Numbers 2:20
New International Version
The tribe of Manasseh will be next to them. The leader of the people of Manasseh is Gamaliel son of Pedahzur.

New Living Translation
Manasseh Gamaliel son of Pedahzur 32,200

English Standard Version
And next to him shall be the tribe of Manasseh, the chief of the people of Manasseh being Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur,

Berean Standard Bible
The tribe of Manasseh will be next to it. The leader of the Manassites is Gamaliel son of Pedahzur,

King James Bible
And by him shall be the tribe of Manasseh: and the captain of the children of Manasseh shall be Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.

New King James Version
“Next to him comes the tribe of Manasseh, and the leader of the children of Manasseh shall be Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.”

New American Standard Bible
Next to him shall be the tribe of Manasseh; and the leader of the sons of Manasseh: Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur,

NASB 1995
“Next to him shall be the tribe of Manasseh, and the leader of the sons of Manasseh: Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur,

NASB 1977
“And next to him shall be the tribe of Manasseh, and the leader of the sons of Manasseh: Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur,

Legacy Standard Bible
Next to him shall be the tribe of Manasseh, and the leader of the sons of Manasseh: Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur,

Amplified Bible
Beside Ephraim [on the west side] shall be the tribe of Manasseh; and Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur shall lead the sons of Manasseh,

Christian Standard Bible
The tribe of Manasseh will be next to it. The leader of the Manassites is Gamaliel son of Pedahzur.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The tribe of Manasseh will be next to it. The leader of the Manassites is Gamaliel son of Pedahzur.

American Standard Version
And next unto him shall be the tribe of Manasseh: and the prince of the children of Manasseh shall be Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.

English Revised Version
And next unto him shall be the tribe of Manasseh: and the prince of the children of Manasseh shall be Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Next to them will be the tribe of [Manasseh]. The leader for the people of Manasseh is Gamaliel, son of Pedahzur.

International Standard Version
"The tribe of Manasseh is to encamp beside them. The leader of Manasseh is to be Pedahzur's son Gamaliel.

NET Bible
Next to them will be the tribe of Manasseh. The leader of the people of Manasseh is Gamaliel son of Pedahzur.

New Heart English Bible
"Next to him shall be the tribe of Manasseh: and the prince of the people of Manasseh shall be Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.

Webster's Bible Translation
And by him shall be the tribe of Manasseh: and the captain of the children of Manasseh shall be Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
The tribe of Manasseh will be next to it. The leader of the Manassites is Gamaliel son of Pedahzur,

World English Bible
“Next to him shall be the tribe of Manasseh. The prince of the children of Manasseh shall be Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And by him [is] the tribe of Manasseh; and the prince of the sons of Manasseh [is] Gamaliel son of Pedahzur;

Young's Literal Translation
And by him is the tribe of Manasseh; and the prince of the sons of Manasseh is Gamaliel son of Pedahzur;

Smith's Literal Translation
And by him the tribe of Manasseh: and the chief for the sons of Manasseh, Gamaliel, son of Pedahzur.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And with them the tribe of the sons of Manasses, whose prince was Gamaliel the son of Phadassur.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And with them was the tribe of the sons of Manasseh, whose leader was Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.

New American Bible
Beside it shall be the tribe of Manasseh. The leader of the Manassites is Gamaliel, son of Pedahzur,

New Revised Standard Version
Next to him shall be the tribe of Manasseh. The leader of the people of Manasseh shall be Gamaliel son of Pedahzur,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And those who encamp by him shall be the tribe of Manasseh; and the chief of the children of Manasseh shall be Gamaliel the son of Perzur.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And they who camp with him are the tribe of Menasheh and the Ruler of the sons of Menasheh: Gamaliel son of Pertsur.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
and next unto him shall be the tribe of Manasseh; the prince of the children of Manasseh being Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur,

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And they that encamp next shall be of the tribe of Manasse, and the prince of the sons of Manasse, Gamaliel the son of Phadassur.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Order of the Camps
19and his division numbers 40,500. 20The tribe of Manasseh will be next to it. The leader of the Manassites is Gamaliel son of Pedahzur, 21and his division numbers 32,200.…

Cross References
Genesis 48:19
But his father refused. “I know, my son, I know!” he said. “He too shall become a people, and he too shall be great; nevertheless, his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his offspring shall become a multitude of nations.”

Genesis 48:14
But Israel stretched out his right hand and put it on the head of Ephraim, the younger; and crossing his hands, he put his left on Manasseh’s head, although Manasseh was the firstborn.

Genesis 41:51-52
Joseph named the firstborn Manasseh, saying, “God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father’s household.” / And the second son he named Ephraim, saying, “God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.”

Genesis 49:22-26
Joseph is a fruitful vine—a fruitful vine by a spring, whose branches scale the wall. / The archers attacked him with bitterness; they aimed at him in hostility. / Yet he steadied his bow, and his strong arms were tempered by the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob, in the name of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel, ...

Deuteronomy 33:17
His majesty is like a firstborn bull, and his horns are like those of a wild ox. With them he will gore the nations, even to the ends of the earth. Such are the myriads of Ephraim, and such are the thousands of Manasseh.”

Joshua 17:17-18
So Joshua said to the house of Joseph—to Ephraim and Manasseh—“You have many people and great strength. You shall not have just one allotment, / because the hill country will be yours as well. It is a forest; clear it, and its farthest limits will be yours. Although the Canaanites have iron chariots and although they are strong, you can drive them out.”

1 Chronicles 7:14-19
The descendants of Manasseh: Asriel through his Aramean concubine. She also gave birth to Machir the father of Gilead. / Machir took a wife from among the Huppites and Shuppites. The name of his sister was Maacah. Another descendant was named Zelophehad, who had only daughters. / Machir’s wife Maacah gave birth to a son, and she named him Peresh. His brother was named Sheresh, and his sons were Ulam and Rekem. ...

1 Chronicles 5:1-2
These were the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel. Though he was the firstborn, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph son of Israel, because Reuben defiled his father’s bed. So he is not reckoned according to birthright. / And though Judah prevailed over his brothers and a ruler came from him, the birthright belonged to Joseph.

Ezekiel 37:16-19
“And you, son of man, take a single stick and write on it: ‘Belonging to Judah and to the Israelites associated with him.’ Then take another stick and write on it: ‘Belonging to Joseph—the stick of Ephraim—and to all the house of Israel associated with him.’ / Then join them together into one stick, so that they become one in your hand. / When your people ask you, ‘Won’t you explain to us what you mean by these?’ ...

Psalm 80:1-2
For the choirmaster. To the tune of “The Lilies of the Covenant.” A Psalm of Asaph. Hear us, O Shepherd of Israel, who leads Joseph like a flock; You who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine forth / before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh. Rally Your mighty power and come to save us.

Revelation 7:6
from the tribe of Asher 12,000, from the tribe of Naphtali 12,000, from the tribe of Manasseh 12,000,

Revelation 21:12
The city had a great and high wall with twelve gates inscribed with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel, and twelve angels at the gates.

Hebrews 11:21
By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.

Acts 7:9-10
Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. But God was with him / and rescued him from all his troubles. He granted Joseph favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt, who appointed him ruler over Egypt and all his household.

Acts 7:14-15
Then Joseph sent for his father Jacob and all his relatives, seventy-five in all. / So Jacob went down to Egypt, where he and our fathers died.


Treasury of Scripture

And by him shall be the tribe of Manasseh: and the captain of the children of Manasseh shall be Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.

Gamaliel

Numbers 1:10
Of the children of Joseph: of Ephraim; Elishama the son of Ammihud: of Manasseh; Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.

Numbers 7:54,59
On the eighth day offered Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur, prince of the children of Manasseh: …

Numbers 10:23
And over the host of the tribe of the children of Manasseh was Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.

Jump to Previous
Captain Chief Children Gamaliel Gama'liel Leader Manasseh Manas'seh Pedahzur Pedah'zur Prince Tribe
Jump to Next
Captain Chief Children Gamaliel Gama'liel Leader Manasseh Manas'seh Pedahzur Pedah'zur Prince Tribe
Numbers 2
1. The order of the tribes in their tents.














The tribe of Manasseh will be next to it.
The tribe of Manasseh, one of the two half-tribes descended from Joseph, is positioned next to the tribe of Ephraim in the camp arrangement. This reflects the close relationship between the two tribes, as both are sons of Joseph. Manasseh's placement is significant in the context of Israel's journey through the wilderness, as it highlights the unity and organization necessary for the Israelites' survival and success. Historically, the tribe of Manasseh was known for its large territory, which was divided between the east and west of the Jordan River. This division is a reminder of the tribe's significant role in the conquest and settlement of the Promised Land. The positioning of the tribes around the Tabernacle also symbolizes the centrality of worship and God's presence among His people.

The leader of the Manassites is Gamaliel son of Pedahzur,
Gamaliel, son of Pedahzur, is identified as the leader of the tribe of Manasseh. His name, meaning "God is my reward," reflects the faith and reliance on God that leaders were expected to embody. The mention of his father, Pedahzur, provides a genealogical link that was important for establishing authority and legitimacy within the tribal structure. In the broader biblical narrative, leaders like Gamaliel were responsible for representing their tribes in matters of governance, military organization, and religious observance. This leadership role is crucial in maintaining order and ensuring that the tribe fulfills its responsibilities to the community and to God. The appointment of leaders from each tribe also underscores the importance of shared leadership and accountability in the covenant community.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Tribe of Manasseh
One of the twelve tribes of Israel, descended from Manasseh, the firstborn son of Joseph. This tribe was known for its significant size and strength.

2. Gamaliel
The leader of the tribe of Manasseh during the wilderness period. His name means "God is my reward" in Hebrew, indicating a divine favor or blessing.

3. Pedahzur
The father of Gamaliel. His name means "the rock has redeemed" in Hebrew, suggesting a foundation of faith and redemption.

4. Israelite Camp Arrangement
The context of this verse is the arrangement of the Israelite camp around the Tabernacle during their wilderness journey. Each tribe had a specific position and role.

5. Wilderness Journey
The period when the Israelites traveled from Egypt to the Promised Land, a time of testing, learning, and divine guidance.
Teaching Points
Divine Order and Leadership
God is a God of order, as seen in the specific arrangement of the tribes. This teaches us the importance of structure and leadership in our communities and churches.

Heritage and Identity
The mention of Gamaliel and Pedahzur highlights the importance of heritage and identity. We are reminded to honor our spiritual lineage and the faith of those who came before us.

Role and Responsibility
Each tribe had a specific role in the camp. Similarly, every believer has a unique role in the body of Christ, and we should seek to fulfill our God-given responsibilities.

Faithfulness in the Journey
The wilderness journey was a time of testing. We are encouraged to remain faithful and trust in God's guidance through our own life journeys.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Numbers 2:20?

2. How does Numbers 2:20 reflect God's order in organizing the Israelite camp?

3. What role does Ephraim's position play in understanding God's plan for His people?

4. How can we apply the principle of order from Numbers 2:20 in church?

5. What connections exist between Numbers 2:20 and God's promises to Ephraim in Genesis?

6. How does Ephraim's leadership in Numbers 2:20 inspire us in our communities?

7. What is the significance of Ephraim's position in Numbers 2:20?

8. How does Numbers 2:20 reflect God's organizational plan for Israel?

9. Why is Elishama son of Ammihud mentioned in Numbers 2:20?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Numbers 2?

11. Who was Gad in the Bible?

12. Deuteronomy 19:2-3: Is there any archaeological evidence of Israel establishing and maintaining these cities of refuge as described?

13. Numbers 20:1 - Why is Miriam's death recorded so briefly, with no details about her mourning or burial, unlike other prominent figures?

14. Numbers 20:14-21 - Is there any historical or archaeological evidence supporting Edom's refusal to allow Israel passage?
What Does Numbers 2:20 Mean
The tribe of Manasseh

“The tribe of Manasseh…” (Numbers 2:20) instantly takes us back to Joseph’s firstborn (Genesis 41:51). God had already singled out Manasseh for blessing when Jacob crossed his hands and treated the younger Ephraim as greater (Genesis 48:13-20), yet Manasseh still received a full share in the family inheritance (Joshua 14:4). Here in Numbers, that same tribe is counted and positioned for the march.

• God’s promise-keeping is on display: the descendants named in Genesis are now a numerous people ready to move toward Canaan.

• Every tribe, even one whose status once seemed “second,” is indispensable in God’s arrangement (1 Corinthians 12:18-20).


will be next to it

“…will be next to it.” Positioned on the west side of the camp, Manasseh camps beside Ephraim and Benjamin under the Ephraimite standard (Numbers 2:18-24).

• Order matters. Numbers 2:17 stresses that the tribes set out “each in position” around the tabernacle, and 1 Corinthians 14:40 reminds us that God loves things done “decently and in order.”

• Nearness to the tabernacle meant nearness to God’s presence. Their placement underscores Psalm 133:1—unity flows from drawing near to the Lord together.

• Being “next to” another tribe highlights interdependence. Manasseh’s strength complemented Ephraim’s leadership and Benjamin’s courage (Judges 20:14-16).


The leader of the Manassites is Gamaliel son of Pedahzur

Leadership is personal: “The leader of the Manassites is Gamaliel son of Pedahzur.” We first met Gamaliel in Numbers 1:10, where he helped Moses number the people, and we see him again presenting offerings (Numbers 7:54-59) and leading the march (Numbers 10:23).

• God appoints identifiable, accountable leaders (Exodus 18:21; Hebrews 13:17).

• Gamaliel’s role shows that spiritual and civil responsibilities blend in Israel; he represents both God before the people and the people before God (Numbers 7:59).

• His lineage—“son of Pedahzur”—reminds us that faithfulness is often nurtured in families (Deuteronomy 6:6-7).


summary

Numbers 2:20 reveals far more than a camping chart. By naming Manasseh, defining his place, and identifying his leader, the verse showcases God’s faithfulness to past promises, His love of order, and His provision of godly leadership. Every believer and every community still finds security and purpose when we embrace God’s placement, pursue unity, and respect the leaders He raises up.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The tribe
מַטֵּ֣ה (maṭ·ṭêh)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4294: A staff, rod, shaft, branch, a tribe

of Manasseh
מְנַשֶּׁ֑ה (mə·naš·šeh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4519: Manasseh -- 'causing to forget', a son of Joseph, also a king of Judah, also two Israelites

will be next to it.
וְעָלָ֖יו (wə·‘ā·lāw)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

The leader
וְנָשִׂיא֙ (wə·nā·śî)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5387: An exalted one, a king, sheik, a rising mist

of the Manassites
לִבְנֵ֣י (liḇ·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

is Gamaliel
גַּמְלִיאֵ֖ל (gam·lî·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1583: Gamaliel -- a Manassite

son
בֶּן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Pedahzur,
פְּדָהצֽוּר׃ (pə·ḏā·h·ṣūr)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6301: Pedahzur -- 'the rock has ransomed', a Manassite


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OT Law: Numbers 2:20 Next to him shall be the tribe (Nu Num.)
Numbers 2:19
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