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Numbers Chapter Two

1. Chapter two takes the tribes of Israel, and establishes their camp position in relation to the tabernacle (Num. 2:1,2).
2. These tribes are positioned on the four sides of the tabernacle (Num. 2:2-31).
3. These tribes are also positioned in the order of march, when the camp set forth (Num. 2:9,16,24,31; 10:11-28).
4. The east side of the tabernacle was the camp of Judah, supported by the camps of Issachar & Zebulun (Num. 2:3-9). Judah Brigade marched first with 179 officers, 74 companies, 9 battalions.
5. The south side of the tabernacle was the camp of Reuben, supported by the camps of Simeon & Gad (Num. 2:10-16). Reuben Brigade marched second with 146 officers, 54.5 companies, 7 battalions.
6. The tabernacle and Levites set out “in the midst of the camps” (Num. 2:17).  This will be elaborated on later (Num. 10). Levi Battalion marched in the midst of the Brigades.
7. The west side of the tabernacle was the camp of Ephraim, supported by the camps of Manasseh & Benjamin (Num. 2:18-24). Ephraim Brigade marched third with 104 officers, 41 companies, 6 battalions.
8. The north side of the tabernacle was the camp of Dan, supported by Asher & Naphtali (Num. 2:25-31). Dan Brigade marched last with 151 officers, 66 companies, 8 battalions.

Numbers Chapter Three

1. Chapter three highlights the tribe of Levi, and the organization of the Levitical clans.
2. The Aaronic priesthood will be comprised of two (instead of four) divisions: Eleazar & Ithamar (Num. 3:4).
3. The tribe of Levi is set apart for the support services to the Aaronic priesthood (Num. 3:5-10).
4. The tribe of Levi is also taken by the Lord in lieu of the firstborn that were to be dedicated to His service (Num. 3:11-14,40-51; Ex. 13:2,12,13,15; 22:29; Lev 27:26).
5. The tribe of Levi is divided into the clans of Gershon, Kohath, and Merari (Num. 3:15-17).
   1. The clan of Gershon was divided into the 2 families of Libni and Shimei (Num. 3:18).
      1. Their number, from a month old and upward, was 7,500 (Num. 3:22).
      2. The families of Libni and Shimei camped to the west of the tabernacle (Num. 3:23).
      3. Their duties included the tent, its covering, the screens, hangings, and cords (Num. 3:25,26).
   2. The clan of Kohath was divided into the 4 families of Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel (Num. 3:19).
      1. Their number was 8,600 (Num. 3:28).
      2. They camped on the south side of the tabernacle (Num. 3:29).
      3. Their duties included the ark, the table of showbread, the lampstand, the altars, and utensils (Num. 3:31).
   3. The clan of Merari was divided into the 2 families of Mahli and Mushi (Num. 3:20).
      1. Their number was 6,200 (Num. 3:34).
      2. They camped on the north side of the tabernacle (Num. 3:35).
      3. Their duties included the frames of the tabernacle, its bars, pillars, sockets, pegs and cords (Num. 3:36,37).
   4. The east side of the tabernacle was reserved for Moses, Aaron, and Aaron’s sons (Num. 3:38).
6. The enumeration of Levi was extraordinarily small (compared to the humongous traditional numbers). 
   1. The other tribes were enumerated from 20 years of age and upward, and averaged 54,900, with Benjamin the smallest tribe at 35,400, and Manasseh the half-tribe at 32,200. 
   2. Levi was enumerated from 1 month of age and upward, and still only reached 22,000.
   3. Such observations support the reconstruction of the military Table of Order as presented on Day 059.
7. The redemption of the 22,273 firstborn of Israel (Num. 3:43) either indicates a much smaller population than the humongous traditional number or some have speculated that it represents the firstborn children born since the Exodus.