17 Then the Tent of meeting is to go forward, with the tents of the Levites, in the middle of the armies; in the same order as their tents are placed, they are to go forward, every man under his flag. 18 On the west side will be the flag of the children of Ephraim, with Elishama, the son of Ammihud, as their chief. 19 The number of his army was forty thousand, five hundred. 20 And by him the tribe of Manasseh with Gamaliel, the son of Pedahzur, as their chief. 21 The number of his army was thirty-two thousand, two hundred. 22 Then the tribe of Benjamin, with Abidan, the son of Gideoni, as their chief. 23 The number of his army was thirty-five thousand, four hundred. 24 The number of all the armies of Ephraim was a hundred and eight thousand, one hundred. They go forward third. 25 On the north side will be the flag of the children of Dan, with Ahiezer, the son of Ammishaddai, as their chief. 26 The number of his army was sixty-two thousand, seven hundred. 27 Nearest to him will be the tribe of Asher, with Pagiel, the son of Ochran, as their chief. 28 The number of his army was forty-one thousand, five hundred; 29 Then the tribe of Naphtali, with Ahira, the son of Enan, as their chief. 30 The number of his army was fifty-three thousand, four hundred. 31 The number of all the armies in the tents of Dan was a hundred and fifty-seven thousand, six hundred. They will go forward last, by their flags. 32 These are all who were numbered of the children of Israel, in the order of their fathers' families: all the armies in their tents together came to six hundred and three thousand, five hundred and fifty.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Numbers 2:17-32
Chapter Contents
The order of the tribes in their tents.
The tribes were to encamp about the tabernacle, which was to be in the midst of them. It was a token of God's gracious presence. Yet they were to pitch their tents afar off, in reverence to the sanctuary. The children of Israel put themselves in their posts, without murmuring or disputing; and as it was their safety, so it was their beauty. It is our duty and interest to be contented with the place allotted to us, and to endeavour to occupy it in a proper manner, without envying or murmuring; without ambition or covetousness. Thus the gospel church 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, Colossians 2:5.