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The arrangement of the camp, and the order of march

The following diagram represents the arrangement which appears to be described in the Hebrew text:

2. Each tribe has a (?) standard; and each family has an ensign, or more strictly a sign, which may imply any kind of mark, such as a pole or spear or other object. Doughty (Arabia Deserta, i. 221) describes a Bedawin chief as striking his lance into the ground as a sign round which his people encamped. The meaning of the word deghel, rendered ‘standard,’ is doubtful. It perhaps denotes something looked at or conspicuous (cf. Song of Solomon 5:10, R.V. ‘chiefest’); and an Assyr. root formed of the same consonants has that meaning. And hence might be derived ‘banner’ (Song of Solomon 2:4)1 [Note: The verb in Psalm 20:6 [Eng. 5] cannot be safely used as evidence; many think that the passage is corrupt.] . In the present passage some would render it ‘company’ or ‘battalion,’ and so in Numbers 2:3; Numbers 2:10; Numbers 2:18; Numbers 2:25. This would certainly be more suitable in Numbers 2:3, where the literal rendering of the Heb. is ‘those that pitch … shall be the deghel of the camp of Judah,’ and it is supported by the LXX. (τάγμα), Syriac, and Targum. If this is right, deghel is used with a secondary meaning. Cf. the words maṭṭeh and shçbheṭ, each of which can denote both a ‘staff’ and a ‘tribe.’ Cf. also the Lat. vexillum, a ‘standard’ (Tac. Hist. i. 32) and a ‘company’ belonging to a vexillum (id. i. 70).

3. Judah] The most important tribe in each group of three is mentioned first, and the numbers of all the three together are reckoned under its name (Numbers 2:9; Numbers 2:16; Numbers 2:24; Numbers 2:31).

5, 7. Issachar is said to ‘pitch next unto’ Judah, and similarly in the other three cases. The important tribe thus appears to be placed in the centre, between the other two.

17. in the midst of the camps] This appears to mean in the centre of the line of march. The tribes on the east and south sides start first and second. Then follows the Tabernacle with all its parts and accessories, the Levites who carry it forming a hollow square. After them follow the tribes on the west and north sides. The Levitical families retain the respective positions which they occupy when encamped. In the present order of the text, these positions are not described till Numbers 3:23; Numbers 3:29; Numbers 3:35; Numbers 3:38. A different priestly tradition as to the order of match is given in Numbers 10:17-21.