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THE

FOURTH BOOK OF MOSES,

CALLED

NUMBERS.

Year before the common Year of Christ, 1490.-Julian Period, 3224-Cycle of the Sun, 27.-Dominical Letter, D.-Cycle of the Moon, 9.---Indiction, 6.-Creation from Tisri or September, 2514.

CHAPTER 1.

On the first day of the second month of the second year after Israel came out of Egypt, God commanded Moses to number all the males of the people from twenty years and upwards, who were effective men, and able to go to war, 1-3 A chief of each tribe is associated with Moses and Aaron in this business, 4. the names of

whom are given, 5—16. Moses assembles the people, who declare their pedigrees according to their families, 17-19. The descendants of Reuben are numbered, and amount to 46,500, ver. 20, 21. Those of Simeon, 59,300, ver. 22, 23. Those of God, 45,650, ver. 24, 25. Those of Judah, 74,600, ver. 26, 27. Those of Issachar, 54,400, ver. 28, 29. Those of Zebulun, 57,400, ver. 30, 31. Those of Ephraim, 40,500, ver. 32, 33. Those of Manasseh, 32,300, ver. 31, 35. Those of Benjamin, 35,400, ver. 37, 37. Those of Dan, 62,700, ver. 38, 39. Those of Asher, 41,500, ver. 40, 41. Those of Naphtali, 53,400, ver. 42, 43. The amount of all the effective men in Israel, from twenty years old, and upwards, was 603,550, ver. 44-47. The Levites are not numbered with the tribes, because they were dedicated to the service of God. Their particular work is specified, 47–54.

A. M. 2514.

B. C. 1490.

An. Exod. Isr. 2. Ijar or Zif.

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the tabernacle of the congregation, on the first day of the second month, in the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt, saying,

2 Take ye the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, after their families, by the house of their fathers, with the number of their names, every male by their polls;

3 From twenty years old and upward, all that are able to go forth to war in Israel; thou and Aaron shall number them by their armies. 4 And with you there shall be a man of every tribe; every one head of the house of his fathers. 51 And these are the names of the men that shall stand with you: of the tribe of Reuben; Elizur the son of Shedeur.

6 Of Simeon; Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai.

7 Of Judah; Nahshon the son of Amminadab.

a Exod. 19. 1. Ch. 10. 11, 12-b Exod. 25. 22-c Exod. 30. 12. & 38, 26. Ch. 25. 2, 63, 61. 2 Sam. 24. 2. 1 Chron. 21. 2-d Exod. 30. 14. Deut. 3. 18.-e Exod. 12. 17.

NOTES ON CHAPTER I.

Verse 1. The Lord spake unto Moses-on the first day of the second month] As the tabernacle was erected upon the first day of the first month in the second year, after their coming out of Egypt, Exod. xl. 17. and this muster of the people was made on the first day of the second month, in the same year; it is evident that the transactions related in the preceding book, must all have taken place in the space of one month, and during the time the Israelites were encamped at mount Sinai, before they had begun their journey to the promised land.

Verse 2. Take ye the sum, &c.] God having established the commonwealth of Israel by just and equitable laws, ordained every thing relative to the due performance of his own worship; erected his tabernacle, which was his throne, and the place of his residence, among the people; and consecrated his priests, who were to minister before him he now orders his subjects to be mustered, 1. That they might see he had not forgotten his promise to Abraham, but was multiplying his posterity. 2. That they might observe due order in their march toward the promised land. 3. That the tribes and families might be properly distinguished; that all litigations concerning property, inheritance, &c. might, in all future times, be prevented. 4. That the promise concerning the Messiah might be known to have its due accomplishment, when, in the fulness of time, God should send him from the seed of Abraham, through the house of David. And, 5. That they might know their strength for war. For although they should ever consider God as their protector and defence; yet it was necessary they should be assured of their

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8 Of Issachar; Nethaneel the son of Zuar. 9 Of Zebulun; Eliab the son of Helon. 10 Of the children of Joseph: of Ephraim; Elishama the son of Ammihud; of Manasseh; Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.

11 Of Benjamin; Abidan the son of Gideoni. 12 Of Dan; Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai. 13 Of Asher; Pagiel the son of Ocran. 14 Of Gad; Eliasaph the son of Deuel. 15 Of Naphtali; Ahira the son of Enan. 16 These were the renowned of the congreof tribes. gation, princes of the tribes of their fathers,

17 And Moses and Aaron took these men which are expressed by their names:

18 And they assembled all the congregation together on the first day of the second month, and they declared their pedigrees after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, by their polls.

19 As the LORD commanded Moses, so he numbered them in the wilderness of Sinai. 20 And the children of Reuben, Israel's eldest son, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, by their polls, every male from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

21 Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of i Reuben, were forty and six thousand and five hundred.

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own fitness, naturally speaking, to cope with any ordinary enemy, or to surmount any common difficulties.

Verse 3. From twenty years old and upward] In this census no women were reckoned, nor children, nor strangers, nor the Levites, nor old men; which collectively, must have formed an immense multitude; the Levites alone amounted to 22,300. True-born Israelites only are reckoned; such as were able to carry arms, and were expert for war.

Verse 14. Eliasaph the son of Deuel] This person is called Reuel, chap. ii. 14. As the daleth, d, is very like the resh, r, it was easy to mistake the one for the other. The Septuagint and the Syriac have Reuel in this chapter; and in chap. ii. 14. the Vulgate, the Samaritan, and the Arabic have Deuel, instead of Reuel, with which reading a vast number of MSS. concur; and this reading is supported by chap. x. ver. 20. we may safely conclude, therefore, by Dâual, not my¬ Râual, was the original reading. See Kennicott.

An ancient Jewish rabbin pretends to solve every difficulty, by saying that Eliasaph was a proselyte; that before he embraced the true faith, he was called the son of Reuel, but that after his conversion, he was called the son of Deuel." As Râuel may be translated the breach of God, and Dâuel the knowledge of God, I suppose the rabbin grounded his supposition on the different meanings of the two words.

Verse 15. These were the renowned] Literally the called of the congregation-those who were summoned by name to attend. The order of the tribes in the above enumeration may be viewed thus:

A. M. 2514. B. C. 1490.

CHAP. I.

22 Of the children of Simeon, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, those that were numbered of them, according to the number of the names, by their polls, every male from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to

war;

23 Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Simeon, were fifty and nine thousand and three hundred.

24 Of the children of Gad, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

25 Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Gad, were forty and five thousand six hundred and fifty.

26 T Of the children of Judah, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

27 Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Judah, were threescore and fourteen thousand and six hundred.

28Of the children of " Issachar, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

29 Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Issachar, were fifty and four thousand and four hundred."

30 Of the children of Zebulun, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers. according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

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Verse 25. Forty and five thousand six hundred and fifty) Mr. Ainsworth has remarked, that Gad, the handmaid's son, is the only one of all the tribes whose number ends with fifty; all the others are by thousands, and end with hundreds: which shows God's admirable providence and blessing in multiplying them so, that no odd or broken number was among all the tribes. But see on ver. 46.

Verse 33. The tribe of Ephraim were 40,500] Ephraim, as he was blessed beyond his eldest brother Manasseh, Gen. xlviii. 20. so here he is increased by thousands more than Manasseh, and more than the whole tribe of Benjamin, and his blessing continued above his brother, Deut. xxxiii. 17. And thus the prophecy, Gen. xlviii. 19. was fulfilled his youngest brother (Ephraim) shall be greater than he (Manasseh.) No word of God can possibly fall to the ground; he alone sees the end from the beginning; his infinite wisdom embraces all occurrences; and it is his province alone to determine what is right, and to predict what himself has purposed to accomplish.

Verse 46. All that were numbered were 603,550] What an astonishing increase from seventy souls that went down into Egypt, Gen. xlvi. 27. about 215 years before, where latterly, they had endured the greatest hardships! But

34 Of the children of Manasseh, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

35 Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Manasseh, were thirty and two thousand and two hundred.

36 Of the children of Benjamin, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

37 Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Benjamin, were thirty and five thousand and four hundred.

38 Of the children of " Dan, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

39 Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of. Dan, were threescore and two thousand and seven hundred.

40 Of the children of Asher, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

41 Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Asher, were forty and one thousand and five hundred.

42 T Of the children of Naphtali, throughout their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

43 Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Naphtali, were fifty and three thousand and four hundred.

44 These are those that were numbered, which Moses and Aaron numbered, and the princes of Israel, being twelve men; each one was for the house of his fathers.

45 So that all those that were numbered of the children of Israel, by the house of their fathers, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war in Israel;

46 Even all they that were numbered were w six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty..

s. Gen. 48. 12-20.-t Gen. 35. 16-18-u Gen. 30. 5, 6-v Ch. 26. 64.-w Exod. 38. 26. See Exod. 12. 37. Ch. 2. 32. & 26. 51.

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God's promise cannot fail-they shall be as the stars of
heaven for multitude-and who can resist his will, and
bring to nought his counsel? That a comparative view
may be easily taken of the state of the tribes, I shall pro-
duce them here from the first census mentioned in the first
chapter of this book, in their decreasing proportion, begin-
ning with the greatest, and proceeding to the least: and in
the second census mentioned chap. xxvi. where the in-
crease of some, and the decrease of others, may be seen in
one point of view. It may be just remarked, that except in
the case of Gad in this chapter, and Reuben in chap. xxvi.
all the numbers are what may be called whole or round
numbers, beginning with thousands, and ending with hun-
dreds, Gad and Reuben alone ending with tens; but the
Scripture generally uses round numbers, units and frac-
tions being almost constantly disregarded.
1st Census. Numb. Ch. i.

2d Census. Numb. Ch. xxvi.

76,500

64,400

22,200

60,500

64,300

45,400

43,730

40,500

53,400

32,500

45,600

52,700

Total 601,730

Thus we find Judah the most populous tribe, and Manasseh the least so; the difference between them being so

47 But the Levites after the tribe of their fathers were not numbered among them.

48 For the LORD had spoken unto Moses, saying,

w Ch. 2. 33. See Ch. 3. & 4. & 26. 57. 1 Chron. 6. & 21. 6.-x Ch. 2. 33. & 26. 62.

great as 42,400, for which no very satisfactory reason can be assigned.

In the second census, mentioned chap. xxvi. 34. Judah still has the pre-eminency, and Simeon, the third in number before, is become the least. Now we see also, that the little tribe of Manasseh occupies the seventh place for number. Seven of the tribes had an increase; five a decrease. Manasseh had an increase of 20,500; Judah, 1,900; Issachar, 9,900; Zabulon, 3,100; Benjamin, 10,200; Dan, 1,700; Asher, 11,900.

On the contrary, there was a decrease in Reuben of 2,770; in Simeon, 37,100; Gad, 5,150; Ephraim, 8,000; Naphtali, 8,000. Decrease in the whole, 61,020, effective men. See on chap. xxvi. but balanced with the increase, the decrease was, upon the whole, only 1,820.

On the subject of these enumerations, and the manner in which this vast multitude sprung in about four generations, from seventy-five persons, Scheuchzer has some valuable calculations, which I shall take the liberty to insert, as they tend to throw considerable light upon the subject.

"We find in the writings of Moses three enumerations of the Jewish people, that follow each other pretty closely. The first, which was made at their departure from Egypt, (Exod. xii. 37,) amounted to One year after, to

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On entering the land of Canaan, to

If we add to the number

that of the Levites given us in Numb. iii. 39. and which amounted to

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We shall have for the sum total

600,000
603,555

22,000

625,550

"We find the same number, on adding that of each tribe, given us in detail, which is the best proof of the exactness of the calculation.

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I. REUBEN 46,500.

62,700. Numb. i. 39.

53,400. Numb. i. 43.

tribe. REUBEN had four sons: now if we suppose, that Let us now descend to the particular enumeration of each one of these four sons had seven, and that each of the other three had eight: we shall find the number 31, for the first Egyptian generation. If we afterward suppose, that each of these 31 sons had five sons, the second generation will amount to 155; which, multiplied by 15, will produce 2,325 601,730 for the third generation; and these multiplied by 19, will 603,550 make 44,175 for the fourth; so that the third, together with the fourth, will make 46,500. We shall have the same product, if the given sum, 46,500, be divided by the most probable number of children; for example, by the ration; which sum being deducted from the sum total, number 19; we shall then have 2,447 for the third genethere will remain 44,053 for the fourth generation, which "I think I shall afford the reader some degree of plea-of the third generation, by 18, and the other 7 by 19. If is exactly the number that is produced in multiplying 2,440 sure by presenting him, in this place, the number of each tribe, separately, beginning at their earliest ancestors. We shall see, by this means, how faithfully God fulfilled the promise he had made to Abraham, as well as the great utility of the mathematics for the right understanding of the Holy Scriptures. I shall begin with a genealogical table of that family, which God so wonderfully blessed; and to it, I shall afterward add each separate tribe, following the calculation of Reyher (Math. Mos. p. 222.) And we shall see, that the fourth generation taken with the third, produce the very number mentioned in the TEXT. Children of Jacob by Leah. Gen. xlvi. 15.

Hanoch

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46,500. Numb. i. 21.

we wish to make the same calculation, with respect to the preceding generations, i. e. divide them by the most probable number of children, we shall have the following

sums.

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Amount of generations III. and IV. II. SIMEON 59,300. SIMEON had sir sons. Let us suppose that each of the three first had six children, and each of the three others seven; we shall have thirty-nine for the first generation. If we multiply 31 of this number by 9, and 8 by 10, we shall have for the second generation 359; of which number, if we multiply 355 by 11, and 4 by 12, the third generation will give us 3,953. Let us then multiply 3,948 of these by 59,300. Numb. i. 23. 14, and 5 of them by 15, and we shall have for the fourth, 55,347. The third and fourth, added together, will make 59,300.

7,500. Numb. iii. 22.

8,600. Numb. iii. 26.

III. LEVI 22,300. Gershon, Levi's eldest son, had two children: let us give to one of these 16 children, and to the other 17; and we shall have 33 for the second generation; 28 of which multiplied by 15, and 5 by 16, will produce 500 for the 6,200. Numb. iii. 34. 7000; and the third and fourth together, 7,500. third. Multiply each by 14, and these will produce

74,600. Numb. i. 27.

54,400. Numb. i. 29.

57,400. Numb. i. 31.

Children of Jacob by Zilpah. Gen. 46. 18.

Ziphion

Haggai

Shuni

Ezbon
Eri

Kohath, Levi's second son, had four sons, which form the first line. Give to one of them 10 sons, and 11 to each of the other three; for the second generation there will be 43. Multiply them by 10, there will be 430 for the third; these multiplied by 19 for the fourth, will produce the number of 8,170. The third and fourth added together, make 8,600.

Merari, the third son of Levi, had two sons. Give 10 children to each of them, there will then be 20 for the second generation. Now if we say that 10 of these 20 had each 15 sons, and each of the others 16, we shall have 310; which multiplied by 19, will give us 5,890 for the fourth, and the two last together, 6,200. This may be seen 45,650. Numb, i. 25. by the following example:

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Arodi

2

4

Areli

33

43

20

Jimnah

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Isui

Beriah

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the tabernacle of testimony, and over all the vessels thereof; and over all things that belong to it; they shall bear the tabernacle, and all the vessels thereof, and they shall minister unto it, and shall encamp round about the tabernacle. 51 And when the tabernacle setteth forward, the Levites shall take it down: and when the tabernacle is to be pitched, the Levites shall set it up: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.

z Ch. 3. 23, 29, 35, 38-a Ch. 10. 17, 21.-b Ch. 3. 10, 38. & 18. 22-c Ch. 2. 2, 34. d Ver. 50.

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52 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. 53 But the Levites shall pitch round about the tabernacle of testimony, that there be no wrath upon the congregation of the children of Israel; and the Levites shall keep the charge of the tabernacle of testimony.

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80

960

All these generations added together, amount to 41,500

10

134

1,610

32,200

16

160

1,928

38,572

40,500

He had ten sons; two of whom multiplied by 9, and the other 8, by 10, will give for the

98

885

4,425

30,975

35,400

11

132

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for granted, 1. That from the going down to Egypt to the 24 Exodus, there were four generations. 2. That the first 192 two generations had died in Egypt. 3. That the promise 2,122 of God in multiplying them as the stars of heaven, had 25,468 taken place particularly in the two last generations. 4. That these two last generations alone, form the aggregate sums given in the Sacred Text. 5. That their method of accounting for this aggregate through the four generations, is not only perfectly natural, and mathematical; but strictly 10 accordant with the promises made by God to them, as the. sum of each tribe sufficiently proves. 6. That the whole account shows the truth of the divine promise, the great accuracy of the Jewish lawgiver, and a proof of the inspiration of the Sacred Writings.

In the above calculation, Scheuchzer and Reyher, take

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CHAPTER II.

Moses is commanded to teach the Israelites how they are to pitch their tents, and
erect the ensigns of their fathers' houses, 1, 2. Judah, Ianchar, and Zebulon, on
the east, amounting to 156,400 men, 3-9. Reuben, Simeon, and Gad, on the
south, with 151,450 men, 10-16 The Leritea to be in the midst of the camp, 17.
Ephraim, Mungssch, and Benjamin, on the west, with 105,100 men, 18-21.
Dan,
Asher and Naphtali, on the north, with 157,600 men, 25-31. The sum total of
the whole, 603,550 men, 32. But the Levites are not included, 33. The people do
as the Lord commands them, 34.
An. Exod. Isr. 2.
Ijar or Zif.

AND the LORD spake ving,
ND the LORD spake unto Moses

8 And his host, and those that were numbered thereof, were fifty and seven thousand and four hundred.

9 All that were numbered in the camp of Judah, were a hundred thousand, and fourscore thousand, and six thousand, and four hundred, throughout their armies. These shall first set forth.

10 On the south side shall be the standard of 2 Every man of the children of Israel shall the camp of Reuben according to their armies: pitch by his own standard, with the ensign of and the captain of the children of Reuben shall their father's house: far off about the taber-be Elizur, the son of Shedeur. nacle of the congregation shall they pitch.

3 And on the east side toward the rising of the sun, shall they of the standard of the camp of Judah pitch throughout their armies; and Nahshon, the son of Amminadab, shall be captain of the children of Judah.

4 And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were threescore and fourteen thousand and six hundred.

5 And those that do pitch next unto him shall be the tribe of Issachar: and Nethaneel, the son of Zuar, shall be captain of the children of Issachar. 6 And his host, and those that were numbered thereof, were fifty and four thousand and four hundred.

7Then the tribe of Zebulon: and Eliab, the son of Helon, shall be captain of the children of Zebulon.

gCh. 1. 52-h Heb. over against.—i Josh. 3. 4.—k Ch. 10. 14. Ruth 4.20. 1 Chron. 2. NOTES ON CHAPTER II.

Verse 2. Every man shall pitch by his own standard] Commentators, critics, philosophers, and professional men, have taken a great deal of pains to illustrate this chapter, by showing the best method of encampment for such a vast number of men, and the manner in which they conceive the Israelites formed their camp in the wilderness. As God gave them the plan, it was doubtless, in every respect perfect; and fully answered the double purpose of convenience and security. Scheuchzer has entered into this subject with his usual ability, and in very considerable detail. Following the plan of Reyher, as in the preceding chapter, he endeavours to ascertain the precise order in which the several tribes were disposed; and as his work is both scarce and dear, the reader will not be displeased to meet here with a translation of all that refers to the subject. SCHEUCHZER'S DESCRIPTION AND PLAN OF THE ENCAMP

MENTS OF THE ISRAELITES IN THE WILDERNESS.

"If we form a proper idea of God, of his essence and his attributes, we shall easily perceive that this infinite and supreme Being, wills and executes what his divine wisdom appoints; in a word, we shall see that he is the God of order. This order displays itself in the perfection, arrangement, and assemblage of all created beings; in the construction of the earth which we inhabit, where every thing is formed in order, number, weight, and measure; and in all bodies, great and small. It is certain that Noah's ark is a perfect model of naral architecture. The temple of Solomon, and that of Ezekiel, were likewise masterpieces in their kind. But at present, we are to consider the divine arrangement of the Israelitish camp, and the manner in which it was formed.

"The Israelitish army was divided into three principal divisions. The first, which was the least in extent, but the strongest and the most powerful, occupied the centre of the army; this was the Throne of God, i. e. the TABERNACLE. The second, which was composed of the Priests and Levites, surrounded the first. The third, and the farthest from the centre, took in all the other tribes of Israel, who were at least about a mile from the Tabernacle. For it appears from Josephus, iii. 4. that the nearest approach they dared make to the ark, except during the time of worship, was a distance of 2,000 cubits. The reverence due to the Divine Majesty, the numerous army of the Israelites, composed of 600,000 soldiers, with their families, which made about 3,000,000 souls, naturally demanded a considerable extent of ground. We are not to imagine, that all these families pitched their tents pell mell, without order, like beasts, or as the troops of Tartary, and the eastern armies: on the contrary, their camp was divided according to the most exact rules. And we cannot even doubt, that their camp was laid out, and the place of every division and tribe exactly assigned by some engineers or geometricians, before the army stopped to encamp, in order that every person might, at once, find his own quarter, and the road he ought to take to reach the other tents.

"Four divisions, which faced the four quarters of the heavens, each with its own ensign, formed the centre of the army. JUDAH was placed on the east; and under him

11 And his host, and those that were numbered thereof, were forty and six thousand and five hundred.

12 And those which pitch by him shall be the tribe of Simeon: and the captain of the children of Simeon shall be Shelumiel, the son of Zurishaddai.

13 And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were fifty and nine thousand and three hundred.

14 Then the tribe of Gad: and the captain of the sons of Gad shall be Eliasaph, the son of Reuel. 15 And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were forty and five thousand and six hundred and fifty.

16 All that were numbered in the camp of Reuben were a hundred thousand, and fifty and one thousand, and four hundred and fifty,

10. Matt. 1. 4. Luke 3. 32, 33.—1 Ch. 10. 14.-m Deuel. Ch. 1. 14 & 7. 42, 47. & 10. 20. he had Issachar and Zebulun: on the south was REUBEN, and under him Simeon and Gad; on the west was EPHRAIM, and under him Manasseh and Benjamin: finally, DAN was on the north, and he had under him Asher and Naphtali. It has been pretended by some, that these four principal divisions, were not alone distinguished by their ensigns, but that each particular tribe had likewise its standard or ensign. On this subject we might refer to the Talmudists, who have gone so far as to define the colours, and the figures or arms of the very ensigns. They pretend that on that of JUDAH, a lion was painted with this inscription: Rise, Lord, let thine enemies be dispersed, and let those that hate thee flee before thee;' and they found this description of Judah's ensign in Gen. xlix. Í. They give to IssACHAR an ass, Gen. xlix. 14. to ZEBULON, a ship, Gen xlix. 13. to REUBEN, a river, Gen. xlix. 4. (others give Reuben the figure of a man) to SIMEON, & sword, Gen. 1. 5. to GAD, a lion, Deut. xxxii. 22. to EPHRAIM, an unicorn, Deut. xxxiii. 17. an or to MANASSEH, Deut. xxxiii. 17. a wolf to BENJAMIN, Gen. xlix. 27. and a serpent to DAN, Gen. xlix. 17. though others give him an eagle. In short, they pretend that the ensign of ASHER was a handful of corn, Gen. xlix. 20. and that of NAPHTALI a stag, Gen. xlix. 21.

"To prove that the sums here are correctly added, we have but to join together the detached numbers, and see if they agree with the total. The text will furnish us with an example of this: there was in the quarter of

Judah Reuben Ephraim Dan

186,400 151,450

108,100 157,600

ver. 9. ver. 16.

ver. 24.

ver. 31.

"Among other things, we must remark that rule of military tactics, which requires that the advanced and rear-guards should be stronger than the centre.

"In a well-regulated camp, cleanliness is considered indispensably necessary; this is particularly remarkable in the Israelitish army, where the most exact order was maintained. Hence every person who had any kind of disease, and those who were reputed unclean, were forbidden to enter it, Numb. v. 2, 3. Deut. xxiii. 10.

"Those who have the health of men, and of a whole army confided to them, are not ignorant, that diseases may be easily produced by putrid exhalations from excrementitious matter: and that such matter will produce in camps, pestilential fevers, and dysenteries. For this reason, care should be always taken, that offices, at a distance from the camp, be provided for the soldiers, and also that those who are sick should be separated from the others, and sent to hospitals, to be properly treated.

"In military tactics, we find two distinct wings spoken of: the right and the left. The Israelitish army, not only had them on one side, as is customary; but on all their four sides. On the eastern side, the tribe of Issachar formed the right, that of Zebulon the left, and that of Judah the centre. On the south, Simeon formed the right wing, Gad the left, and Reuben the centre. Towards the west, Manasseh composed the right, Benjamin the left, and Ephraim the centre. And on the north, Asher was

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