Day 3: Numbers 2:1-34 (Study Notes)
Parsha: Bemidbar
Day 3: Numbers 2:1-34
(Study Notes)
In our last daily portion of Parsha Bamidbar, we learned that the Levites were to camp close to the Tabernacle, while the rest of the 12 Tribes (10 + 2 of Joseph) encamped in formation at a distance. Today’s portion provides the formation of the outer Tribal encampments.
(Numbers 2:1-2)
We learn that the Israelite encampment was not random. The people did not haphazardly choose where to dwell. Rather, HaKadosh Baruch Hu instructs Moshe Rabbeinu and Aaron how and in what order the Tribes were to set up their dwellings. These dwellings were the sukkahs ordained by HaKadosh Baruch Hu.
Previously we discussed that these tent or booth-like structures were like the stalls which Yaakov Avinu made for his flock when he settled in Succoth. The encampment ordered by HaKadosh Baruch Hu arranges Himself in the middle (in the Tent of meeting) with His flock creating 4 walls of the Israeli village on the North, East, South, and West sides.
HaKadosh Baruch Hu decreed that the individual Israelites shall camp:
With his standard: meaning his extended father’s household.
Under the banner of his ancestral house: meaning the Tribes to which the individual and their family descended.
Unlike the Levites, who were to dwell close to the Tabernacle (in order to keep guard so the Israelites would not die), the rest of the Tribes were to dwell
“around the Tent of Meeting, at a distance.”
This ordered formation given by Hashemite was the precursor to the delegation of land in the Holy Promised Land of Zion. (See Joshua 14:1-19:51). Such a delegation of land will again occur when HaKadosh Baruch Hu gathers all of the Jewish exiles out of the diaspora and brings us back to the Holy promised Land of Zion (Ezekiel 47:13-48:35).
What is imperative to note is that the delegations are only listed by the 12 Tribes. Yet, we know a “mixed multitude” went out of Mitzrayim with the Hebrews. This means, in HaKadosh Baruch Hu’s eye, the ger (proselyte/converts to Judaism) are seen as native born Israelites. HaKadosh Baruch Hu declared this truth will hold in the times of the final third Temple period as well. In Ezekiel 47:21-22, HaKadosh Baruch Hu declares that the ger will receive their own allotment of land within the Tribe of Israel with whom they dwell and have children. Most argue that these children can include spiritual children (those to whom the ger taught the ways of Judaism, and in so doing kept the tradition and faith of Judaism alive from generation to generation) along with natural born children.
(Numbers 2:3-9)
The Eastern Front Encampment
Just as the Temple should stand in Jerusalem, which is in the East of Israel so the “front” of the Israelite encampment was the eastern side of the square-shaped formation.
On the East side. 3 Tribes were to reside:
JUDAH:
- 74,600 souls
- with Nashon son of Amminadab as the Chieftain.
ISSACHAR:
- 54,400 souls
- with Nethanel son of Zuar as the Chieftain.
ZEBULUN:
- 57,400 souls
- with Eliab son of Helon as the Chieftain.
The TOTAL NUMBER of enrolled men 20 years and older on the Eastern front = 186,400 souls.
These men were born of the last three sons born to Leah.
Whenever the Israelite camp was to move according to the movement of HaKadosh Baruch Hu’s divine Presence, this Eatern Front (lumped as Judah) was to move out first.
(Numbers 2:10-16)
The Southern Front Encampment
The three Tribes who were to dwell on the South were:
RUBEN:
- 46,500 souls
- with Elizur son of Shedeur as the Chieftain.
SIMEON:
- 59,300 souls
- with Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai as the Chieftain.
GAD:
- 45,650 souls
- with Eliasaph son of Ruel as the Chieftain.
Ruben and Simeon were the first two sons of Leah.
Gad was the first son of Zilpah, Leah’s maid.
The TOTAL NUMBER of enrolled men 20 years and older on the Southern front = 151,400 souls.
When the Israelites moved out to follow HaKadosh Baruch Hu’s Presence, the Southern front was to move out second behind the three Tribes of the Eastern Front.
(Numbers 2:17)
HaKadosh Baruch Hu decrees that when the camp moves to follow the divine Presence of HaKadosh Baruch Hu, the Levites were to move out “in the middle”. Meaning the 6 Tribes of the Eastern and Southern fronts would be their front-guard, while the 6 trailing Tribes of the Northern and Western fronts would be their rear-guard.
In this way, the most holy possessions of the Israelite camp were well protected. Should the community face enemies on the way, the enemies would have to get through 340,850 warrior age men in the front and 265,700 in the rear in order to reach the Tabernacle, Ark of the Pact, and other holy objects held in the center of the formation by the Levites.
(Numbers 2:18-24)
The Western Front Encampment
The three Tribes who were to dwell on the West were:
EPHRAIM:
- 40,500 souls
- with Elishama son of Ammihud as the Chieftain.
MANASSEH:
- 32,200 souls
- with Gamaliel son of Pedahzur as the Chieftain.
BENJAMIN:
- 35,400 souls
- with Abidah son of Gideoni as the Chieftain.
These three Tribes are of Rachel: Ephraim and Manasseh are the Two sons of Joseph son of Rachel who were born in Mitzrayim. Together they are considered the Tribe of Joseph.
The TOTAL NUMBER of enrolled men 20 years and older on the Western front = 108,100 souls.
Of the divisions, this Western Front marched out third whenever the Israelites moved in accordance with the movement of the Divine Presence. But, in the marching order, the Western Front division was fourth, providing the beginning of the rear-guard for the Levites and the most Holy objects.
(Numbers 2:25-31)
The Northern Front Encampment
The three Tribes who were to dwell on the West were:
DAN:
- 62,700 souls
- with Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai as the Chieftain.
ASHER:
- 41,500 souls
- with Pagiel son of Ochran as the Chieftain.
NAPHTALI:
- 53,400 souls
- with Ahira son of Enan as the Chieftain.
Dan and Naphtali are the two sons born of Bilah, Rachael’s maid.
Asher is the son of Zilpah, Leah’s maid.
The TOTAL NUMBER of enrolled men 20 years and older on the Western front = 157,600 souls.
When the Israelite camp moved, the division of the Northern Front moved last, providing the last line of defense in the rear-guard.
(Numbers 2:32)
We are told again that the total number of enrolled men 20 years and older was 603,500 Israeli souls. This number includes the mixed multitude of ger that went out of Mitzrayim with the Hebrews.
(Numbers 2:33)
We are reminded that the Levites are NOT counted in the number of enlisted fighting men. We mentioned in our last daily study that the Levites were counted separately because they have a separate mission. Instead of fighting physical warfare, the Levites were enlisted by HaKadosh Baruch Hu to fight spiritual warfare.
(Numbers 2:33)
This section again ends with the proclamation that the Israelites did just as HaKadosh Baruch Hu had commanded them to do through Moshe Rabbeinu. The kept mitzvot included:
Camping in their standards and
Marching according to their designated orders—each house with his clan according to his ancestral house (or Tribe). It is interesting to note that in general, the divisions are separated by birth mother, with a mix in the Southern encampment, since Leah’s sixth son (Levi) was not included. Instead, the first son (Gad) of Leah’s maid (Zilpah) is included. We see another mix in the Northern Division, with sons from the two maids camping together.
Am Yisrael Chai!
Kimberly Davis
Notes for 5/12/2026