Lexical Summary
machaneh: Camp, encampment, army, host
Original Word:מַחֲנֶה
Part of Speech:Noun Masculine
Transliteration:machaneh
Pronunciation:mah-khah-neh'
Phonetic Spelling:(makh-an-eh')
KJV: army, band, battle, camp, company, drove, host, tents
NASB:camp, army, camps, armies, company, companies, fight
Word Origin:[fromH2583 (חָנָה - camped)]
1. an encampment (of travellers or troops)
2. (hence) an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars
3. or even the sacred courts)
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
army, band, battle, camp, company, drove, host, tents
Fromchanah; an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or even the sacred courts) -- army, band, battle, camp, company, drove, host, tents.
see HEBREWchanah
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
chanahDefinitionan encampment, camp
NASB Translationarmies (6), army (27), army camp (1), camp (158), camps (12), companies (3), company (5), fight (2), host (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
214Genesis 33:816t. and
Psalm 27:3;1 Chronicles 11:15 (on
Genesis 32:9 a see Di) — absolute
Genesis 32:9 (twice in verse) + 126 t. (including
Ezekiel 1:24, strike out Co); construct
Genesis 32:3 56t.; suffix
Numbers 1:52 5t.;
Deuteronomy 23:15;
Deuteronomy 29:10,
Deuteronomy 23:15,
Amos 4:10,
Numbers 5:3;
Judges 8:10 (compare below, and on form of noun with suffix see Ges
§ 93. 3, R 3); plural absolute
Genesis 32:8 9t.; construct
1 Chronicles 9:18 2t.,
Numbers 13:19; suffix (apparetnly plural noun)
Joshua 10:4 5t.; — on dual see
below
camp, place of encampment:
Genesis 32:22 (J), especially of Israel at Exodus and in wildernessExodus 16:13 (twice in verse);Exodus 19:16,17 (all P; distinguished from );Exodus 32:26 (JE); especially in connection with uncleanness, etc.,Exodus 29:14;Leviticus 4:12 (P) + often, of position of tent of meetingExodus 33:7 (twice in verse) (JE), contr.Numbers 2:17 (P), where of encampments of several tribes, compareNumbers 1:52;Numbers 2:3;Numbers 10:2,5,6,25 etc., (all P), already passing over to
(compareNumbers 10:5,6); specifically ofcamp of Levites, surrounding tabernacle, so that P can sayNumbers 2:17; and so (late) of temple1 Chronicles 9:18, as well as 2Chronicles 31:2; plural (opposed to =fortresses)Numbers 13:19.
camp of armed hostJoshua 6:11 (twice in verse);Joshua 6:14 (JE),1 Samuel 4:3,5,6 (twice in verse);1 Samuel 4:7;1 Samuel 17:53;2 Kings 7:16 etc.
those who encampNumbers 10:5,6;1 Chronicles 11:15;Psalm 27:3 (all with verb ) compare (probably)Isaiah 37:36 =2 Kings 19:35, etc.
company, body of people; people and beastsGenesis 32:8;Genesis 32:9 (twice in verse);Genesis 32:11;Genesis 33:8, funeral company of JacobGenesis 50:9; of Israel on marchExodus 14:19,20 compareNumbers 10:5,6.
army, hostJoshua 8:13;Joshua 10:5;Joshua 11:4;Judges 4:15,16 (twice in verse);Judges 7:1,8;Judges 8:10 (twice in verse);Judges 8:11 (twice in verse);Judges 8:12;1 Samuel 17:1,46;2 Kings 3:9 even while in the thick of the fight;1 Kings 22:34 2Chronicles 18:33 etc.
Topical Lexicon
Definition and Scope of the Termמַחֲנֶה (machaneh) designates a camp, encampment, company, or host. The term ranges from a temporary nomadic settlement to an organized military base and appears about 216 times, making it one of the dominant communal-space words in the Old Testament narrative.
First Appearance and Covenantal Overtones
The word first occurs when Jacob meets the angels of God and names the site Mahanaim—“two camps” (Genesis 32:2). This dual camp of heaven and earth sets the tone for the term’s later associations with divine presence among His people.
Formation of the Wilderness Camp
Exodus through Deuteronomy uses מַחֲנֶה almost 150 times to describe Israel’s encampments from Egypt to Canaan.Numbers 2 records the divinely mandated arrangement:
“The Israelites are to camp around the Tent of Meeting at a distance from it, each man under his banner with the insignia of his father’s family” (Numbers 2:2).
Four tribal standards protected the Tabernacle on every side, while the Levites formed an inner cordon. The arrangement displayed order, identity, and theocentric community life.
Tribal Order and Marching Formation
Numbers 10 details how the cloud lifted, trumpets sounded, and the camp broke up in precise sequence. Judah led, followed by Reuben, Ephraim, and Dan. This rhythm of rest and advance emphasized obedience and unity under the visible guidance of the LORD.
Holiness and Purity Regulations
The camp’s sanctity was paramount because God dwelt there:
“For the LORD your God walks throughout your camp to protect you and deliver your enemies to you. Therefore your camp must be holy” (Deuteronomy 23:14).
Consequently:
• Those with skin disease, bodily discharge, or corpse defilement were sent “outside the camp” (Numbers 5:2-3).
• Excrement had to be buried outside (Deuteronomy 23:12-13).
• Capital offenders were executed beyond the perimeter (Leviticus 24:14).
These measures portrayed the moral and ceremonial separation necessary for divine fellowship.
Worship and Revelation at the Camp
Although the Tabernacle stood centrally, the Tent of Meeting for Moses’ personal communion was pitched “outside the camp” (Exodus 33:7). The dichotomy underscored intimacy yet distance, drawing a line between ordinary life and revelatory encounter until the Tabernacle was fully operational.
The Camp in Military Context
FromExodus 14:19, where the angel and pillar reposition to guard the rear of Israel’s camp, to Joshua’s battles around Jericho (Joshua 6), מַחֲנֶה often functions as a military term. Gideon’s three hundred encircled “the camp of Midian” (Judges 7:21); Saul and the Philistines faced off in dual camps (1 Samuel 17:1). The camp could signify strength (2 Kings 6:8-17) or sudden vulnerability, as when the Arameans fled their abandoned camp (2 Kings 7:5-8).
Royal and Narrative Uses
David’s flight from Absalom began when “all the people passed by him, each man with his household, and they set up camp in the wilderness” (2 Samuel 17:24). Later, Assyrian threats loomed when “Sennacherib king of Assyria camped against the fortified cities” (2 Chronicles 32:1). These accounts tie national destiny to the security or collapse of encampments.
Poetic and Wisdom Literature
“The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and delivers them” (Psalm 34:7) spiritualizes מַחֲנֶה into a promise of protection.Psalm 27:3 echoes, “Though an army encamp against me, my heart will not fear.”Song of Solomon 6:13 references “the dance of Mahanaim,” blending the imagery of camp with celebration and beauty.
Prophetic and Eschatological Dimensions
Zechariah 9:8 declares, “I will camp around My house because of the army,” portraying God as the ultimate sentry of His people. Isaiah foresees a future where Jerusalem will be “like a tent that will not be moved” (Isaiah 33:20), merging the camp motif with permanence and peace.
Typology and New Testament Reflection
Hebrews 13:11-13 draws on the Old Testament pattern: sacrifices were burned “outside the camp,” so Jesus suffered “outside the gate.” The holiness imagery from מַחֲנֶה thus points forward to the redemptive work accomplished apart from earthly sanctuary, inviting believers to bear His reproach while awaiting the “city that is to come.”
Practical and Ministry Applications
1. Order and Accountability: The structured camp challenges the church to maintain doctrinal clarity and disciplined living.
2. Holiness: Purity within the believing community remains essential, mirrored in New Testament exhortations to church discipline.
3. Presence and Protection: Confidence arises from the LORD’s encamping angelic host, fueling prayer and courage amid opposition.
4. Mission: Just as Israel struck camp at God’s signal, the church must be ready to move in obedience to the Great Commission.
Selected Key References
Genesis 32:2;Exodus 14:19-20;Exodus 19:17;Exodus 33:7;Numbers 2:2;Numbers 5:2-4;Deuteronomy 23:9-14;Joshua 6:11-14;Judges 7:21;1 Samuel 17:1-3;2 Kings 6:8-17;2 Kings 7:5-8;2 Chronicles 32:1;Psalm 34:7;Psalm 27:3;Song of Solomon 6:13;Isaiah 33:20;Zechariah 9:8.
Forms and Transliterations
בְּמַחֲנֵ֖ה בְּמַחֲנֵ֣ה בְּמַחֲנֵ֥ה בְּמַחֲנֵה־ בַּֽמַּחֲנֶ֑ה בַּֽמַּחֲנֶ֔ה בַּֽמַּחֲנֶ֖ה בַּֽמַּחֲנֶ֡ה בַּֽמַּחֲנֶֽה׃ בַּֽמַּחֲנֶה֮ בַּֽמַּחֲנֶה׃ בַּמַּחֲנ֣וֹת בַֽמַּחֲנֶ֔ה בַמַּחֲנֶ֤ה במחנה במחנה־ במחנה׃ במחנות הַֽמַּחֲנ֔וֹת הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֑ה הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֔ה הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֖ה הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֗ה הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֛ה הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֜ה הַֽמַּחֲנֶֽה׃ הַֽמַּחֲנֶה֒ הַֽמַּחֲנֶה֙ הַֽמַּחֲנֶה׃ הַֽמַּחֲנָֽיִם׃ הַֽמַּחֲנֹ֑ת הַֽמַּחֲנֹ֖ת הַֽמַּחֲנֹת֙ הַֽמַּחֲנֽוֹת׃ הַבְּמַֽחֲנִ֖ים הַמַּחֲנֶ֥ה הַמַּחֲנֶ֧ה הבמחנים המחנה המחנה׃ המחנות המחנות׃ המחנים׃ המחנת וְהַֽמַּחֲנֶ֖ה וּמַחֲנֵ֣ה וּמַחֲנֵ֤ה וּמַחֲנֵיהֶ֤ם והמחנה ומחנה ומחניהם כְּמַחֲנֵ֥ה כמחנה לְמַ֣חֲנֵה לְמַחֲנ֖וֹת לְמַחֲנֵ֣ה לְמַחֲנֵ֥ה לְמַחֲנֶ֥ה לַֽמַּחֲנֶ֑ה לַֽמַּחֲנֶ֔ה לַֽמַּחֲנֶ֖ה לַֽמַּחֲנֶ֗ה לַֽמַּחֲנֶ֛ה לַֽמַּחֲנֶ֜ה לַֽמַּחֲנֶֽה׃ למחנה למחנה׃ למחנות מִמַּחֲנ֣וֹת מִמַּחֲנֵ֥ה מַ֣חֲנֵיהֶ֔ם מַֽחֲנֵיהֶ֑ם מַֽחֲנֵיהֶם֙ מַחֲנ֛וֹת מַחֲנ֥וֹת מַחֲנֵ֑הוּ מַחֲנֵ֔הוּ מַחֲנֵ֗הוּ מַחֲנֵ֛הוּ מַחֲנֵ֣ה מַחֲנֵ֤ה מַחֲנֵ֥ה מַחֲנֵ֧ה מַחֲנֵֽה־ מַחֲנֵיהֶ֖ם מַחֲנֵיהֶֽם׃ מַחֲנֵיכֶם֙ מַחֲנֶ֑ה מַחֲנֶ֑יךָ מַחֲנֶ֖ה מַחֲנֶ֖יךָ מַחֲנֶ֗ךָ מַחֲנֶה֮ מַחֲנֽוֹת׃ מחנה מחנה־ מחנהו מחנות מחנות׃ מחניהם מחניהם׃ מחניך מחניכם מחנך ממחנה ממחנות bam·ma·ḥă·neh ḇam·ma·ḥă·neh bam·ma·ḥă·nō·wṯ BammachaNeh bammachaNot bammaḥăneh ḇammaḥăneh bammaḥănōwṯ bə·ma·ḥă·nêh bə·ma·ḥă·nêh- bemachaNeh bəmaḥănêh bəmaḥănêh- hab·bə·ma·ḥă·nîm habbemachaNim habbəmaḥănîm ham·ma·ḥă·nā·yim ham·ma·ḥă·neh ham·ma·ḥă·nō·wṯ ham·ma·ḥă·nōṯ HammachaNayim hammachaNeh hammachaNot hammaḥănāyim hammaḥăneh hammaḥănōṯ hammaḥănōwṯ kə·ma·ḥă·nêh kemachaNeh kəmaḥănêh lam·ma·ḥă·neh LammachaNeh lammaḥăneh lə·ma·ḥă·neh lə·ma·ḥă·nêh lə·ma·ḥă·nō·wṯ lemachaNeh lemachaNot ləmaḥăneh ləmaḥănêh ləmaḥănōwṯ ma·ḥă·nê·hem ma·ḥă·nê·hū ma·ḥă·ne·ḵā ma·ḥă·nê·ḵem ma·ḥă·neh ma·ḥă·nêh ma·ḥă·nêh- ma·ḥă·nō·wṯ machaNecha machaNeh machaNehu machaNeicha machaneiChem machaneiHem machaNot maḥăneh maḥănêh maḥănêh- maḥănêhem maḥănêhū maḥăneḵā maḥănêḵem maḥănōwṯ mim·ma·ḥă·nêh mim·ma·ḥă·nō·wṯ mimachaNeh mimachaNot mimmaḥănêh mimmaḥănōwṯ ū·ma·ḥă·nê·hem ū·ma·ḥă·nêh umachaNeh umachaneiHem ūmaḥănêh ūmaḥănêhem vammachaNeh vehammachaNeh wə·ham·ma·ḥă·neh wəhammaḥăneh
Links
Interlinear Greek •
Interlinear Hebrew •
Strong's Numbers •
Englishman's Greek Concordance •
Englishman's Hebrew Concordance •
Parallel Texts
