Encamp
An encampment was the resting-place for a longer or shorter period of an army or company of travellers (Ex 13:20; Ex 14:19; Josh 10:5; Josh 11:5).
The manner in which the Israelites encamped during their march through the wilderness is described in Num 2:1–34 and 3. The order of the encampment (see Camp) was preserved in the march (Num 2:17), the signal for which was the blast of two silver trumpets. Detailed regulations affecting the camp for sanitary purposes are given (Lev 4:11, Lev 4:12; Lev 6:11; Lev 8:17; Lev 10:4, Lev 10:5; Lev 13:46; Lev 14:3; Num 12:14, Num 12:15; Num 31:19; Deut 23:10, Deut 23:12).
Criminals were executed without the camp (Lev 4:12; comp. John 19:17, John 19:20), and there also the young bullock for a sin-offering was burnt (Lev 24:14; comp. Heb 13:12).
In the subsequent history of Israel frequent mention is made of their encampments in the time of war (Judg 7:18; 1 Sam 13:2, 1 Sam 13:3, 1 Sam 13:16, 1 Sam 13:23; 1 Sam 17:3; 1 Sam 29:1; 1 Sam 30:9, 1 Sam 30:24). The temple was sometimes called “the camp of the Lord” (2 Chr 31:2, R.V.; comp. Ps 78:28). The multitudes who flocked to David are styled “a great host (i.e., “camp;” Heb. mahaneh), like the host of God” (1 Chr 12:22).
From Easton’s Bible Dictionary (1897), by Matthew George Easton.
