* Every man.
The Israelites, it appears, encamped in four grand divisions,
with the tabernacle in the centre; though at some distance
from it. The form of the camp was quadrangular, containing,
according to Scheuchzer, a little more than twelve square
miles. Under each of the four divisions, three tribes were
placed, under one general standard. Between these four great
camps and the tabernacle, were pitched four smaller camps of
the priests and Levites, who were in immediate attendance
upon it; the camp of Moses, and of Aaron and his sons, being
on the east side of the tabernacle, where the entrance was.
Judah was placed on the east, and under him he had Issachar
and Zebulun; on the south was Reuben, and under him Simeon
and Gad; on the west was Ephraim, and under him Manasseh and
Benjamin; and Dan was on the north, and under him Asher and
Naphtali. Every tribe had its particular standard, probably
with the name of the tribe embroidered with large letters.
It seems highly improbable that the figures of animals should
have been painted on them, as the Jewish writers assert; for
even in after ages, when Vitellius wished to march through
Judea, their great men besought him to march another way, as
the law of the land did not permit images (such as were on
the Roman standard) to be brought into it. Josephus Ant. 1.
xviii. c. 7.
* shall pitch.
3,10 1:52 10:14,18,22,25
* the ensign.
Isa 11:10-12 18:3 Zec 9:16
* far off. Heb. over against.
Jos 3:4
* about the.
1:50,53 Ps 76:11 Isa 12:6 Eze 43:7 1Co 14:33,40 Php 1:27
Col 2:19 Re 4:2-5
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