Numbers 2:31 Meaning and Explanation
“All they that were numbered in the camp of Dan were an hundred thousand and fifty and seven thousand and six hundred. They shall go hindmost with their standards.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The northern camp (Dan, Asher, Naphtali) totals 157,600 men and marches in the final position.
The Context of Numbers 2:31
The northern camp subtotal and its role as the final rank in the procession.
What Does Numbers 2:31 Mean?
The northern camp's total—157,600—is the second-largest division, exceeded only by the eastern camp (186,400). Yet this division is assigned the last rank, 'hindmost with their standards.' This position has strategic significance: the rearguard can respond to threats from behind and ensure no one is left unsupported.
The assignment of largest and second-largest divisions to first and last positions creates a formation with capable leadership at both ends. The procession moves with Judah leading and Dan covering the rear, with the smaller divisions in the middle—a tactical arrangement protecting the vulnerable center.
Numbers 2:31 in the Original Language
acharonim (אַחֲרוֹנִים), 'hindmost' — those coming behind or in the rear position.
Frequently Asked Questions About Numbers 2:31
What does Numbers 2:31 mean?
The northern camp (Dan, Asher, Naphtali) totals 157,600 men and marches in the final position.
What is the context of Numbers 2:31?
The northern camp subtotal and its role as the final rank in the procession.