All that were numbred in the Campe of Reuben were an hundred thousand, and fiftie and one thousand, and foure hundred and fiftie throughout their armies: and they shall set foorth in the second ranke. Numbers 2:16 (KJV)
The book of Numbers is the fourth book of the Old Testament and focuses on the Israelites’ journey from Mount Sinai to the Promised Land. It contains detailed instructions given by God to Moses regarding the organisation, census, and arrangement of the tribes of Israel.
Reuben was the firstborn of Jacob (Israel) and the tribe of Reuben was one of the twelve tribes of Israel. In Numbers 2, Moses receives instructions from God to organise the camp and arrange the tribes around the tabernacle as they travelled through the wilderness. Each tribe had a designated position and order in the camp.
In this verse, it is mentioned that the tribe of Reuben had a total of 46,500 people who were numbered. This number includes men who were fit for military service, as the organisation of the tribes had a military purpose. The tribe of Reuben had a significant number of people in their camp.
The verse concludes by stating that the tribe of Reuben was to set forth in the second rank. The Israelite camp was arranged in a specific formation when they travelled. The tribe of Judah was placed in the lead, and Reuben followed in the second position. This means that Reuben’s camp was located on the south side of the tabernacle, following the tribe of Judah.
