Bible Commentaries

By his own standard, 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 father’s houses or families, as is here said.

Far off; partly out of reverence to God and his worship, and the portion allotted to it, and partly for caution, lest their vicinity to it might tempt them to make too near approaches to it. It is supposed they were at two thousand cubits distance from it, which was the space between the people and the ark, Joshua 3:4, and it is not improbable, because the Levites encamped round about it between them and the tabernacle.

Issachar and Zebulun were Leah’s two youngest sons, and therefore would more contentedly submit to Judah.

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.

Reuben being the first-born, was the leader of the second camp.

Called Deuel, Numbers 1:14, the Hebrew letters daleth and resh being very like, and oft changed, as appears by comparing Genesis 10:3, with 1 Chronicles 1:6 Genesis 36:26,38, with 1 Chronicles 1:41,50.

In the midst of the camp, 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 Judah, Numbers 10:17, and the other part exactly in the midst of the camp.

Ephraim is here preferred before his brother, according to the prophecy, Genesis 48:19,20.

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

Because their warfare was of another kind.

By their standards, i.e. each of them under his principal standard.