25 On the north side will be the flag of the children of Dan, with Ahiezer, the son of Ammishaddai, as their chief. 26 The number of his army was sixty-two thousand, seven hundred. 27 Nearest to him will be the tribe of Asher, with Pagiel, the son of Ochran, as their chief. 28 The number of his army was forty-one thousand, five hundred; 29 Then the tribe of Naphtali, with Ahira, the son of Enan, as their chief. 30 The number of his army was fifty-three thousand, four hundred. 31 The number of all the armies in the tents of Dan was a hundred and fifty-seven thousand, six hundred. They will go forward last, by their flags.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Numbers 2:25-31
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.