Lexical Summary machaneh: Camp, encampment, army, host Original Word: מַחֲנֶה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance army, band, battle, camp, company, drove, host, tentsFrom chanah; an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or even the sacred courts) -- army, band, battle, camp, company, drove, host, tents. see HEBREW chanah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom chanah Definition an encampment, camp NASB Translation armies (6), army (27), army camp (1), camp (158), camps (12), companies (3), company (5), fight (2), host (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs מַחֲנֶה214 noun masculineGenesis 33:816t. and femininePsalm 27:3; 1 Chronicles 11:15 (on Genesis 32:9 a see Di) encampment, camp — absolute ׳מ Genesis 32:9 (twice in verse) + 126 t. (including Ezekiel 1:24, strike out Co); construct מַחֲנֵה Genesis 32:3 56t.; suffix מַחֲנֵהוּ Numbers 1:52 5t.; מַחֲנֶיךָ Deuteronomy 23:15; Deuteronomy 29:10, מַחֲנֶךָ Deuteronomy 23:15, מַחֲנֵיכֶם Amos 4:10, מַהֲנֵיהֶם Numbers 5:3; Judges 8:10 (compare below, and on form of noun with suffix see Ges§ 93. 3, R 3); plural absolute מִחֲנות Genesis 32:8 9t.; construct 1 Chronicles 9:18 2t., מַחֲנִים Numbers 13:19; suffix (apparetnly plural noun) מַחֲנֵיהֶם Joshua 10:4 5t.; — on dual see ׳מ proper name below 1 camp, place of encampment: a. of caravan of travelers Genesis 32:22 (J), especially of Israel at Exodus and in wilderness Exodus 16:13 (twice in verse); Exodus 19:16,17 (all P; distinguished from עַם); ׳שַׁעַר מ Exodus 32:26 (JE); especially ׳מִחוּץ המ in connection with uncleanness, etc., Exodus 29:14; Leviticus 4:12 (P) + often, of position of tent of meeting Exodus 33:7 (twice in verse) (JE), contr. Numbers 2:17 (P), where of encampments of several tribes, compare Numbers 1:52; Numbers 2:3; Numbers 10:2,5,6,25 etc., (all P), already passing over to 3 (compare הַחֹנִים Numbers 10:5,6); specifically of camp of Levites, surrounding tabernacle, so that P can say אֹהֶלמֿוֺעֵד מַחֲנֵה הַלְוִיִם Numbers 2:17; and so (late) of temple הַשֹּׁעֲרִים לְמַחֲנוֺת בְּנֵי לֵוִי 1 Chronicles 9:18, as well as ׳שַׁעֲרֵי מַחֲנוֺת י2Chronicles 31:2; plural (opposed to מִבְצָרִים = fortresses) Numbers 13:19. 2 camp of armed host Joshua 6:11 (twice in verse); Joshua 6:14 (JE), 1 Samuel 4:3,5,6 (twice in verse); 1 Samuel 4:7; 1 Samuel 17:53; 2 Kings 7:16 etc. 3. a. those who encamp Numbers 10:5,6; 1 Chronicles 11:15; Psalm 27:3 (all with verb חנה) compare (probably) Isaiah 37:36 = 2 Kings 19:35, etc. b. company, body of people; people and beasts Genesis 32:8; Genesis 32:9 (twice in verse); Genesis 32:11; Genesis 33:8, funeral company of Jacob Genesis 50:9; of Israel on march Exodus 14:19,20 compare Numbers 10:5,6. c. army, host Joshua 8:13; Joshua 10:5; Joshua 11:4; Judges 4:15,16 (twice in verse); Judges 7:1,8; Judges 8:10 (twice in verse); Judges 8:11 (twice in verse); Judges 8:12; 1 Samuel 17:1,46; 2 Kings 3:9 even while in the thick of the fight; 1 Kings 22:34 2Chronicles 18:33 etc. Topical Lexicon Definition and Scope of the Term מַחֲנֶה (machaneh) designates a camp, encampment, company, or host. The term ranges from a temporary nomadic settlement to an organized military base and appears about 216 times, making it one of the dominant communal-space words in the Old Testament narrative. First Appearance and Covenantal Overtones The word first occurs when Jacob meets the angels of God and names the site Mahanaim—“two camps” (Genesis 32:2). This dual camp of heaven and earth sets the tone for the term’s later associations with divine presence among His people. Formation of the Wilderness Camp Exodus through Deuteronomy uses מַחֲנֶה almost 150 times to describe Israel’s encampments from Egypt to Canaan. Numbers 2 records the divinely mandated arrangement: “The Israelites are to camp around the Tent of Meeting at a distance from it, each man under his banner with the insignia of his father’s family” (Numbers 2:2). Four tribal standards protected the Tabernacle on every side, while the Levites formed an inner cordon. The arrangement displayed order, identity, and theocentric community life. Tribal Order and Marching Formation Numbers 10 details how the cloud lifted, trumpets sounded, and the camp broke up in precise sequence. Judah led, followed by Reuben, Ephraim, and Dan. This rhythm of rest and advance emphasized obedience and unity under the visible guidance of the LORD. Holiness and Purity Regulations The camp’s sanctity was paramount because God dwelt there: “For the LORD your God walks throughout your camp to protect you and deliver your enemies to you. Therefore your camp must be holy” (Deuteronomy 23:14). Consequently: These measures portrayed the moral and ceremonial separation necessary for divine fellowship. Worship and Revelation at the Camp Although the Tabernacle stood centrally, the Tent of Meeting for Moses’ personal communion was pitched “outside the camp” (Exodus 33:7). The dichotomy underscored intimacy yet distance, drawing a line between ordinary life and revelatory encounter until the Tabernacle was fully operational. The Camp in Military Context From Exodus 14:19, where the angel and pillar reposition to guard the rear of Israel’s camp, to Joshua’s battles around Jericho (Joshua 6), מַחֲנֶה often functions as a military term. Gideon’s three hundred encircled “the camp of Midian” (Judges 7:21); Saul and the Philistines faced off in dual camps (1 Samuel 17:1). The camp could signify strength (2 Kings 6:8-17) or sudden vulnerability, as when the Arameans fled their abandoned camp (2 Kings 7:5-8). Royal and Narrative Uses David’s flight from Absalom began when “all the people passed by him, each man with his household, and they set up camp in the wilderness” (2 Samuel 17:24). Later, Assyrian threats loomed when “Sennacherib king of Assyria camped against the fortified cities” (2 Chronicles 32:1). These accounts tie national destiny to the security or collapse of encampments. Poetic and Wisdom Literature “The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and delivers them” (Psalm 34:7) spiritualizes מַחֲנֶה into a promise of protection. Psalm 27:3 echoes, “Though an army encamp against me, my heart will not fear.” Song of Solomon 6:13 references “the dance of Mahanaim,” blending the imagery of camp with celebration and beauty. Prophetic and Eschatological Dimensions Zechariah 9:8 declares, “I will camp around My house because of the army,” portraying God as the ultimate sentry of His people. Isaiah foresees a future where Jerusalem will be “like a tent that will not be moved” (Isaiah 33:20), merging the camp motif with permanence and peace. Typology and New Testament Reflection Hebrews 13:11-13 draws on the Old Testament pattern: sacrifices were burned “outside the camp,” so Jesus suffered “outside the gate.” The holiness imagery from מַחֲנֶה thus points forward to the redemptive work accomplished apart from earthly sanctuary, inviting believers to bear His reproach while awaiting the “city that is to come.” Practical and Ministry Applications 1. Order and Accountability: The structured camp challenges the church to maintain doctrinal clarity and disciplined living. Selected Key References Genesis 32:2; Exodus 14:19-20; Exodus 19:17; Exodus 33:7; Numbers 2:2; Numbers 5:2-4; Deuteronomy 23:9-14; Joshua 6:11-14; Judges 7:21; 1 Samuel 17:1-3; 2 Kings 6:8-17; 2 Kings 7:5-8; 2 Chronicles 32:1; Psalm 34:7; Psalm 27:3; Song of Solomon 6:13; Isaiah 33:20; Zechariah 9:8. Forms and Transliterations בְּמַחֲנֵ֖ה בְּמַחֲנֵ֣ה בְּמַחֲנֵ֥ה בְּמַחֲנֵה־ בַּֽמַּחֲנֶ֑ה בַּֽמַּחֲנֶ֔ה בַּֽמַּחֲנֶ֖ה בַּֽמַּחֲנֶ֡ה בַּֽמַּחֲנֶֽה׃ בַּֽמַּחֲנֶה֮ בַּֽמַּחֲנֶה׃ בַּמַּחֲנ֣וֹת בַֽמַּחֲנֶ֔ה בַמַּחֲנֶ֤ה במחנה במחנה־ במחנה׃ במחנות הַֽמַּחֲנ֔וֹת הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֑ה הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֔ה הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֖ה הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֗ה הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֛ה הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֜ה הַֽמַּחֲנֶֽה׃ הַֽמַּחֲנֶה֒ הַֽמַּחֲנֶה֙ הַֽמַּחֲנֶה׃ הַֽמַּחֲנָֽיִם׃ הַֽמַּחֲנֹ֑ת הַֽמַּחֲנֹ֖ת הַֽמַּחֲנֹת֙ הַֽמַּחֲנֽוֹת׃ הַבְּמַֽחֲנִ֖ים הַמַּחֲנֶ֥ה הַמַּחֲנֶ֧ה הבמחנים המחנה המחנה׃ המחנות המחנות׃ המחנים׃ המחנת וְהַֽמַּחֲנֶ֖ה וּמַחֲנֵ֣ה וּמַחֲנֵ֤ה וּמַחֲנֵיהֶ֤ם והמחנה ומחנה ומחניהם כְּמַחֲנֵ֥ה כמחנה לְמַ֣חֲנֵה לְמַחֲנ֖וֹת לְמַחֲנֵ֣ה לְמַחֲנֵ֥ה לְמַחֲנֶ֥ה לַֽמַּחֲנֶ֑ה לַֽמַּחֲנֶ֔ה לַֽמַּחֲנֶ֖ה לַֽמַּחֲנֶ֗ה לַֽמַּחֲנֶ֛ה לַֽמַּחֲנֶ֜ה לַֽמַּחֲנֶֽה׃ למחנה למחנה׃ למחנות מִמַּחֲנ֣וֹת מִמַּחֲנֵ֥ה מַ֣חֲנֵיהֶ֔ם מַֽחֲנֵיהֶ֑ם מַֽחֲנֵיהֶם֙ מַחֲנ֛וֹת מַחֲנ֥וֹת מַחֲנֵ֑הוּ מַחֲנֵ֔הוּ מַחֲנֵ֗הוּ מַחֲנֵ֛הוּ מַחֲנֵ֣ה מַחֲנֵ֤ה מַחֲנֵ֥ה מַחֲנֵ֧ה מַחֲנֵֽה־ מַחֲנֵיהֶ֖ם מַחֲנֵיהֶֽם׃ מַחֲנֵיכֶם֙ מַחֲנֶ֑ה מַחֲנֶ֑יךָ מַחֲנֶ֖ה מַחֲנֶ֖יךָ מַחֲנֶ֗ךָ מַחֲנֶה֮ מַחֲנֽוֹת׃ מחנה מחנה־ מחנהו מחנות מחנות׃ מחניהם מחניהם׃ מחניך מחניכם מחנך ממחנה ממחנות bam·ma·ḥă·neh ḇam·ma·ḥă·neh bam·ma·ḥă·nō·wṯ BammachaNeh bammachaNot bammaḥăneh ḇammaḥăneh bammaḥănōwṯ bə·ma·ḥă·nêh bə·ma·ḥă·nêh- bemachaNeh bəmaḥănêh bəmaḥănêh- hab·bə·ma·ḥă·nîm habbemachaNim habbəmaḥănîm ham·ma·ḥă·nā·yim ham·ma·ḥă·neh ham·ma·ḥă·nō·wṯ ham·ma·ḥă·nōṯ HammachaNayim hammachaNeh hammachaNot hammaḥănāyim hammaḥăneh hammaḥănōṯ hammaḥănōwṯ kə·ma·ḥă·nêh kemachaNeh kəmaḥănêh lam·ma·ḥă·neh LammachaNeh lammaḥăneh lə·ma·ḥă·neh lə·ma·ḥă·nêh lə·ma·ḥă·nō·wṯ lemachaNeh lemachaNot ləmaḥăneh ləmaḥănêh ləmaḥănōwṯ ma·ḥă·nê·hem ma·ḥă·nê·hū ma·ḥă·ne·ḵā ma·ḥă·nê·ḵem ma·ḥă·neh ma·ḥă·nêh ma·ḥă·nêh- ma·ḥă·nō·wṯ machaNecha machaNeh machaNehu machaNeicha machaneiChem machaneiHem machaNot maḥăneh maḥănêh maḥănêh- maḥănêhem maḥănêhū maḥăneḵā maḥănêḵem maḥănōwṯ mim·ma·ḥă·nêh mim·ma·ḥă·nō·wṯ mimachaNeh mimachaNot mimmaḥănêh mimmaḥănōwṯ ū·ma·ḥă·nê·hem ū·ma·ḥă·nêh umachaNeh umachaneiHem ūmaḥănêh ūmaḥănêhem vammachaNeh vehammachaNeh wə·ham·ma·ḥă·neh wəhammaḥănehLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 32:2 HEB: כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר רָאָ֔ם מַחֲנֵ֥ה אֱלֹהִ֖ים זֶ֑ה NAS: is God's camp. So he named KJV: This [is] God's host: and he called INT: he saw camp is God's This Genesis 32:7 Genesis 32:8 Genesis 32:8 Genesis 32:10 Genesis 32:21 Genesis 33:8 Genesis 50:9 Exodus 14:19 Exodus 14:20 Exodus 14:20 Exodus 14:24 Exodus 14:24 Exodus 16:13 Exodus 16:13 Exodus 19:16 Exodus 19:17 Exodus 29:14 Exodus 32:17 Exodus 32:19 Exodus 32:26 Exodus 32:27 Exodus 33:7 Exodus 33:7 Exodus 33:7 216 Occurrences |
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