Numbers 2:24 - “All who were counted of the camp of Ephraim were one hundred eight thousand one hundred, according to their divisions. They shall set out third.

Generated Verse: Numbers 2:24

What does "Numbers 2:24" mean?


Numbers 2:24 is part of a larger passage detailing the order in which the tribes of Israel were to encamp and march during their journey through the wilderness. Let's break down what the verse means:

"All who were counted of the camp of Ephraim...": This refers to the total number of men of fighting age (20 years and older) from the tribes associated with the banner of Ephraim. These tribes were Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin. This verse specifically calls out the number only of Ephraim.
"...were one hundred eight thousand one hundred...": This is the total number of men of fighting age counted from the tribe of Ephraim during the census.
"...according to their divisions.": This means that the total number was determined by adding up the numbers from each of the sub-groups or families within the tribe of Ephraim. Each family would have had its own "division" or unit.
"They shall set out third.": This is the key piece of information regarding the marching order. The camp of Ephraim (Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin together) was designated to march third in the overall order of the tribes. This order was important for logistics, defense, and maintaining order during their travels. The "camp" refers to a group of tribes traveling under a shared banner, which in this case was the banner of Ephraim.

In summary, the verse states:

The number of fighting men from the tribe of Ephraim, counted according to their family divisions, was 108,100. The entire camp of Ephraim, which includes Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin, was designated to march third in the line of tribes during their journey.

Significance:

This verse provides a specific detail within the larger context of Numbers 2. It emphasizes the importance of organization and order within the Israelite camp. The numbering of the tribes and their designated marching order were crucial for several reasons:

Military Strength: It gave them a clear understanding of their manpower for defense.
Logistics: It helped in organizing supplies and resources for the journey.
Order and Discipline: It ensured a structured and controlled movement across the wilderness.
Symbolism: Some scholars believe the order also had symbolic significance, reflecting the status and roles of the different tribes.

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