King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
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.
Complete Jewish Bible:
"The people of Isra'el are to set up camp by clans, each man with his own banner and under his clan's symbol; they are to camp around the tent of meeting, but at a distance.
Berean Standard Bible:
“The Israelites are to camp around the Tent of Meeting at a distance from it, each man under his standard, with the banners of his family.
American Standard Version:
The children of Israel shall encamp every man by his own standard, with the ensigns of their fathers’ houses: over against the tent of meeting shall they encamp round about.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Every man{H376} of the children{H1121} of Israel{H3478} shall pitch{H2583} by his own standard{H1714}, with the ensign{H226} of their father's{H1} house{H1004}: far off{H5048} about{H5439} the tabernacle{H168} of the congregation{H4150} shall they pitch{H2583}.
Cross-References (KJV):
1 Corinthians 14:40
- Let all things be done decently and in order.
Joshua 3:4
- Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure: come not near unto it, that ye may know the way by which ye must go: for ye have not passed [this] way heretofore.
Numbers 1:50
- But thou shalt appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of testimony, and over all the vessels thereof, and over all things that [belong] to it: they shall bear the tabernacle, and all the vessels thereof; and they shall minister unto it, and shall encamp round about the tabernacle.
Numbers 10:25
- And the standard of the camp of the children of Dan set forward, [which was] the rereward of all the camps throughout their hosts: and over his host [was] Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.
1 Corinthians 14:33
- For God is not [the author] of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
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.
Numbers 1:52
- And the children of Israel shall pitch their tents, every man by his own camp, and every man by his own standard, throughout their hosts.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Numbers 2:2
1. Themes:
- Organization and Order: Numbers 2:2 emphasizes the structured layout of the Israelite camp during their wilderness journey, with each tribe assigned a specific location and standard (or banner).
- Identity and Unity: The verse highlights the importance of tribal identity within the larger context of the Israelite community, as each tribe's position is determined by their ancestral house.
- Proximity to the Holy: The directive to camp "far off about the tabernacle of the congregation" suggests a reverent distance from the sacred space where God's presence dwelled.
2. Historical Context:
- The book of Numbers recounts events during the Israelites' journey from Mount Sinai to the Promised Land, including the census of the people, the organization of the camp, and various laws and narratives.
- Numbers 2:2 is part of the instructions given by God to Moses and Aaron regarding how the Israelites should encamp around the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary that was at the center of their worship.
- This organization was likely intended to maintain order, facilitate worship, and preserve the tribal heritage during the 40-year desert sojourn.
- The standards or banners mentioned in the verse were probably distinguishing flags or symbols that represented each tribe, making it easier to assemble and march in an orderly fashion when directed by God.
- The historical setting is approximately the 13th century BCE, during the period of the Exodus, as the Israelites transition from slavery in Egypt to becoming a nation in their own land.
*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: H376
There are 1507 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אִישׁ
Transliteration: ʼîysh
Pronunciation: eesh
Description: contracted for אֱנוֹשׁ (or perhaps rather from an unused root meaning to be extant); a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation); also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare אִשָּׁה. - 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: H3478
There are 2229 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יִשְׂרָאֵל
Transliteration: Yisrâʼêl
Pronunciation: yis-raw-ale'
Description: from שָׂרָה and אֵל; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity; Israel. - Strong's Number: H2583
There are 135 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חָנָה
Transliteration: chânâh
Pronunciation: khaw-naw'
Description: a primitive root (compare חָנַן); properly, to incline; by implication, to decline (of the slanting rays of evening); specifically, to pitch atent; gen. to encamp (for abode or siege); abide (in tents), camp, dwell, encamp, grow to an end, lie, pitch (tent), rest in tent. - 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: H226
There are 140 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אוֹת
Transliteration: ʼôwth
Pronunciation: oth
Description: probably from אוּת (in the sense of appearing); a signal (literally or figuratively), as aflag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence, etc.; mark, miracle, (en-) sign, token. - Strong's Number: H1
There are 15773 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָב
Transliteration: ʼâb
Pronunciation: awb
Description: a primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application; chief, (fore-) father(-less), [idiom] patrimony, principal. Compare names in 'Abi-'. - Strong's Number: H1004
There are 1718 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בַּיִת
Transliteration: bayith
Pronunciation: bah'-yith
Description: probably from בָּנָה abbreviated; a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.); court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out). - Strong's Number: H5048
There are 23 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נֶגֶד
Transliteration: neged
Pronunciation: neh'-ghed
Description: from נָגַד; a front, i.e. part opposite; specifically a counterpart, or mate; usually (adverbial, especially with preposition) over against or before; about, (over) against, [idiom] aloof, [idiom] far (off), [idiom] from, over, presence, [idiom] other side, sight, [idiom] to view. - Strong's Number: H5439
There are 282 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: סָבִיב
Transliteration: çâbîyb
Pronunciation: saw-beeb'
Description: or (feminine) סְבִיבָה; from סָבַב; (as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around; (place, round) about, circuit, compass, on every side. - Strong's Number: H168
There are 369 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֹהֶל
Transliteration: ʼôhel
Pronunciation: o'-hel
Description: from אָהַל; a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance); covering, (dwelling) (place), home, tabernacle, tent. - Strong's Number: H4150
There are 213 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מוֹעֵד
Transliteration: môwʻêd
Pronunciation: mo-ade'
Description: or מֹעֵד; or (feminine) מוֹעָדָה; (2 Chronicles 8:13), from יָעַד; properly, an appointment, i.e. a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally ayear; by implication, an assembly (as convened for a definite purpose); technically the congregation; by extension, the place of meeting; also a signal (as appointed beforehand); appointed (sign, time), (place of, solemn) assembly, congregation, (set, solemn) feast, (appointed, due) season, solemn(-ity), synogogue, (set) time (appointed).