(The Lord speaking is red text)
Then the tribe of Benjamin: and the captain of the sons of Benjamin [shall be] Abidan the son of Gideoni.
Next will be the tribe of Benjamin. The leader of the Benjamites is Abidan son of Gideoni,
And the tribe of Benjamin: and the prince of the children of Benjamin shall be Abidan the son of Gideoni.
Then the tribe{H4294} of Benjamin{H1144}: and the captain{H5387} of the sons{H1121} of Benjamin{H1144} shall be Abidan{H27} the son{H1121} of Gideoni{H1441}.
**Themes:**
Numbers 2:22 is part of the detailed instructions given by God to Moses and Aaron for organizing the Israelite encampment in the wilderness. The verse specifically mentions the tribe of Benjamin and its leader, Abidan son of Gideoni, during the time of the Exodus. Key themes include:
1. **Order and Organization:** The verse reflects the importance of structure within the Israelite community as they journey through the wilderness. God prescribes a specific arrangement for the tribes, emphasizing order and military-like discipline.
2. **Leadership:** The appointment of Abidan as the leader of the tribe of Benjamin highlights the theme of divinely appointed leadership and the responsibility bestowed upon certain individuals to guide their kin.
3. **Identity and Unity:** Each tribe is assigned a specific place and leader, reinforcing their unique identity within the larger nation of Israel, while also emphasizing the need for unity and cooperation among the tribes.
**Historical Context:**
The book of Numbers is set during the Israelites' journey from Egypt to the Promised Land, which took place approximately in the 13th century BCE. The events described in Numbers 2 occur shortly after the establishment of the Tabernacle, which was the portable dwelling place for God's presence among the Israelites. In Numbers 1, God commands Moses to take a census of the Israelite fighting men, and in Numbers 2, He instructs Moses on how the tribes should encamp around the Tabernacle, with each tribe having a designated position.
The tribe of Benjamin was one of the twelve tribes of Israel, descended from Jacob's youngest son, Benjamin. The tribe's position in the encampment was on the west side of the Tabernacle, along with the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, under the standard of Ephraim. Abidan, the son of Gideoni, was chosen as the leader or prince of the tribe of Benjamin, reflecting the tribal structure where leadership was often hereditary and sanctioned by divine choice.
This organization was crucial for the Israelites as they moved through the wilderness, ensuring that each tribe had a role in the collective journey towards the land promised to their ancestors by God.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)