Bible Dictionary
Camp
A camp was an encampment of Israel during the wilderness journeys, arranged around the tabernacle according to tribal divisions. After the conquest of Canaan, the term generally referred to a military encampment.
Definition
A camp is an encampment or temporary settlement. During Israel’s wilderness journeys, the tribes formed an organized camp around the tabernacle according to their tribal divisions. After Israel entered Palestine, the biblical references to camps generally concern military encampments.
Biblical Usage
Israel’s camp was arranged around the tabernacle, with the tribes assigned their positions. Later camps appear in accounts of warfare and military movements.
Historical Background
The wilderness camp covered approximately three square miles according to the supplied description.
Scripture References
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
During their journeys across the wilderness, the twelve tribes formed encampments at the different places where they halted (Ex. 16:13; Num. 2:3). The diagram here given shows the position of the different tribes and the form of the encampment during the wanderings, according to Num. 1:53; 2:2-31; 3:29, 35, 38; 10:13-28. The area of the camp would be in all about 3 square miles. After the Hebrews entered Palestine, the camps then spoken of were exclusively warlike (Josh. 11:5, 7; Judg. 5:19, 21; 7:1; 1 Sam. 29:1; 30:9, etc.).
Smith's Bible Dictionary
[Encampment]
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>See WAR.</p>