18 On the west side will be the flag of the children of Ephraim, with Elishama, the son of Ammihud, as their chief. 19 The number of his army was forty thousand, five hundred. 20 And by him the tribe of Manasseh with Gamaliel, the son of Pedahzur, as their chief. 21 The number of his army was thirty-two thousand, two hundred. 22 Then the tribe of Benjamin, with Abidan, the son of Gideoni, as their chief. 23 The number of his army was thirty-five thousand, four hundred. 24 The number of all the armies of Ephraim was a hundred and eight thousand, one hundred. They go forward third.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Numbers 2:18-24
Chapter Contents
The order of the tribes in their tents.
The tribes were to encamp about the tabernacle, which was to be in the midst of them. It was a token of God's gracious presence. Yet they were to pitch their tents afar off, in reverence to the sanctuary. The children of Israel put themselves in their posts, without murmuring or disputing; and as it was their safety, so it was their beauty. It is our duty and interest to be contented with the place allotted to us, and to endeavour to occupy it in a proper manner, without envying or murmuring; without ambition or covetousness. Thus the gospel church ought to be compact, according to the Scripture model, every one knowing and keeping his place; and then all that wish well to the church rejoice, beholding their order, Colossians 2:5.