJewish and Christian tradition names Moses.
What is debatedSource-critical theories propose later editing.
Related passages
- Gamaliel Num 1:10 Num 7:54,59 Num 10:23
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Time covered by Numbers
About 38 years
- Second year after the exodusBeginning · Numbers 1:1
Israel is counted at Sinai
The opening census is dated to the first day of the second month in the second year after leaving Egypt. - Fortieth year after the exodusClosing wilderness period
Israel prepares to enter the land
Aaron’s death is dated to the fortieth year. The closing instructions are given on the plains of Moab before Israel crosses the Jordan.
The dated narrative moves from the second year toward the end of the fortieth year, an interval of roughly 38 years.
View historical notes and sources
This is an approximate span of the narrative, not an exact count of days and not the date when the book was written. Numbers 33:38 dates Aaron’s death; Numbers 36:13 identifies the closing setting. Deuteronomy 1:3 places Moses’ subsequent address in the fortieth year.
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Numbers 2
Numbers follows Israel in the wilderness and toward the plains of Moab. The narrative moves from one numbered generation to another, combining events with commands for Israel. Distinguish the date of a narrated event from a proposed date of composition. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Numbers 1:1 Numbers 14:29 Numbers 26:64
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Numbers
Numbers follows Israel in the wilderness and toward the plains of Moab. The narrative moves from one numbered generation to another, combining events with commands for Israel. Distinguish the date of a narrated event from a proposed date of composition.
Numbers 1:1 Numbers 14:29 Numbers 26:64
FocusNumbering, worship, and preparation
Connection to the wholeThe camp is organized around the tabernacle and prepared to depart from Sinai.
interpretation The journey and the refusal to enter
Numbers 10:11–14:45FocusComplaint, leadership, and unbelief
Connection to the wholeTravel and repeated complaints culminate in the refusal to enter the land and the sentence upon that generation.
interpretation Life under the wilderness judgment
Numbers 15:1–19:22FocusPriesthood and cleansing
Connection to the wholeFurther rebellion and instructions about service and cleansing develop the people's life during the wilderness period.
interpretation Toward Moab
Numbers 20:1–25:18FocusLoss, conflict, blessing, and unfaithfulness
Connection to the wholeDeaths and conflicts accompany the approach to Moab. Balaam's oracles are followed by Israel's sin at Peor, keeping blessing and responsibility together.
interpretation The next generation prepared
Numbers 26:1–30:16FocusInheritance, leadership, offerings, and vows
Connection to the wholeA new numbering and instructions prepare the people who will enter the land, including Joshua's appointment.
interpretation Final arrangements east of Jordan
Numbers 31:1–36:13FocusJudgment, settlement, and boundaries
Connection to the wholeMilitary action, settlement requests, the travel record, and land provisions complete the preparation for entry into Canaan.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.