Numbers 2:5 kjv
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.
Numbers 2:5 nkjv
"Those who camp next to him shall be the tribe of Issachar, and Nethanel the son of Zuar shall be the leader of the children of Issachar."
Numbers 2:5 niv
The tribe of Issachar will camp next to them. The leader of the people of Issachar is Nethanel son of Zuar.
Numbers 2:5 esv
Those to camp next to him shall be the tribe of Issachar, the chief of the people of Issachar being Nethanel the son of Zuar,
Numbers 2:5 nlt
[5-6] Issachar ? Nethanel son of Zuar ? 54,400
Numbers 2 5 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Num 2:3 | And on the east side toward the rising of the sun shall be the standard of the camp of Judah... | Context: Judah's primary position on the east. |
| Num 2:7 | Then the tribe of Zebulun... | Adjacent tribe in the east encampment. |
| Num 1:5 | And these are the names of the men that shall stand with you... | Appointment of tribal leaders/princes. |
| Num 1:29 | Of the children of Issachar, their generations, after their families... | Census includes Issachar. |
| Gen 49:14-15 | Issachar is a strong donkey, lying down between the sheepfolds... | Jacob's prophecy concerning Issachar. |
| 1 Chr 12:32 | And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times... | Issachar's discernment and wisdom. |
| Num 10:14-15 | In the first place went the standard of the camp of the children of Judah... | Marching order reflects encampment order. |
| Deut 23:14 | For the LORD thy God walketh in the midst of thy camp... | Emphasizes God's presence requiring order. |
| Lev 24:8 | Every sabbath he shall set it in order before the LORD continually... | Importance of divine order in worship. |
| Heb 8:5 | ...who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things... | Earthly patterns reflect heavenly reality. |
| Ex 25:9 | According to all that I show thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle... | God's specific instructions for structure. |
| 1 Cor 14:33 | For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches... | Principle of divine order and peace. |
| 1 Cor 14:40 | Let all things be done decently and in order. | General principle of proper arrangement. |
| Eph 4:11-12 | And he gave some, apostles...for the edifying of the body of Christ... | God appoints leaders for the community's good. |
| Tit 1:5 | ...that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders... | God's expectation for appointed leadership. |
| 1 Pet 2:9 | But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation... | Israel's holy status demanding ordered life. |
| Ex 18:21 | Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God... | Need for wise and God-fearing leaders. |
| Psa 48:12 | Walk about Zion, and go round about her: tell the towers thereof. | Imagery of organized and protected city/camp. |
| Psa 119:105 | Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. | God's word guides every step, including organization. |
| Col 2:5 | For though I be absent in the spirit, yet am I with you... and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ. | Stability and order in faith. |
| 1 Sam 15:22 | To obey is better than sacrifice... | Obedience to God's specific commands. |
Numbers 2 verses
Numbers 2 5 Meaning
Numbers 2:5 establishes the specific tribal arrangement around the Tabernacle, detailing that the tribe of Issachar, led by Nethaneel the son of Zuar, was commanded by God to encamp next to the tribe of Judah on the east side of the Tabernacle. This verse highlights divine order, strategic placement within the Israelite camp, and the specific individuals entrusted with leadership in this structured wilderness journey. It is a part of the precise blueprint given by God for Israel's encampment and marching.
Numbers 2 5 Context
Numbers chapter 2 outlines God's precise command for the orderly arrangement of the Israelite camp in the wilderness. The Tabernacle, the dwelling place of God, was to be at the very center, symbolizing God's presence amidst His people. Around the Tabernacle, the Levites were to encamp, forming an inner guard. Beyond them, the twelve tribes (divided into four groups of three tribes each, led by a prominent tribe like Judah) were to encamp in specific cardinal directions. This divine blueprint ensured sanitation, military readiness, and, most importantly, maintained the sanctity of God's dwelling place. Each tribe's placement, specified leader, and designated position reinforced the meticulous divine order and reflected the spiritual purity required for a holy people living in the presence of a holy God. Verse 5 focuses on Issachar's place within this divinely appointed structure on the east side.
Numbers 2 5 Word analysis
- And: Connects this command to the previous instructions for Judah, emphasizing continuity within the divine order.
- those that pitch: From the Hebrew root chanah (חָנָה), meaning to encamp, to settle down, to set up a camp. It implies a deliberate, established resting place rather than transient movement.
- next unto him: Hebrew tachath (תַּחַת), literally "under" or "in place of," but in this context signifies immediately adjacent or alongside. It refers specifically to Judah, whose standard (camp) was paramount on the east side (Num 2:3). This highlights Issachar's close proximity and relationship within Judah's larger division, sharing the same cardinal direction and leadership sphere.
- shall be the tribe: Hebrew mateh (מַטֶּה), meaning "rod," "staff," and by extension, "tribe." It signifies a distinct tribal identity and organizational unit, divinely recognized and arranged.
- of Issachar: One of the twelve sons of Jacob (Gen 30:18), blessed by Jacob as a "strong donkey" willing to "bow his shoulder to bear" (Gen 49:14-15), possibly alluding to a capacity for labor or perhaps a disposition for obedience. Later, they are noted for "understanding of the times" (1 Chr 12:32), suggesting wisdom and discernment. Their placement next to Judah, the leading tribe, might hint at their reliable and supportive nature.
- and the captain: From the Hebrew nasi (נָשִׂיא), meaning prince, chieftain, or leader. This title signifies a person of authority and dignity, divinely appointed to represent his tribe and execute God's commands regarding the camp's order. It's not merely a military commander but a tribal head.
- of the children: Denotes the collective offspring, descendants, and members of the tribe, emphasizing the corporate identity under the captain's leadership.
- of Issachar: Reiteration confirms the captain's tribal affiliation.
- shall be Nethaneel: The specific individual appointed by God. His name, Nethaneel (נְתַנְאֵל), means "God has given" or "Gift of God." This reinforces that his leadership position is a divine bestowal, not a human ambition or selection, aligning with God's overall meticulous ordering of the camp.
- the son of Zuar: His patronymic, identifying him further. Zuar (צוּעָר) might mean "smallness" or "hastening," possibly indicating a less prominent father, emphasizing that Nethaneel's leadership was by divine appointment rather than inherited status.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "And those that pitch next unto him": This phrase defines the specific location of Issachar, indicating its subordinate but significant position relative to Judah's leading standard on the east. It underscores the precision of God's camping instructions, leaving no room for arbitrary placement.
- "the tribe of Issachar": Highlights the communal unit. God's focus is on the organized collective, not merely individuals, demonstrating the importance of communal identity and responsibility in the divine order.
- "and the captain of the children of Issachar": Emphasizes the crucial role of designated leadership within each tribal unit. This structure ensured accountability and the effective implementation of God's commands for the entire community. It underscores the importance of recognized, God-ordained authority.
- "shall be Nethaneel the son of Zuar": The specific naming underscores the particularity and personal involvement of God in the organizational details. Each leader was individually chosen by God (see Num 1:5, 1:16 for similar appointments of leaders) to oversee His divinely orchestrated plan for His people.
Numbers 2 5 Bonus section
The strict adherence to this organizational pattern, detailed extensively in Numbers chapters 1, 2, 3, and 4, underscored several key principles:
- Divine Sovereignty: Every aspect, from the largest camp division to the named tribal captain, was explicitly dictated by God, leaving no room for human preference or strategic innovation.
- Corporate Identity & Unity: Despite distinct tribal identities, the camp's design fostered unity under the central presence of God, emphasizing that their identity was primarily as the LORD's people.
- Readiness for Action: The order also functioned as a military formation, allowing for quick transitions from encampment to marching (Num 10). This symbolizes the Christian life as both a settled dwelling in God's presence and a journey requiring readiness for spiritual battle.
- Protection of Holiness: The concentric circles (Tabernacle -> Levites -> Tribes) created a buffer protecting the holy space from ceremonial impurity and irreverence, teaching Israel the absolute necessity of approaching God on His terms. This foreshadows the direct access to God provided through Christ's perfect sacrifice, while still upholding God's holiness.
Numbers 2 5 Commentary
Numbers 2:5 provides a focused look at God's blueprint for Israel's wilderness encampment, revealing profound truths about His character and the nature of His people. The placement of Issachar "next unto him" (Judah) is not random but divinely ordered, demonstrating that God is a God of precise arrangement, not chaos (1 Cor 14:33, 40). This meticulous organization, down to specifying each tribe's leader, reflects the holiness required for a people dwelling in close proximity to the Tabernacle, God's dwelling place.
The fact that Issachar is placed near Judah, the preeminent tribe holding the royal scepter (Gen 49:10), suggests a relationship of supportive loyalty and perhaps an intrinsic value of Issachar's noted wisdom (1 Chr 12:32) in aligning with leadership. Nethaneel's leadership, literally "God has given," signifies that all true authority among God's people flows from Him, emphasizing His sovereign control and purposeful design. This divinely appointed structure ensured protection, sanitation, and mobility for a nation constantly reminded of God's immediate presence and their collective obedience.
This specific instruction for Issachar, as for all the tribes, points to the New Testament truth that the Church, the spiritual Israel, is also called to live in order and peace, guided by spiritual leadership (Eph 4:11-12; Tit 1:5). Just as each tribe had its place and function in the physical camp around the Tabernacle, so each member and leadership role in the spiritual body contributes to the overall health and effectiveness of God's people in the world, maintaining His honor and fulfilling His purposes.