Encamp

Easton, 1897

An encampment was the resting-place for a longer or shorter period of an army or company of travellers (Exodus 13:20; Exodus 14:19; Joshua 10:5; Joshua 11:5).

The manner in which the Israelites encamped during their march through the wilderness is described in Numbers 2 and Numbers 3. The order of the encampment (see CAMP) was preserved in the march (Numbers 2:17), the signal for which was the blast of two silver trumpets. Detailed regulations affecting the camp for sanitary purposes are given (Leviticus 4:11, Leviticus 4:12; Leviticus 6:11; Leviticus 8:17; Leviticus 10:4, Leviticus 10:5; Leviticus 13:46; Leviticus 14:3; Numbers 12:14, Numbers 12:15; Numbers 31:19; Deuteronomy 23:10, Deuteronomy 23:12).

Criminals were executed without the camp (Leviticus 4:12; comp. John 19:17, John 19:20), and there also the young bullock for a sin-offering was burnt (Leviticus 24:14; comp. Hebrews 13:12).

In the subsequent history of Israel frequent mention is made of their encampments in the time of war (Judges 7:18; 1 Samuel 13:2, 1 Samuel 13:3, 1 Samuel 13:16, 1 Samuel 13:23; 1 Samuel 17:3; 1 Samuel 29:1; 1 Samuel 30:9, 1 Samuel 30:24). The temple was sometimes called "the camp of the Lord" (2 Chronicles 31:2, R.V.; comp. Psalms 78:28). The multitudes who flocked to David are styled "a great host (i.e., "camp;" Heb. mahaneh), like the host of God" (1 Chronicles 12:22).