The Encampment of the Twelve Tribes

In the Book of Numbers, God instructed the Israelites that their encampment in the wilderness must follow the correct locations and order around the tabernacle.

God assigned a specific location to each Israelite tribe. The tribal tents were to be at a certain distance from the entrance of God’s tabernacle. The tribe of Judah was assigned the most important spot, directly in front of the tabernacle’s entrance, because the Messiah whom the Israelites were awaiting would come from Judah. The other tribes were to encamp around the tabernacle in a counter-clockwise direction.

The twelve tribes were arranged in a specific, divinely ordained order. Four important tribes camped to the east, west, north, and south, closest to the tabernacle. The other tribes camped in a counter-clockwise direction. Those encamped at the corners were farther away from God’s tabernacle. The tribe of Levi was to be positioned between the twelve tribes’ tents and God’s tabernacle. The Levites were divided into three clans, each with its own designated location. Moses, Aaron, and the priests were to guard the entrance, so they had to camp in the direction of the tabernacle’s entrance.

The tribes were organized into four groups:

• Group 1 camped on the east side of the tabernacle, including the tribes of Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun. They were all descendants of Leah, with Judah as the leading tribe. Both King David and the Lord Jesus came from the tribe of Judah.
• Group 2 camped on the south side, including the tribes of Reuben, Simeon, and Gad. Reuben and Simeon were descendants of Leah, while Gad was a descendant of Leah’s maidservant. Reuben was the leading tribe in this group.
• Group 3 camped on the west side, including the tribes of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin. They were all descendants of Rachel, with Ephraim as the leading tribe. Joseph’s second son, Ephraim, was placed before Joseph’s firstborn, Manasseh, in Jacob’s blessing.
• Group 4 camped on the north side, including the tribes of Dan, Asher, and Naphtali. Dan and Naphtali were descendants of Rachel’s maidservant, and Asher was a descendant of Leah’s maidservant. Dan was the leading tribe in this group.

(Compiled and edited based on the Chinese Union Version and a comprehensive biblical interpretation.)