The order of the tribes in their camp.
At the east side of the Tabernacle the tribe of Iuda as chiefe, with Issachar and Zabulon do pitch their tents, and march first: 10. on the south Ruben, with Simeon and Gad (17. the Tabernacle is caried, and erected by the Leuites, who lodge and march round about it) 18. on the weast side, Ephraim with Manasses and Beniamin: 25. on the north, Dan with Aser and Nephthali.
1And the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying:E il Signore parlò a Mosè e ad Aronne, e disse:AND our Lord spake to Moyses and Aaron saying:Locutusque est Dominus ad Moysen et Aaron, dicens: 2All the children of Israel shall camp by their troops, ensigns, and standards, and the houses of their kindreds, round about the tabernacle of the covenant.I figliuoli d'Israele avranno gli alloggiamenti intorno al tabernacolo dell'alleanza, ciascheduno nella sua schiera, e sotto le insegne, e gli stendardi di sua famiglia, e casata.Euerie one of the children of Israel by the troupes, ensignes, and standerts, and houses of their kinredes shal campe, round about the tabernacle of couenant.Singuli per turmas, signa, atque vexilla, et domos cognationum suarum, castrametabuntur filii Israël, per gyrum tabernaculi fœderis. 3On the east Juda shall pitch his tents by the bands of his army: and the prince of his sons; shall be Nahasson the son of Aminadab.La tribù di Giuda pianterà le sue tende da levante divisa nelle sue schiere di combattenti: e di essa sarà principe Nahasson figliuolo di Aminadab:On the east Iudas shal pitche his tents by the troupes of his bande: and the prince of his sonnes shal be Nahasson the sonne of Aminadab.Ad orientem Judas figet tentoria per turmas exercitus sui: eritque princeps filiorum ejus Nahasson filius Aminadab. 4And the whole sum of the fighting men of his stock, were seventy-four thousand six hundred.E tutto il numero dei combattenti della stirpe di Giuda settanta quattro mila secento.And the whole summe of the warriers of his stocke, seuentie foure thousand six hundred.Et omnis de stirpe ejus summa pugnantium, septuaginta quatuor millia sexcenti. 5Next unto him they of the tribe of Issachar encamped, whose prince was Nathanael, the son of Suar.Presso a Giuda ebbero il suo alloggiamento quelli della tribù di Issachar, de' quali fu principe Nathanael figliuolo di Suar:Beside him camped they of the tribe of Issachar, whose prince was Nathanael the sonne of Suar.Juxta eum castrametati sunt de tribu Issachar, quorum princeps fuit Nathanaël filius Suar. 6And the whole number of his fighting men were fifty-four thousand four hundred.E tutto il numero dei suoi combattenti cinquanta quattro mila quattrocento.and al the number of his warriers fiftie foure thousand foure hundred.Et omnis numerus pugnatorum ejus quinquaginta quatuor millia quadringenti. 7In the tribe of Zabulon the prince was Eliab the son of Helon.Della tribù di Zabulon fu principe Eliab, figliuolo di Helon.In the tribe of Zabulon the prince was Eliab the sonne of Helon.In tribu Zabulon princeps fuit Eliab filius Helon.
8And all the army of fighting men of his stock, were fifty-seven thousand four hundred.Tutta la truppa dei combattenti di questa stirpe fu di cinquanta sette mila quattro cento.and al the hoste of warriers of his stocke, fiftie seuen thousand foure hundred.Omnis de stirpe ejus exercitus pugnatorum, quinquaginta septem millia quadringenti. 9All that were numbered in the camp of Juda, were a hundred and eighty-six thousand four hundred: and they by their troops shall march first.La somma di quelli che si contarono nell'accampamento di Giuda, fu di cento ottantasei milaquattrocento. Ei si metteranno in via i primi, divisi nelle loro schiere.Al that were numbered in the campe of Iudas, were an hundred eightie six thousand foure hundred: and they by their troupes shal march first.Universi qui in castris Judæ enumerati sunt, fuerunt centum octoginta sex millia quadringenti: et per turmas suas primi egredientur. 10In the camp of the sons of Ruben, on the south side, the prince shall be Elisur the son of Sedeur:Negli alloggiamenti dei figliuoli di Ruben dalla parte di mezzodì sarà principe Elisur, figliuolo di Sedeur:In the campe of the sonnes of Ruben on the south side the prince shal be Elisur the sonne of Sedeur:In castris filiorum Ruben ad meridianam plagam erit princeps Elisur filius Sedeur. 11And the whole army of his fighting men, that were numbered, were forty-six thousand five hundred.E tutto il corpo dei suoi combattenti, che furono contati, era di quarantasei milacinquecento.and the whole hoste of his warriers, that were numbred, fourtie six thousand fiue hundred.Et cunctus exercitus pugnatorum ejus qui numerati sunt, quadraginta sex millia quingenti. 12Beside him camped they of the tribe of Simeon: whose prince was Salamiel the son of Surisaddai.Presso a lui si attendarono quelli della tribù di Simeon, de' quali fu principe Salamiel, figliuolo di Surisaddai:Beside him camped they of the tribe of Simeon: whose prince was Salamiel the sonne of Surisaddai.Juxta eum castrametati sunt de tribu Simeon: quorum princeps fuit Salamiel filius Surisaddai. 13And the whole army of his fighting men, that were numbered, were fifty-nine thousand three hundred.E tutto il corpo de' suoi combattenti, che furon contati, era di cinquantanove milatrecento.and the whole hoste of his warriers, that were numbred, fiftie nine thousand three hundred.Et cunctus exercitus pugnatorum ejus qui numerati sunt, quinquaginta novem millia trecenti. 14In the tribe of Gad the prince was Eliasaph the son of Duel.Della tribù di Gad fu principe Eliasaph, figliuolo di Duel:In the tribe of Gad, the prince was Eliasaph the sonne of Duel.In tribu Gad princeps fuit Eliasaph filius Duel.
15And the whole army of his fighting men that were numbered, were forty-five thousand six hundred and fifty.E tutto il corpo de' suoi combattenti, che furon contati, era di quarantacinque mila secentocinquanta.and the whole hoste of his warriers, that were numbred, fourtie fiue thousand six hundred fiftie.Et cunctus exercitus pugnatorum ejus, qui numerati sunt, quadraginta quinque millia sexcenti quinquaginta. 16All that were reckoned up in the camp of Ruben, were a hundred and fifty-one thousand four hundred and fifty, by their troops: they shall march in the second place.Tutta la somma di quelli che si contaron nell'accampamento di Ruben, fu cento cinquantunmila quattrocento cinquanta divisi nelle loro schiere: questi si metteranno in via i secondi.Al that were reckened in the campe of Ruben, an hundred fiftie thousand and a thousand foure hundred fiftie by their troupes: they shal march in the second place.Omnes qui recensiti sunt in castris Ruben, centum quinquaginta millia et mille quadringenti quinquaginta per turmas suas: in secundo loco proficiscentur. 17And the tabernacle of the testimony shall be carried by the officers of the Levites and their troops. As it shall be set up, so shall it be taken down. Every one shall march according to their places, and ranks.Il tabernacolo del testimonio disfatto sarà portato da' Leviti divisi nelle loro schiere secondo i diversi ufficii: si erigerà, e si disfarà col medesimo ordine. Ei partiranno ciascuno al suo posto, e nella sua squadra.But the tabernacle of testimonie shal be lifted vp by the offices of the Leuites and their troupes. As it shal be sette vp, so shal it be taken downe. Euetie one shal march by their places, and orders.Levabitur autem tabernaculum testimonii per officia Levitarum, et turmas eorum: quomodo erigetur, ita et deponetur. Singuli per loca et ordines suos proficiscentur. 18On the west side shall be the camp of the sons of Ephraim, whose prince was Elisama the son of Ammiud.Dalla parte di occidente sarà l'accampamento de' figliuoli di Ephraim, dei quali è principe Elisama figliuolo di Ammiud:On the west side shal be the campe of the sonnes of Ephraim, whose prince was Elisama the sonne of Ammiud.Ad occidentalem plagam erunt castra filiorum Ephraim, quorum princeps fuit Elisama filius Ammiud. 19The whole army of his fighting men, that were numbered, were forty thousand five hundred.Tutto il corpo de' suoi combattenti, che furon contati, fu di quaranta mila cinquecento.the whole hoste of his warriers, that were numbered, fourtie thousand fiue hundred.Cunctus exercitus pugnatorum ejus, qui numerati sunt, quadraginta millia quingenti.
20And with them the tribe of the sons of Manasses, whose prince was Gamaliel the son of Phadassur.E con essi la tribù dei figliuoli di Manasse, de' quali fu principe Gamaliele, figliuolo di Phadassur:And with them the tribes of the sonnes of Manasses, whose prince was Gamaliel the sonne of Phadassur.Et cum eis tribus filiorum Manasse, quorum princeps fuit Gamaliel filius Phadassur. 21And the whole army of his fighting men, that were numbered, were thirty-two thousand two hundred.E tutto il corpo dei suoi combattenti, che furon contati, trentadue mila dugento.and the whole hoste of his warriers, that were numbered, thirtie two thousand two hundred.Cunctusque exercitus pugnatorum ejus, qui numerati sunt, triginta duo millia ducenti. 22In the tribe of the sons of Benjamin the prince was Abidan the son of Gedeon.Della tribù de' figliuoli di Beniamin il principe sarà Abidan, figliuolo di Gedeone:In the tribe of the sonnes of Beniamin the prince was Abidan the sonne of Gedeon.In tribu filiorum Benjamin princeps fuit Abidan filius Gedeonis. 23And the whole army of fighting men, that were reckoned up, were thirty-five thousand four hundred.E tutto il corpo dei suoi combattenti, che furon contati, trentacinque mila quattrocento.and the whole host of his warriers, that were reckened, thirtie fiue thousand foure hundred.Et cunctus exercitus pugnatorum ejus, qui recensiti sunt, triginta quinque millia quadringenti. 24All that were numbered in the camp of Ephraim, were a hundred and eight-thousand one hundred by their troops: they shall march in the third place.Si contavano in tutto nell'accampamento d'Efraim cento otto mila cento uomini in varie schiere; questi hanno il terzo luogo nel viaggiare.Al that were numbered in the campe of Ephraim, an hundred eight thousand one hundred by their troupes: they shal march the third.Omnes qui numerati sunt in castris Ephraim, centum octo millia centum per turmas suas: tertii proficiscentur. 25On the north side camped the sons of Dan: whose prince was Ahiezar the son of Ammisaddai.Dalla parte di settentrione porranno gli alloggiamenti i figliuoli di Dan, dei quali sarà principe Ahiezer, figliuolo di Ammisaddai:On the north part camped the sonnes of Dan: whose prince was Ahiezar the sonne of Ammisaddai.Ad aquilonis partem castrametati sunt filii Dan: quorum princeps fuit Ahiezer filius Ammisaddai. 26The whole army of his fighting men, that were numbered, were sixty-two thousand seven hundred.Tutto il corpo de' suoi combattenti, che furon contati, settantadue mila settecento.the whole hoste of his warriers, that were numbered, sixtie two thousand seuen hundred.Cunctus exercitus pugnatorum ejus, qui numerati sunt, sexaginta duo millia septingenti.
27Beside him they of the tribe of Aser pitched their tents: whose prince was Phegiel the son of Ochran.Presso a Dan pianteranno le tende quelli della tribù di Aser: de' quali è principe Phegiel, figliuolo di Ochran:Besides him they of the tribe of Aser pitched their tents: whose prince was Phegiel the sonne of Ochran:Juxta eum fixere tentoria de tribu Aser: quorum princeps fuit Phegiel filius Ochran. 28The whole army of his fighting men, that were numbered, were forty-one thousand five hundred.Tutto il corpo de' suoi combattenti, che furon contati, quarant'un mila cinquecento,the whole hoste of his warriers, that were numbered, fourtie thousand and a thousand fiue hundred.Cunctus exercitus pugnatorum ejus, qui numerati sunt, quadraginta millia et mille quingenti. 29Of the tribe of the sons of Nephtali the prince was Ahira the son of Enan.Della tribù de' figliuoli di Nephtali sarà principe Ahira, figliuolo di Enan:Of the tribe of the sonnes of Nephthali the prince was Ahira the sonne of Enan.De tribu filiorum Nephthali princeps fuit Ahira filius Enan. 30The whole army of his fighting men, were fifty-three thousand four hundred.Tutto il corpo de' suoi combattenti cinquantatré mila quattrocento.the whole hoste of his warriers, fiftie three thousand foure hundred.Cunctus exercitus pugnatorum ejus, quinquaginta tria millia quadringenti. 31All that were numbered in the camp of Dan, were a hundred and fifty-seven thousand six hundred: and they shall march last.Si contarono in tutto negli alloggiamenti di Dan cento cinquantasette mila secento uomini: e questi nel viaggio saranno gli ultimi.Al that were numbered in the campe of Dan, were an hundred fiftie seuen thousand six hundred: and they shal march last.Omnes qui numerati sunt in castris Dan, fuerunt centum quinquaginta septem millia sexcenti: et novissimi proficiscentur. 32This is the number of the children of Israel, of their army divided according to the houses of their kindreds and their troops, six hundred and three thousand five hundred and fifty.Così il numero de' figliuoli d'Israele divisi nelle loro schiere secondo le loro case, e famiglie ascendeva a secento tre mila cinquecento cinquanta.This is the number of the children of Israel, by the houses of their kinredes and troupes of the hoste being diuided, six hundred three thousand fiue hundred fiftie.Hic numerus filiorum Israël, per domos cognationum suarum et turmas divisi exercitus, sexcenta tria millia quingenti quinquaginta. 33And the Levites were not numbered among the children of Israel: for so the Lord had commanded Moses.I Lieviti però non entrarono nel novero de' figliuoli d'Israele: perocché così aveva comandato il Signore a Mosè.And the Leuites were not numbered among the children of Israel: for so our Lord had commanded Moyses.Levitæ autem non sunt numerati inter filios Israël: sic enim præceperat Dominus Moysi.
34And the children of Israel did according to all things that the Lord had commanded. They camped by their troops, and marched by the families and houses of their fathers.E i figliuoli d'Israele adempierono tutto quello che aveva ordinato il Signore. Posero gli alloggiamenti, e fecer cammino divisi nelle loro squadre secondo le famiglie, e le case loro.And the children of Israel did according to al thinges, that our Lord had commanded. They camped by their troupes, and marched by their families and houses of their fathers.Feceruntque filii Israël juxta omnia quæ mandaverat Dominus. Castrametati sunt per turmas suas, et profecti per familias ac domos patrum suorum.
2:1
Year of the World 2514, Year before Christ 1490.
2:2
By, etc. Hebrew, "by his own standard, in the ensigns of their father's house, far off, about," etc. Perhaps a general standard, belonging to the chief tribe, was set up for each of the four great bodies; while the two inferior tribes had their peculiar ensign, as well as the different companies. It is supposed, that these standards were distinguished either by their colour, or by the representation of some animals. Jonathan says, each of the great standards, made of silk, were of three colours, similar to those precious stones, on which the names of the patriarchs were engraven on the rational; and also exhibited the figure or emblem of the principal tribe, with some text of Scripture, and the names of the three tribes. Thus the tribe of Juda, with those of Issachar and Zabulon, occupying the space of 4000 paces, had a lion's whelp on their standard, with this inscription, Let God arise, and his enemies be put to fight; Juda, Issachar, Zabulon. The tribes of Ruben, Simeon, and Gad, bore the figure of a stag, Hear, O Israel, the Lord thy God is one God. The standard of Ephraim, Manasses, and Benjamin, had a child embroidered, The cloud also of the Lord was over them by day, when they marched. Some give to the tribes of Dan, Aser, and Nephtali, the figure of a basilisk; others that of an eagle; with these words, Return, O Lord, and dwell with thy glory in the midst of the host of Israel. See (Numbers 10:34-36.; Deuteronomy 6:4.) Some imagine that the standard of Juda was green, with a lion's whelp embroidered upon it; Ruben's red, with the head of a man. That of Ephraim, yellowish, the colour of the Chrysolite, and represented an ox, or a calf's head. The standard of Dan had a mixture of white and red, like the jasper, with an eagle grasping a serpent in its talons; all in allusion to various passages of Scripture, and to the cherubim of Ezechiel. We cannot, however, vouch for the accuracy of these Rabinnical accounts. The custom of bearing the figures of animals on armour and standards, is very ancient. Anubis and Macedo had a dog and a wolf engraven on their arms, when they accompanied their father Osiris. (Diodorus 2:2. The heroes at Troy had similar emblems on their bucklers. (Pliny, [Natural History?] 35:3.) Others adorned their helmets with them. Hence some derive the custom of armour-bearing.
2:9
Haydock
First. The gate of the tabernacle looked towards the east. (Haydock)
Calmet
Juda marched therefore in the first ranks. Then followed Ruben, the Levites, with the camp of the Lord. (Calmet)
(Yet see Numbers 10:17.; Haydock)
Calmet
Afterwards came Ephraim; and last of all, Gad, ver. 16, 17, 24, 31. But in the camp, Juda, Issachar and Zabulon, Moses and Aaron, dwelt on the eastern side of the tabernacle; Ruben, Simeon and Gad, with the Caathites, on the south; Ephraim, Manasses and Benjamin, with the sons of Gerson, to the west; and Dan, Aser and Nephtali, with the Merarites, on the north. (Calmet)
2:17
Calmet
And. Hebrew, "when the tabernacle of the assembly, shall depart, the camp of the Levites in the midst of the camp, they shall depart in the same order as they encamp, each in his rank, with his ensigns." The Levites shall always be in the middle. (Calmet)
Grotius
So the Romans made their camps, of a square form, and placed the sacred things in the centre. (Grotius)
Menochius
Down. The same officers who took it down, shall set it up again. (Menochius)
2:23
Five, is omitted in the Samaritan copy.
2:24
Calmet
Eight. Onkelos has 180,000 (Calmet)
But both these are incorrect, (Numbers 1:37.;Numbers 1:52.) (Haydock)\
2:3
St John of Damascus † AD 749 An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith 4.12
… So, then, we worship God seeking and striving after our old fatherland. Moreover the tent of Moses had its veil and mercy seat towards the East. Also the tribe of Judah as the most precious pitched their camp on the East
2:2
In Hebrew, each one according to his standard, in the signs of the house of his fathers shall pitch camp. Whence it appears that besides one standard common to one battle line, there were also other special standards of the houses, that is of the families, or rather of the individual tribes; therefore each tribe, besides one common and chief standard, seems to have had moreover another proper standard of its own.
Question 1: How Was This Arrangement of the Camp Made? You will ask first, how was this arrangement of the camp and the twelve tribes around the tabernacle made? For the answer, note that the tabernacle and the courtyard surrounding the tabernacle was square or rather rectangular. For the courtyard had in length one hundred cubits, in width fifty; therefore the southern and northern sides (which were the sides of the length) each had one hundred cubits. Whence it follows that the camps of the Hebrews arranged around the courtyard were in a square, and were square, which is the best figure of camps, as Vegetius says, treating of military matters. The Hebrews relate that the Israelites were encamped thus around the tabernacle, so that one mile intervened, that is a space of one thousand paces, and this both for the sake of reverence, and of space and convenience; and this was the Sabbath day's journey, beyond which it was not permitted to go on the Sabbath. Which if true, great and of many miles was this expansion of the camps of Israel in the desert. Thus God commanded that the ark should precede the camps in the crossing of the Jordan at a space of two thousand cubits, Joshua III, 4: understand these things of the camps of the laity; for the camps of the Levites guarding the tabernacle were near it round about, as also the dwelling of Moses and Aaron. I say: Around the courtyard was first a square, or the square camps of the Levites: namely Moses and Aaron were to the East, at the entrance of the courtyard; the Gersonites were to the West, the Merarites to the North, the Caathites to the South; after these was a second square, or the square camps of the other Israelites, namely the twelve tribes, which were distributed around the courtyard and the camps of the Levites, so that on each side of the square, or on each quarter of the world three tribes were arranged, and consequently the twelve tribes thus placed made four groups of three or battle lines, and in each group of three or battle line, the first was some distinguished tribe, which went before the others, and was as it were archducal, so that in this way four distinguished tribes, as it were archddukes, guarded the four corners and sides of the army, from which the other tribes and all camps were named, so that the standard of Reuben, for example, indicated and named all the camps situated to the South. For Reuben was senior to Simeon and Gad his followers to the South, and thus of the others. Therefore to the East was spread the standard of the first battle line, namely of the archduke Judah, under which in its order to the same side followed, first Issachar, then Zebulun. To the South was the standard of Reuben, under which behind was Simeon, then Gad. To the West was the standard of Ephraim, under which behind was Manasseh, then Benjamin. To the North finally was the standard of Dan, under which behind was Asher, then Naphtali. But the Egyptians and other Gentiles, who had followed the Hebrews from Egypt, it is likely were mixed in with these; whence they were accustomed to murmur together with them and to stir up murmuring. Note: Among all the archducal and first tribe situated to the East was Judah. First, because this tribe was more numerous and stronger, and therefore the kingdom was assigned to it by Jacob, Genesis xlix, 10, so that namely this royal and very strong tribe could more easily protect its king. Second, because from this tribe Christ was to be born. Thus Theodoret here, Question III. But the tribe of Dan was to the North, because from the North all evil spreads; but from Dan the worst Antichrist will be born. Thus Rupertus and Radulphus in chapter xxiv of Leviticus. Note secondly: This square arrangement of the tribes and order was only then, when they pitched the camps: for when they moved them, the order was different; for not in square formation, but in a long and extended line each tribe one after another separately proceeded, as will be clear from verse 9. Tropologically, how each according to his signs, that is the order and degree of his calling, grace and status given to him, ought to live, and in that remain quietly, Origen teaches here, homily 2.
Question 2: What Insignia Did the Four Archducal Standards Have? You ask secondly, what and what sort of insignia did these four standards of the archducal tribes have? The Hebrews and Rabbis writing on this chapter hand down that these standards had the effigies of four animals, namely a lion, a man, an ox, and an eagle. Andrew Masius follows the Hebrews in chapter vi of Joshua, verse 9, where he speaks thus: "The Hebrews hand down that the first standard of the first-ranking tribe of Judah with its own had the effigy of a lion as its insignia; the second standard of the Reubenites had the effigy of a man with mandrakes, which Reuben had brought to his mother, Genesis xxx, 14; the third standard of Ephraim had the image of an ox; the fourth of the Danites had the effigy of an eagle. These indeed signified by apt type our propitiatory, namely Christ, and his ark, namely the Church, which was situated among these four standards, to be spread through the signs of the four Evangelists to all regions of the world." The same teach Vilalpandus, On the Temple, vol. II, part II, book V, disputation 2, chapter xxix, and Jerome Prado in chapter I of Ezekiel, page 44, who describes these things thus from the Hebrews: "Each leader of the tribes carried his own insignia, namely the ancestral emblems of his parents depicted on standards. To the East therefore, above the pavilion of Naasson of the firstborn of Judah, shone a standard of green color, which he assumed for himself, because on a green stone, namely an emerald, the name of the parent Judah was engraved in the Rational of the Pontiff, that is in his pectoral breastplate, in which was seen the right of citizenship and nobility of the Israelites, namely of each of the twelve tribes; in which standard was depicted a lion, the emblem and hieroglyphic of the parent Judah; for Jacob had compared him to a lion, saying: The whelp of a lion, Judah. To the South, above the tent of Elisur son of Reuben, stood out a red standard, reflecting the color of sardius, in which was written the name of the father, namely Reuben, in the Rational; but the symbol depicted in this standard was seen to be a human head, because Reuben was the firstborn and head of the family. To the West, rose high above the tent of Elisama son of Ephraim a golden standard, in which was engraved the head of a calf (because his grandfather Joseph through a vision of calves or oxen had foretold and foreseen the famine of Egypt: whence also the Egyptians worshipped him in the form of an ox, and called him Apis or Serapis, as I said Genesis xli, at the end; whence also Moses afterwards, Deuteronomy xxxiii, 17, blessing the tribe of Joseph, namely Ephraim, says: "The beauty of his firstborn bull"). But the golden splendor of the standard of Ephraim emulated the brightness of chrysolite, in which was written the name of Ephraim in the Rational. To the region of the North, fluttered over the tent of Ahiezer son of Dan a variegated sign from white and red color in the manner of jasper (thus Prado, but it is more true that Dan in the Rational was inscribed in a carbuncle, as I said Exodus xxviii, 18; add that jaspers are almost green, not white and red), in which was engraved the name Dan in the Rational: the emblem of this was an eagle hostile to serpents, chosen by the archducal leader in place of a serpent, because the grandfather Jacob had compared the parent Dan to a serpent, saying: Let Dan be a serpent in the way, a cerastes in the path; in place of which Ahiezer placed an eagle, which would carry in its talons a seized serpent or dragon; which was also the emblem of the Lacedaemonians, with which they also sealed letters sent to the Jews their kinsmen," as Josephus testifies, book XII of Antiquities, chapter v. Thus we read in Plutarch that an eagle brought to C. Marius a return with the greatest glory and triumph, when it had torn apart a serpent seized in its talons and cast it into the waters, and from there had flown toward the setting sun: Thus the eagle established Jupiter's clear omen, The Father himself thundered from the left parts of heaven. These tribes therefore carried the gentile emblems of their families and their parents as insignia and standard: whence in Hebrew these standards are called the signs of their fathers. Moreover, Prado judges these insignia of four animals to be signified by the Psalmist, Psalm lxvii, when speaking of the camps of the Hebrews he says: "Thy animals shall dwell (that is, dwelt) in it," as if to say: In thy inheritance, in thy camps, in thy people, O Lord, were seen of old in the desert standards marked with the figures of four animals, namely a man, a lion, an eagle, and a calf. And Prado adds that it is plainly seen that these four animal figures were taken from the Cherubim of the ark; for God wished to signify his attributes, majesty, glory, and triumphs through these four animals, as it were his emblems, and therefore commanded his Cherubim to be made and fashioned thus, so that they would reflect the appearance of these four animals, as I said Exodus xxv, 18. Hence he also transferred the same to his camps and people, and their standards. For these were God's camps, whose leader and prince was God himself. Meritedly therefore, admiring the beauty of these camps, Balaam sang, Numbers xxiv, 5: "How beautiful are thy tabernacles, Jacob, and thy tents, Israel, as a wooded valley, and gardens beside flowing rivers, and the tabernacles which the Lord hath pitched," etc.
Question 3: What Do These Camps and Standards Signify Mystically? You ask thirdly, what do these camps and standards signify mystically? Vilalpandus responds first from Philo, that symbolically in these camps of God the whole world is represented, and the insignia of the twelve tribes signify the twelve signs of the Zodiac. For Judah has the appearance of a lion, Reuben of Aquarius, Ephraim of a bull, Dan of a scorpion seized by an eagle. See the rest in the idea and image expressed by him, fol. 470, where also through the four regions and through the four ranks, both of the Levites and of the camps, he teaches that the four elements are signified, namely through Moses and Aaron, who were toward the East, fire; through the Gersonites, who were toward the West, earth; through the Caathites, who were toward the South, air; through the Merarites, who were toward the North, water. Allegorically, these camps signify the Church of Christ, of which it is said in the Canticle vi, 3: "Fair as the moon, elect as the sun, terrible as an army set in array;" hence also God is called Sabaoth, that is, of armies and hosts; and for this reason also these camps were around the tabernacle, that is the temple of God, and were committed to it, and thus exhibited the appearance of the temple or Church itself, just as conversely the temple itself bore the appearance of the camps. Whence in II Paralipomenon xxxi, 2, it is said that Ezechias appointed Levites, who "should sing in the gates of the camps of the Lord," that is of the temple. Moses therefore is Christ, who in the midst of the twelve Patriarchs and tribes, that is of the twelve Apostles, was seen in Judaea, and adored as the true creator of the new heaven and new earth, attended as it were by four Cherubim, the Evangelists, whom he sent to the four regions of the world to evangelize. Hence the Cherubim had the appearance of a man, a lion, an ox and an eagle, through which the four Evangelists are clearly shadowed forth and depicted in the Apocalypse IV, 7, and all the Fathers teach this everywhere. Archidamus, as Plutarch testifies in the Laconian account, when asked how much territory the Spartans possessed, replied: "As much as our spear reaches." Thus the Church occupies as much territory as, by fighting against demons, infidels and the impious, it has subdued, so that it can say with Jacob: "I give thee one portion above thy brethren, which I took out of the hand of the Amorrhite with my sword and bow," Genesis xlviii, 22; these therefore are the camps, these are the ranks of the Church. King Agis, when prohibited from fighting at Mantinea because the enemies would overcome them in number, said: "It is necessary that he who wishes to rule over many fight against many." Thus the twelve Apostles, fighting against the whole world, subdued it to themselves and to Christ. A Laconian woman, handing a shield to her son as he set out to war, said: "This your father always preserved, therefore do you the same, or perish." Let the Church now say the same to any faithful one. Another woman, crowned with solemn pomp, when she learned that her son had fallen as a victor in battle, did not remove her crown, but boasting to those nearby said: "It is far more beautiful, O friend, to meet death as a victor in battle than to live as a conqueror." Let the Martyr say the same, who by suffering, and likewise the teacher and preacher, who by laboring for the glory of God falls. On the contrary, Damatria killed her son who returned to her because he had conducted himself timidly and unworthily in war. Another Laconian woman wrote to her son who had been saved by flight: "An evil report is spread about you, therefore either wash away this stain, or cease to live." Another, when her sons had fled from battle and came to her, said: "Where did you wish to flee, wretched slaves? back here (showing her belly) from whence you came, to return?" Another, seeing her son approaching from flight, asked where the affairs of the fatherland stood; and when he answered that the citizens had been slain, she killed him with a tile, saying: "Did they send you to us as the messenger of such a calamity?" When someone told a mother that her brother had fallen in honorable death: "Is it not shameful," she said, "that you have missed the opportunity of such a companion?" What now shall the faithful say, what shall the soldier say in the camps of the Church? Let him say indeed with the Maccabees: Let us die manfully in battle, and not bring a stain upon our glory. Let us extend the kingdom of Christ, let us evangelize the whole world; if we fall, if we are killed, we shall rise as Martyrs. Moreover in particular, St. Ambrose, lib. II On Solomon, cap. II, compares Christ to an eagle fighting with a dragon, which was the standard of Dan, when he says: "Just as an eagle devours serpents, and digests their poisons by internal heat, so also our Lord Christ, the dragon being struck, that is the devil being torn, while he assumes a human body to himself, that sin which held mankind in bondage, as a pernicious poison, he extinguished, just as the Apostle says: And he condemned sin in the flesh." But Rabanus here adapts individual points more aptly in this manner. This, he says, is the army camp of the Church, both of the New and Old Testament. The Levites are priests and clergy: these guard sacred things, and fight for them, and the people, who come to the Church from the four quarters of the world, surround and protect them; from each of the four sides is the trinity of tribes, that is, faith in the Holy Trinity; the twelve princes are the twelve Apostles, by whose prayers and teaching the Church is fortified. From the East is Judah, because Christ was born from Judah, whose name is the Orient. Again, through the East, where was the entrance of the tabernacle, is signified the primitive Church, and the beginning of the conversion of the faithful to Christ: here is Judah, that is, confession; and Issachar, that is, reward; and Zebulun, that is, the dwelling of strength: because the Confessors of Christ have entrance through Christ into the Church, which is the very strong house of God, so that they may labor in it for eternal reward. The Southern region signifies the ancient people of God, once illuminated by God: here is Reuben, Simeon and Gad; because the holy Fathers, who have well sharpened the sight of their mind to see the will of God the Father, rightly devoted themselves to the study of obedience to Him, girding themselves with the armor of justice against the roaring lion and the demon of the south, and as it were said to themselves: Be Reuben, that is, see that you are a son of the eternal Father; to whom you ought to be Simeon, that is, obedient; so that you may be Gad, that is, girded against demons. Again, be Reuben, that is, see that you beget sons for God. The North signifies the multitude of the Gentiles, which until Christ had been torpid in the darkness and cold of infidelity: here is Dan, that is, judgment; Asher, that is, blessed; and Naphtali, that is, wrestling, or enlarged: because when the Jews rejected the word of the Lord, by the just judgment of God, through the multitude of believing Gentiles enlarged, and the people of the Church wrestling, they do not cease to hope for and seek eternal blessedness. The West, or the final part of the tabernacle, signifies the fulfillment of the Church, which will come to pass at the end of the world, when all Israel shall be saved: here are Ephraim, that is, increasing; Manasseh, that is, forgetfulness; and Benjamin, that is, son of the right hand: because then in the persecution of Antichrist they will be tested, and the elect will increase in merits, and then will come the hour when, with the impious delivered into the forgetfulness of perpetual death, the just will be placed at the right hand of God to reign eternally with the Lord. Thus far Rabanus.
Question 4: What Do These Camps Signify Tropologically and Anagogically? It is asked fourth, what do these camps signify tropologically and anagogically? For the literal sense here is easy; but the spiritual sense, which is hidden here, is illustrious. I answer: Any faithful and holy soul is the tabernacle of God, as I said in Exodus xxvi, 1. The aspect toward the East signifies the illumination and purification of the mind, which is perfected by Judah, that is, true confession; and Zebulun, that is, strong penance; and Issachar, that is, hope of reward. The South signifies the inflammation and ardor of the mind, which is perfected by Reuben, that is, vision and procreation of sons in the Spirit; and Simeon, that is, obedience; and Gad, that is, strength in adversities. The North signifies the temptations of the demon and other enemies, against which we are fortified by the camps of Dan, that is, fear of the final judgment; and Naphtali, that is, continual struggle; and Asher, that is, remembrance of eternal blessedness. The West signifies the perfection of the soul, which is provided by Ephraim, that is, fruits and continual increase of good works; and Manasseh, that is, forgetfulness of temporal things; and Benjamin, that is, the right hand and virtue of our Father God: Abulensis has almost all these things here, Question last. Anagogically, these camps signify the heaven of the Blessed, and the heavenly city. Whence in Apocalypse xxi, 16, it is said that it is placed in a square, just as these camps are; and that it has twelve gates, namely three from each side and region, inscribed with the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel: for the twelve tribes signify all true Israelites, that is, the elect, who will rule in that city. Therefore one will enter into heaven through the gate of Levi, or as Levi, a priest, who well presided over the priesthood; one will enter through Judah, or as Judah, a prince, who well presided over the people; they will enter as Simeon, who were obedient to their superiors; they will enter as Issachar, or Manasseh, Monks and Religious, who trample upon present pleasures, fixed in hope for eternal reward; they will enter through the gate of Ephraim, who will have abounded in fruits of mercy; through Dan, just judges. Gather the rest and apply them from the tropology assigned a little before. Thus Origen, homily 1, and from him Rabanus.
2:9
Not that these three tribes proceeded together with equal pace: for this would often have been impossible on account of the narrowness of the roads, but that those born from the tribe of Judah were first and went before all the other tribes. The twelve tribes therefore were distributed into four battle-lines, which proceeded in this order. The first battle-line, and that the strongest, was the tribe of Judah: this was not accompanied by equal pace, but was followed closely from behind by Issachar, then Zebulun: and so these three tribes made up one, namely the first battle-line, 186 thousand warriors, as appears from verse 9. The second battle-line was the tribe of Reuben, which followed the tribe of Zebulun: after Reuben marched Simeon, after him Gad: and this second battle-line was, equally as the first, threefold, namely made up of the tribes already mentioned, and contained 150 thousand warriors, as appears from verse 16. After this second battle-line, in the midst of all the camps proceeded the Levites with the tabernacle, that dissolved into parts, and distributed among various bearers. After the Levites followed the third battle-line of Ephraim, to which was joined and succeeded the battle-line of Manasseh, then Benjamin; this battle-line contained 108 thousand warriors, as appears from verse 24. After this followed the fourth battle-line of Dan, to which was joined from behind Asher, then Naphtali. Naphtali therefore closed the entire column and all the other tribes; this battle-line contained 157 thousand warriors, as appears from verse 31.
2:17
That is to say, the tabernacle dissolved shall be carried by the Levites, according to their distinct ministries, which God distributed to each in the following chapter. Note: The Levites proceeded in the safest place, namely in the midst of the camps, when they journeyed: for they had before them two battle-lines, namely the six tribes already mentioned; after them they had two likewise battle-lines, namely six other tribes, whence in Hebrew it is, the tabernacle of the testimony shall set forth, and the camps of the Levites in the midst of the camps. Which understand thus, not as if all the Levites were together in the midst precisely, as some wished, but that the Gersonites and Merarites followed the first battle-line, or the first three tribes; but the Caathites followed the second battle-line, and were precisely in the midst of the camps, as is expressly narrated in chapter x, verses 17 and 21. Thus Andrew Masius in chapter vi of Joshua. As It Shall Be Erected, So Also Shall It Be Set Down. — These words are not in the Hebrew at this place, but in chapter IV, whence they seem to have been translated here by the Latin interpreter, for the sake of light and clarity.
2:29
Note: For the sake of harmony God gave this fitting order to these four tribes, so that, since there were four sons of Jacob from the handmaids, namely from Bilhah, Dan and Naphtali; but from Zilpah, Gad and Asher; and therefore one was to be joined to another battle-line (as it were, which consisted of only three tribes) and standard, Gad was joined to Reuben, but Dan and Naphtali, sons of Bilhah, embraced in the middle Asher the son of Zilpah, for the sake of love and union.
Question 5: In What Order Did Each Tribe Proceed? You ask fifth, in what order did each tribe proceed on the journey? Abulensis answers here, Question I, from the Hebrews, that each soldier had his own place fixed in the camps: but this does not seem necessary. For the difficulty here is this: whether from each camp, that is from each side, did individual tribes proceed in a square formation, or rather in a long and extended one? I answer, not in a square formation, but in a long and extended formation did the individual tribes proceed one after another separately, as will appear from verse 9.
Machine translation from the Latin, not reviewed.
2:3
… The Septuagint in Ex. 6:23 and Num. 2:3 calls her 'Ελισάβεδ.
The tribe of J. is the most numerous (Num. 1:26 ff.; 26:19-21); its principal families are listed in Num. 26:19-21; I Chron. 2. In the desert it holds the first place in the arrangement of the camp and of the march (Num. 2:3-9; 10:14) and in the offering of sacrifices (Num. 7:12-17). It receives the first and most important lot in the division of the Promised Land (Josh. 15; cf. 14:6-15). After the death …
2:5
The name occurs in the Old Testament (Heb. Nēthān'ēl, Septuagint Nēthān'ēl), where it designates a chief of the tribe of Issachar at the time of the exodus (Num. 1:8; 2:5; 7:18-23; 10:15) and ten other personages, who appear only once, in the books of Chronicles, in Esth. 10:22; Neh. 12:21; Jud. 8:1 (Vulgate Nathanias). …
2:7
Eliab (Heb. "Il My God Is Father")
1. Son of Helon and chief of the tribe of Zebulun at the time of the census in the desert of Sinai (Num. 1:9; 2:7; 10:16). Like the other tribal chiefs he offered rich gifts to Yahweh (Num. 7:24-29).
2:10
The tribe of G., which already in the desert life appears specially united with that of Reuben (cf. Num. 2:10-16), asks together with it to be allowed to occupy Transjordan, most suitable for their numerous flocks. …
2:14
Eliasaph (Heb. 'Eljasaph "God Increases")
ELIASAPH (Heb. 'Eljasaph "God Increases"). - 1. Son of Duel (De'ā'el), chief of the tribe of Dan at the time of the census carried out by Moses and when the Hebrews left Sinai (Num. 1:14; 2:14). Like the other tribal chiefs, he presented the offerings of the descendants of Dan for the sacrifices (Num. 7:42, 47).
2:18
Elisama (Heb. 'Elīlāmā' "God Hears")
1. A leader of the tribe of Ephraim (Num. 1:10; 2:18; 7:48; 10:22); the grandfather of Joshua (I Chr. 7:20).
2:25
… They camped to the north of the tabernacle with Asher and Naphtali; on the journey through the desert they held the last place (Num. 2:25; 10:25). In the division of the Palestinian territory it received a small territory among the tribes of Judah, Benjamin and Ephraim. …
2:27
ACHAN. - Son of Charmi, of the tribe of Judah (Heb. 'Akān "afflicting" [?]; Septuagint 'Aẓāp; cf. the name ākran in Num. 1:13; 2:27). Taking part in the conquest of Jericho, heedless of the divine anathema, he hid underground in his own tent a scarlet cloak, 200 shekels of gold and a wedge of gold, belonging to the enemies. …
2:33
Levites (Heb. Lēwī, pl. Lēwījīm; Gr. Lēwījī, pl. -ai)
… They were not counted among the combatants (ibid. 2:33).
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · Vulgata Clementina · original Douay-Rheims (Douay 1609-10), transcription by EEBO-TCP (CC0) · La Sacra Bibbia, tradotta dalla Volgata da Antonio Martini (1769-1781) (LaParola (laparola.net), Martini OSIS text, Public domain (LaParola's electronic edition marks it 'Dominio pubblico')). Public domain.