Matthew Poole and continuators on Numbers 2

2 Every man of the children of Israel shall pitch by his own standard , with the ensign of their fathers house: far off about the tabernacle of the congregation shall they pitch.

Or, ensign, by that to which he is allotted by the following order. It is manifest that there were four great Standards or Ensigns, which here follow, distinguished by their colours or figures or otherwise; also that there were other particular Ensigns belonging to each of their Fathers Houses or Families, as is here said.

Partly out of reverence to God and his Worship and the portion allotted to it, and partly for caution, least their vicinity to it might tempt them to make too near approaches to it. It is supposed they were at 2000 cubits distance from it, which was the space between the people and the Ark, Ios. 3. 4. and it is not improbable, because the Levites encamped round about it, between them and the Tabernacle.

Marginal references: Heb. over against.

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.

He and Zebulun were Leah's two youngest sons, and therefore would more contentedly submit to Iudah.

9 All that were numbred 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.

This was the most numerous camp, because they marched first, as being placed on the East and going towards the East, and because they guarded the Sanctuary.

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.

Who being the first-born was the leader of the second camp.

14 Then the tribe of Gad: and the captain of the sons of Gad shall be Eliasaph the son of Reuel .

Called Devel, Numb. 1. 14. the Hebrew letters Daleth and Resh being very like and oft changed, as appears by comparing Gen. 10. 3. with 1 Chron. 1. 6. and Gen. 36. 26, 38. with 1 Chron. 1. 41, 50.

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.

Which is not to be understood strictly or exactly, but largely; for in their march they were divided, and part of that Tribe marched next after Iudah, Numb. 10. 17. and the other part exactly in the midst of the camp.

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.

Who is here preferred before his brother, according to the prophesie, Gen. 48. 19, 20.

31 All they that were numbred in the camp of Dan, were an hundred thousand and fifty and seven thousand and six hundred : they shall go hindmost with their standards.

The strongest camp next after Iudah, and therefore he comes in the rear, as Iudah marched in the front, that the Tabernacle might be best guarded where there was most danger.

33 But the Levites were not numbred among the children of Israel, as the LORD commanded Moses.

Because their warfare was of another kind.

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.

(i. e.) Each of them under his principal standard.