Encampment and Movement of the Twelve Tribes in the Wilderness
They only moved when the Pillar moved and they followed wherever it went. Nu.9:15-23
God commanded Moses at Mount Sinai to take a census of all the congregation of the children of Israel, by their families, by their fathers’ houses; counting every male from twenty years old and above who was fit for service in God’s army.
The children of Israel organized themselves according to the tribes that descended from the original twelve sons of Jacob. Each tribe designated one leader who was the head of his father’s house. The tribe of Levi was set apart (without the designated land inheritance of all the other tribes) unto the service of GOD to care for, protect and transport everything pertaining to the Tabernacle from camp to camp. Ephraim and Manasseh, the sons of Joseph, were to receive their father’s inheritance, and so, their names appear among the tribes of Israel, instead of the name of Joseph.
Movement and encampment in the wilderness was highly organized like a military organization. Each of the twelve tribes were assigned specific places and responsibilities in the camp and on the march. Each side of the Tabernacle was protected in camp by three tribes who encamped and marched together like a military division. The sons of Levi with their families camped close to the Tabernacle with each of the four army groups.
Eastern Division
Judah
Commanding tribe of the eastern division
Leader of the Judah Tribe: Nahshon
Number of soldiers: 74,600
Zebulon
Leader of the Zebulon Tribe: Eliav
Number of soldiers: 57,400
Issachar
Leader of the Issachar Tribe: Nethanel
Number of soldiers: 54,400
Aaron & Sons
Responsibilities: Aaron and his sons would go in and cover all the Holy items in the Tabernacle to prepare for the march.
They would cover the Ark with the Parochet (the veil to the Holy of Holies) then with Tahash hide skin and then a blue cloth.
On the table of shewbread they would spread a blue cloth and place on it the dishes, incense pans, offering bowls and pitchers and cover it all with a scarlet cloth and Tahash hide skin. Nu.4:5-14
Aaron’s son Eliazer was responsible to supervise the Kohath Levites in their holy duties. Aaron’s son Itamar was responsible to supervise the Mereri and Gershon Levites.
Southern Division
Reuben
Commanding tribe of the southern division
Leader of the Reuben Tribe: Elizur
Number of soldiers: 46,500
Gad
Leader of the Gad Tribe: Eliasaph
Number of soldiers: 45,650
Simeon
Leader of the Simeon Tribe: Shelumiel
Number of soldiers: 59,300
Levi Sons of Kohath
Leader: Elizaphan
Responsibilities: Carrying the Altar of Sacrifice; the Washbasin; the Shewbread table; the Menorah lampstand; the Incense Altar; the bundle of Holy utensils and The Ark of the Covenant. Nu.4:17-20; Nu.3:31&32.
Western Division
Ephraim
Commanding tribe of the western division
Leader of the Ephraim Tribe: Elishama
Number of soldiers: 40,500
Benjamin
Leader of the Benjamin Tribe: Avidan
Number of soldiers: 35,400
Manasseh
Leader of the Manasseh Tribe: Gamaliel
Number of soldiers: 32,200
Levi Sons of Gershon
Leader: Eliasaph
Responsibilities: Duties in the Tabernacle and courtyard
Northern Division
Dan
Commanding tribe of the northern division
Leader of the Dan Tribe: Elizur
Number of soldiers: 62,700
Asher
Leader of the Asher Tribe: Pagiel
Number of soldiers: 41,500
Naphtali
Leader of the Naphtali Tribe: Ahira
Number of soldiers: 53,400
Levi Sons of Merari
Leader: Zuriel
Responsibilities: Duties in the Tabernacle and courtyard