Chapter 2

The order of the tribes in their tents.

1. And unto Aaron. These instructions were addressed to both Moses and Aaron. Moses alone is mentioned in v. 34. But since Aaron and his sons had to pack the articles to be carried by the Kohathites, it was but natural that he too should be informed (ch. 4:5, 15). Chapter 2 contains the account of the camping arrangements of the tribes in the wilderness. That of the four divisions of Levi is given in ch. 3:23, 29, 35, 38. The following diagram illustrates the arrangement of the tribes of Israel in relationship to the sanctuary:

2. By his own standard. See on ch. 1:52.

Ensign. The standard would pertain to a larger group (vs. 3, 10, 18, 25), although each family group would display its “ensign.”

Far off. The injunction to preserve the holiness of the sanctuary area was strictly enjoined and enforced.

3. East … rising of the sun. Such a doubling in expression is common in Hebrew. Exodus 26:18, for example, reads literally, “for the south side southwards.”

Judah. As the pre-eminent tribe, Judah is assigned the east, the position of honor. Some suggest that the name Judah comes from the verb “to praise,” from Leah’s words at his birth, “Now will I praise” (Gen. 29:35). With regard to him Jacob predicted, “Thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise” (Gen. 49:8).

10. Reuben. This tribe camped “on the south side,” literally, “southwards.” The four quarters of the compass were named from the viewpoint of a person facing east. Reuben was the eldest of Jacob’s 12 sons (Gen. 35:23), but forfeited the honor and prerogatives of the first-born because of instability of character.

17. Midst of the camp. If the order of mention in this chapter indicates the order of march, the Levites with the sanctuary followed the camps of Judah and Reuben. The account of their actual march, however (ch. 10:14–21), places the tabernacle, that is, the tent and the court hangings, between the first two divisions, Judah and Reuben. It was sent on ahead so that it could be set up and ready to receive the “sanctuary,” that is, the holy things—the ark, altars, etc.—that followed Reuben in the center of the marching host. It is not possible to determine whether the Levites and the sanctuary preceded Reuben and his group, or followed them. In marching as in camping, the various divisions under their respective banners proceeded strictly in formation.

In his place. Literally, “each individual upon his hand.” The expression, “upon the hand of the Jordan” (ch. 13:29, Heb.), is translated in the KJV, “by the coast of Jordan.” See also Deut. 23:12 and Jer. 6:3, where the word for “hand” is in both instances translated “place.”

18. Camp of Ephraim. The second son of Joseph (Gen. 41:52; 46:20), Ephraim was reckoned among the children of Jacob, blessed by him, and given preference over Manasseh (Gen. 48:1, 5, 13, 14, 17, 20). The name is connected with the verb “to bear fruit,” “to be fruitful,” with the noun depicting “a fruitful land,” one of grain or pasture.

25. Camp of Dan. Dan was the son of Jacob and Bilhah (Gen. 30:6; 35:25). The meaning of the name is “judge.” Its verb root means “to judge,” “to act as a judge.” The equivalent Arabic root means “to be obedient,” “to be submissive,” also “to govern,” “to recompense.” The exalted position of Dan in the circumstances of this verse is in great contrast to the depths to which he afterward fell; for he settled among the heathen, dropped out of the sacred account, and finds no part among the 12 tribes of the New Jerusalem (see Judges 18; Rev. 7:5–8).

34. So they set forward. The multitude that came out of Egypt had now become like a disciplined army on the march, grouped according to tribe, clan, and family.

CHAPTERS 1 AND 2 GIVE US THE SIZE AND DISCIPLINE OF THE ISRAELITE HOST. THE CENTER OF ATTENTION WAS the tabernacle, God’s dwelling place. Jehovah was in their midst (Deut. 4:7; 23:14; Ps. 78:52, 53; cf. Rom. 8:31), the pledge of hope, security, and progress. He was their Protector (Hosea 11:10, mighty to deliver (Isa. 49:25, 26). He was to them a light by night and a welcome shade by day (Isa. 4:5). All these concepts centered in the tabernacle, the abiding place of God.

The awe and reverence the tabernacle inspired were due to the fact of Jehovah’s indwelling. The separation of the divine dwelling place from the common walk of life helped to instill respect for authority and a sense of discipline among the people. Today the church is like an army on the march, and Jehovah is with her (see 2 Cor. 6:16; 1 Peter 2:9).

Ellen G. White comments

2,17    PP 375