Numbers 1:52

Verse

The Israelites are to camp by their divisions, each man in his own camp and under his own standard.

American Standard Version (1901)

And the children of Israel shall pitch their tents, every man by his own camp, and every man by his own standard, according to their hosts.

Bible in Basic English

The children of Israel are to put up their tents, every man in his tent-circle round his flag.

Free Bible Version

The Israelites are to make camp according to their tribal divisions, each person in their own camp under their own flag.

King James (Authorized) Version

And the children of Israel shall pitch their tents, every man by his own camp, and every man by his own standard, throughout their hosts.

One Unity Resource Bible

The children of Israel [God prevails] shall pitch their tents, every man by his own camp, and every man by his own standard, according to their divisions.

Translation for Translators

The people of each Israeli tribe must set up their tents in their own area, and they must set up a flag/banner that represents their tribe.

Unlocked Literal Bible

When the people of Israel set up their tents, each man must do so near the banner that belongs to his armed group.

Noah Webster Bible

And the children of Israel shall pitch their tents every man by his own camp, and every man by his own standard, throughout their hosts.

World English Bible

The children of Israel shall pitch their tents, every man by his own camp, and every man by his own standard, according to their divisions.

Young's Literal Translation

And the sons of Israel have encamped, each by his camp, and each by his standard, by their hosts;

Context

The Exemption of the Levites

⁵¹Whenever the tabernacle is to move, the Levites are to take it down, and whenever it is to be pitched, the Levites are to set it up. Any outsider who goes near it must be put to death.⁵²The Israelites are to camp by their divisions, each man in his own camp and under his own standard.⁵³But the Levites are to camp around the tabernacle of the Testimony and watch over it, so that no wrath will fall on the congregation of Israel. So the Levites are responsible for the tabernacle of the Testimony.”

Summary

In Numbers 1:52, the Lord commands the Israelites to camp each man by his own standard with the banners of their fathers' households. This organization system was crucial for maintaining order and unity among the tribes as they journeyed through the wilderness. By following this directive, the Israelites demonstrated their obedience to God's instructions and their commitment to fulfilling His purposes. The emphasis on structure and alignment with their respective tribes reflects the importance of unity and cooperation in carrying out God's plans. This verse highlights the significance of order and discipline in the community of believers, illustrating the value of working together harmoniously for the advancement of God's kingdom.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And the children of Israel shall pitch their tents, every man by his own camp,.... There were four, unless every tribe was a camp, and so then there were twelve camps, besides the camp of the Levites: the Targum of Jonathan is,"by the house of his troop,''the regiment to which he belonged, every tribe or camp having various troops or regiments in it: and every man by his own standard throughout their hosts; there were four standards, and three tribes to each standard, which were placed east, west, north, and south of the tabernacle, as is at large described in the following chapter.