Numbers 2

Organization for Israel’s Camp 1Then the LORD gave these instructions to Moses and Aaron: 2“When the Israelites set up camp, each tribe will be assigned its own area. The tribal divisions will camp beneath their family banners on all four sides of the Tabernacle, Hebrew the Tent of Meeting; also in 2:17. but at some distance from it.

3“The divisions of Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun are to camp toward the sunrise on the east side of the Tabernacle, beneath their family banners. These are the names of the tribes, their leaders, and the numbers of their registered troops:
Tribe — Leader — NumberJudah — Nahshon son of Amminadab — 74,600 5 Issachar — Nethanel son of Zuar — 54,400 7 Zebulun — Eliab son of Helon — 57,400

9So the total of all the troops on Judah’s side of the camp is 186,400. These three tribes are to lead the way whenever the Israelites travel to a new campsite.

10“The divisions of Reuben, Simeon, and Gad are to camp on the south side of the Tabernacle, beneath their family banners. These are the names of the tribes, their leaders, and the numbers of their registered troops:
Tribe — Leader — NumberReuben — Elizur son of Shedeur — 46,500 12 Simeon — Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai — 59,300 14 Gad — Eliasaph son of Deuel As in many Hebrew manuscripts, Samaritan Pentateuch, and Latin Vulgate (see also 1:14); most Hebrew manuscripts read son of Reuel. — 45,650

16So the total of all the troops on Reuben’s side of the camp is 151,450. These three tribes will be second in line whenever the Israelites travel.

17“Then the Tabernacle, carried by the Levites, will set out from the middle of the camp. All the tribes are to travel in the same order that they camp, each in position under the appropriate family banner.

18“The divisions of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin are to camp on the west side of the Tabernacle, beneath their family banners. These are the names of the tribes, their leaders, and the numbers of their registered troops:
Tribe — Leader — NumberEphraim — Elishama son of Ammihud — 40,500 20 Manasseh — Gamaliel son of Pedahzur — 32,200 22 Benjamin — Abidan son of Gideoni — 35,400

24So the total of all the troops on Ephraim’s side of the camp is 108,100. These three tribes will be third in line whenever the Israelites travel.

25“The divisions of Dan, Asher, and Naphtali are to camp on the north side of the Tabernacle, beneath their family banners. These are the names of the tribes, their leaders, and the numbers of their registered troops:
Tribe — Leader — NumberDan — Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai — 62,700 27 Asher — Pagiel son of Ocran — 41,500 29 Naphtali — Ahira son of Enan — 53,400

31So the total of all the troops on Dan’s side of the camp is 157,600. These three tribes will be last, marching under their banners whenever the Israelites travel.”

32In summary, the troops of Israel listed by their families totaled 603,550. 33But as the LORD had commanded, the Levites were not included in this registration. 34So the people of Israel did everything as the LORD had commanded Moses. Each clan and family set up camp and marched under their banners exactly as the LORD had instructed them.