“And by him shall be the tribe of Manasseh: and the captain of the children of Manasseh shall be Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.”
This verse is part of a larger section in the book of Numbers that describes the organization and arrangement of the tribes of Israel during their journey in the wilderness. God instructed Moses to number the people and assign specific positions and marching orders to each tribe.
In this particular verse, we learn that the tribe of Manasseh, one of the twelve tribes of Israel, was assigned to camp on the west side of the tabernacle. The tribe of Manasseh was the half-tribe descended from Joseph, the son of Jacob. They camped alongside the tribes of Ephraim and Benjamin.
It is also mentioned that the captain or leader of the children of Manasseh was Gamaliel, the son of Pedahzur. This indicates that Gamaliel had a position of authority and responsibility within the tribe of Manasseh. However, it is important to note that this Gamaliel is not the same person as the prominent Gamaliel mentioned in the New Testament (Acts 5:34-40; Acts 22:3), who was a well-respected Pharisee and teacher of the law.
This verse highlights the meticulous organization and arrangement of the Israelite camp during their time in the wilderness. It demonstrates God’s attention to detail and order in His instructions to the Israelites. Each tribe had a specific place, and each leader had a designated role to fulfill.
Overall, Numbers 2:20 provides insight into the structure and organization of the tribes of Israel during their wilderness journey, highlighting the role of the tribe of Manasseh and its leader, Gamaliel.
