Numbers 2:10

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Numbers 2:10 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “On the south side shall be the standard of the camp of Reuben according to their hosts: and the prince of the children of Reuben shall be Elizur the son of Shedeur.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

On the south side shall be the standard of the camp of Reuben according to their hosts: and the prince of the children of Reuben shall be Elizur the son of Shedeur.
Numbers 2:10 — American Standard Version

Context — Numbers 2

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
10On the south side shall be the standard of the camp of Reuben according to their hosts: and the prince of the children of Reuben shall be Elizur the son of Shedeur.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“On the south side [shall be] the standard of the camp of Reuben, according to their armies, etc.] 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 f8, was the “sardius”, and his flag was coloured red, and there were figured upon it mandrakes. Simeon’s stone was the topaz, and his flag was coloured green, and on it was figured “shechem”. Gad’s stone was the agate, and his flag was coloured neither black nor white,…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“On the south side the standard of the camp of Reuben--The description given of the position of Reuben and his attendant tribes on the south, of Ephraim and his associates on the west, of Dan and his confederates on the north, with that of Judah on the east, suggests the idea of a square or quadrangle, which, allowing one square cubit to each soldier while remaining close in the ranks, has been computed to extend over an area of somewhat more than twelve square miles. But into our calculations of the occupied space must be taken not only the fighting men, whose numbers are here given, but also the families, tents, and baggage. The tabernacle or sacred tent of their Divine King, with the camp…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The following plan shows the general arrangement of the camp, which would vary in different places according to local exigencies. The area of the camp might be about three square miles: Numbers 2:14 Reuel - Doubtless an error of transcription for Deuel Numbers 1:14. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“2:10-16 The tribes of Reuben, Simeon, and Gad camped on the south. With their 151,450 warriors, they took second place in the line of march.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“camp of Reuben: Gen 49:3, Gen 49:4; Ch1 5:1 Elizur: Num 1:5, Num 7:30, Num 7:35, Num 10:18 Numbers 2:11”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification