Bible Dictionary
Encamp
To encamp is to settle temporarily as an army, caravan, or traveling people. Israel’s wilderness encampment was carefully arranged around the tabernacle, with regulations for order, worship, and cleanliness.
Definition
To encamp is to settle temporarily as an army or traveling company. An encampment may last for a shorter or longer period and may serve as a resting place during travel or military operations.
Biblical Usage
Israel’s wilderness camp was arranged by tribes around the tabernacle, and its order was maintained during the march. Regulations addressed order, cleanliness, offerings, illness, and the removal of criminals and sacrificial remains outside the camp.
Historical Background
The signal for Israel’s march was the blast of two silver trumpets. Scripture also uses the idea of an encampment for armies in wartime and for the gathered host of God’s people.
Scripture References
Exodus 13:20
Exodus 14:19
Joshua 10:5
Joshua 11:5
Numbers 2
Numbers 2:17
Leviticus 4:11
Leviticus 4:12
Leviticus 6:11
Leviticus 8:17
Leviticus 10:4
Leviticus 10:5
Leviticus 13:46
Leviticus 14:3
Numbers 12:14
Numbers 12:15
Deuteronomy 23:10
Deuteronomy 23:12
John 19:17
John 19:20
Leviticus 24:14
Hebrews 13:12
Judges 7:18
1 Samuel 13:2
1 Samuel 13:3
1 Samuel 13:16
1 Samuel 13:23
1 Samuel 17:3
1 Samuel 29:1
1 Samuel 30:9
1 Samuel 30:24
2 Chronicles 31:2
Psalms 78:28
1 Chronicles 12:22
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
An encampment was the resting-place for a longer or shorter period of an army or company of travellers (Ex. 13:20; 14:19; Josh. 10:5; 11:5). The manner in which the Israelites encamped during their march through the wilderness is described in Num. 2 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, 12; 6:11; 8:17; 10:4, 5; 13:46; 14:3; Num. 12:14, 15; 31:19; Deut. 23:10, 12). Criminals were executed without the camp (Lev. 4:12; comp. John 19:17, 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, 3, 16, 23; 17:3; 29:1; 30:9, 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).