Numbers 2:24 kjv
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.
Numbers 2:24 nkjv
"All who were numbered according to their armies of the forces with Ephraim, one hundred and eight thousand one hundred? they shall be the third to break camp.
Numbers 2:24 niv
All the men assigned to the camp of Ephraim, according to their divisions, number 108,100. They will set out third.
Numbers 2:24 esv
All those listed of the camp of Ephraim, by their companies, were 108,100. They shall set out third on the march.
Numbers 2:24 nlt
So the total of all the troops on Ephraim's side of the camp is 108,100. These three tribes will be third in line whenever the Israelites travel.
Numbers 2 24 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Censuses & Numbers | ||
| Num 1:46 | All the numbered Israelites were 603,550. | Total count of the first census. |
| Num 26:51 | These are the numbered of the people of Israel: 601,730. | Second census, showing slight variation. |
| Exod 30:12 | When you take a census… each one shall give a ransom. | Purpose of census, linked to atonement. |
| 2 Sam 24:9 | Joab gave the sum of the numbering of the people to the king: 800,000… | Another historical census. |
| Tribal Order & Camps | ||
| Num 2:3 | East side: Judah, Issachar, Zebulun. | Judah's camp, the first to set out. |
| Num 2:9 | All who were numbered of the camp of Judah were 186,400. They set out first. | Confirms Judah as the lead camp. |
| Num 2:16 | All who were numbered of the camp of Reuben were 151,450. They set out second. | Reuben's camp, following Judah. |
| Num 2:17 | Then the tabernacle shall set out... in the middle of the camps. | The sanctuary's central role in the march. |
| Num 2:25 | West side: Dan. | Dan's camp, the last to set out. |
| Num 10:14 | The standard of the camp of the sons of Judah set out first. | Reiteration of the marching order. |
| Num 10:22 | Then the standard of the camp of the sons of Ephraim set out. | Explicitly places Ephraim third in marching. |
| Num 24:2 | Balaam lifted up his eyes and saw Israel dwelling tribal by tribal. | Observing the structured Israelite encampment. |
| Ephraim's Significance | ||
| Gen 48:19 | Jacob blessed Ephraim, saying he would be greater than Manasseh. | Jacob's prophetic blessing over Ephraim. |
| Deut 33:17 | Joseph’s glory is like the firstborn of his bull... ten thousands of Ephraim. | Moses' blessing on Joseph's tribes, including Ephraim. |
| Josh 17:17 | The tribe of Joseph... has great strength. | Reference to the military might of Ephraim/Manasseh. |
| Psa 78:67 | He rejected the tent of Joseph; he did not choose the tribe of Ephraim. | Historical account of Ephraim's later failings. |
| Divine Order & Guidance | ||
| 1 Cor 14:33 | For God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches… | Principle of divine order in all things. |
| Col 2:5 | I rejoice to see your good order and the firmness of your faith. | Appreciation for orderly conduct. |
| Psa 84:7 | They go from strength to strength. | Metaphorical journey/progress. |
| Heb 11:13 | These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but seeing them… | Life as a spiritual pilgrimage. |
| 1 Pet 2:11 | As sojourners and exiles, abstain from the passions of the flesh. | Christians as sojourners on earth. |
Numbers 2 verses
Numbers 2 24 Meaning
Numbers 2:24 details that the total count for the camp of Ephraim was 108,100 individuals, organized by their respective divisions, and specifies that this camp was appointed to set out third in the marching order of the Israelites.
Numbers 2 24 Context
Numbers chapter 2 meticulously outlines the divine command for the tribal arrangement of Israel's camp and their order of march during their wilderness journey. This detailed organization was not arbitrary but profoundly symbolic and practical. The Tabernacle, representing God's presence, was at the center of the camp, surrounded by the Levitical families, and then by the twelve tribes. This layout maintained holiness, discipline, and security, essential for a large community in a wilderness environment. Numbers 2:24 specifically concerns the camp of Ephraim, comprising Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin, which was positioned to the west of the Tabernacle. This verse underscores God's meticulous care in ordering His people for their journey to the Promised Land, highlighting their identity, strength, and role within the larger covenant community.
Numbers 2 24 Word analysis
- All those who were numbered: This phrase emphasizes the precise and thorough nature of the census conducted at God's command. The counting of every male twenty years and upward (Num 1:3) served to organize the nation for war, worship, and service, indicating God's detailed knowledge and ownership of His people.
- of the camp of Ephraim:
- Ephraim (אֶפְרַיִם, Ephraim): Means "doubly fruitful." This tribe, descended from Joseph's younger son, was blessed by Jacob with the birthright blessing over his elder brother Manasseh (Gen 48:19). The "camp of Ephraim" included the tribes of Manasseh and Benjamin, with Ephraim as the lead tribe. This highlights their prominent status and strategic importance. Their position to the west of the Tabernacle in the camp signifies their allocated area and responsibilities.
- were 108,100: This exact figure demonstrates God's precision and attention to detail. It is a tangible fulfillment of God's covenant promise to Abraham to multiply his descendants (Gen 22:17). The large number signifies the collective strength of this specific camp.
- according to their divisions: (לְצִבְאֹתָם, le-tziv'otam) The Hebrew term tziv'ah (plural tziv'otam) refers to armies, hosts, or military formations. This underscores that the organization of the camp was fundamentally for military and defensive purposes, demonstrating Israel's readiness as "the armies of the Lord" (Exod 12:41) on their pilgrimage through a dangerous wilderness.
- They shall set out third: (שְׁלִישִׁים יִסָּעוּ, shlishim yissahu). The Israelites marched in four distinct divisions. The camp of Judah (Judah, Issachar, Zebulun) went first, followed by the Reuben camp (Reuben, Simeon, Gad). Then came the Levites bearing the sanctuary's furnishings, led by the Kohathites (who carried the holy articles like the ark). The camp of Ephraim followed the sanctuary carriers as the third major division of the people, signifying a position of responsibility. This strategic place suggests they provided a protective "rear guard" for the precious holy items of the Tabernacle, bridging the main body of Israel with the final camp (Dan). This sequence maintained a protective formation around God's central dwelling place.
Numbers 2 24 Bonus section
- The military readiness of the camp of Ephraim, explicitly mentioned by "according to their divisions," highlights that the wilderness journey was not merely a passive migration but an active pilgrimage that required disciplined, ready "armies of the Lord."
- The placement of the camp of Ephraim, third in the marching order, meant they followed the two lead camps (Judah and Reuben) and, critically, followed the Levites carrying the central holy objects of the Tabernacle (the Kohathites). This position suggests Ephraim provided substantial protection for the sacred core of Israel, acting as a crucial rear guard for the most holy items of worship before the final camp of Dan.
- The detailed census numbers, beyond merely providing statistics, signified that each individual had an identity and place within God's chosen nation. It was an enrollment of God's covenant people, accountable and consecrated to Him, foreshadowing God's intricate knowledge of His future people.
Numbers 2 24 Commentary
Numbers 2:24 serves as a precise administrative detail within a divinely orchestrated system, yet it carries significant theological weight. It demonstrates God's sovereign authority and meticulous planning for His covenant people. The detailed numbering and ordered arrangement of the tribes, including Ephraim's specific size and third position in the marching order, affirm that every aspect of Israel's journey and existence was under divine governance. This order fostered unity, maintained holiness, and ensured the protection of God's Tabernacle at the community's heart. For God to command such precise order reflects His character as a God of peace and structure, rather than chaos. The large numbers recorded are a testament to His faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to Abraham, even in challenging wilderness conditions, equipping Israel as a potent, organized force for the tasks ahead in the wilderness and the conquest of Canaan.