Armies

How Nave’s arranged it

• Who of the Israelites were subject to service inNumbers 1:2Numbers 1:3Numbers 26:22 Chronicles 25:5
• Who were exempt from service inNumbers 1:47–50Numbers 2:33Deuteronomy 20:5–9Judges 7:3
• Enumeration of Israel's military forcesNumbers 1:2Numbers 1:3Numbers 26:21 Samuel 11:82 Samuel 18:12 Samuel 18:22 Samuel 24:1–91 Kings 20:152 Chronicles 25:5
• Levies forNumbers 31:4Judges 20:10
• Compulsory service in1 Samuel 14:52
• See Cowardice
• How officered
• Commander-in-chief1 Samuel 14:502 Samuel 2:82 Samuel 8:162 Samuel 17:252 Samuel 19:132 Samuel 20:23
• Generals of corps and divisionsNumbers 2:3Numbers 2:311 Chronicles 27:1–222 Chronicles 17:12–19
• Captains of thousandsNumbers 31:14Numbers 31:481 Samuel 17:181 Chronicles 28:12 Chronicles 25:5
• Captains of hundredsNumbers 31:14Numbers 31:482 Kings 11:151 Chronicles 28:12 Chronicles 25:5
• Captains of fifties2 Kings 1:9Isaiah 3:3

The passages, in Bible order (243)

The same references, sorted Genesis to Revelation. The first 16 are quoted in full; the rest are one click beneath them, book by book.

1. Genesis 14:14

   And when Abram heard that his relative had been captured, he mobilized the 318 trained men born in his household, and they set out in pursuit as far as Dan.

   ›Commentary on Genesis 14:142 voices

   “And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants--domestic slaves, such as are common in Eastern countries still and are considered and treated as members of the family.

   "When Abraham learned of this, he counted his servants born in the house" and with 318 men won a victory and liberated his nephew. This shows that the separation had taken place in friendship, since Abraham's love for his nephew was so great that he was willing to confront even the dangers of war on his behalf. What does it mean "he counted"? It means he "chose." So too what Jesus said in the Gospel refers not only to the knowledge of God but also to the grace of the just: "Even the hairs on your head are all counted."

   Everything gathered on Genesis 14:14→

   Verse page →Original language →

2. Genesis 14:15

   During the night, Abram divided his forces and routed Chedorlaomer’s army, pursuing them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus.

   ›Commentary on Genesis 14:152 voices

   “And he divided himself against them - It required both considerable courage and address in Abram to lead him to attack the victorious armies of these four kings with so small a number of troops, and on this occasion both his skill and his courage are exercised. His affection for Lot appears to have been his chief motive; he cheerfully risks his life for that nephew who had lately chosen the best part of the land, and left his uncle to live as he might, on what he did not think worthy his own acceptance.

   "Abraham counted 318 servants, born in his house … as far as Hobah, which is to the right of Damascus." Even the number is of vital importance. For in that number there is life, if we believe in the passion in the name of the Lord Jesus. In fact, this is the interpretation of the above-mentioned name, Hobah, that is, "life." Appropriately too it is said that Hobah is located to the right of Damascus. For the sheep stand on the right, while the goats are on the left.

   Everything gathered on Genesis 14:15→

   Verse page →Original language →

3. Exodus 13:18

   So God led the people around by the way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea. And the Israelites left the land of Egypt arrayed for battle.

   ›Commentary on Exodus 13:182 voices

   “God had given it to Moses for a sign, chap. iii, 12, ye shall serve God in this mountain. They had again and again told Pharaoh that they must go three days journey into the wilderness to do sacrifice, and therefore it was requisite they should march that way, else they had justly been exclaimed against as dissemblers.

   “God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red Sea, &c.--This wondrous expanse of water is a gulf of the Indian ocean. It was called in Hebrew "the weedy sea," from the forest of marine plants with which it abounds. But the name of the Red Sea is not so easily traced.

   Everything gathered on Exodus 13:18→

   Verse page →Original language →

4. Exodus 17:11

   As long as Moses held up his hands, Israel prevailed; but when he lowered them, Amalek prevailed.

   ›Commentary on Exodus 17:112 voices

   “And when Moses held vp his hand in prayer (so the Chaldee explains it) Israel prevailed, but when he let down his hand from prayer, Amalek prevailed - To convince Israel that the hand of Moses (with whom they had just now been chiding) contributed more to their safety than their own hands; the success rises and falls, as Moses lifts up or lets down his hand.

   “For my own warfare, however, I am at a loss what course to pursue, what alliance, what word of wisdom, what grace to devise, with what panoply to arm myself against the wiles of the wicked one. What Moses did is to conquer him by stretching out his hands upon the mount, in order that the cross, thus typified and prefigured, may prevail.

   Everything gathered on Exodus 17:11→

   Verse page →Original language →

5. Exodus 17:12

   When Moses’ hands grew heavy, they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. Then Aaron and Hur held his hands up, one on each side, so that his hands remained steady until the sun went down.

   ›Commentary on Exodus 17:122 voices

   “Moses showed this when his hands became so heavy that Joshua the son of Nun could hardly hold them up. For that reason the people conquered when they performed works not carelessly but with full consideration and virtue—not with faltering souls nor with a wavering disposition but with the stability of a firm mind.

   “But Moses's hands were heavy,....

   Everything gathered on Exodus 17:12→

   Verse page →Original language →

6. Numbers 1:2

   “Take a census of the whole congregation of Israel by their clans and families, listing every man by name, one by one.

   ›Commentary on Numbers 1:22 voices

   “It is true, the sums and numbers agree in this and that computation, which is not strange, because there was not much time between the two numberings, and no eminent sin among the people in that interval, whereby God was provoked to diminish their numbers.

   “Take ye the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel,....

   Everything gathered on Numbers 1:2→

   Verse page →Original language →

7. Numbers 1:3

   You and Aaron are to number those who are twenty years of age or older by their divisions—everyone who can serve in Israel’s army.

   ›Commentary on Numbers 1:32 voices

   “Aaron shall number them by their armies--or companies. In their departure from Egypt they were divided into five grand companies (Ex 13:18), but from the sojourn in the wilderness to the passage of the Jordan, they were formed into four great divisions. The latter is here referred to.

   “From twenty years old and upwards,....

   Everything gathered on Numbers 1:3→

   Verse page →Original language →

8. Numbers 1:47–50

   The Levites, however, were not numbered along with them by the tribe of their fathers.

   ›Commentary on Numbers 1:47–502 voices

   “The custody of the things devoted to the divine service was assigned to them so exclusively, that "no stranger"--that is, no person, not even an Israelite of any other tribe, was allowed, under penalty of death, to approach these [Nu 16:40].

   “But the Levites,.... The tribe of Levi were excepted from this muster, they being employed in a kind of warfare, and therefore not to be engaged in another: after the tribe of their fathers, were not numbered among them: the rest of the tribes; the reason follows.

   Everything gathered on Numbers 1:47–50→

   Verse page →Original language →

9. Numbers 2:1

   Then the LORD said to Moses and Aaron:

   ›Commentary on Numbers 2:11 voice

   “And the Lord spake unto Moses, and unto Aaron,.... Very probably after the number of the children of Israel was taken, of which in the preceding chapter, and when the congregation of Israel with the tabernacle were about to set forward on their journey; and therefore directions are here given for their orderly and regular proceeding in it, in what form and manner they should both encamp and march: saying: as follows.

   Everything gathered on Numbers 2:1→

   Verse page →Original language →

10. Numbers 2:2

    “The Israelites are to camp around the Tent of Meeting at a distance from it, each man under his standard, with the banners of his family.

    ›Commentary on Numbers 2:22 voices

    “It is supposed they Were at 2000 cubits distance from it, which was the space between the people and the ark; and it is not improbable, because the Levites encamped round about it, between them and the tabernacle.

    “The latter must have been absolutely necessary, as one ensign only for a tribe would not have been visible at the extremities of so large a body. We possess no authentic information as to their forms, material, colors, and devices. But it is probable that they might bear some resemblance to those of Egypt, only stripped of any idolatrous symbols.

    Everything gathered on Numbers 2:2→

    Verse page →Original language →

11. Numbers 2:3

    On the east side, toward the sunrise, the divisions of Judah are to camp under their standard:

    ›Commentary on Numbers 2:32 voices

    “And on the east side, towards the rising of the sun,.... Which rises in the east; or of all; for, as Jarchi observes, that which is "before" is called "Kedem", the east, as the west is called "behind": shall they of the standard of the camp of Judah pitch, throughout their armies; the tribes of Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun, formed one camp, which had its name from the principal tribe Judah; and this was divided into various regiments and companies, called armies, who severally pitched under one and the same standard.

    “Judah - This tribe was in the first post, and in their marches led the van, not only because it was the most numerous, but chiefly because Christ, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, was to descend from it: Yea, from the loins of Nahshon, who is here appointed the chief captain of it.

    Everything gathered on Numbers 2:3→

    Verse page →Original language →

12. Numbers 2:10

    On the south side, the divisions of Reuben are to camp under their standard:

    ›Commentary on Numbers 2:102 voices

    “On the south side shall be the standard of the camp of Reuben, according to their armies,.... This camp consisted of the tribes of Reuben, Simeon, and Gad, which was divided into lesser bodies, regiments, or companies, called armies; and this was placed to the south of the tabernacle, or to the right hand, as Aben Ezra interprets it; this was the right wing of the whole army. Reuben's stone, according to the Jewish writers (h), was the "sardius", and his flag was coloured red, and there were figured upon it mandrakes.

    “The tabernacle or sacred tent of their Divine King, with the camp of the Levites around it (see on Nu 3:38), formed the center, as does the chief's in the encampment of all nomad people. In marching, this order was adhered to, with some necessary variations. Judah led the way, followed, it is most probable, by Issachar and Zebulun [Nu 10:14-16].

    Everything gathered on Numbers 2:10→

    Verse page →Original language →

13. Numbers 2:17

    In the middle of the camps, the Tent of Meeting is to travel with the camp of the Levites. They are to set out in the order they encamped, each in his own place under his standard.

    ›Commentary on Numbers 2:172 voices

    “In the midst - This is not to be understood strictly, but largely; for in their march they were divided, and part of that tribe marched next after Judah, chap. x, 17, and the other part exactly in the midst of the camp.

    “The tabernacle or sacred tent of their Divine King, with the camp of the Levites around it (see on Nu 3:38), formed the center, as does the chief's in the encampment of all nomad people. In marching, this order was adhered to, with some necessary variations. Judah led the way, followed, it is most probable, by Issachar and Zebulun [Nu 10:14-16].

    Everything gathered on Numbers 2:17→

    Verse page →Original language →

14. Numbers 2:18

    On the west side, the divisions of Ephraim are to camp under their standard:

    ›Commentary on Numbers 2:182 voices

    “On the west side shall be the standard of the camp of Ephraim, according to their armies,.... It was in the rear or behind, consisting of his tribe, and of the tribes of Manasseh and Benjamin, divided into several companies, and extended four miles, as the above Targum.

    “The tabernacle or sacred tent of their Divine King, with the camp of the Levites around it (see on Nu 3:38), formed the center, as does the chief's in the encampment of all nomad people. In marching, this order was adhered to, with some necessary variations. Judah led the way, followed, it is most probable, by Issachar and Zebulun [Nu 10:14-16].

    Everything gathered on Numbers 2:18→

    Verse page →Original language →

15. Numbers 2:25

    On the north side, the divisions of Dan are to camp under their standard:

    ›Commentary on Numbers 2:252 voices

    “The standard of the camp of Dan shall be on the north side by their armies,.... To the left of the tabernacle as encamped, and so was the left wing of the grand army; it consisted of the tribes of Dan, Asher, and Naphtali, in which were several divisions and companies, whose camp also the Targum of Jonathan says reached four miles.

    “The tabernacle or sacred tent of their Divine King, with the camp of the Levites around it (see on Nu 3:38), formed the center, as does the chief's in the encampment of all nomad people. In marching, this order was adhered to, with some necessary variations. Judah led the way, followed, it is most probable, by Issachar and Zebulun [Nu 10:14-16].

    Everything gathered on Numbers 2:25→

    Verse page →Original language →

16. Numbers 2:31

    The total number of men in the camp of Dan is 157,600; they shall set out last, under their standards.”

    ›Commentary on Numbers 2:312 voices

    “The Camp of Daniel - The strongest camp next after Judah, and therefore he comes in the rear, as Judah marched in the front, that the tabernacle might be best guarded where there was most danger.

    “The tabernacle or sacred tent of their Divine King, with the camp of the Levites around it (see on Nu 3:38), formed the center, as does the chief's in the encampment of all nomad people. In marching, this order was adhered to, with some necessary variations. Judah led the way, followed, it is most probable, by Issachar and Zebulun [Nu 10:14-16].

    Everything gathered on Numbers 2:31→

    Verse page →Original language →