King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
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.
Complete Jewish Bible:
"Those camping on the west are to be under the banner of the camp of Efrayim; they are to camp according to companies; by tribe and leader they are as follows: Tribe Chief Number Efrayim Elishama the son of 'Ammihud 40,500 M'nasheh Gamli'el the son of P'dahtzur 32,200 Binyamin Avidan the son of Gid'oni 35,400 Total 108,100 "This group is to set out third.
Berean Standard Bible:
On the west side, the divisions of Ephraim are to camp under their standard:
American Standard Version:
On the west side shall be the standard of the camp of Ephraim according to their hosts: and the prince of the children of Ephraim shall be Elishama the son of Ammihud.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
On the west side{H3220} shall be the standard{H1714} of the camp{H4264} of Ephraim{H669} according to their armies{H6635}: and the captain{H5387} of the sons{H1121} of Ephraim{H669} shall be Elishama{H476} the son{H1121} of Ammihud{H5989}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Numbers 1:10
- Of the children of Joseph: of Ephraim; Elishama the son of Ammihud: of Manasseh; Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.
Numbers 10:22
- And the standard of the camp of the children of Ephraim set forward according to their armies: and over his host [was] Elishama the son of Ammihud.
Genesis 48:14
- And Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid [it] upon Ephraim's head, who [was] the younger, and his left hand upon Manasseh's head, guiding his hands wittingly; for Manasseh [was] the firstborn.
Genesis 48:20
- And he blessed them that day, saying, In thee shall Israel bless, saying, God make thee as Ephraim and as Manasseh: and he set Ephraim before Manasseh.
1 Chronicles 7:26
- Laadan his son, Ammihud his son, Elishama his son,
1 Chronicles 7:27
- Non his son, Jehoshua his son.
Numbers 7:48
- On the seventh day Elishama the son of Ammihud, prince of the children of Ephraim, [offered]:
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Numbers 2:18
1. **Themes:**
- **Divine Order and Organization:** The verse reflects the theme of divine order as God instructs the Israelites on how to arrange their camp in the wilderness. Each tribe has a designated position around the Tabernacle, emphasizing the importance of structure and obedience to God's commands.
- **Leadership and Responsibility:** The appointment of Elishama as the captain of the Ephraimites highlights the theme of leadership. Leaders are chosen by God to guide and take responsibility for their people.
- **Identity and Unity:** The allocation of a standard (or banner) to each tribe, including Ephraim, underscores the distinct identity of the tribes while also uniting them under a common purpose as the people of Israel.
2. **Historical Context:**
- **Exodus and Wilderness Wanderings:** Numbers 2:18 is set during the time of the Exodus, when the Israelites were wandering in the wilderness after being delivered from slavery in Egypt. The book of Numbers details the census, organization, and laws given to the Israelites during this period.
- **Preparation for Conquest:** The precise arrangement of the camp was part of the preparation for the Israelites' eventual conquest and settlement of the Promised Land. This organization was crucial for the large body of people as they traveled and camped in a way that was both orderly and sacred.
- **The Role of Ephraim:** Ephraim was one of the most prominent tribes in Israel, often associated with strength and leadership. The tribe's position on the west side of the Tabernacle, along with Manasseh and Benjamin, placed them in a position of honor as they were among the first to break camp and lead the way when the Israelites moved.
In summary, Numbers 2:18 emphasizes God's detailed instructions for the Israelite encampment, highlighting the themes of order, leadership, and unity. It reflects the historical context of the Israelites' journey towards the Promised Land, with the tribe of Ephraim playing a significant role in the nation's structure and movement.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H3220
There are 339 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָם
Transliteration: yâm
Pronunciation: yawm
Description: from an unused root meaning to roar; a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the Mediterranean Sea; sometimes a large river, or an artifical basin; locally, the west, or (rarely) the south; sea ([idiom] -faring man, (-shore)), south, west (-ern, side, -ward). - Strong's Number: H1714
There are 14 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: דֶּגֶל
Transliteration: degel
Pronunciation: deh'-gel
Description: from דָּגַל; a flag; banner, standard. - Strong's Number: H4264
There are 190 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מַחֲנֶה
Transliteration: machăneh
Pronunciation: makh-an-eh'
Description: from חָנָה; an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or even the sacred courts); army, band, battle, camp, company, drove, host, tents. - Strong's Number: H669
There are 313 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֶפְרַיִם
Transliteration: ʼEphrayim
Pronunciation: ef-rah'-yim
Description: dual of masculine form of אֶפְרָת; double fruit; Ephrajim, a son of Joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory; Ephraim, Ephraimites. - Strong's Number: H6635
There are 463 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: צָבָא
Transliteration: tsâbâʼ
Pronunciation: tsaw-baw'
Description: or (feminine) צְבָאָה; from צָבָא; a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized forwar (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (specifically, hardship, worship); appointed time, ([phrase]) army, ([phrase]) battle, company, host, service, soldiers, waiting upon, war(-fare). - Strong's Number: H5387
There are 120 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָשִׂיא
Transliteration: nâsîyʼ
Pronunciation: naw-see'
Description: or נָשִׂא; from נָשָׂא; properly, an exalted one, i.e. a king or sheik; also a rising mist; captain, chief, cloud, governor, prince, ruler, vapour. - Strong's Number: H1121
There are 3654 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בֵּן
Transliteration: bên
Pronunciation: bane
Description: from בָּנָה; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.); [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. - Strong's Number: H476
There are 50 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֱלִישָׁמָע
Transliteration: ʼĔlîyshâmâʻ
Pronunciation: el-ee-shaw-maw'
Description: from אֵל and שָׁמַע; God of hearing; Elishama, the name of seven Israelites; Elishama. - Strong's Number: H5989
There are 10 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עַמִּיהוּד
Transliteration: ʻAmmîyhûwd
Pronunciation: am-mee-hood'
Description: from עַם and הוֹד; people of splendor; Ammihud, the name of three Israelites; Ammihud.