Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Numbers 2:32
These [are] those which were numbered of the children of Israel by the house of their fathers: all those that were numbered of the camps throughout their hosts [were] six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty.
Num 2:32-34
They pitched by their standards.
Contentment and obedience
I. Contentment with the divine appointment.
1. We are incompetent to determine our own place and duty.
(1) Our ignorance.
(a) Of ourselves;
(b) of the future.
(2) Our proneness to self-indulgence.
2. We have ample grounds for confidence in the determinations of God for us.
(1) His knowledge.
(2) His wisdom.
(3) His kindness.
II. Obedience to the divine commands.
1. All Gods commands are binding, because they are all right.
2. All Gods commands are benevolent. Obedience is blessed as well as binding. (W. Jones.)
The two banners:
We can easily guess how in days of ancient warfare the standard was of much practical use. When it moved forward, then the warriors took up sword and shield and also advanced. When it halted, then they prepared to encamp around the station of their own particular standard. The devices of these old flags suggested a kind of primitive heraldry, and they knew where at once to find their loaders, or to rally for the last desperate defence! As in thought we float along the stream of history, we recall the brazen eagles of Rome, clasping which the legionaries took that solemn oath of fidelity which taught to the soldiers of Jesus that word Sacrament, which to us means so much! Then we may remember how the cloak of St. Martin became the standard of the Frankish host, or how the sacred banner of mediaeval France was the renowned Oriflamme. In Englands history, too, we have the story of the great car which, surmounted by three flags, was the central point of the bloody Battle of the Standard; or we may sorrowfully think of that sad day when our country was torn asunder by internal strife, and the unfortunate Charles, king and martyr, raised his royal standard on a stormy day on the Castle Hill at Nottingham, and which was that very day blown down by the furious blasts–a sad and ominous beginning, which proved too truly prophetic. Lastly, there flashes across our memory that familiar story of Nelson ordering the flag of old England to be nailed to the mast, which has become a proverbial expression for pluck and resolution! But these legends of old times have for the Christian a lesson. There is a great conflict going on around us, a spiritual warfare of most real and eternal significance. Between the Church, which is the army of Christ, and the dark hosts of hell, the struggle seems daily to wax hotter and become more intense. The leaders on either side display their banners. That of Satan, says an old writer, is set up in the market-place of Babylon. It is inscribed with the alluring words, riches, pleasures, honours; but these inscriptions are not to be trusted. Were they rightly inscribed they would assuredly bear instead, impiety, idolatory, impurity, injustice, and hatred against God. But these true names he conceals with a dazzling magic, so that men are caught unawares by his false promises! Under the standard of the Evil One are gathered together and assembled by him both evil spirits and bad men. These he sends forth throughout the whole world, that they should deceive and ruin the souls of men. To each of his adherents he gives a banner, a net, arid chains. The flag that they may allure, the net that they may capture, the fetters that they may bind fast their captives. But see on yonder side. From that dark valley, up those steep slopes, there comes a mighty host. Many drop off, many fall back, but still they pour on upwards. The sunlight of heaven rests on their helms, and before them comes borne aloft a mighty banner. It is the Standard of Jesus. Eighteen hundred years ago it was set up in the valley of humiliation at Jerusalem. Now He, the King of Humility, the Prince of Peace, is in the midst of His people, whose ranks He gazes on with loving eye. On His banner there is written, in letters of light and truth, the words, repentance, a Christian life, paradise, heaven! Our Lord Jesus also sends His ministering servants throughout the world–angels, apostles, priests, and all who seek the saving of mens souls and the welfare of their bodies; bidding them teach the emptiness of earthly treasures, the true riches of penitence and faith; and that they should instruct all to persevere with patience till the golden gates are in view. The soldiers of Jesus advance, holding on high His banner, knocking at the door of all hearts, and saying, Repent, for the kingdom of God is nigh; Take My yoke upon you, and ye shall find rest. These invitations are given in various ways, and by different methods; sometimes by good thoughts infused by the Divine Spirit into the soul, sometimes by useful words and pious writings, sometimes by good examples. Through all these ways and channels the Saviour speaks to us. They who listen, they who obey, follow His standard. Thus, with many alternations, the great battle goes forward, with its separate host on either side and its two standards. Under which will you fight? (J. W. Hardman, LL. D.)
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Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
These [are] those that were numbered of the children of Israel by the house of their fathers,…. As the number was taken by Moses and Aaron, assisted by twelve princes of the tribe, who were now constituted captains over them, as so many hosts or armies:
all those that were numbered of the camp throughout their hosts: of the four camps, of Judah, Reuben, Ephraim, and Dan, throughout the respective tribes or hosts that belonged to each of them,
[were] six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty; 603,550 men, which is exactly the sum total of them, as taken Nu 1:46. It is a large number, considering in how short a time, and that great part of it a state of bondage, from seventy persons, they rose unto it; but the spiritual Israel of God, consisting of his people of all nations, is a number which no man can number, Re 7:9; besides, the number of the sealed ones, of every tribe, Nu 2:4; Now this encampment of the people of Israel was an emblem of the form and order of the spiritual Israel or church of God, under the Gospel dispensation. Christ in human nature is the tabernacle, who is in the midst of his people by his gracious presence; as the heart and life of the congregation of his saints, in whom they all centre and terminate, and where he sits enthroned as King of saints; and as the Levites encamped in four squadrons next unto the tabernacle, all around it, to these answer the living creatures in Eze 1:5; which design the ministers of the word, who are in the highest place in the church, between Christ and the congregation, and are near to him, to be supplied by him; then encamped the whole body of the people of Israel by their standards, with their ensigns, to whom answer the wheels in Eze 1:15; and the twenty four elders in Re 4:4; all which show the church to be militant, and that there is an order in Gospel churches, which makes them both comely and terrible, So 6:4; and may teach every member to abide by his standard, and follow his ensign and ensign bearer, Isa 11:10.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
In Num 2:32 we have the whole number given, 603,550 men, not including the Levites (Num 2:33, see at Num 1:49); and in Num 2:34 the concluding remark as to the subsequent execution of the divine command-an anticipatory notice, as in Exo 12:50; Exo 40:16, etc.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
Verses 32-34:
The Jewish Targum says that Israel’s camp covered an acre of twelve square miles. If this figure is accurate, the camp must have been very close-knit, for there were likely at least two million people, in addition to their considerable herds of livestock, in Israel’s number. This would require strict discipline, and consideration for others throughout the camp.
The arrangement of the camp listed in this text implies that the ideal configuration was foursquare. This is prophetic of the New Jerusalem, see Re 21:1-16.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
‘These are those who were numbered of the children of Israel by their fathers’ houses. All who were numbered of the camps according to their hosts were six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty.’
Once again we have repeated the result of the numbering, six hundred ’lph, three ’lph five ‘hundreds’ and fifty. This might then translate into 598 ’lph (families/military leaders) and five ’eleph (military units) and five ‘hundreds’ (smaller military units), and a fifty. This would tie in with the above figures given for the tribes, and would seem to be designed to agree with the amount of the silver in the Sanctuary (Exo 38:25-26).
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
the camps. See note on Num 2:3, and App-45. They may be thus set forth:
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Num 2:9, Num 1:46, Num 11:21, Num 26:51, Exo 12:37, Exo 38:26
Reciprocal: 1Ch 23:24 – after the house
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2:32 These [are] {h} those which were numbered of the children of Israel by the house of their fathers: all those that were numbered of the camps throughout their hosts [were] six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty.
(h) Which were of twenty years and above.