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Numbers 1: BaMidbar
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BaMidbar |
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BaMidbar
The book of Numbers is called "BaMidbar"
(in the Wilderness) in Hebrew.
"BaMidbar"
is also the name of the first portion of this book. It is so called due to the
expression "WILDERNESS" in the first sentence. In Hebrew the word "Midbar"
is used for both wilderness and desert. The Hebrews are often depicted as
wandering in the desert for forty years. This "desert" however may have been
just as much a "wilderness" in the sense of an unsettled wild area not
necessarily a sandy desert in every direction.
s.1
[Numbers 1:1] AND THE LORD SPAKE UNTO MOSES IN THE WILDERNESS OF SINAI, IN 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,
THE TABERNACLE: Later this became the
Temple in Jerusalem.
The Midrash on our portion [Numbers Rabah 1;3] says:
##If the Peoples of the
World had only known how good the Temple was for them they would have placed
armies around it to protect it. It was better for them than it was for Israel.
This may be seen from how Solomon arranged his prayer: MOREOVER CONCERNING THE
STRANGER, WHICH IS NOT OF THY PEOPLE ISRAEL. AND DO ACCORDING TO ALL THAT THE
STRANGER CALLETH
TO THEE FOR [2-Chronicles 6:32-33] This is concerning the [non-Israelite]
stranger but concerning Israel it says: RENDER UNTO EVERY MAN ACCORDING UNTO
ALL HIS WAYS, WHOSE HEART THOU
KNOWEST [2-Chronicles 6:30]: If
he [i.e. the Israelite] was worthy God would grant his request and if not He
would not grant it. This applies not only to the Temple but to everything. If it
were not for Israel the sun would not shine. By virtue of Israel God gives
plenty to others in this world. In the World to Come the Peoples of the World
will see how God is with Israel and they will come and cling unto Israel as it
says, IN THOSE DAYS IT SHALL COME TO PASS, THAT TEN MEN SHALL TAKE HOLD OUT OF
ALL LANGUAGES OF THE NATIONS, EVEN SHALL TAKE HOLD OF THE SKIRT OF HIM THAT IS A
JEW, SAYING, WE WILL GO WITH YOU: FOR WE HAVE HEARD THAT GOD IS WITH YOU
[ZECHARIAH 8:23]. ## .
[Numbers 1:2] 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;
TAKE YE THE SUM: In Hebrew "Soo
et rosh"
literally "Lift up the head". This is correctly translated as "take the sum of"
or "count each one". Daat
Sofrim
points out another meaning. Since every word in the Bible was chosen for a
reason the particular choice of words comes to teach us something. By having
each person counted and affirmed by his name and family and clan the individual
receives an affirmation of his self-respect and of his own unique place in
Israel. Each person has a place and task that is only his. At some stage in his
life he must realize this. The census by name and family and clan came to make
each one aware of this fact.
THEIR FATHERS: Rashi:
If a person has a father from one tribe and a mother from another tribe he is
considered as belonging to the Tribe of his father.
[Numbers 1:3] 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.
TWENTY YEARS: Before twenty the male was
considered as dependent on his parents. These days for social and economic
reasons it may be difficult to delay conscription until 20 years of age. One
solution could be to begin the training before 20 but not release the soldier
for fighting purposes until then.
THEIR ARMIES also rendered as "hosts". The hosts of Israel below parallel the
hosts of angels above (Me'Am
Loaz).
[Numbers 1:4] AND WITH YOU THERE SHALL BE A MAN OF EVERY TRIBE; EVERY ONE HEAD
OF THE HOUSE OF HIS FATHERS.
TRIBE In Hebrew "Mateh":
Meaning staff or "rod" and connoting
rulership
(as mentioned by Daat
Sofrim).
There is a word in Hebrew "rodeh"
meaning rule. Rulership
is linked with the staff perhaps the English word "rod" derives from this. The
word "ride" may be also connected to the Hebrew "rodeh".
When you ride an animal you rule over him. The Hebrew "Mateh"
is interchangeable with the Hebrew "Shevet"
and both words can mean branch or offshoot. Both words in Hebrew also mean
TRIBE. The Tribe is a branch or offshoot from the main trunk.
[Numbers 1:5] AND THESE ARE THE NAMES OF THE MEN THAT SHALL STAND WITH YOU: OF
THE TRIBE OF REUBEN; ELIZUR THE SON OF SHEDEUR.
Reuben is counted first. Reuben had lost
the rights of the firstborn in practical terms but in ceremonial matters of
honor and the like he was still respected and given first place [Daat
Sofrim].
[Numbers 1:6] OF SIMEON; SHELUMIEL THE SON OF ZURISHADDAI.
Rashi:
This person is also known as
Zimri son of
Salu.
[Numbers 1:7] OF JUDAH; NAHSHON THE SON OF AMMINADAB.
[Numbers 1:8] OF ISSACHAR; NETHANEEL THE SON OF ZUAR.
[Numbers 1:9] OF ZEBULUN; ELIAB THE SON OF HELON.
[Numbers 1:10] OF THE CHILDREN OF JOSEPH: OF EPHRAIM; ELISHAMA THE SON OF
AMMIHUD: OF MANASSEH; GAMALIEL THE SON OF PEDAHZUR.
Ephraim and Manasseh are counted as
separate tribes. The quorum of twelve tribes is still maintained since in this
counting the Tribe of Levi is not included.
[Numbers 1:11] OF BENJAMIN; ABIDAN THE SON OF GIDEONI.
There was a Celtic people named
Gadeni
in the region of Edinburgh in Scotland. We identified them as a portion of Gad.
A connection with Gideoni
of Benjamin may however be worth considering.
[Numbers 1:12] OF DAN; AHIEZER THE SON OF AMMISHADDAI.
[Numbers 1:13] OF ASHER; PAGIEL THE SON OF OCRAN.
[Numbers 1:14] OF GAD; ELIASAPH THE SON OF DEUEL.
[Numbers 1:15] OF NAPHTALI; AHIRA THE SON OF ENAN.
[Numbers 1:16] THESE WERE THE RENOWNED OF THE CONGREGATION, PRINCES OF THE
TRIBES OF THEIR FATHERS, HEADS OF THOUSANDS IN ISRAEL.
[Numbers 1:17] AND MOSES AND AARON TOOK THESE MEN WHICH ARE EXPRESSED BY THEIR
NAMES:
[Numbers 1:18] 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.
[Numbers 1:19] AS THE LORD COMMANDED MOSES, SO HE NUMBERED THEM IN THE
WILDERNESS OF SINAI.
This occurred in the wilderness to
emphasize their total dependence on God. Other nations acknowledged God as the
"God of gods" placing other forces between God Almighty and themselves. These
forces may not exist but the other nations act as if they did and so create a
barrier. Israel is supposed to be directly connected to the Almighty. This
merits them with greater blessings but also makes them more vulnerable [Daat
Sofrim].
We cannot act as others do.
Daat
Sofrim;
The purpose of the census came to emphasize that each person has his own task
before God. Everyone is unique. Likewise each and every generation has its own
responsibility. We are all different but should seek unification through the
Torah.
Numbers given do not reflect whole
population but only males who went out to war between the ages of 20 and 60.
Naphtali
according to tradition had many more females than males. The mixed multitude
(according to most) are not included in this census. Some claim that all the
tribes except Levi practiced polygamy and so there were numerous children below
the age of 20. Support of this claim is based on the large number of firstborn
mentioned later.
Through most of their history it appears that most Israelites were monogamous in
practice though polygamy was allowed.
Daat
Sofrim
claims that the numbers were rounded out upwards to the nearest 50 according to
appointed tasks, for instance 73 would be made 100 and the 27 extra spaces
filled temporarily by men over 60 of exceptional fitness. I do not follow the
logic but Daat
Sofrim
Commentator knew his sources.
Later David made a census:
AND
JOAB
GAVE THE SUM OF THE NUMBER OF THE PEOPLE UNTO DAVID. AND ALL THEY OF ISRAEL
WERE A THOUSAND THOUSAND AND AN HUNDRED THOUSAND MEN THAT DREW SWORD: AND JUDAH
WAS FOUR HUNDRED THREESCORE AND TEN THOUSAND MEN THAT DREW SWORD.
BUT LEVI AND BENJAMIN COUNTED HE NOT AMONG THEM: [1-Chronicles 21:5-6] i.e.
1,100, 000 warriors plus 430,000 from Judah plus those of Benjamin and Levi.
Later these numbers in the time of Solomon increased still further:
JUDAH AND ISRAEL WERE MANY, AS THE SAND WHICH IS BY THE SEA IN MULTITUDE,
EATING AND DRINKING, AND MAKING MERRY [1-KINGS 4:20]
[Numbers 1:20] 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;
[Numbers 1:21] THOSE THAT WERE NUMBERED OF THEM, EVEN OF THE TRIBE OF REUBEN,
WERE FORTY AND SIX THOUSAND AND FIVE HUNDRED.
Reuben = 46,500
[Numbers 1:22] 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;
These numbers are the males between the
ages of 20 and 60. Those younger or older were not counted; neither were the
females.
[Numbers 1:23] THOSE THAT WERE NUMBERED OF THEM, EVEN OF THE TRIBE OF SIMEON,
WERE FIFTY AND NINE THOUSAND AND THREE HUNDRED.
Simeon= 59,300 later Simeon would be
drastically reduced in number as we shall see.
[Numbers 1:24] 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;
[Numbers 1:25] THOSE THAT WERE NUMBERED OF THEM, EVEN OF THE TRIBE OF GAD, WERE
FORTY AND FIVE THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED AND FIFTY.
Gad = 45,650
The enumeration of the Tribes here begins to go more or less according to their
order but then comes Gad son of
Zilpah. The children of Leah
(Genesis ch.30) were Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah,
Issachar,
Zebulon. Gad and Asher were the sons of
Zilpah
maidservant of Leah. Our portion numbers Reuben, Simeon, Gad. Levi is not
numbered in this list since he is mentioned separately later. Gad son of
Zilpah
is numbered instead of Levi. This could indicate (as other commentators have
mentioned elsewhere) that even though Gad was the son of a maidservant the Tribe
of Gad had a special importance of its own. We identified Gad with the Goths
and Swedes.
[Numbers 1:26] 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;
[Numbers 1:27] THOSE THAT WERE NUMBERED OF THEM, EVEN OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH,
WERE THREESCORE AND FOURTEEN THOUSAND AND SIX HUNDRED.
Judah = 74,600
[Numbers 1:28] OF 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;
[Numbers 1:29] THOSE THAT WERE NUMBERED OF THEM, EVEN OF THE TRIBE OF ISSACHAR,
WERE FIFTY AND FOUR THOUSAND AND FOUR HUNDRED.
Issachar
= 54,400
[Numbers 1:30] 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;
[Numbers 1:31] THOSE THAT WERE NUMBERED OF THEM, EVEN OF THE TRIBE OF ZEBULUN,
WERE FIFTY AND SEVEN THOUSAND AND FOUR HUNDRED.
Zebulon = 57,400
[Numbers 1:32] OF THE CHILDREN OF JOSEPH, NAMELY, OF THE CHILDREN OF EPHRAIM, 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;
[Numbers 1:33] THOSE THAT WERE NUMBERED OF THEM, EVEN OF THE TRIBE OF EPHRAIM,
WERE FORTY THOUSAND AND FIVE HUNDRED.
Ephraim= 40,500
[Numbers 1:34] 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;
[Numbers 1:35] THOSE THAT WERE NUMBERED OF THEM, EVEN OF THE TRIBE OF MANASSEH,
WERE THIRTY AND TWO THOUSAND AND TWO HUNDRED.
Manasseh = 32,200
[Numbers 1:36] 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;
[Numbers 1:37] THOSE THAT WERE NUMBERED OF THEM, EVEN OF THE TRIBE OF BENJAMIN,
WERE THIRTY AND FIVE THOUSAND AND FOUR HUNDRED.
Benjamin = 35,400
[Numbers 1:38] 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;
[Numbers 1:39] THOSE THAT WERE NUMBERED OF THEM, EVEN OF THE TRIBE OF DAN, WERE
THREESCORE AND TWO THOUSAND AND SEVEN HUNDRED.
Dan = 62,700
Dan had the second highest number after Judah with 74,600. If Ephraim (40,500)
and Manasseh (32,200) were to be counted together as the one tribe of Joseph
they would have 72,700 which is more than Dan but less than Judah.
[Numbers 1:40] 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;
[Numbers 1:41] THOSE THAT WERE NUMBERED OF THEM, EVEN OF THE TRIBE OF ASHER,
WERE FORTY AND ONE THOUSAND AND FIVE HUNDRED.
Asher = 41,500
[Numbers 1:42] 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;
[Numbers 1:43] THOSE THAT WERE NUMBERED OF THEM, EVEN OF THE TRIBE OF NAPHTALI,
WERE FIFTY AND THREE THOUSAND AND FOUR HUNDRED.
Naphtali
= 53,400
[Numbers 1:44] 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.
[Numbers 1:45] SO WERE 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;
[Numbers 1:46] EVEN ALL THEY THAT WERE NUMBERED WERE SIX HUNDRED THOUSAND AND
THREE THOUSAND AND FIVE HUNDRED AND FIFTY.
All Israel = 603,550
Reuben = 46,500
Simeon= 59,300
Gad =,45,650
Judah = 614,600
Issachar
= 54,400
Zebulon = 57,400
Ephraim= 40,500
Manasseh = 32,200
Benjamin = 35,400
Dan = 62,700
Asher = 41,500
Naphtali
= 53,400
[Numbers 1:47] BUT THE LEVITES AFTER THE TRIBE OF THEIR FATHERS WERE NOT
NUMBERED AMONG THEM.
[Numbers 1:48] FOR THE LORD HAD SPOKEN UNTO MOSES, SAYING,
[Numbers 1:49] ONLY THOU SHALT NOT NUMBER THE TRIBE OF LEVI, NEITHER TAKE THE
SUM OF THEM AMONG THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL:
[Numbers 1:50] BUT THOU SHALT APPOINT THE LEVITES OVER 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.
[Numbers 1:51] 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.
TO DEATH: Killed by the hand of heaven.
This is explained to mean that he will be taken away before his formerly
appointed time unless he repents. This warning applied to everyone who was
not a Levite, even the most exalted. In other words each one has his place and
privileges. We should avoid wanting to intrude on what is not supposed to be
ours. We should have more than enough of our own if we only act as we should.
[Numbers 1:52] 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.
[Numbers 1:53] 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.
[Numbers 1:54] AND THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL DID ACCORDING TO ALL THAT THE LORD
COMMANDED MOSES, SO DID THEY.
s.3
[Numbers 2:1] AND THE LORD SPAKE UNTO MOSES AND UNTO AARON,
SAYING,
[Numbers 2:2] EVERY MAN OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL SHALL PITCH BY HIS OWN
STANDARD, WITH THE ENSIGN OF THEIR FATHER'S HOUSE: FAR OFF ABOUT THE TABERNACLE
OF THE CONGREGATION SHALL THEY PITCH.
STANDARD: They each had their own flags.
For a discussion of these flags and related matters see below:
[Numbers 2:3] 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.
[Numbers 2:4] AND HIS HOST, AND THOSE THAT WERE NUMBERED OF THEM, WERE
THREESCORE AND FOURTEEN THOUSAND AND SIX HUNDRED.
Judah headed by
Nahshon
= 74,600
[Numbers 2:5] 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.
[Numbers 2:6] AND HIS HOST, AND THOSE THAT WERE NUMBERED THEREOF, WERE FIFTY AND
FOUR THOUSAND AND FOUR HUNDRED.
Issachar
headed by Nethaneel
= 54,400
[Numbers 2:7] THEN THE TRIBE OF ZEBULUN: AND ELIAB THE SON OF HELON SHALL BE
CAPTAIN OF THE CHILDREN OF ZEBULUN.
[Numbers 2:8] AND HIS HOST, AND THOSE THAT WERE NUMBERED THEREOF, WERE FIFTY AND
SEVEN THOUSAND AND FOUR HUNDRED.
Zebulon headed by
Eliab
= 57,400
[Numbers 2:9] ALL THAT WERE NUMBERED IN THE CAMP OF JUDAH WERE AN HUNDRED
THOUSAND AND FOURSCORE THOUSAND AND SIX THOUSAND AND FOUR HUNDRED, THROUGHOUT
THEIR ARMIES. THESE SHALL FIRST SET FORTH.
1st to March: East Camp headed by Judah:
Judah
Issachar
Zebulon
186,400
[Numbers 2:10] ON THE SOUTH SIDE SHALL BE THE STANDARD OF THE CAMP OF REUBEN
ACCORDING TO THEIR ARMIES: AND THE CAPTAIN OF THE CHILDREN OF REUBEN SHALL BE
ELIZUR THE SON OF SHEDEUR.
[Numbers 2:11] AND HIS HOST, AND THOSE THAT WERE NUMBERED THEREOF, WERE FORTY
AND SIX THOUSAND AND FIVE HUNDRED.
Reuben headed
Elizur
= 46,500
[Numbers 2:12] 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.
[Numbers 2:13] AND HIS HOST, AND THOSE THAT WERE NUMBERED OF THEM, WERE FIFTY
AND NINE THOUSAND AND THREE HUNDRED.
Simeon headed by
Shelumiel
= 59,300
[Numbers 2:14] THEN THE TRIBE OF GAD: AND THE CAPTAIN OF THE SONS OF GAD SHALL
BE ELIASAPH THE SON OF REUEL.
[Numbers 2:15] AND HIS HOST, AND THOSE THAT WERE NUMBERED OF THEM, WERE FORTY
AND FIVE THOUSAND AND SIX HUNDRED AND FIFTY.
Gad headed
Eliasaph
= 45,650
[Numbers 2:16] ALL THAT WERE NUMBERED IN THE CAMP OF REUBEN WERE AN HUNDRED
THOUSAND AND FIFTY AND ONE THOUSAND AND FOUR HUNDRED AND FIFTY, THROUGHOUT THEIR
ARMIES. AND THEY SHALL SET FORTH IN THE SECOND RANK.
2nd to march: South Side headed by
Reuben:
Reuben
Simeon
Gad= 151,450
[Numbers 2:17] THEN THE TABERNACLE OF THE CONGREGATION SHALL SET FORWARD WITH
THE CAMP OF THE LEVITES IN THE MIDST OF THE CAMP: AS THEY ENCAMP, SO SHALL THEY
SET FORWARD, EVERY MAN IN HIS PLACE BY THEIR STANDARDS.
First marched the east side headed by
Judah, then the south side headed by Reuben, then came the Tabernacle with the
Levites.
[Numbers 2:18] ON THE WEST SIDE SHALL BE THE STANDARD OF THE CAMP OF EPHRAIM
ACCORDING TO THEIR ARMIES: AND THE CAPTAIN OF THE SONS OF EPHRAIM SHALL BE
ELISHAMA THE SON OF AMMIHUD.
[Numbers 2:19] AND HIS HOST, AND THOSE THAT WERE NUMBERED OF THEM, WERE FORTY
THOUSAND AND FIVE HUNDRED.
Ephraim headed by
Elishama
= 40,500
[Numbers 2:20] AND BY HIM SHALL BE THE TRIBE OF MANASSEH: AND THE CAPTAIN OF THE
CHILDREN OF MANASSEH SHALL BE GAMALIEL THE SON OF PEDAHZUR.
Natziv:
##In spiritual matters Ephraim
takes precedence therefore he was recorded first in the Wilderness Encampment
(Numbers 2:18) and in the consecration of the altar. In the ways of this world
however Menasseh
was primary. This is why Menasseh
was counted first in the census just before they were entered the Land (Numbers
26:29). Menasseh
was the leader of Ephraim in affairs of this world##.
[Numbers 2:21] AND HIS HOST, AND THOSE THAT WERE NUMBERED OF THEM, WERE THIRTY
AND TWO THOUSAND AND TWO HUNDRED.
Menasseh
headed by Gamaliel
= 32,200
[Numbers 2:22] THEN THE TRIBE OF BENJAMIN: AND THE CAPTAIN OF THE SONS OF
BENJAMIN SHALL BE ABIDAN THE SON OF GIDEONI.
[Numbers 2:23] AND HIS HOST, AND THOSE THAT WERE NUMBERED OF THEM, WERE THIRTY
AND FIVE THOUSAND AND FOUR HUNDRED.
Benjamin headed by
Abidan
= 35,400
[Numbers 2:24] ALL THAT WERE NUMBERED OF THE CAMP OF EPHRAIM WERE AN HUNDRED
THOUSAND AND EIGHT THOUSAND AND AN HUNDRED, THROUGHOUT THEIR ARMIES. AND THEY
SHALL GO FORWARD IN THE THIRD RANK.
3rd to march: West side headed by
Ephraim.
Ephraim
Menasseh
Benjamin
= 108,100
[Numbers 2:25] THE STANDARD OF THE CAMP OF DAN SHALL BE ON THE NORTH SIDE BY
THEIR ARMIES: AND THE CAPTAIN OF THE CHILDREN OF DAN SHALL BE AHIEZER THE SON
OF AMMISHADDAI.
[Numbers 2:26] AND HIS HOST, AND THOSE THAT WERE NUMBERED OF THEM, WERE
THREESCORE AND TWO THOUSAND AND SEVEN HUNDRED.
Dan headed by
Ahiezer
= 62,700
[Numbers 2:27] AND THOSE THAT ENCAMP BY HIM SHALL BE THE TRIBE OF ASHER: AND THE
CAPTAIN OF THE CHILDREN OF ASHER SHALL BE PAGIEL THE SON OF OCRAN.
[Numbers 2:28] AND HIS HOST, AND THOSE THAT WERE NUMBERED OF THEM, WERE FORTY
AND ONE THOUSAND AND FIVE HUNDRED.
Asher headed by
Pagiel
= 41,500
[Numbers 2:29] THEN THE TRIBE OF NAPHTALI: AND THE CAPTAIN OF THE CHILDREN OF
NAPHTALI SHALL BE AHIRA THE SON OF ENAN.
[Numbers 2:30] AND HIS HOST, AND THOSE THAT WERE NUMBERED OF THEM, WERE FIFTY
AND THREE THOUSAND AND FOUR HUNDRED.
Naphtali
headed by Ahira
= 157,600
[Numbers 2:31] ALL THEY THAT WERE NUMBERED IN THE CAMP OF DAN WERE AN HUNDRED
THOUSAND AND FIFTY AND SEVEN THOUSAND AND SIX HUNDRED. THEY SHALL GO HINDMOST
WITH THEIR STANDARDS.
Last to March: North Side headed by Dan.
Dan
Asher
Naphtali
= 157,600
[Numbers 2:32] THESE ARE THOSE WHICH WERE NUMBERED OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL BY
TH 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.
Total: 603,550
Abarbanel
on the Order of Marching and Tribal Qualities:
##Judah was compared to the cub of a
lion since he was powerful and possessed more qualities than other people to a
greater degree than his brothers. Judah was to be given the
rulership
of Monarchy. His two younger brothers the Children of
Issachar
and Zebulon were placed under his command. Simeon was not subject to Judah since
Simeon was his elder brother and it would not have been proper. What is more the
Children of Issachar
were wise of heart and had understanding of the times and were fitting to sit
before kings. This is what is written, [1-Chronicles 12:32] AND OF THE CHILDREN
OF ISSACHAR,
WHICH WERE MEN THAT HAD UNDERSTANDING OF THE TIMES, TO KNOW WHAT ISRAEL OUGHT TO
DO.
So too from Zebulon [were fit to serve the ruler] was a people who risked their
lives. Also from Zebulon came writers who by their nature desired to serve
royalty and the company of rulers.
Under the flag of Joseph were Ephraim and Manasseh. Ephraim was placed before
Manasseh and was the head tribe with Benjamin and Manasseh underneath him. All
these were sons of Rachel and [were placed together] due to their fraternal
kinship...
The Tribe of Dan was the head of the [northern] Standard. Under Dan were Asher
and Naphtali.
All these were the sons of the handmaidens [Bilhah
and Zilpah].
Dan was at their head due to valor as it says, [Genesis 49:17] DAN SHALL BE A
SERPENT BY THE WAY, AN ADDER IN THE PATH. Moses referred to Dan as A LION'S
WHELP [Deuteronomy 33:22].
The standard of Dan depicted an eagle since Jacob compared him to A SERPENT BY
THE WAY, AN ADDER IN THE PATH [the Hebrew "shiphippon"
is translated as "adder" but according to descriptions was actually the King
Cobra] who has "hood" like wings on both sides of his head [as if threatening]
to fly. This snake is the most aggressive of its kind. It represents the dragon.
FOR OUT OF THE SERPENT'S ROOT SHALL COME FORTH A COCKATRICE, AND HIS FRUIT SHALL
BE A FIERY FLYING SERPENT [Isaiah 14:29].
Since the eagle is the best flyer of all flying creatures proficiency in flying
and movement is associated with the eagle##
[Numbers 2:33] BUT THE LEVITES WERE NOT NUMBERED AMONG THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL;
AS THE LORD COMMANDED MOSES.
[Numbers 2:34] AND THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL DID ACCORDING TO ALL THAT THE LORD
COMMANDED MOSES: SO THEY PITCHED BY THEIR STANDARDS, AND SO THEY SET FORWARD,
EVERY ONE AFTER THEIR FAMILIES, ACCORDING TO THE HOUSE OF THEIR FATHERS.
Symbols of the Tribes and related
Matters:
Midrash
Tanchuma
(BaMidbar
12):
##Each and every tribe had its own
symbol. The Kingdoms of the world learned from the symbols of Israel to design
their own standards and adopt their own national colors. Each Tribal standard
had the same color as the color of its precious stone in the Breastplate of the
High Priest.##
In the Book of Exodus it says concerning
the breastplate worn by the High Priest:
[Exodus 28:15] AND THOU SHALT
MAKE THE BREASTPLATE OF JUDGMENT WITH CUNNING WORK; AFTER THE WORK OF THE EPHOD
THOU SHALT
MAKE IT; OF GOLD, OF BLUE, AND OF PURPLE, AND OF SCARLET, AND OF FINE TWINED
LINEN, SHALT
THOU MAKE IT.
[Exodus 28:16] FOURSQUARE IT SHALL BE BEING DOUBLED; A SPAN SHALL BE THE LENGTH
THEREOF, AND A SPAN SHALL BE THE BREADTH THEREOF.
[Exodus 28:17] AND THOU SHALT
SET IN IT SETTINGS OF STONES, EVEN FOUR ROWS OF STONES: THE FIRST ROW SHALL BE A
SARDIUS,
A TOPAZ, AND A CARBUNCLE: THIS SHALL BE THE FIRST ROW.
[Exodus 28:18] AND THE SECOND ROW SHALL BE AN EMERALD, A SAPPHIRE, AND A
DIAMOND.
[Exodus 28:19] AND THE THIRD ROW A
LIGURE,
AN AGATE, AND AN AMETHYST.
[Exodus 28:20] AND THE FOURTH ROW A BERYL, AND AN ONYX, AND A JASPER: THEY SHALL
BE SET IN GOLD IN THEIR
INCLOSINGS.
[Exodus 28:21] AND THE STONES SHALL BE WITH THE NAMES OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL,
TWELVE, ACCORDING TO THEIR NAMES, LIKE THE ENGRAVINGS OF A SIGNET; EVERY ONE
WITH HIS NAME SHALL THEY BE ACCORDING TO THE TWELVE TRIBES.
Each tribe had its own stone: The actual
stones used were not necessarily those given in the above English Translation.
Also which particular stone pertained to which tribe is uncertain. Different
traditions and views are extant on the matter.
We will attempt to clarify something on this subject.
The general colors of Israel as displayed in external display were various hues
of red, blue, and white.
Inside gold replaced white to a degree.
At all events red, blue, and white were the national colors.
Brit-Am articles on the precious stones of Tribes and on the Tribal Banners
replete with illustrations and discussions may be seen at:
Tribal Characteristics in a Nutshell
http://www.britam.org/tribes/TribecharList.html
The Stones:
Hebrew Names of the Stones:
[Exodus 28:17] THE FIRST ROW SHALL BE A
SARDIUS
[Odem], A TOPAZ [Pitda],
AND A CARBUNCLE [Berekat]
: THIS SHALL BE THE FIRST ROW.
[Exodus 28:18] AND THE SECOND ROW SHALL BE AN EMERALD [Nophech],
A SAPPHIRE [Sapir],
AND A DIAMOND [Yahalom].
[Exodus 28:19] AND THE THIRD ROW A
LIGURE
[Leshem],
AN AGATE [Shevo],
AND AN AMETHYST [Achlama].
[Exodus 28:20] AND THE FOURTH ROW A BERYL [Tarshish],
AND AN ONYX [Shoham],
AND A JASPER [Yashpeh]:
Midrash
Numbers Rabah:
BaMidbar
2;7: ensign: Each Tribe had its own sign and color on its standard. The color
was the same as that of the Tribe's precious stone [on the Ephod on the heart of
Aaron]. Reuben had the Odem stone [in Hebrew "Odem" means red] and his flag
was red. Dudaim
[mandrakes] depicted on it.
Shimeon
had the Pitda
stone, his flag was colored green and depicted city of
Schechem.
Levi had the bareket
stone and his flag was one third white, one third black, one third red. The
Urim
and Tummin
were depicted on it.
Judah had the Nophech
stone, the color of his flag was like the sky. It depicted a lion.
Issachar
had the sapir
stone, it depicted the sun and moon, as it says ?AND OF THE CHILDREN OF
ISSACHAR,
WHICH WERE MEN THAT HAD UNDERSTANDING OF THE TIMES? [1-Chronicles 12:32].
Zebulon had the Yeholam
stone. His flag was whitish and a ship was depicted on it as it says, "Zebulon
shall dwell on the beaches of the sea" (Genesis 49;13).
Dan had the Leshem
stone, The color of his flag was like a sapphire and it depicted a snake as it
says Dan shall be snake by the wayside (Genesis 49;17).
Gad had the Shevo
stone. The color of his flag was not white and not black but mixed black and
white. It depicted an encampment, as it says GAD SHALL BE A TROOP: BUT HE SHALL
OVERCOME AT THE LAST.
Naphtali
had the Achlama
stone. The color of his flag was like clear wine, reddish but not strongly so. A
hind was depicted on it, as it says
NAPHTALI
IS A HIND LET LOOSE: HE GIVETH
GOODLY WORDS [GENESIS 49:21].
Asher had the Tarshish
stone. The color of his flag was like that of the precious stone women use to
decorate themselves. An olive tree was depicted on it:
OUT OF ASHER HIS BREAD SHALL BE FAT, AND HE SHALL YIELD ROYAL DAINTIES [GENESIS
49:20].
Joseph had the Shoham
stone. The color of his flag was the deepest black. On the flag of Joseph for
the two princes of Ephraim and Manasseh was depicted a representation of Egypt
since their origins were in Egypt.
On the flag of Ephraim was depicted a bull: ?HIS GLORY IS LIKE THE FIRSTLING OF
HIS BULLOCK? [DEUTERONOMY 33:17]. This was exemplified by Joshua who was from
the Tribe of Ephraim.
On the flag of Menasseh
was depicted a Raem
[Unicorn] as it says:
AND HIS HORNS ARE LIKE THE HORNS OF UNICORNS [DEUTERONOMY 33:17]. This was
exemplified by Gideon who was from
Menasseh.
[The complete verse says:
[DEUTERONOMY 33:17] HIS GLORY IS LIKE THE FIRSTLING OF HIS BULLOCK, AND HIS
HORNS ARE LIKE THE HORNS OF UNICORNS: WITH THEM HE SHALL PUSH THE PEOPLE
TOGETHER TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH: AND THEY ARE THE TEN THOUSANDS OF EPHRAIM,
AND THEY ARE THE THOUSANDS OF MANASSEH.
Benjamin had the
Yaspa
stone. The color of his flag was like all the 12 colors. A wolf was depicted on
it: [GENESIS 49:27] BENJAMIN SHALL
RAVIN
AS A WOLF: IN THE MORNING HE SHALL DEVOUR THE PREY, AND AT NIGHT HE SHALL DIVIDE
THE SPOIL.
All of the above symbols are those of
peoples and nations whom we have identified as possessing a large proportion of
Israelites amongst them.
Remarks:
Reuben had the Odem stone which was red.
Some identify this with the ruby. The Dictionary says that the name "ruby" is
derived from the Old French "rubi"
from the Latin "rubeus"
meaning red. Even so "Ruby" is a nickname for Reuben.
Nachmanides
quotes other sources:
Nachmanides
says:
Reuben depicted the form of a man as well as
Dudaim
(Mandrakes). {Some say that
Dudaim were the root of a plant.
The root was in the shape of a man. This would allow for both
Dudaim
and the form of man to be represented}.
Ephraim had a bull.
Judah had a lion.
Dan had an eagle. (Another source says that the symbol of Dan was a gryphon
meaning a kind of winged serpent. The gryphon was the symbol of the
Hyksos
Hebrews in Egypt amongst whom Dan was prominent).
These four figures (man, bull, lion, eagle) represented the four angelic forms
in the chariot of Ezekiel 1;10.
Reuben, Ephraim, Judah and Dan were the heads of the other tribes. Each
dominated a different direction: Reuben in the south (over Simeon and Gad);
Ephraim in the west (over
Menasseh and Benjamin); Judah in
the east(over
Issachar
and Zebulon); Dan in the north over
Naphtali
and Asher.
Extract from the Tribes:
PARALLELISMS & SIMILARITIES
THE ORDER OF ENCAMPMENT IN THE WILDERNESS AND ITS HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE
The present account concentrates on identifying Israelite Tribes
and Tribal clans with groups who amalgamated with other entities to eventually
form present day nationalities. Some aspects of the historical associations of
the individual tribes and their equivalents were indicated in the order of
encampment in the wilderness. The children of Israel when they came out of Egypt
were destined to wander in the wilderness for forty years before entering the
Promised Land of Israel. In the wilderness the Tribes were encamped in a
specified order around the Tabernacle (Numbers chapter 2) and similarly on
marching forward they were to proceed in the same order of march with the group
belonging to Judah going first and that connected with Dan following behind at
the end (Numbers ch.
10).
The camping arrangement divided the Twelve Tribes into four
groups of three and these groupings have historical significance of their own.
The camping alignment has some parallelism to the Familial order of Jacob and
his wives (whose importance has already been briefly referred to) but not an
exact one.
Judah, Issachar
and Zebulon
Judah was to camp in the east together with
Issachar
and Zebulon. In history distinctly separate groups, both identified with
Suebi
though basically different, were to settle in Switzerland and Holland. The
settlers in Switzerland were from
Jashub
son of Issachar
whereas those identified as Suebi
in Holland were actually
Suardenoi from
Sered
son of Zebulon. Issachar
was to dominate Switzerland, Zebulon -Holland; but groups from both Tribes were
found in each country. Alsace was settled by the
Alemanni
whose name was often used synonymously with that of the
Alans
who in part settled in Switzerland and were named after
Elon
son of Zebulon whereas the
Alemanni-proper were a branch of
the Suebi
and came from the Jashubi
(Suebi)
of Issachar.
Amongst the Alemanni
of Alsace were the Juthones
whose name is reminiscent of that of the Jutes from Jutland of Denmark and both
peoples descended from Judah. The Jutes at one stage had a center in the region
of Holland which also seems to have had another
Judaean
element amongst the Frissi
part of whom may have come from
Pharez son of Judah.
ISSACHAR
WAS PRESENT IN SWITZERLAND AND ALSO IN FINLAND
Genetic studies now suggest a link between a portion of the Swiss and the Finns.
This is an indication that our findings are correct ones. In Finland there were
also elements from Gad and Simeon which lead to the next threesome.
Reuben, Simeon and Gad
After the trio led by Judah, came that to the south headed by
Reuben, who was encamped together with Simeon and Gad. Reuben was to become the
Ribuari
Franks who gained control of France including the area of Brittany. In Brittany
were the Samnites
from Simeon and the Namnites
(from Namuel,
son of Simeon) according to Ptolemy in ca. 120
c.e.
Much later, in the late 400's and 500's, the area of Brittany was to be
conquered and populated by people from Wales and Celtic Britain who were being
pushed out by the Anglo Saxon advancements.
The peoples of Celtic Britain and Wales who re-populated
Brittany also included descendants of Simeon.
Simuen
was the name of the Celtic-British forefather in Irish Literature1 which also
referred to the Welsh as "Simeni"2. Ptolemy placed the
SIMENI
on the east coast of Britain in an area close to that of the
ICENI
whose name resembles a Phoenecian
rendition of the name Yachin,
son of Simeon. The Silures
of south Wales came from Shaul,
son of SIMEON, son of Israel.
The Tribe of Gad gave rise to the Goths and the close
relationship of the Goths and their offshoots with those of the Franks both in
Scythia and in Western Europe have been referred to. This closeness was so great
that sometimes it is difficult to distinguish between the two. An example was
the Chauci
(Hocings)
of Hugo (Frank) association who was either descended from
Haggi
son of Gad or from Henoch
son of Reuben, or a combination of both.
The Goths (of Gad) became the most important people in Sweden
and also were influential in Finland. The Finns call themselves
Suomi
which name may be a form for Simeon. The Finns once regarded themselves as
descendants of the Lost Ten Tribes of Israel3 as did the Khazars4 who spoke a
Finnish language5 and in part are considered to have been a Gothic group6. From
the above, Gad and Simeon were associated both in Finland and in
Khazaria.
The Goths also once had a kingdom in southern France which became dominated by
the Ribuari
and other Franks of Reuben and so Gad, Reuben, and Simeon were influential in
the French kingdom.
Ephraim, Menasseh
and Benjamin
The third trio described in the Book of Numbers (ch.2) in the
Israelite encampment was to the west. This was composed of Ephraim,
Menasseh
and Benjamin, with Ephraim leading.
Menasseh
and Ephraim appear mainly to have been found amongst the Celtic-Galatians many
of whom settled in Britain and also amongst the Anglo-Saxon hosts. Benjamin
became the Normans who conquered the Anglo-Saxons and Celts of Britain and
Ireland. A Jewish Rabbinical
exegetist (the "Natziv")7
understood Ephraim's leadership to have been more spiritual, whereas
Menasseh
was to gain the materia-lead.
Indications are that Menasseh
became the stronger element in the population of the U.S.A. (as will be
considered) and Ephraim that of Britain, which conforms to the leadership
distinction. Even so there must be very many from Ephraim in the USA which has
become a center for all Israelite Tribes.
Dan, Asher and Naphtali
The above identifications show that the arrangement of the Camp
was to some degree parallel to the future geographical positions of the Tribal
descendants. What is more significant is that the triadic teams often reflected
a destined close association.
The Colors of Israel
The above observations were based on the order of Israelite
encamping around the Tabernacle in the Wilderness. The Tabernacle was
constructed of wood and metals and various colored textiles. The overwhelming
colors of the Tabernacle to an external viewer would have been red, blue, and
white. Famous Commentators such as
Nachmanides
have noticed this fact. According to Rabbi S.R. Hirsch the relevant colors of
Red, White, and Blue are the National colors of Israel. Most of the Israelite
Nations employ these colors in their National Flags as brought to my attention
by Roger Waite of Queensland, Australia, who made the following remark:
"One observation I've made
about the nations which have Israel as their ancestor is that their national
flags just about all have at least 2 out of the 3 tri-colours
of red, white and blue much in the same way as the Arabs almost all have red,
green, black and white in them. You may wish to include the following table ...
Britain- red, white, blue
America- red, white, blue
France- red, white, blue
Holland- red, white, blue
Luxembourg- red, white, blue
Denmark- red, white
Norway- red, white, blue
Sweden- blue, yellow
Finland- blue, white
Iceland- red, white, blue
Belgium- red, yellow, black
Switzerland- red, white
Ireland- green, white, gold
South Africa- blue, white, gold
Israel- blue, white
Canada- red, white
Australia- red, white, blue
New Zealand- red, white,
blue.
THE PRESERVATION OF RELATIVE TRIBAL
POSITIONING
An examination of the national identifications shows that not
only in Scythia but also in Northwest Europe the Israelite Tribes maintained the
same relative alignments towards each other as they had done originally in the
Land of Israel, as exemplified by the accompanying illustration.
In the Biblical Land of Israel, Gad was in the northeast and
Sweden-Gad is also in the northeast of the northwest Block of Countries in
Europe regarded as of Hebrew origin. Finland with contingents of Simeon, Dan,
Gad, and Issachar
appears relatively anomalous. On the other hand the Gad portion in Finland may
be regarded as part of the neighboring Swedish one. Also in Biblical times
Simeon did have a later colonization east of the Jordan close to Gad and
Issachar
had been Gad?s
neighbor. Reuben was south of Gad in the Land of Israel. France is also south
(west) of Sweden Gad as the crow flies. Half
Menasseh
was south of Gad. . The half tribe of
Menasseh
neighbored the other-half of itself on the West Bank of the Jordan. Similarly
the Sicambian
Franks (partly of Shecem,
clan of Menasseh)
in Belgium and France and the Frisians (of
Menasseh)
occupy parallel positioning to Reuben of France and to Gad of Sweden. They also
have a western part on the other side of the North Sea (i.e. over the Jordan!)
in Britain! Also if one disregards all non-Israelite nations and goes straight
east then North AMERICA is arrived at. Therefore Reuben (France), Gad (Sweden
and Finland) and Machir
of Menasseh
(The U.S.A.) are all still positioned to the east of the other tribes! Gad in
the Land of Israel was bordered on the west by Dan and by
Naphtali
in the same way that Gad (Sweden) is bordered by Denmark (Dan) and by Norway (Naphtali)
and Switzerland to its south as
Issachar was also somewhat
southward of Gad, in part. Norway (Naphtali)
is east of Asher (Scotland) just like in Bible times (Joshua chapter 19).
Zebulon (Holland) through Alsace (Zebulon and
Issachar)
is north of (Issachar)
Switzerland. Asher was north of
Josephite-Menasseh in the Holy
Land and thus Scotland (Asher) is north of the
Josephite
Saxons in England. South of Joseph's
Menasseh
and Ephraim were Benjamin and JUDAH. The
Benjaminites
of Normandy and Belgium and the
Judaeans (i.e. Jutes) of southern
England correspond roughly to the same placement against the Tribes of Joseph
(though less so when compared with the other tribes). In Israel Dan was to the
west of Ephraim and so too is Dan of Ireland and Wales to the west of Ephraim in
England.
s.4
BaMidbar s.4
[Numbers 3:1] THESE ALSO ARE THE GENERATIONS OF AARON AND MOSES IN THE DAY THAT
THE LORD SPAKE WITH MOSES IN MOUNT SINAI.
[Numbers 3:2] AND THESE ARE THE NAMES OF THE SONS OF AARON; NADAB THE FIRSTBORN,
AND ABIHU, ELEAZAR, AND ITHAMAR.
Eleazar
and Ithamar
were the only two destined to survive. All future Priestly families would
descend from them.
[Numbers 3:3] THESE ARE THE NAMES OF THE SONS OF AARON, THE PRIESTS WHICH WERE
ANOINTED, WHOM HE CONSECRATED TO MINISTER IN THE PRIEST'S
OFFICE.
[Numbers 3:4] AND NADAB AND ABIHU DIED BEFORE THE LORD, WHEN THEY OFFERED
STRANGE FIRE BEFORE THE LORD, IN THE WILDERNESS OF SINAI, AND THEY HAD NO
CHILDREN: AND ELEAZAR AND ITHAMAR MINISTERED IN THE PRIEST'S OFFICE IN THE SIGHT
OF AARON THEIR FATHER.
THEY OFFERED STRANGE FIRE...THEY HAD NO
CHILDREN: Strange fire means worshipping God in a way that was not permitted.
Deliberately having no children may have been associated with this form of
worship. God wants a person to have a normal family life and raise children if
he can.
[Numbers 3:5] AND THE LORD SPAKE UNTO MOSES, SAYING,
[Numbers 3:6] BRING THE TRIBE OF LEVI NEAR, AND PRESENT THEM BEFORE AARON THE
PRIEST, THAT THEY MAY MINISTER UNTO HIM.
[Numbers 3:7] AND THEY SHALL KEEP HIS CHARGE, AND THE CHARGE OF THE WHOLE
CONGREGATION BEFORE THE TABERNACLE OF THE CONGREGATION, TO DO THE SERVICE OF THE
TABERNACLE.
[Numbers 3:8] AND THEY SHALL KEEP ALL THE INSTRUMENTS OF THE TABERNACLE OF THE
CONGREGATION, AND THE CHARGE OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, TO DO THE SERVICE OF
THE TABERNACLE.
The Levites were emissaries for all the
Children of Israel.
[Numbers 3:9] AND THOU SHALT GIVE THE LEVITES UNTO AARON AND TO HIS SONS: THEY
ARE WHOLLY GIVEN UNTO HIM OUT OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL.
[Numbers 3:10] AND THOU SHALT APPOINT AARON AND HIS SONS, AND THEY SHALL WAIT ON
THEIR PRIEST'S OFFICE: AND THE STRANGER THAT COMETH NIGH SHALL BE PUT TO
DEATH.
Aaron came the Priestly families. These
are called "cohanim" (i.e.
Cohens)
in Hebrew.
[Numbers 3:11] AND THE LORD SPAKE UNTO MOSES, SAYING,
[Numbers 3:12] AND I, BEHOLD, I HAVE TAKEN THE LEVITES FROM AMONG THE CHILDREN
OF ISRAEL INSTEAD OF ALL THE FIRSTBORN THAT OPENETH THE MATRIX AMONG THE
CHILDREN OF ISRAEL: THEREFORE THE LEVITES SHALL BE MINE;
[Numbers 3:13] BECAUSE ALL THE FIRSTBORN ARE MINE; FOR ON THE DAY THAT I SMOTE
ALL THE FIRSTBORN IN THE LAND OF EGYPT I HALLOWED UNTO ME ALL THE FIRSTBORN IN
ISRAEL, BOTH MAN AND BEAST: MINE SHALL THEY BE: I AM THE LORD.
Originally it was intended that the
firstborn of each family should be the Priests. The firstborn were replaced by
the Tribe of Levi. Even so some minor degree of an additional sanctity was still
attached to the firstborn.
s.5
[Numbers 3:14] AND THE LORD SPAKE UNTO MOSES IN THE WILDERNESS OF SINAI,
SAYING,
[Numbers 3:15] NUMBER THE CHILDREN OF LEVI AFTER THE HOUSE OF THEIR FATHERS, BY
THEIR FAMILIES: EVERY MALE FROM A MONTH OLD AND UPWARD SHALT THOU NUMBER
THEM.
[Numbers 3:16] AND MOSES NUMBERED THEM ACCORDING TO THE WORD OF THE LORD, AS HE
WAS COMMANDED.
[Numbers 3:17] AND THESE WERE THE SONS OF LEVI BY THEIR NAMES; GERSHON, AND
KOHATH, AND MERARI.
[Numbers 3:18] AND THESE ARE THE NAMES OF THE SONS OF GERSHON BY THEIR FAMILIES;
LIBNI, AND SHIMEI.
[Numbers 3:19] AND THE SONS OF KOHATH BY THEIR FAMILIES; AMRAM, AND IZEHAR,
HEBRON, AND UZZIEL.
[Numbers 3:20] AND THE SONS OF MERARI BY THEIR FAMILIES; MAHLI, AND MUSHI. THESE
ARE THE FAMILIES OF THE LEVITES ACCORDING TO THE HOUSE OF THEIR
FATHERS.
[Numbers 3:21] OF GERSHON WAS THE FAMILY OF THE LIBNITES, AND THE FAMILY OF THE
SHIMITES: THESE ARE THE FAMILIES OF THE GERSHONITES.
[Numbers 3:22] THOSE THAT WERE NUMBERED OF THEM, ACCORDING TO THE NUMBER OF ALL
THE MALES, FROM A MONTH OLD AND UPWARD, EVEN THOSE THAT WERE NUMBERED OF THEM
WERE SEVEN THOUSAND AND FIVE HUNDRED.
[Numbers 3:23] THE FAMILIES OF THE GERSHONITES SHALL PITCH BEHIND THE TABERNACLE
WESTWARD.
[Numbers 3:24] AND THE CHIEF OF THE HOUSE OF THE FATHER OF THE GERSHONITES SHALL
BE ELIASAPH THE SON OF LAEL.
[Numbers 3:25] AND THE CHARGE OF THE SONS OF GERSHON IN THE TABERNACLE OF THE
CONGREGATION SHALL BE THE TABERNACLE, AND THE TENT, THE COVERING THEREOF, AND
THE HANGING FOR THE DOOR OF THE TABERNACLE OF THE
CONGREGATION,
[Numbers 3:26] AND THE HANGINGS OF THE COURT, AND THE CURTAIN FOR THE DOOR OF
THE COURT, WHICH IS BY THE TABERNACLE, AND BY THE ALTAR ROUND ABOUT, AND THE
CORDS OF IT FOR ALL THE SERVICE THEREOF.
[Numbers 3:27] AND OF KOHATH WAS THE FAMILY OF THE AMRAMITES, AND THE FAMILY OF
THE IZEHARITES, AND THE FAMILY OF THE HEBRONITES, AND THE FAMILY OF THE
UZZIELITES: THESE ARE THE FAMILIES OF THE KOHATHITES.
[Numbers 3:28] IN THE NUMBER OF ALL THE MALES, FROM A MONTH OLD AND UPWARD, WERE
EIGHT THOUSAND AND SIX HUNDRED, KEEPING THE CHARGE OF THE
SANCTUARY.
[Numbers 3:29] THE FAMILIES OF THE SONS OF KOHATH SHALL PITCH ON THE SIDE OF THE
TABERNACLE SOUTHWARD.
[Numbers 3:30] AND THE CHIEF OF THE HOUSE OF THE FATHER OF THE FAMILIES OF THE
KOHATHITES SHALL BE ELIZAPHAN THE SON OF UZZIEL.
[Numbers 3:31] AND THEIR CHARGE SHALL BE THE ARK, AND THE TABLE, AND THE
CANDLESTICK, AND THE ALTARS, AND THE VESSELS OF THE SANCTUARY WHEREWITH THEY
MINISTER, AND THE HANGING, AND ALL THE SERVICE THEREOF.
[Numbers 3:32] AND ELEAZAR THE SON OF AARON THE PRIEST SHALL BE CHIEF OVER THE
CHIEF OF THE LEVITES, AND HAVE THE OVERSIGHT OF THEM THAT KEEP THE CHARGE OF
THE SANCTUARY.
[Numbers 3:33] OF MERARI WAS THE FAMILY OF THE MAHLITES, AND THE FAMILY OF THE
MUSHITES: THESE ARE THE FAMILIES OF MERARI.
[Numbers 3:34] AND THOSE THAT WERE NUMBERED OF THEM, ACCORDING TO THE NUMBER OF
ALL THE MALES, FROM A MONTH OLD AND UPWARD, WERE SIX THOUSAND AND TWO
HUNDRED.
[Numbers 3:35] AND THE CHIEF OF THE HOUSE OF THE FATHER OF THE FAMILIES OF
MERARI WAS ZURIEL THE SON OF ABIHAIL: THESE SHALL PITCH ON THE SIDE OF THE
TABERNACLE NORTHWARD.
[Numbers 3:36] AND UNDER THE CUSTODY AND CHARGE OF THE SONS OF MERARI SHALL BE
THE BOARDS OF THE TABERNACLE, AND THE BARS THEREOF, AND THE PILLARS THEREOF, AND
THE SOCKETS THEREOF, AND ALL THE VESSELS THEREOF, AND ALL THAT SERVETH
THERETO,
[Numbers 3:37] AND THE PILLARS OF THE COURT ROUND ABOUT, AND THEIR SOCKETS, AND
THEIR PINS, AND THEIR CORDS.
[Numbers 3:38] BUT THOSE THAT ENCAMP BEFORE THE TABERNACLE TOWARD THE EAST, EVEN
BEFORE THE TABERNACLE OF THE CONGREGATION EASTWARD, SHALL BE MOSES, AND AARON
AND HIS SONS, KEEPING THE CHARGE OF THE SANCTUARY FOR THE CHARGE OF THE
CHILDREN OF ISRAEL; AND THE STRANGER THAT COMETH NIGH SHALL BE PUT TO
DEATH.
[Numbers 3:39] ALL THAT WERE NUMBERED OF THE LEVITES, WHICH MOSES AND AARON
NUMBERED AT THE COMMANDMENT OF THE LORD, THROUGHOUT THEIR FAMILIES, ALL THE
MALES FROM A MONTH OLD AND UPWARD, WERE TWENTY AND TWO
THOUSAND.
s.6
[Numbers 3:40] AND THE LORD SAID UNTO MOSES, NUMBER ALL THE FIRSTBORN OF THE
MALES OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL FROM A MONTH OLD AND UPWARD, AND TAKE THE NUMBER
OF THEIR NAMES.
[Numbers 3:41] AND THOU SHALT TAKE THE LEVITES FOR ME (I AM THE LORD) INSTEAD OF
ALL THE FIRSTBORN AMONG THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL; AND THE CATTLE OF THE LEVITES
INSTEAD OF ALL THE FIRSTLINGS AMONG THE CATTLE OF THE CHILDREN OF
ISRAEL.
[Numbers 3:42] AND MOSES NUMBERED, AS THE LORD COMMANDED HIM, ALL THE FIRSTBORN
AMONG THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL.
[Numbers 3:43] AND ALL THE FIRSTBORN MALES BY THE NUMBER OF NAMES, FROM A MONTH
OLD AND UPWARD, OF THOSE THAT WERE NUMBERED OF THEM, WERE TWENTY AND TWO
THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED AND THREESCORE AND THIRTEEN.
[Numbers 3:44] AND THE LORD SPAKE UNTO MOSES, SAYING,
[Numbers 3:45] TAKE THE LEVITES INSTEAD OF ALL THE FIRSTBORN AMONG THE CHILDREN
OF ISRAEL, AND THE CATTLE OF THE LEVITES INSTEAD OF THEIR CATTLE; AND THE
LEVITES SHALL BE MINE: I AM THE LORD.
[Numbers 3:46] AND FOR THOSE THAT ARE TO BE REDEEMED OF THE TWO HUNDRED AND
THREESCORE AND THIRTEEN OF THE FIRSTBORN OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, WHICH ARE
MORE THAN THE LEVITES;
[Numbers 3:47] THOU SHALT EVEN TAKE FIVE SHEKELS APIECE BY THE POLL, AFTER THE
SHEKEL OF THE SANCTUARY SHALT THOU TAKE THEM: (THE SHEKEL IS TWENTY GERAHS:)
[Numbers 3:48] AND THOU SHALT GIVE THE MONEY, WHEREWITH THE ODD NUMBER OF THEM
IS TO BE REDEEMED, UNTO AARON AND TO HIS SONS.
[Numbers 3:49] AND MOSES TOOK THE REDEMPTION MONEY OF THEM THAT WERE OVER AND
ABOVE THEM THAT WERE REDEEMED BY THE LEVITES:
[Numbers 3:50] OF THE FIRSTBORN OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL TOOK HE THE MONEY; A
THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED AND THREESCORE AND FIVE SHEKELS, AFTER THE SHEKEL OF THE
SANCTUARY:
[Numbers 3:51] AND MOSES GAVE THE MONEY OF THEM THAT WERE REDEEMED UNTO AARON
AND TO HIS SONS, ACCORDING TO THE WORD OF THE LORD, AS THE LORD COMMANDED
MOSES.
s.7
[Numbers 4:1] AND THE LORD SPAKE UNTO MOSES AND UNTO AARON,
SAYING,
[Numbers 4:2] TAKE THE SUM OF THE SONS OF KOHATH FROM AMONG THE SONS OF LEVI,
AFTER THEIR FAMILIES, BY THE HOUSE OF THEIR FATHERS,
[Numbers 4:3] FROM THIRTY YEARS OLD AND UPWARD EVEN UNTIL FIFTY YEARS OLD, ALL
THAT ENTER INTO THE HOST, TO DO THE WORK IN THE TABERNACLE OF THE
CONGREGATION.
[Numbers 4:4] THIS SHALL BE THE SERVICE OF THE SONS OF KOHATH IN THE TABERNACLE
OF THE CONGREGATION, ABOUT THE MOST HOLY THINGS:
[Numbers 4:5] AND WHEN THE CAMP SETTETH FORWARD, AARON SHALL COME, AND HIS SONS,
AND THEY SHALL TAKE DOWN THE COVERING VAIL, AND COVER THE ARK OF TESTIMONY WITH
IT:
[Numbers 4:6] AND SHALL PUT THEREON THE COVERING OF BADGERS' SKINS, AND SHALL
SPREAD OVER IT A CLOTH WHOLLY OF BLUE, AND SHALL PUT IN THE STAVES
THEREOF.
[Numbers 4:7] AND UPON THE TABLE OF SHEWBREAD THEY SHALL SPREAD A CLOTH OF BLUE,
AND PUT THEREON THE DISHES, AND THE SPOONS, AND THE BOWLS, AND COVERS TO COVER
WITHAL: AND THE CONTINUAL BREAD SHALL BE THEREON:
[Numbers 4:8] AND THEY SHALL SPREAD UPON THEM A CLOTH OF SCARLET, AND COVER THE
SAME WITH A COVERING OF BADGERS' SKINS, AND SHALL PUT IN THE STAVES
THEREOF.
[Numbers 4:9] AND THEY SHALL TAKE A CLOTH OF BLUE, AND COVER THE CANDLESTICK OF
THE LIGHT, AND HIS LAMPS, AND HIS TONGS, AND HIS SNUFFDISHES, AND ALL THE OIL
VESSELS THEREOF, WHEREWITH THEY MINISTER UNTO IT:
[Numbers 4:10] AND THEY SHALL PUT IT AND ALL THE VESSELS THEREOF WITHIN A
COVERING OF BADGERS' SKINS, AND SHALL PUT IT UPON A BAR.
[Numbers 4:11] AND UPON THE GOLDEN ALTAR THEY SHALL SPREAD A CLOTH OF BLUE, AND
COVER IT WITH A COVERING OF BADGERS' SKINS, AND SHALL PUT TO THE STAVES
THEREOF:
[Numbers 4:12] AND THEY SHALL TAKE ALL THE INSTRUMENTS OF MINISTRY, WHEREWITH
THEY MINISTER IN THE SANCTUARY, AND PUT THEM IN A CLOTH OF BLUE, AND COVER THEM
WITH A COVERING OF BADGERS' SKINS, AND SHALL PUT THEM ON A
BAR:
[Numbers 4:13] AND THEY SHALL TAKE AWAY THE ASHES FROM THE ALTAR, AND SPREAD A
PURPLE CLOTH THEREON:
[Numbers 4:14] AND THEY SHALL PUT UPON IT ALL THE VESSELS THEREOF, WHEREWITH
THEY MINISTER ABOUT IT, EVEN THE CENSERS, THE FLESHHOOKS, AND THE SHOVELS, AND
THE BASONS, ALL THE VESSELS OF THE ALTAR; AND THEY SHALL SPREAD UPON IT A
COVERING OF BADGERS' SKINS, AND PUT TO THE STAVES OF IT.
[Numbers 4:15] AND WHEN AARON AND HIS SONS HAVE MADE AN END OF COVERING THE
SANCTUARY, AND ALL THE VESSELS OF THE SANCTUARY, AS THE CAMP IS TO SET FORWARD;
AFTER THAT, THE SONS OF KOHATH SHALL COME TO BEAR IT: BUT THEY SHALL NOT TOUCH
ANY HOLY THING, LEST THEY DIE. THESE THINGS ARE THE BURDEN OF THE SONS OF KOHATH
IN THE TABERNACLE OF THE CONGREGATION.
[Numbers 4:16] AND TO THE OFFICE OF ELEAZAR THE SON OF AARON THE PRIEST
PERTAINETH THE OIL FOR THE LIGHT, AND THE SWEET INCENSE, AND THE DAILY MEAT
OFFERING, AND THE ANOINTING OIL, AND THE OVERSIGHT OF ALL THE TABERNACLE, AND OF
ALL THAT THEREIN IS, IN THE SANCTUARY, AND IN THE VESSELS
THEREOF.
[Numbers 4:17] AND THE LORD SPAKE UNTO MOSES AND UNTO AARON
SAYING,
[Numbers 4:18] CUT YE NOT OFF THE TRIBE OF THE FAMILIES OF THE KOHATHITES FROM
AMONG THE LEVITES:
[Numbers 4:19] BUT THUS DO UNTO THEM, THAT THEY MAY LIVE, AND NOT DIE, WHEN THEY
APPROACH UNTO THE MOST HOLY THINGS: AARON AND HIS SONS SHALL GO IN, AND APPOINT
THEM EVERY ONE TO HIS SERVICE AND TO HIS BURDEN:
[Numbers 4:20] BUT THEY SHALL NOT GO IN TO SEE WHEN THE HOLY THINGS ARE COVERED,
LEST THEY DIE.
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