Bible Commentaries
E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes
Numbers 2
man. Hebrew. "ish. See App-14.
children = sons. See note on Numbers 1:2.
pitch = encamp.
standard. Hebrew. degel.
ensign. Each standard is said to have had as its "sign" one of the twelve constellations (see note on Genesis 1:16, and App-12. Hebrew. "oth) depicted on it. One standard, with its sign on it for each tribe. Hence called "ensign". See notes on the tribes below, from the Targum of Jonathan.
far off = over against. Same as Psalms 38:12, yet so as to be in view. Compare 2 Kings 2:7. Deuteronomy 32:52. Genesis 21:16.
tabernacle = tent. Hebrew. "ohel. See App-40.
east. The order proceeds according to the course of the sun: east, south, west, north. camp. Each camp composed of three tribes. Compare verses: Numbers 2:3, Numbers 2:10, Numbers 2:17, Numbers 3:18, Numbers 3:25, Numbers 3:32.
Judah. The sign, a lion (Genesis 49:9. Ezekiel 1:10. Revelation 4:7). The standard, the colors of the three stones of the second row, Exodus 28:1-8, For the order, see App-45.
Then. This word, according to some codices, with Samaritan Pentateuch, should not be in italics. Compare verses: Numbers 2:14, Numbers 2:22, Numbers 2:29,
Zebulun, brother of Judah (same mother, Leah). Genesis 35:23. Sign on standard = Virgo.
south. See note on "east", Numbers 2:3.
Reuben. The centre of the south side, with standard in the colors of stones of first row of Exodus 28:17; and sign, a man (Genesis 30:14) = Aquarius in Zodiac.
Gad, brother of Reuben (same mother, Leah). Genesis 35:23. Sign = Aries.
Reuel. Some codices, with one early printed edition, Targum of Onkelos, The Targum of Jonathan ben Uzziel and Vulgate, have "Deuel", as in Ch. Numbers 1:14; Numbers 7:41; Numbers 10:20; the (Resh, R) being mistaken for (Daleth, D). Probably called, indifferently, by either name.
tabernacle of the congregation. See note on Numbers 2:2. This was in centre. So is the tent of the chief of the tribe to this day. The manner of its being carried is shown in Ch. Numbers 10:17, &c.
Levites. The order of the Levites" camping is shown in Num 3, their marching in Num 10. Their sign was Libra, or more anciently the "altar".
as = according as.
west. See note on Numbers 2:3. Hebrew = sea, that being west.
Ephraim. The centre on the west side. The colors of the stones in fourth row of Exodus 28:20. The sign, an ox (Deuteronomy 33:17. Ezekiel 1:10. Revelation 4:7). In the Zodiac, Ephraim and Manasseh are the two horns of Taurus, the bull. Ephraim, the younger, bears the standard, according to the blessing in Genesis 48:14-20.
Manasseh, brother of Ephraim by same mother (Genesis 41:51, Genesis 41:52). Sign, see Numbers 2:18.
Dan. The centre on the north side. Colors of standard same as those of the third row of stones in Exodus 28:19. Sign, the eagle (substituted for the serpent of Genesis 49:17). Compare Ezekiel 1:10. Revelation 4:7.
Asher, the son of the other handmaid Zilpah, put with Dan and Naphtali, the sons of Bilhah. His sign was Sagittarius, the Archer.
the camps. See note on Numbers 2:3, and App-45. They may be thus set forth:
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