Bible Strands
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.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — God commands Moses to organize the Israelite tribes into a structured marching formation during the wilderness journey. The Levites are assigned the central position relative to the three primary tribal encampments.
The words — נָסַע (na.Sa') means "it will set out" or "move," and תֹּוךְ (tokh) denotes "middle" or "center." These terms specify that the Levites physically occupy the core of the traveling camp while transporting the sanctuary.
The thread — The Levites' custodial role repeats in Numbers 1:50, which appoints them over the tabernacle and its furnishings. Numbers 10:17 and Numbers 10:21 later detail how the Gershonites, Merarites, and Kohathites dismantle and carry the holy objects during the march.
Why it lands — The text demands exact obedience to a divinely prescribed order, requiring each group to maintain its assigned position and standard. It establishes the Levites as the designated transporters of the sanctuary, subordinating their movement to the established camp structure.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Then the tabernacle of the congregation shall set forward with the camp of the Levites in the midst of the camp: as they encamp, so shall they set forward, every man in his place by their standards.
Cross-references
- Numbers 10:21 Then the Kohathites set out, transporting the holy objects; the tabernacle was to be set up before their arrival.
- Numbers 1:50 Instead, you are to appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of the Testimony, all its furnishings, and everything in it. They shall carry the tabernacle and all its articles, care for it, and camp around it.
- Numbers 10:17 Then the tabernacle was taken down, and the Gershonites and the Merarites set out, transporting it.
- Numbers 3:38 Moses, Aaron, and Aaron’s sons were to camp to the east of the tabernacle, toward the sunrise, before the Tent of Meeting. They were to perform the duties of the sanctuary as a service on behalf of the Israelites; but any outsider who approached the sanctuary was to be put to death.
- 1 Corinthians 14:40 But everything must be done in a proper and orderly manner.
- Colossians 2:5 For although I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit, and I delight to see your orderly condition and firm faith in Christ.
- Numbers 2:1 Then the LORD said to Moses and Aaron: