Next, the divisions of the camp of Ephraim set out under their standard, with Elishama son of Ammihud in command. And the divisionsThe term "divisions" refers to the organized groups or units within the Israelite camp. In Hebrew, the word used is "maḥăneh," which signifies a camp or encampment. This reflects the structured and orderly nature of the Israelite community as they journeyed through the wilderness. The divisions were not just random gatherings but were meticulously arranged according to tribes and families, highlighting the importance of order and discipline in the life of God's people. of the camp
The "camp" here refers to the entire assembly of the Israelites as they traveled from Egypt to the Promised Land. The camp was a mobile community, constantly on the move, yet maintaining a sense of unity and purpose. Historically, the camp was a visible sign of God's presence among His people, as the Tabernacle, the dwelling place of God, was centrally located within it. This centrality of the Tabernacle underscores the theological truth that God desires to dwell among His people and guide them. of Ephraim
Ephraim was one of the tribes of Israel, descended from Joseph's younger son, whom Jacob blessed with a greater blessing than his older brother Manasseh (Genesis 48:19). The tribe of Ephraim held a place of prominence among the tribes, often leading the way in various endeavors. This reflects the fulfillment of Jacob's blessing and the significant role Ephraim played in the history of Israel. Theologically, Ephraim's leadership role can be seen as a foreshadowing of the greater leadership that would come through the line of David and ultimately through Christ. set out
The phrase "set out" indicates the movement and journey of the Israelites. In Hebrew, the word "nasa" is used, which means to pull up, set out, or journey. This action of setting out is a recurring theme in the wilderness narrative, symbolizing the faith and obedience required of God's people as they followed His leading. It serves as a reminder of the Christian journey of faith, where believers are called to trust in God's guidance and move forward in obedience to His will. under their banner
The "banner" was a standard or flag that represented each tribe. In Hebrew, the word "degel" is used, which signifies a standard or ensign. Banners were used for identification and organization, ensuring that each tribe knew its place within the larger community. Spiritually, the banner represents identity and belonging, reminding believers that they are part of a larger community of faith, united under the banner of Christ. The banner also symbolizes God's protection and leadership, as seen in the Song of Solomon 2:4, "His banner over me is love." Persons / Places / Events 1. EphraimOne of the tribes of Israel, descended from Joseph's son Ephraim. This tribe was known for its strength and leadership among the northern tribes. 2. Elishama son of AmmihudThe leader of the tribe of Ephraim during the Israelites' journey through the wilderness. His name means "God has heard," indicating a divine acknowledgment or response. 3. The Camp of IsraelRefers to the organized encampment of the Israelites as they journeyed through the wilderness. The camp was divided into divisions, each with its own standard and leader. 4. The Wilderness JourneyThe period during which the Israelites traveled from Egypt to the Promised Land, guided by God through Moses. This journey was marked by divine provision and testing. 5. The StandardA banner or flag representing each tribe, used for organization and identification during the march. It symbolized unity and identity for the tribe. Teaching Points Divine Order and LeadershipGod is a God of order, and He establishes leaders to guide His people. Just as Elishama led the tribe of Ephraim, God appoints leaders in the church today to shepherd His flock. Identity and Unity in ChristThe standard of each tribe represented their identity and unity. As Christians, our identity is in Christ, and we are called to unity under His banner. Faithfulness in the JourneyThe wilderness journey was a time of testing and reliance on God. In our spiritual journey, we must trust in God's provision and guidance, even in challenging times. The Importance of ObedienceThe Israelites' obedience to God's instructions for their march reflects the importance of following God's commands in our lives. Obedience leads to blessing and fulfillment of God's promises. God's Faithfulness to His PromisesThe journey of the Israelites and the leadership of Ephraim remind us of God's faithfulness to His promises. He is faithful to fulfill His word in our lives as well. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the leadership of Elishama son of Ammihud reflect God's order and structure for His people? 2. In what ways can we identify with the tribe of Ephraim's journey through the wilderness in our own spiritual walk? 3. How does the concept of a "standard" or banner apply to our identity and unity as believers in Christ? 4. What lessons can we learn from the Israelites' obedience to God's instructions during their journey? 5. How can we trust in God's faithfulness to His promises in our lives, as seen in the journey of the Israelites? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 48This chapter provides the background of Ephraim's blessing by Jacob, which set the stage for Ephraim's prominence among the tribes of Israel. Numbers 2Details the arrangement of the Israelite camp and the order of march, highlighting the structured and divinely ordained organization of the tribes. Joshua 17Describes the inheritance of the tribe of Ephraim in the Promised Land, showing the fulfillment of God's promises to the descendants of Joseph. People Aaron, Abidan, Ahiezer, Ahira, Ammihud, Amminadab, Ammishaddai, Asher, Benjamin, Dan, Deuel, Eliab, Eliasaph, Elishama, Elizur, Enan, Gad, Gamaliel, Gershon, Gershonites, Gideoni, Helon, Hobab, Issachar, Kohathites, Manasseh, Merari, Merarites, Moses, Nahshon, Naphtali, Nethaneel, Ocran, Pagiel, Pedahzur, Raguel, Reuben, Reuel, Shedeur, Shelumiel, Simeon, Zebulun, Zuar, ZurishaddaiPlaces Paran, SinaiTopics Ammihud, Ammi'hud, Armies, Army, Camp, Command, Companies, Elishama, Eli'shama, Ephraim, E'phraim, Flag, Forward, Host, Hosts, Journeyed, Moved, Sons, StandardDictionary of Bible Themes Numbers 10:14 5223 banner Numbers 10:11-14 7266 tribes of Israel Library November 17. "The Ark of the Covenant of the Lord Went Before Them" (Num. x. 33).
"The ark of the covenant of the Lord went before them" (Num. x. 33). God does give us impressions but not that we should act on them as impressions. If the impression be from God, He will Himself give sufficient evidence to establish it beyond the possibility of a doubt. How beautifully we read, in the story of Jeremiah, of the impression that came to him respecting the purchase of the field of Anathoth, but Jeremiah did not act upon this impression until after the following day, when his uncle's …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth Hobab
'And Moses said unto Hobab ... Come thou with us, and we will do thee good: for the Lord hath spoken good concerning Israel.'--NUM. x. 29. There is some doubt with regard to the identity of this Hobab. Probably he was a man of about the same age as Moses, his brother- in-law, and a son of Jethro, a wily Kenite, a Bedouin Arab. Moses begs him to join himself to his motley company, and to be to him in the wilderness 'instead of eyes.' What did Moses want a man for, when he had the cloud? What do we …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Hallowing of Work and of Rest
'And it came to pass, when the ark set forward, that Moses said, Rise up, Lord, and let Thine enemies be scattered; and let them that hate Thee flee before Thee. 36. And when it rested, he said, Return, O Lord, unto the many thousands of Israel.'--Num. x. 35, 36. The picture suggested by this text is a very striking and vivid one. We see the bustle of the morning's breaking up of the encampment of Israel. The pillar of cloud, which had lain diffused and motionless over the Tabernacle, gathers itself …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Publication of the Gospel
The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it [or of the preachers] P erhaps no one Psalm has given greater exercise to the skill and patience of commentators and critics, than the sixty-eighth. I suppose the difficulties do not properly belong to the Psalm, but arise from our ignorance of various circumstances to which the Psalmist alludes; which probably were, at that time, generally known and understood. The first verse is the same with the stated form of benediction …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2 Letter Lv. Replies to Questions of Januarius.
Or Book II. of Replies to Questions of Januarius. (a.d. 400.) Chap. I. 1. Having read the letter in which you have put me in mind of my obligation to give answers to the remainder of those questions which you submitted to me a long time ago, I cannot bear to defer any longer the gratification of that desire for instruction which it gives me so much pleasure and comfort to see in you; and although encompassed by an accumulation of engagements, I have given the first place to the work of supplying …
St. Augustine—The Confessions and Letters of St How the Humble and the Haughty are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 18.) Differently to be admonished are the humble and the haughty. To the former it is to be insinuated how true is that excellence which they hold in hoping for it; to the latter it is to be intimated how that temporal glory is as nothing which even when embracing it they hold not. Let the humble hear how eternal are the things that they long for, how transitory the things which they despise; let the haughty hear how transitory are the things they court, how eternal the things they …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great The Second Coming of Christ.
^A Matt. XXIV. 29-51; ^B Mark XIII. 24-37; ^C Luke XXI. 25-36. ^b 24 But in those days, ^a immediately after the { ^b that} ^a tribulation of those days. [Since the coming of Christ did not follow close upon the destruction of Jerusalem, the word "immediately" used by Matthew is somewhat puzzling. There are, however, three ways in which it may be explained: 1. That Jesus reckons the time after his own divine, and not after our human, fashion. Viewing the word in this light, the passage at II. Pet. …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel The Country of Jericho, and the Situation of the City.
Here we will borrow Josephus' pencil, "Jericho is seated in a plain, yet a certain barren mountain hangs over it, narrow, indeed, but long; for it runs out northward to the country of Scythopolis,--and southward, to the country of Sodom, and the utmost coast of the Asphaltites." Of this mountain mention is made, Joshua 2:22, where the two spies, sent by Joshua, and received by Rahab, are said to "conceal themselves." "Opposite against this, lies a mountain on the other side Jordan, beginning from …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah
"And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah, out of thee shall come forth unto Me (one) [Pg 480] to be Ruler in Israel; and His goings forth are the times of old, the days of eternity." The close connection of this verse with what immediately precedes (Caspari is wrong in considering iv. 9-14 as an episode) is evident, not only from the [Hebrew: v] copulative, and from the analogy of the near relation of the announcement of salvation to the prophecy of disaster …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Numbers 10:22 NIVNumbers 10:22 NLTNumbers 10:22 ESVNumbers 10:22 NASBNumbers 10:22 KJV
Numbers 10:22 Commentaries
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