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.
Original Language Analysis
וְחָנ֖וּ
shall pitch their tents
H2583
וְחָנ֖וּ
shall pitch their tents
Strong's:
H2583
Word #:
1 of 10
properly, to incline; by implication, to decline (of the slanting rays of evening); specifically, to pitch a tent; generally to encamp (for abode or s
בְּנֵ֣י
And the children
H1121
בְּנֵ֣י
And the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
2 of 10
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
3 of 10
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וְאִ֥ישׁ
and every man
H376
וְאִ֥ישׁ
and every man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
4 of 10
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
עַֽל
H5921
עַֽל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
5 of 10
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
מַחֲנֵ֛הוּ
by his own camp
H4264
מַחֲנֵ֛הוּ
by his own camp
Strong's:
H4264
Word #:
6 of 10
an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e
וְאִ֥ישׁ
and every man
H376
וְאִ֥ישׁ
and every man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
7 of 10
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
8 of 10
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
Cross References
Numbers 2:2Every 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.Numbers 2:34And 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.
Historical Context
The 'standards' (Hebrew degel) were tribal banners or flags that identified each tribe's camp location. This military-style organization prepared Israel for conquest while also teaching them that God's presence required structured, reverent approach rather than casual disorder.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Israel's organized encampment challenge modern preferences for unstructured, spontaneous approaches to worship and church life?
- What does each person having an assigned place teach us about the importance of recognizing our proper role in the body of Christ?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Israel's camp organization with 'every man by his own camp, and every man by his own standard, throughout their hosts' demonstrates that order and structure characterize God's people. Each Israelite had an assigned place, preventing chaos and confusion. This orderly arrangement reflects God's nature as a God of order, not confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33). The church today should likewise maintain biblical order in worship and governance, with each member functioning in their proper role.