Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical times, encampments were temporary settlements established by groups of people, often during journeys or military campaigns. The concept of encampment is frequently mentioned in the Bible, particularly in the context of the Israelites' journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. Encampments served as places of rest, organization, and divine encounter.
Old Testament ContextThe most notable series of encampments in the Bible is found in the narrative of the Exodus. After the Israelites were delivered from slavery in Egypt, they embarked on a journey through the wilderness, during which they established numerous encampments. These encampments were divinely guided, as the Israelites followed the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night (
Exodus 13:21-22).
One of the key encampments was at Mount Sinai, where the Israelites received the Ten Commandments.
Exodus 19:2 states, "After they had set out from Rephidim, they entered the Wilderness of Sinai, and Israel camped there in front of the mountain." This encampment was significant as it was the site of the covenant between God and Israel.
The Book of Numbers provides detailed accounts of the Israelites' encampments during their wilderness wanderings.
Numbers 33 lists the stages of their journey, highlighting the various locations where they camped. Each encampment was a step in their journey towards the Promised Land, and it was during these times that God provided for their needs, such as manna and quail (Exodus 16).
Military EncampmentsEncampments also played a crucial role in military contexts. The Israelites, under leaders like Joshua and David, often set up camps before engaging in battle. In
1 Samuel 17:1-3, the Philistines and Israelites set up opposing camps before the famous battle between David and Goliath. The encampment served as a strategic base for organizing troops and planning military actions.
In the conquest of Canaan, Joshua led the Israelites in a series of military campaigns, during which they established encampments as they advanced into the land.
Joshua 4:19 notes, "On the tenth day of the first month, the people went up from the Jordan and camped at Gilgal on the eastern border of Jericho." This encampment at Gilgal became a significant base for the Israelites during their conquest.
Symbolism and Spiritual LessonsEncampments in the Bible often symbolize the transient nature of life and the journey of faith. The Israelites' encampments in the wilderness serve as a metaphor for the Christian pilgrimage, emphasizing reliance on God's guidance and provision.
Hebrews 11:9-10 reflects on this theme, stating, "By faith he dwelt in the promised land as a stranger in a foreign country. He lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God."
The encampments also highlight the importance of community and order. The Israelites camped according to their tribes, with the Tabernacle at the center, symbolizing God's presence among His people (Numbers 2). This arrangement underscores the centrality of worship and obedience to God in the life of the community.
New Testament ReferencesWhile the New Testament does not focus on physical encampments, the concept of temporary dwelling is echoed in the life of Jesus and His disciples. Jesus often withdrew to solitary places for prayer and rest (
Luke 5:16), and His ministry involved traveling from place to place, akin to a spiritual journey.
In summary, encampments in the Bible serve as significant markers of divine guidance, community organization, and spiritual lessons. They remind believers of the importance of trusting in God's provision and direction throughout the journey of life.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Encampmentprimarily denoted the resting-place of an army or company of travellers at night, (Genesis 32:21;Exodus 16:13) and was hence applied to the army or caravan when on its march. (Genesis 32:7,8;Exodus 14:19;Joshua 10:5;11:4) The description of the camp of the Israelites, on their march from Egypt, Numb 2,3, supplies the greatest amount of information on the subject. The tabernacle, corresponding to the chieftains tent of an ordinary encampment, was placed in the centre, and around and facing it, (Numbers 2:1) arranged in four grand divisions, corresponding to the four points of the compass, lay the host of Israel, according to their standards. (Numbers 1:52;2:2) In the centre, round the tabernacle, and with no standard but the cloudy or fiery pillar which rested over it, were the tents of the priests and Levites. The former, with Moses and Aaron at their head, were encamped on the eastern side. The order of encampment was preserved on the march. (Numbers 2:17)
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The act of pitching tents or forming huts, as by an army or traveling company, for temporary lodging or rest.
2. (n.) The place where an army or a company is encamped; a camp; tents pitched or huts erected for temporary lodgings.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
ENCAMPMENT BY THE RED SEAAccording to the version of the wanderings of Israel given inNumbers 33, they "encamped by the Red Sea" (Numbers 33:10) after leaving Elim and before entering the Wilderness of Sin.
SeeWANDERINGS OF ISRAEL.
ENCAMPMENT
en-kamp'-ment.
SeeWAR.
Greek
4638. skenoma -- a tent... tabernacle. From skenoo; an
encampment, ie (figuratively) the Temple (as God's
residence), the body (as a tenement for the soul) -- tabernacle.
...3925. parembole -- to put in beside or between, interpose
... From a compound of para and emballo; a throwing in beside (juxtaposition), ie
(specially), battle-array,encampment or barracks (tower Antonia) -- army, camp...
Strong's Hebrew
8466. tachanah -- an encamping,encampment... 8465, 8466. tachanah. 8467 . an encamping,
encampment. Transliteration: tachanah
Phonetic Spelling: (takh-an-aw') Short Definition: camp.
...4264. machaneh -- anencampment, camp
... 4263b, 4264. machaneh. 4265 . anencampment, camp. Transliteration: machaneh
Phonetic Spelling: (makh-an-eh') Short Definition: camp....
2918. tirah --encampment, battlement
... 2917, 2918. tirah. 2919 .encampment, battlement. Transliteration: tirah
Phonetic Spelling: (tee-raw') Short Definition: camps....
2333. chavvah -- a tent village
... small town. Properly, the same as Chavvah (life-giving, ie Living-place); by
implication, anencampment or village -- (small) town. see HEBREW Chavvah....
4411. malon -- a lodging place, inn, khan
... inn, place where. From luwn; a lodgment, ie Caravanserai orencampment -- inn, place
where...lodge, lodging (place). see HEBREW luwn. 4410, 4411. malon. 4412...
5892. iyr -- excitement
... par {awr}; or ayar (Judges 10:4) {aw-yar'}; from uwr a city (a place guarded by
waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mereencampment or post...
Library
The Encamping Angel
... If this psalm were indeed the work of the fugitive in his rocky hold at Adullam,
how appropriate the thought becomes that his littleencampment has such a guard...
The Hallowing of Work and of Rest
... The picture suggested by this text is a very striking and vivid one. We see the
bustle of the morning's breaking up of theencampment of Israel....
The First Part
... theatre to that august session of God and the Church, described in the fourth chapter,
and exactly conformable to the type of the ancientencampment of Israel...
The Second Awakening.
... came together and continued a number of days and nights encamped on the ground,
during which time worship was carried on in some part of theencampment....
Ephesians vi. 14
... So have we too ourencampment (Revelation 20:9.), and we dwell in the desert even
now; for a desert indeed without virtue, is the earth even now, even more...
Faithlessness and Defeat
... If they had kept the conditions, these four thousand corpses would not have
been lying stiff and stark outside the rudeencampment....
The Story of Panthea.
... Things continued in this state for some time. The army advanced from post to post,
and fromencampment toencampment, taking the captives in their train....
The Promised Land
... his marriage, word came to the tent of Kenkenes that an Amalekite chieftain on his
way to Egypt had paused for the night just without theencampment of Israel....
The Retreat from Scythia.
... They advanced to theencampment of the Amazons, and hovered about for some time
in their vicinity, without, however, making any warlike demonstrations....
From the Close of the General Conference of 1800, to the End of...
... sins, and their hearts filled with joy and gladness while thus engaged in their
solitary devotions; and then they would come into theencampment and declare...
Thesaurus
Encampment (8 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
ENCAMPMENT BY THE RED SEA.
... See WANDERINGS OF ISRAEL.
ENCAMPMENT. en-kamp'-ment. See WAR. Multi-Version Concordance
...Sinai (38 Occurrences)
... whole year. Their journey from the Red Sea to thisencampment, including
all the windings of the route, was about 150 miles. The...
Hazeroth (5 Occurrences)
... bundles of thorny acacia are inserted, the tangled branches and long needle-like
spikes forming a perfectly impenetrable hedge around theencampment" of tents...
Quarter (33 Occurrences)
... shorter. 9. (n.) Theencampment on one of the principal passages round a
place besieged, to prevent relief and intercept convoys. 10....
Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences)
... It was probably in the Wady Murrah, and has been identified with the Erweis el-Ebeirig,
where the remains of an ancientencampment have been found, about 30...
Kibrothhattaavah (5 Occurrences)
... It was probably in the Wady Murrah, and has been identified with the Erweis el-Ebeirig,
where the remains of an ancientencampment have been found, about 30...
Encamp (108 Occurrences)
... Anencampment was the resting-place for a longer or shorter period of an army or
company of travellers (Exodus 13:20; 14:19; Joshua 10:5; 11:5)....
Encamping (24 Occurrences)
Kohathites (18 Occurrences)
... had the charge of the most holy portion of the vessels of the tabernacle, including
the ark (Numbers 4). Their place in the marching andencampment was south...
Nicopolis (1 Occurrence)
... On the south side was Actium, where the battle was fought. Directly across, only
half mile distant, on the northern promontory, was theencampment of Augustus....
Resources
What is the significance of Shittim in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho were the Moabites? | GotQuestions.orgWhat can we learn from the tribe of Naphtali? | GotQuestions.orgEncampment: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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