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英文原文
The thousands of Israel, having been mustered in the former chapter, in this are marshalled, and a regular disposition is made of their camp, by a divine appointment. Here is, I. A general order concerning it, Nu 2:1,2. II. Particular directions for the posting of each of the tribes, in four distinct squadrons, three tribes in each squadron. 1. In the van-guard on the east were posted Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun, Nu 2:3-9. 2. In the right wing, southward, Reuben, Simeon, and Gad, Nu 2:10-16. 3. In the rear, westward, Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin, Nu 2:18-24. 4. In the left wing, northward, Dan, Asher, and Naphtali, Nu 2:25-31. 5. The tabernacle in the centre, Nu 2:17. III. The conclusion of this appointment, Nu 2:32, etc.
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The Stations of the Several Tribes (1490 BC)
各支派的營位（主前 1490 年）
¹ 耶和華曉諭摩西亞倫說、 ² 以色列人要各歸自己的纛下、在本族的旗號那裏、對著會幕的四圍安營。
此處頒布了一般性的安排，既論及他們安營時的整齊部署，也論及他們起行時的整齊行軍。他們迄今可能已遵循某種秩序；他們出埃及時是「帶著兵器」（出 13:18），但如今被納入更好的編制。1. 他們都住在帳棚裏，行軍時也帶著一切的帳棚同行，因為他們「找不到可住的城邑」（詩 107:4）。這正預表我們在這世界的境況。這是流動的境況（我們今日在這裏，明日已不在）；這是軍旅的境況：我們的一生豈不是爭戰嗎？我們不過在這世界支搭帳棚，在其中沒有常存的城。所以，我們在這世界支搭之時，當竭力穿越其中。2. 同一支派的人要同住一處，「各歸自己的纛下」。當知道，親屬之間彼此維繫相愛、情誼相通、彼此相交，這是神的旨意。有親屬關係的人當盡可能彼此熟識；當善用天然的紐帶來加強基督徒相交的紐帶。3. 各人都當知道自己的位置並守住它；他們不能隨意定居，也不能隨意搬遷，乃是神給他們指定駐地，並命他們住在自己的駐地。當知道，是神「設定我們居住的疆界」，我們當將自己交託於祂。「祂必為我們選擇產業」（詩 47:4），在祂的選擇中我們當順服，不要愛好游移，也不要作「離開窩的雀鳥」。4. 每個支派都有自己的旗幟、旗號，每個家族似乎也有本族父家的特定旗號，如同我們軍隊中每連每隊的旗幟。這些旗幟用以區別支派與家族，並招聚他們、使他們聚集，因此傳福音被說成是「豎立大旗，外邦人必尋求」，並在其周圍安營（賽 11:10,12）。當知道，神是秩序的神，不是混亂的神。這些旗幟使這支大軍在友軍看來更美，在敵軍看來更可畏。基督的教會被說成是「展開旌旗的大軍」（歌 6:10）。這些旗幟如何區別，並不確定：有人猜測各支派的旗幟與大祭司以弗得上刻該支派名字的寶石顏色相同，這就是全部的差別。許多現代猶太人以為每面旗幟上都畫著某種紋章，與雅各對該支派的祝福有關。猶大扛著獅子，但扛著蛇，拿弗他利扛著鹿，便雅憫扛著狼等。又有人說四面主要旗幟是：猶大為獅子，流便為人，約瑟為牛，但為鷹，認為以西結異象中的形像正是指此。又有人說每面旗幟上寫著該支派的名字。無論如何，毫無疑問，這些都給出了明確的方向。5. 他們要對著會幕安營，會幕要在各支派中間，正如軍隊中元帥的營帳位於中央。他們要圍著會幕安營，（1）使會幕對他們全體同樣是安慰與喜樂，因為它是神與他們同在之恩寵的憑據。詩 46:5：「神在其中，城必不動搖。」他們的營既有神在他們心中，就當歡欣。每天都有天糧降在他們營周圍，又有天火與神恩寵的其他憑據在他們營中，這就充充足足地回答了那個問題：「耶和華是在我們中間不是？」「以色列啊，你是有福的！」很可能他們所有帳棚的門都朝向會幕，從四面而來，因為每一個以色列人都當常常仰望主；所以他們在帳棚門口敬拜。會幕在營中央，為的是離他們近；因為能有神聖條例的莊嚴施行在我們附近、在我們力所能及之處，是極其可羨慕的事。「神的國就在你們心裏。」（2）使他們能從四面護衛會幕與利未人。任何侵犯者要挨近神的會幕，必先穿透他們最密集的軍陣。當知道，若神承擔保護我們安逸之責，我們就當在我們的位置上承擔保護祂設立之責，並站立維護祂的尊榮、利益與僕人。6. 然而他們要「對著會幕的四圍」、卻要隔一段距離安營，為要敬畏聖所，免得它顯得在他們中間被擁擠推擠，也免得營中尋常的事務擾亂它。他們也受教要守住距離，免得過分熟悉而生輕蔑。據推測（從書 3:4），營的最近部分與會幕之間（或許是他們與貼近會幕紮營的利未人營之間）的距離是二千肘，即一千碼，比我們的哩不過一半多一點；但營的外圍必定遠得多。有人計算他們營地的範圍不小於十二哩見方；因為它如同流動的城，有街巷，嗎哪也許在其中降下，正如在營外一樣，使他們在門口就能得著。在基督教會中我們讀到一個寶座（正如會幕中有施恩座），被稱為「從起初就榮耀的高位」（耶 17:12），那寶座被屬靈的以色列人——二十四位長老，是支派數目的雙倍——所環繞，「身穿白衣」（啟 4:4），他們上面的旗號是「愛」；但我們並不像他們那樣受命「遠遠安營」；不，我們受邀請來就近，坦然無懼地來。至高者的聖民被說成是「在他四圍」（詩 76:11）。願神以恩典保守我們緊貼祂！
³ 在東邊向日出之地、照著軍隊安營的、是猶大營的纛、亞米拿達的兒子拿順、作猶大人的首領。 ⁴ 他軍隊被數的、共有七萬四千六百名。 ⁵ 挨著他安營的是以薩迦支派、有蘇押的兒子拿坦業、作以薩迦人的首領。 ⁶ 他軍隊被數的、共有五萬四千四百名。 ⁷ 又有西布倫支派、希倫的兒子以利押、作西布倫人的首領。 ⁸ 他軍隊被數的、共有五萬七千四百名。 ⁹ 凡屬猶大營按著軍隊被數的、共有十八萬六千四百名、要作第一隊往前行。 ¹⁰ 在南邊按著軍隊是流便營的纛、丟珥的兒子以利蓿、作流便人的首領。 ¹¹ 他軍隊被數的、共有四萬六千五百名。 ¹² 挨著他安營的是西緬支派、蘇利沙代的兒子示路蔑、作西緬人的首領。 ¹³ 他軍隊被數的、共有五萬九千三百名。 ¹⁴ 又有迦得支派、丟珥的兒子以利雅薩、作迦得人的首領。 ¹⁵ 他軍隊被數的、共有四萬五千六百五十名。 ¹⁶ 凡屬流便營按著軍隊被數的、共有十五萬一千四百五十名、要作第二隊往前行。 ¹⁷ 隨後會幕要往前行有利未營在諸營中間、他們怎樣安營就怎樣往前行、各按本位在各纛下。 ¹⁸ 在西邊按著軍隊是以法蓮營的纛、亞米忽的兒子以利沙瑪、作以法蓮人的首領。 ¹⁹ 他軍隊被數的、共有四萬零五百名。 ²⁰ 挨著他的是瑪拿西支派、比大蓿的兒子迦瑪列、作瑪拿西人的首領。 ²¹ 他軍隊被數的、共有三萬二千二百名。 ²² 又有便雅憫支派、基多尼的兒子亞比但、作便雅憫人的首領。 ²³ 他軍隊被數的、共有三萬五千四百名。 ²⁴ 凡屬以法蓮營按著軍隊被數的、共有十萬零八千一百名、要作第三隊往前行。 ²⁵ 在北邊按著軍隊是但營的纛、亞米沙代的兒子亞希以謝、作但人的首領。 ²⁶ 他軍隊被數的、共有六萬二千七百名。 ²⁷ 挨著他安營的是亞設支派、俄蘭的兒子帕結、作亞設人的首領。 ²⁸ 他軍隊被數的、共有四萬一千五百名。 ²⁹ 又有拿弗他利支派、以南的兒子亞希拉、作拿弗他利人的首領。 ³⁰ 他軍隊被數的、共有五萬三千四百名。 ³¹ 凡屬但營被數的、共有十五萬七千六百名、要作末隊往前行。 ³² 這些以色列人、照他們的宗族、按他們的軍隊、諸營被數的、共有六十萬三千五百五十名。 ³³ 惟獨利未人沒有數在以色列人中、是照耶和華所吩咐摩西的。 ³⁴ 以色列人就這樣行、各人照他的家室宗族、歸於本纛、安營起行、都是照耶和華所吩咐摩西的。
此處我們看到十二支派被分為四個軍陣，每陣三個支派，其中一個率領其他兩個。當注意：1. 神親自為他們指定位置，為要防止他們中間的紛爭與嫉妒。若讓他們自己決定誰先誰後，他們便有彼此爭論的危險（如門徒「爭論誰為大」）；各人都會有理由要居首，至少不要居末。若交給摩西決定，他們又會與他爭論，指他偏心；所以神親自定奪，祂本是尊榮的源頭與審判者，在祂的安排中各人都當順服。若神在護理中使別人高過我們、使我們卑微，我們當對祂如此行同樣滿意，如同祂這次從會幕發聲而作一樣；而「這顯然是神的心意要如此」這個念頭，當有效地平息一切嫉妒與不滿。至於我們的位置在某種程度上成為我們的選擇之處，我們的救主在路 14:8 給了一條準則：「不要坐在首位上」；又在太 20:27 給了另一條：「誰願為首，就必作你們的僕人。」最謙卑、最服事人的，才真正最尊榮。2. 每個支派都有一位首領、元帥、統帥，由神親自提名，與先前指定數點他們的是同一批人，民 1:5。我們都是一個亞當的兒女，這並不能成為平均主義的根據、不能抹去地位與尊榮的分別；因為即使在一個亞伯拉罕、一個雅各、一個猶大的兒女中，神也親自指定一人作其餘眾人的首領。「有神所立的權柄」，當尊敬懼怕的，就當敬重他、懼怕他。有人注意到這些首領名字的含義，至少在總體上，那些給他們起名的人心中何等多想到神，因為他們大多數的名字一頭一尾有「El」——「神」。「拿坦業——神的恩賜；以利押——我神為父；以利蓿——我神為磐石；示路蔑——神是我平安；以利雅薩——神所加增的；以利沙瑪——我神已垂聽；迦瑪列——神是我的報答；帕結——神已眷顧我。」由此可見，以色列人在埃及並未完全忘記他們神的名，當別的記念物都沒有之時，便藉著兒女的名字保存對祂的記念，並在其中於患難時安慰自己。3. 血統最相近的支派被編在同一旗號之下：猶大、以薩迦、西布倫都是利亞較小的三個兒子，便被放在一起；以薩迦與西布倫不會介意在猶大之下，因為他們是猶大的弟弟。流便與西緬在他們的位置上本不會滿足。所以流便——雅各的長子——被立為下一個軍陣的首領；西緬無疑願意在他之下，而迦得——利亞使女悉帕之子——取代利未的位置加在他們當中，安排合宜：以法蓮、瑪拿西、便雅憫都是拉結的後裔。但——辟拉的長子——雖是妾之子，卻被立為領頭的支派，好叫「那缺乏的，可以得著更豐盛的尊榮」；並且曾說「但必判斷他的民」，於是把兩個使女的幼子加給他。如此他們排列的次序無可挑剔。4. 猶大支派居首位尊榮之處，向日出之地安營，行軍時領前鋒，不僅因為它是人數最多的支派，更主要因為基督要從那支派而出，祂是「猶大支派中的獅子」，並要從現在被提名為該支派統帥的那人腰中出來。拿順被算在基督的祖先中，太 1:4。所以當他行在他們前頭，實際上就是基督親自作他們的元帥行在他們前頭。猶大是雅各十二個兒子中頭一個蒙福的。流便、西緬、利未都被臨終的父親責備；所以他雖在出生上不居首，卻在祝福上居首，便被放在首位，為要教導兒女當如何看重敬虔父母的笑臉、畏懼他們的怒容。5. 利未支派緊貼會幕安營，在其他支派之內，民 2:17。他們要保衛聖所，其餘支派則要保衛他們。如此，在約翰所見天國榮耀的異象中，長老與寶座之間有四個「滿了眼睛的活物」（啟 4:6,8）。民事的權力當保護國家的宗教利益，並護衛那榮耀。6. 但的營（該支派在定居迦南許久之後仍被如此稱呼，士 13:25，因它以武功著稱），雖在安營時位於左翼，行軍時卻被命作後隊，民 2:31。他們人數僅次於猶大，所以被安排在僅次於前鋒、最需要力量的位置，因為力量如何，日子也如何。末了，以色列人遵守所頒的命令，「照耶和華所吩咐摩西的」而行，民 2:34。他們被分派到指定的位置，並不發怨言，也不爭論；這既是他們的安全，也是他們的美；巴蘭看見這景象便被迷住：「雅各啊，你的帳棚何等華美！」（民 24:5）。照樣，稱為「聖徒的營」的福音教會，也當照聖經的模式緊密相連，各人知道並守住自己的位置；那時一切願教會安好的人都歡喜，「看見他們的秩序」（西 2:5）。
英文原文
The Stations of the Several Tribes (1490 BC)
¹ And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,
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.
Here is the general appointment given both for their orderly encampment where they rested and their orderly march when they moved. Some order, it is possible, they had observed hitherto; they came out of Egypt in rank and file (Ex 13:18), but now they were put into a better model. 1. They all dwelt in tents, and when they marched carried all their tents along with them, for they found no city to dwell in, Ps 107:4. This represents to us our state in this world. It is a movable state (we are here to-day and gone to-morrow); and it is a military state: is not our life a warfare? We do but pitch our tents in this world, and have in it no continuing city. Let us, therefore, while we are pitching in this world, be pressing through it. 2. Those of a tribe were to pitch together, every man by his own standard. Note, It is the will of God that mutual love and affection, converse and communion, should be kept up among relations. Those that are of kin to each other should, as much as they can, be acquainted with each other; and the bonds of nature should be improved for the strengthening of the bonds of Christian communion. 3. Every one must know his place and keep in it; they were not allowed to fix where they pleased, nor to remove when they pleased, but God quarters them, with a charge to abide in their quarters. Note, It is God that appoints us the bounds of our habitation, and to him we must refer ourselves. He shall choose our inheritance for us (Ps 47:4), and in his choice we must acquiesce, and not love to flit, nor be as the bird that wanders from her nest. 4. Every tribe had its standard, flag, or ensign, and it should seem every family had some particular ensign of their father's house, which was carried as with us the colours of each troop or company in a regiment are. These were of use for the distinction of tribes and families, and the gathering and keeping of them together, in allusion to which the preaching of the gospel is said to lift up an ensign, to which the Gentiles shall seek, and by which they shall pitch, Isa 11:10,12. Note, God is the God of order, and not of confusion. These standards made this mighty army seem more beautiful to its friends and more formidable to its enemies. The church of Christ is said to be as terrible as an army with banners, So 6:10. It is uncertain how these standards were distinguished: some conjecture that the standard of each tribe was of the same colour with the precious stone in which the name of that tribe was written in the high priest's ephod, and that this was all the difference. Many of the modern Jews think there was some coat of arms painted in each standard, which had reference to the blessing of that tribe by Jacob. Judah bore a lion, Dan a serpent, Naphtali a hind, Benjamin a wolf, etc. Some of them say the four principal standards were, Judah a lion, Reuben a man, Joseph an ox, and Dan an eagle, making the appearances in Ezekiel's vision to allude it. Others say the name of each tribe was written in its standard. Whatever it was, no doubt it gave a certain direction. 5. They were to pitch about the tabernacle, which was to be in the midst of them, as the tent of pavilion of a general in the centre of an army. They must encamp round the tabernacle, (1.) That it might be equally a comfort and joy to them all, as it was a token of God's gracious presence with them. Ps 46:5, God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved. Their camp had reason to be hearty, when thus they had God in the heart of them. To have bread from heaven every day round about their camp, and fire from heaven, with other tokens of God's favour, in the midst of their camp, was abundantly sufficient to answer that question, Is the Lord among us, or is he not? Happy art thou, O Israel! It is probable that the doors of all their tents were made to look towards the tabernacle from all sides, for every Israelite should have his eyes always towards the Lord; therefore they worshipped at the tent-door. The tabernacle was in the midst of the camp, that it might be near to them; for it is a very desirable thing to have the solemn administrations of holy ordinances near us and within our reach. The kingdom of God is among you. (2.) That they might be a guard and defence upon the tabernacle and the Levites on every side. No invader could come near God's tabernacle without first penetrating the thickest of their squadrons. Note, If God undertake the protection of our comforts, we ought in our places to undertake the protection of his institutions, and stand up in defence of his honour, and interest, and ministers. 6. Yet they were to pitch afar off, in reverence to the sanctuary, that it might not seem crowded and thrust up among them, and that the common business of the camp might be no annoyance to it. They were also taught to keep their distance, lest too much familiarity should breed contempt. It is supposed (from Jos 3:4) that the distance between the nearest part of the camp and the tabernacle (or perhaps between them and the camp of the Levites, who pitched near the tabernacle) was 2000 cubits, that is, 1000 yards, little more than half a measured mile with us; but the outer parts of the camp must needs be much further off. Some compute that the extent of their camp could be no less than twelve miles square; for it was like a movable city, with streets and lanes, in which perhaps the manna fell, as well as on the outside of the camp, that they might have it at their doors. In the Christian church we read of a throne (as in the tabernacle there was a mercy-seat) which is called a glorious high throne from the beginning (Jer 17:12), and that throne surrounded by spiritual Israelites, twenty-four elders, double to the number of the tribes, clothed in white raiment (Re 4:4), and the banner over them is Love; but we are not ordered, as they were, to pitch afar off; no, we are invited to draw near, and come boldly. The saints of the Most High are said to be round about him, Ps 76:11. God by his grace keep us close to him!
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.
⁴ And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were threescore and fourteen thousand and six hundred.
⁵ And those that do pitch next unto him shall be the tribe of Issachar: and Nethaneel the son of Zuar shall be captain of the children of Issachar.
⁶ And his host, and those that were numbered thereof, were fifty and four thousand and four hundred.
⁷ Then the tribe of Zebulun: and Eliab the son of Helon shall be captain of the children of Zebulun.
⁸ And his host, and those that were numbered thereof, were fifty and seven thousand and four hundred.
⁹ All that were numbered in the camp of Judah were an hundred thousand and fourscore thousand and six thousand and four hundred, throughout their armies. These shall first set forth.
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.
¹¹ And his host, and those that were numbered thereof, were forty and six thousand and five hundred.
¹² And those which pitch by him shall be the tribe of Simeon: and the captain of the children of Simeon shall be Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai.
¹³ And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were fifty and nine thousand and three hundred.
¹⁴ Then the tribe of Gad: and the captain of the sons of Gad shall be Eliasaph the son of Reuel.
¹⁵ And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were forty and five thousand and six hundred and fifty.
¹⁶ All that were numbered in the camp of Reuben were an hundred thousand and fifty and one thousand and four hundred and fifty, throughout their armies. And they shall set forth in the second rank.
¹⁷ Then the tabernacle of the congregation shall set forward with the camp of the Levites in the midst of the camp: as they encamp, so shall they set forward, every man in his place by their standards.
¹⁸ On the west side shall be the standard of the camp of Ephraim according to their armies: and the captain of the sons of Ephraim shall be Elishama the son of Ammihud.
¹⁹ And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were forty thousand and five hundred.
²⁰ And by him shall be the tribe of Manasseh: and the captain of the children of Manasseh shall be Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.
²¹ And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were thirty and two thousand and two hundred.
²² Then the tribe of Benjamin: and the captain of the sons of Benjamin shall be Abidan the son of Gideoni.
²³ And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were thirty and five thousand and four hundred.
²⁴ All that were numbered of the camp of Ephraim were an hundred thousand and eight thousand and an hundred, throughout their armies. And they shall go forward in the third rank.
²⁵ The standard of the camp of Dan shall be on the north side by their armies: and the captain of the children of Dan shall be Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.
²⁶ And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were threescore and two thousand and seven hundred.
²⁷ And those that encamp by him shall be the tribe of Asher: and the captain of the children of Asher shall be Pagiel the son of Ocran.
²⁸ And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were forty and one thousand and five hundred.
²⁹ Then the tribe of Naphtali: and the captain of the children of Naphtali shall be Ahira the son of Enan.
³⁰ And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were fifty and three thousand and four hundred.
³¹ All they that were numbered in the camp of Dan were an hundred thousand and fifty and seven thousand and six hundred. They shall go hindmost with their standards.
³² These are those which were numbered of the children of Israel by the house of their fathers: all those that were numbered of the camps throughout their hosts were six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty.
³³ But the Levites were not numbered among the children of Israel; as the LORD commanded Moses.
³⁴ And the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses: so they pitched by their standards, and so they set forward, every one after their families, according to the house of their fathers.
We have here the particular distribution of the twelve tribes into four squadrons, three tribes in a squadron, one of which was to lead the other two. Observe, 1. God himself appointed them their place, to prevent strife and envy among them. Had they been left to determine precedency among themselves, they would have been in danger of quarrelling with one another (as the disciples who strove which should be greatest); each would have had a pretence to be first, or at least not to be last. Had it been left to Moses to determine, they would have quarrelled with him, and charged him with partiality; therefore God does it, who is himself the fountain and judge of honour, and in his appointment all must acquiesce. If God in his providence advance others above us, and abase us, we ought to be as well satisfied in his doing it in that way as if he did it, as this was done here, by a voice out of the tabernacle; and this consideration, that it appears to be the will of God it should be so, should effectually silence all envies and discontents. And as far as our place comes to be our choice our Saviour has given us a rule in Lu 14:8, Sit not down in the highest room; and another in Mt 20:27, He that will be chief, let him be your servant. Those that are most humble and most serviceable are really most honourable. 2. Every tribe had a captain, a prince, or commander-in-chief, whom God himself nominated, the same that had been appointed to number them, Nu 1:5. Our being all the children of one Adam is so far from justifying the levellers, and taking away the distinction of place and honour, that even among the children of the same Abraham, the same Jacob, the same Judah, God himself appointed that one should be captain of all the rest. There are powers ordained of God, and those to whom honour and fear are due and must be paid. Some observe the significancy of the names of these princes, at least, in general, how much God was in the thoughts of those that gave them their names, for most of them have El, God, at one end or other of their names. Nethaneel, the gift of God; Eliab, my God a Father; Elizur, my God a rock; Shelumiel, God my peace; Eliasaph, God has added; Elishama, my God has heard: Gamaliel, God my reward; Pagiel, God has met me. By this it appears that the Israelites in Egypt did not quite forget the name of their God, but, when they wanted other memorials, preserved the remembrance of it in the names of their children, and therewith comforted themselves in their affliction. 3. Those tribes were placed together under the same standard that were nearest of kin to each other; Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun, were the three younger sons of Leah, and they were put together; and Issachar and Zebulun would not grudge to be under Judah, since they were his younger brethren. Reuben and Simeon would not have been content in their place. Therefore Reuben, Jacob's eldest son, is made chief of the next squadron; Simeon, no doubt, is willing to be under him, and Gad, the son of Zilpah, Leah's handmaid, is fitly added to them in Levi's room: Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin, are all the posterity of Rachel. Dan, the eldest son of Bilhah, is made a leading tribe, though the son of a concubine, that more abundant honour might be bestowed on that which lacked; and it was said, Dan should judge his people, and to him were added two younger sons of the handmaids. Thus unexceptionable was the order in which they were placed. 4. The tribe of Judah was in the first post of honour, encamped towards the rising sun, and in their marches led the van, not only because it was the most numerous tribe, but chiefly because from that tribe Christ was to come, who is the Lion of the tribe of Judah, and was to descend from the loins of him who was now nominated chief captain of that tribe. Nahshon is reckoned among the ancestors of Christ, Mt 1:4. So that, when he went before them, Christ himself went before them in effect, as their leader. Judah was the first of the twelve sons of Jacob that was blessed. Reuben, Simeon, and Levi, were censured by their dying father; he therefore being first in blessing, though not in birth, is put first, to teach children how to value the smiles of their godly parents and dread their frowns. 5. The tribes of Levi pitched closely about the tabernacle, within the rest of their tribes, Nu 2:17. They must defend the sanctuary, and then the rest of the tribes must defend them. Thus, in the vision which John saw of the glory of heaven, between the elders and the throne were four living creatures full of eyes, Re 4:6,8. Civil powers should protect the religious interests of a nation, and be a defence upon that glory. 6. The camp of Dan (and so that tribe is called long after their settlement in Canaan (Jdg 13:25), because celebrated for their military prowess), though posted in the left wing when they encamped, was ordered in their march to bring up the rear, Nu 2:31. They were the most numerous, next to Judah, and therefore were ordered into a post which, next to the front, required the most strength, for as the strength is so shall the day be. Lastly, The children of Israel observed the orders given them, and did as the Lord commanded Moses, Nu 2:34. They put themselves in the posts assigned them, without murmuring or disputing, and, as it was their safety, so it was their beauty; Balaam was charmed with the sight of it: How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob! Nu 24:5. Thus the gospel church, called the camp of saints, ought to be compact according to the scripture model, every one knowing and keeping his place, and then all that wish well to the church rejoice, beholding their order, Col 2:5.
以色列的數萬會眾，既已在前一章被點閱，本章便將他們編排陣列，並照神的指示對營地作出整齊的部署。內容包括：一、關乎此事的一般性命令，民 2:1,2。二、為各支派駐紮位置所定的具體指示，分為四個獨立的軍陣，每陣三個支派：1. 東邊前鋒駐紮的是猶大、以薩迦、西布倫，民 2:3-9。2. 南邊右翼的是流便、西緬、迦得，民 2:10-16。3. 西邊後隊的是以法蓮、瑪拿西、便雅憫，民 2:18-24。4. 北邊左翼的是但、亞設、拿弗他利，民 2:25-31。5. 會幕位於中央，民 2:17。三、這項安排的結論，民 2:32 等。