Numbers 2

God Commands the Camp to Be Arranged by Tribes

1 The Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron.

2 The Israelites must set up camp under their family banners. They must camp around the Tabernacle but at a distance.

Tribes on the East Side (Judah’s Camp)

3 On the east side, facing the sunrise, the tribe of Judah must set up camp under its banner. Their leader is Nahshon son of Amminadab.

4 The number of men in Judah’s army is 74,600.

5 Next to them, the tribe of Issachar must camp. Their leader is Nethanel son of Zuar.

6 The number of men in Issachar’s army is 54,400.

7 Then comes the tribe of Zebulun. Their leader is Eliab son of Helon.

8 The number of men in Zebulun’s army is 57,400.

9 The total number of fighting men in Judah’s camp is 186,400. They must be the first to set out when it is time to move.

Tribes on the South Side (Reuben’s Camp)

10 On the south side, the tribe of Reuben must set up camp under its banner. Their leader is Elizur son of Shedeur.

11 The number of men in Reuben’s army is 46,500.

12 Next to them, the tribe of Simeon must camp. Their leader is Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai.

13 The number of men in Simeon’s army is 59,300.

14 Then comes the tribe of Gad. Their leader is Eliasaph son of Deuel.

15 The number of men in Gad’s army is 45,650.

16 The total number of fighting men in Reuben’s camp is 151,450. They must be the second group to set out when it is time to move.

The Levites Camp in the Middle

17 The Levites must camp around the Tabernacle in the middle of the camp. When it is time to move, they will take down the Tabernacle and set it up again. They will move out in the center of the procession, surrounded by the other tribes.

Tribes on the West Side (Ephraim’s Camp)

18 On the west side, the tribe of Ephraim must set up camp under its banner. Their leader is Elishama son of Ammihud.

19 The number of men in Ephraim’s army is 40,500.

20 Next to them, the tribe of Manasseh must camp. Their leader is Gamaliel son of Pedahzur.

21 The number of men in Manasseh’s army is 32,200.

22 Then comes the tribe of Benjamin. Their leader is Abidan son of Gideoni.

23 The number of men in Benjamin’s army is 35,400.

24 The total number of fighting men in Ephraim’s camp is 108,100. They must be the third group to set out when it is time to move.

Tribes on the North Side (Dan’s Camp)

25 On the north side, the tribe of Dan must set up camp under its banner. Their leader is Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai.

26 The number of men in Dan’s army is 62,700.

27 Next to them, the tribe of Asher must camp. Their leader is Pagiel son of Ocran.

28 The number of men in Asher’s army is 41,500.

29 Then comes the tribe of Naphtali. Their leader is Ahira son of Enan.

30 The number of men in Naphtali’s army is 53,400.

31 The total number of fighting men in Dan’s camp is 157,600. They must be the last group to set out when it is time to move.

Final Census Count & Camp Setup

32 The total number of Israelite fighting men counted in the census was 603,550.

33 But the Levites were not counted among them, as the Lord commanded Moses.

34 The Israelites set up camp according to their tribes and banners, just as the Lord commanded Moses.