Numbers 2:16 - “All who were counted of the camp of Reuben were one hundred fifty-one thousand four hundred fifty, according to their armies. They shall set out second.

Generated Verse: Numbers 2:16

What does "Numbers 2:16" mean?


Numbers 2:16 provides information about the tribal encampment and order of march of the Israelites during their wilderness journey. Let's break down the meaning:

“All who were counted of the camp of Reuben…”: This refers to a census that was taken to count all the men of fighting age (20 years and older) belonging to the tribe of Reuben. They were grouped together as the "camp of Reuben" because they encamped together.

“…were one hundred fifty-one thousand four hundred fifty…”: This is the total number of men from the tribe of Reuben who were eligible for military service, as counted in the census.

“…according to their armies.”: This indicates that the men were organized into military units or divisions ("armies") within the tribe. The census was not just a head count, but also served to organize them for potential warfare.

“They shall set out second.”: This specifies the order in which the camp of Reuben was to move during the Israelite's travels. They were designated to be the second division to break camp and begin marching.

In summary, Numbers 2:16 provides these key details:

The tribe of Reuben's fighting men numbered 151,450.
These men were organized into military units.
The camp of Reuben was designated as the second to march when the Israelites moved.

The order of march was important for logistical and security reasons. Different tribes had specific responsibilities in protecting the Ark of the Covenant, the Tabernacle, and the people. Reuben's position in the second group likely had strategic significance in this larger formation.

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