Bible Commentaries

Numbers 2:1 And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,

Ver. 1. And the Lord spake.] He being the Lord of these hosts of Israel, [Exodus 12:41] gives order for the marshalling of them in such good array, and all comely equipage, as made them as a city that is compact together; both "beautiful as the moon, and terrible as an army with banners." [Psalms 122:3 Song of Solomon 6:10] This Balaam beheld with admiration. [Numbers 24:5-6]

Numbers 2:2 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.

Ver. 2. Far off about the tabernacle.] About it: the emperor’s tent is among his soldiers. Xerxes pitched his tent not only among, but above his soldiers, that he might look on them, when in fight, for their encouragement. So the Lord, who, as he "is round about his people": [Psalms 125:2] so they are "round about the Lord." [Psalms 76:12] "A people near unto him." [Psalms 148:14] Yet not so near, but they must know, and keep their just distance; as here they pitched far off, about the tabernacle, a mile off, as is gathered from Joshua 3:4. God, though he loves to be acquainted with men in the walks of their obedience, yet he takes state upon him in his ordinances, and will be trembled at in our addresses to his Majesty.

Numbers 2:3 And on the east side toward the rising of the sun shall they of the standard of the camp of Judah pitch throughout their armies: and Nahshon the son of Amminadab [shall be] captain of the children of Judah.

Ver. 3. And on the east side.] Judah encamped foremost. It was fit the lion should lead the way. Better an army of harts, with a lion to lead them on, &c. This order in their march showed the principality that should continue in this tribe till Shiloh came. Judah herein also was a type of Christ, who is "the Captain of the Lord’s host," [Joshua 5:14] and "of our salvation," [Hebrews 2:10] and goeth before his heavenly armies. [Revelation 12:7]

Numbers 2:10 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.

Ver. 10. And on the south side.] The order proceeded from east to south, and so to the west and north; according to the course of the sun, and climates of the world, saith one. I may add, according to the course and progress of the gospel; which went out of Judea, lying east, into Greece, which lieth south; and from thence passed to the western parts, the Latin Church, and so to us of the north: and because

“ Vespera nunc venit, nobiscum Christe maneto:

Extingui lucem nec patiare tuam. ”