Numbers 2:10 kjv
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.
Numbers 2:10 nkjv
"On the south side shall be the standard of the forces with Reuben according to their armies, and the leader of the children of Reuben shall be Elizur the son of Shedeur."
Numbers 2:10 niv
On the south will be the divisions of the camp of Reuben under their standard. The leader of the people of Reuben is Elizur son of Shedeur.
Numbers 2:10 esv
"On the south side shall be the standard of the camp of Reuben by their companies, the chief of the people of Reuben being Elizur the son of Shedeur,
Numbers 2:10 nlt
[10-11] "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 ? Number
Reuben ? Elizur son of Shedeur ? 46,500
Numbers 2 10 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Num 1:32-33 | The sons of Ephraim, according to their generations… those who were numbered of them, forty thousand five hundred. | Numbering of Ephraim's host. |
| Num 1:34-35 | The sons of Manasseh, according to their generations… those who were numbered of them, thirty-two thousand two hundred. | Manasseh, part of Ephraim's camp. |
| Num 1:36-37 | The sons of Benjamin, according to their generations… those who were numbered of them, thirty-five thousand four hundred. | Benjamin, also part of Ephraim's camp. |
| Num 2:18-24 | Details of the camp of Ephraim, including Manasseh and Benjamin, with Elishama as leader, marching westward. | Full details of Ephraim's encampment and march. |
| Num 10:22-24 | The standard of the camp of Ephraim, according to their hosts, set out… and Elishama the son of Ammihud was over its host. | Ephraim's position in the march. |
| Gen 48:19-20 | "His younger brother shall be greater than he..." Jacob blessing Ephraim over Manasseh. | Divine reversal; Ephraim's prominence. |
| Deut 33:17 | "The firstborn of his ox, majesty is his… They are the ten thousands of Ephraim, and they are the thousands of Manasseh." | Moses' blessing; Ephraim's future strength. |
| Psa 28:8 | "The LORD is their strength, and He is the saving stronghold of His anointed." | God as the strength and order for His people. |
| Exod 40:34-35 | Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. Moses could not enter... | God's central presence in the Tabernacle. |
| Deut 23:14 | "For the LORD your God walks in the midst of your camp to deliver you..." | God's presence necessitating order and holiness. |
| 1 Cor 14:33 | "For God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints." | God's nature is order, not chaos. |
| 1 Cor 14:40 | "But all things should be done decently and in order." | Principle of order in community. |
| Heb 8:5 | They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things... | Earthly Tabernacle reflecting heavenly patterns. |
| Rev 21:12-14 | It had a great, high wall, with twelve gates… and on the gates twelve angels… the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel were inscribed. | Heavenly Jerusalem structured by tribes. |
| Eph 4:11-13 | And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints... | God appointing leaders in His spiritual house. |
| Titus 1:5 | "For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every city." | Importance of appointed leadership. |
| Isa 11:13 | The jealousy of Ephraim will depart, and those who harass Judah will be cut off... | Reconciliation and unity among tribes. |
| Num 1:52 | The sons of Israel shall camp each man by his own camp and each man by his own standard, according to their hosts. | General principle of camp organization. |
| Lev 10:1-2 | Nadab and Abihu... offered strange fire... and fire came out from before the LORD and consumed them... | Consequences of violating God's order. |
| 1 Pet 2:9-10 | But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession... | Believers as God's ordered and holy people. |
Numbers 2 verses
Numbers 2 10 Meaning
Numbers 2:10 describes the precise placement and leadership for the encampment of the tribes associated with Ephraim, specifically stating their position on the west side of the Tabernacle. This verse details a vital part of the divine order given for the Israelite camp in the wilderness, emphasizing structure, identification, and leadership within the consecrated community.
Numbers 2 10 Context
Numbers chapter 2 outlines the divinely ordained arrangement of the twelve tribes of Israel as they encamp around the Tabernacle in the wilderness, and how they are to march. This chapter follows the detailed census in Numbers 1 and precedes the enumeration and duties of the Levites in Numbers 3, who encamp immediately around the Tabernacle. The highly structured camp formation, with three tribes on each of the four cardinal directions (east, south, west, north), emphasizes God's presence as central to the life of His people. The detailed listing of standards, positions, and leaders like Elishama signifies a divine blueprint for military and spiritual organization, reflecting order and holiness essential for the presence of the Almighty. This structured encampment provided both practical organization for a large multitude and a symbolic representation of God's order amidst potential chaos, distinctly setting Israel apart from unorganized, polytheistic nations.
Numbers 2 10 Word analysis
- And the standard: "Standard" (Hebrew: degel - דגל) refers to a banner or ensign, indicating the rallying point for a division or camp. This wasn't merely a tribal flag but a significant marker of identity, unity, and military cohesion. It represented the visual manifestation of God's commanded order.
- of the camp of Ephraim: This designates the primary tribal group whose standard marked the larger division. The "camp of Ephraim" encompassed not only Ephraim but also the tribes of Manasseh and Benjamin, positioned together under Ephraim's leadership, reflecting the blessing of Jacob (Gen 48).
- according to their hosts: "Hosts" (Hebrew: tzava - צבא) means armies, contingents, or organized multitudes. It emphasizes that this grouping was not merely a civilian population but a disciplined, organized assembly ready for march and battle, under divine command. This speaks to a holy war theology and divine provision.
- shall be to the west: This precisely positions Ephraim's division relative to the Tabernacle, which was the central point of the entire encampment. The "west" (Hebrew: yam - ים), literally "sea" (referring to the Mediterranean Sea), was the traditional western orientation in Hebrew geography. This fixed orientation reinforces God's specific, unchanging order.
- and the leader: "Leader" (Hebrew: nasi - נָשִׂיא) means a prince, chieftain, or exalted one. This title denotes someone with authority and responsibility, divinely appointed to lead the tribes in military and administrative matters, maintaining the divine order.
- of the children of Ephraim: Specifies the tribal identity of the leader, Elishama.
- shall be Elishama: "Elishama" (Hebrew: אלישמע) means "God has heard." Such theophoric names (names incorporating a divine element) were common, signifying a direct relationship with God or a divine attribute, imbuing the leader with a sense of divine favor or appointment. His inclusion here highlights divinely recognized authority.
- the son of Ammihud: "Ammihud" (Hebrew: עַמִּיהוּד) means "My kinsman is majesty" or "People of majesty." This patronymic further solidifies Elishama's identity within a specific lineage, a common way to establish authority and inheritance within Israelite society, undergirding the leadership's legitimacy.
Numbers 2 10 Bonus section
The total fighting men in the camp of Ephraim (Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin) according to Num 2:10-24, was 108,100, making it the third largest division by population, positioned after the camps of Judah (east) and Reuben (south). This was the rear-guard during the march, following the Kohathite Levites who carried the Tabernacle furnishings. Ephraim's leading position, despite being the younger son of Joseph, signifies a prophetic fulfillment of Jacob's blessing in Gen 48, where Ephraim was elevated over Manasseh, emphasizing God's choosing and reversing of human expectation. This detailed order also served a polemical purpose, contrasting Israel's divinely organized camp with the disorganized or human-centric arrangements of other ancient armies, subtly asserting YHWH's absolute authority and superior wisdom. The specific tribal banners, positions, and designated leaders were also vital for maintaining internal coherence and identity during wilderness travels, preventing confusion and maintaining a visible representation of their distinct, holy covenant relationship with God.
Numbers 2 10 Commentary
Numbers 2:10 is a meticulously detailed instruction within God's divine blueprint for His covenant people. It highlights several critical truths: God's character is one of order, not chaos; His presence (symbolized by the Tabernacle) requires holiness and structure from those dwelling around Him; and He Himself designates specific leaders and positions for His people. The positioning of Ephraim, encompassing Manasseh and Benjamin, on the west under Elishama, demonstrates God's sovereign arrangement over every aspect of Israel's communal life. This precise ordering served not only logistical purposes for such a vast multitude but also profoundly theological ones, affirming God's active involvement in their daily existence, their military strength, and their identity as a separated and holy nation. The entire camp structure was a visible reminder of God’s rule and a preparation for conquering the Promised Land, necessitating unity, discipline, and reliance on divine wisdom over human convenience. This meticulous divine organization in the wilderness is a testament to the fact that God is a God of peace and order, principles equally vital for the spiritual community of believers today.