כָּֽל־הַפְּקֻדִ֞ים לְמַחֲנֵ֣ה יְהוּדָ֗ה מְאַ֨ת אֶ֜לֶף וּשְׁמֹנִ֥ים אֶ֛לֶף וְשֵֽׁשֶׁת־אֲלָפִ֥ים וְאַרְבַּע־מֵא֖וֹת לְצִבְאֹתָ֑ם רִאשֹׁנָ֖ה יִסָּֽעוּ׃ (ס)
Semua orang yang tercatat dari perkemahan Yehuda, menurut pasukan mereka, berjumlah seratus delapan puluh enam ribu empat ratus orang; merekalah yang harus berangkat paling dahulu.
Bamidbar Rabbah
“Those who encamp to the east, the banner of the camp of Judah, according to their hosts, and the prince of the children of Judah is Nahsḥon, son of Aminadav” (Numbers 2:3).
“Those who encamp to the east, the banner of the camp of Judah…,” that is what is written: “The Lord founded the earth with wisdom, [established the heavens with understanding]” (Proverbs 3:19). The Holy One blessed be He created the four directions of the world: east, west, north, and south. East, from there light emerges to the world. West, the storehouses of snow, the storehouses of hail, cold, and heat emerge to the world. South, dews of blessing and rains of blessing emerge to the world. North, from there, darkness emerges to the world. Similarly, He surrounded His Throne with four beasts and, above them all, the Throne of Glory.
Corresponding to them,15The four directions. the Holy One blessed be He arranged the banners for Moses. The Holy One blessed be He said to him: ‘Moses, the east from which light emerges to the world, Judah will correspond to it, as he is the possessor of the kingdom, as it is stated: “Those who encamp to the east, the banner of the camp of Judah” (Numbers 2:3). With it, the tribe of Issachar, which is a possessor of Torah, as it is stated: “From the children of Issachar, possessors of understanding of the times” (I Chronicles 12:33). Likewise it says: “And those who encamp with it, the tribe of Issachar” (Numbers 2:5). With it Zebulun, which is a possessor of wealth, as it is written: “Zebulun [will dwell] at the seashore, [and he shall be a shore for ships]” (Genesis 49:13). Likewise it says: “The tribe of Zebulun…” (Numbers 2:7). “All those counted for the camp of Judah…they shall travel first [rishona]” (Numbers 2:9), as the Torah is called rosh: “I was crowned from the distant past [merosh]” (Proverbs 8:23),16Torah here is a reference to Issachar. and it says: “For in the shadow of wisdom, in the shadow of money” (Ecclesiastes 7:12),17Money here is a reference to Zebulun. and it says: “Their king passed before them and the Lord is at their head” (Micah 2:13).18The king is a reference to Judah.
You find that everywhere Judah is first: first for encampment, as it is stated: “Those who encamp [to the east, the banner of the camp of Judah]” – first for travel. As it is stated: “They shall travel first” (Numbers 2:9). For offerings, Judah is first, as it is stated: “The one who presented [his offering on the first day was Naḥshon, son of Aminadav, of the tribe of Judah]” (Numbers 7:12). For war, Judah is first, as it is stated: “Who will ascend first against the Canaanites for us…? The Lord said: Judah will ascend” (Judges 1:1–2). And one verse says: “The Lord said: Judah first” (Judges 20:18). When the herald19Who will announce the redemption of Israel. comes, Judah will receive the tidings first, as it is stated: “The feet of the herald are upon the mountains, announcing peace. Celebrate your feasts, Judah” (Nahum 2:1). That is from the east.
The south, dews of blessing and rains of blessing emerge from it to the world. The tribe of Reuben will correspond to it, as he is a penitent. Penitence is a fine attribute, and the mercy of the Holy One blessed be He comes upon people when they repent. That is what is written: “The banner of the camp of Reuben is to the south…” (Numbers 2:10). With it, Gad, which was the possessor of a regiment, as it is stated: “Gad will wage war by regiment” (Genesis 49:19); Reuben with repentance, Gad with power, and Simeon in the middle to atone for it.20For the sin done with the daughters of Midyan at the Shitim (Number 25:1–9, 14–15). That is what is written: “And those who encamp with it, the tribe of Simeon” (Numbers 2:12), “and the tribe of Gad” (Numbers 2:14), “all those counted of the camp of Reuben…they shall travel second” (Numbers 2:16), as penitence is second to the Torah.
After these two banners traveled, the Levites would transport the Tabernacle; that is what is written: “The Tent of Meeting, the Levite camp, shall travel [in the midst of the camps]” (Numbers 2:17).
West, the storehouses of snow, the storehouses of hail, cold, and heat, and corresponding to them, Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin. Who can withstand snow and hail? It is Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin, as it is stated: “Rouse Your might before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh” (Psalms 80:3). The Divine Presence is always in the west, on the border of Benjamin, as it is stated: “Of Benjamin he said: The beloved, [the Lord will dwell in safety with him; He covers over him all the day, and He rests between his shoulders]” (Deuteronomy 33:12). That is what is written: “The banner of the camp of Ephraim according to their hosts is to the west…” (Numbers 2:18), “with it, the tribe of Manasseh…” (Numbers 2:20), “and the tribe of Benjamin, and the prince…” (Numbers 2:22), “all those counted for the camp [of Ephraim]…they shall travel third (Numbers 2:24). Strength is fitting for Torah and repentance, so that a person will strengthen himself in Torah and overcome his evil inclination.
North, from there darkness emerges to the world, and corresponding to it, the tribe of Dan. Why? It is because it brought darkness to the world with idol worship. Yerovam crafted two golden calves, and idol worship is darkness, as it is stated: “Their actions are in the dark” (Isaiah 29:15). Yerovam circulated throughout Israel and it was only the tribe of Dan that accepted it from him, as it is stated: “The king consulted, and he crafted two golden calves…and he placed one in Dan” (I Kings 12:28–29). That is why the Holy One blessed be He commanded that Dan would encamp in the north. That is what is written: “The banner of the camp of Dan is to the north…” (Numbers 2:25). With it, the tribe of Asher, which illuminates the darkness, as it is stated: “And of Asher he said: Blessed…and he dips his foot in oil”21Oil is used to light up the darkness. (Deuteronomy 33:24). Likewise it says: “And those who encamp with it, the tribe of Asher” (Numbers 2:27). With it, Naphtali, who is filled with blessing in order to provide sustenance, just as it is written: “Naphtali, his desire is satisfied, [and full with the blessing of the Lord]” (Deuteronomy 33:23). Likewise it says: “and the tribe of Naphtali” (Numbers 2:29). “All those counted for the camp of Dan…they shall travel last by their banners (Numbers 2:31), as anyone who engages in idol worship goes backward and not forward. That is why it is stated: “The Lord founded the earth with wisdom, established the heavens with understanding”(Proverbs 3:19).
Just as the Holy One blessed be He created four directions and four banners corresponding to them, so, too, He surrounded His throne with four angels: Mikhael, Gavriel, Uriel, and Refael. Mikhael was to His right, corresponding to Reuben. Why is his name called Mikhael? When Israel crossed the sea, Moses broke out in song: “Who is like You [mikhamokha]” (Exodus 15:11). When he concluded the Torah, he said: “Yeshurun, there is none like God [ein kael]” (Deuteronomy 33:26). Mi khamokha, ein kael, that is Mikhael.
Uriel to his left, corresponding to Dan that was in the north. Why is his name called Uriel? It is because of the Torah, Prophets, and Writings with which the Holy One blessed be He atones for it,22For the tribe of Dan. and illuminates for Israel, as it is stated: “Arise, shine [ori], for your light has come [and the glory of the Lord has shone upon you]” (Isaiah 60:1). And David said: “The Lord is God [el], He has illuminated for us” (Psalms 118:27); that is Uriel. Likewise, it says: “Though I sit in darkness, the Lord is a light for me” (Micah 7:8).
Gavriel before Him, corresponding to the kingdom of Judah, Moses, and Aaron, who were in the east.23The directions are defined relative to somebody facing east. Therefore, the front is east, the back is west, to the left is north and to the right is south. Why was his name called Gavriel? Regarding Judah, it is written: “For Judah prevailed [gavar] over his brothers” (I Chronicles 5:2), and regarding Moses, it is written: “He called to Moses” (Leviticus 1:1), and it is written: “He called his name Pele Yoetz El Gibor” (Isaiah 9:5). That is Gavriel.
Refael, corresponding to Ephraim. Why was his name called Refael? It was in order to heal [lerapot] the breach of Yerovam, who emerged from Ephraim that is in the west. “God [el], please, heal [refa] her now” (Numbers 12:13).
“Those who encamp to the east, the banner of the camp of Judah…,” that is what is written: “The Lord founded the earth with wisdom, [established the heavens with understanding]” (Proverbs 3:19). The Holy One blessed be He created the four directions of the world: east, west, north, and south. East, from there light emerges to the world. West, the storehouses of snow, the storehouses of hail, cold, and heat emerge to the world. South, dews of blessing and rains of blessing emerge to the world. North, from there, darkness emerges to the world. Similarly, He surrounded His Throne with four beasts and, above them all, the Throne of Glory.
Corresponding to them,15The four directions. the Holy One blessed be He arranged the banners for Moses. The Holy One blessed be He said to him: ‘Moses, the east from which light emerges to the world, Judah will correspond to it, as he is the possessor of the kingdom, as it is stated: “Those who encamp to the east, the banner of the camp of Judah” (Numbers 2:3). With it, the tribe of Issachar, which is a possessor of Torah, as it is stated: “From the children of Issachar, possessors of understanding of the times” (I Chronicles 12:33). Likewise it says: “And those who encamp with it, the tribe of Issachar” (Numbers 2:5). With it Zebulun, which is a possessor of wealth, as it is written: “Zebulun [will dwell] at the seashore, [and he shall be a shore for ships]” (Genesis 49:13). Likewise it says: “The tribe of Zebulun…” (Numbers 2:7). “All those counted for the camp of Judah…they shall travel first [rishona]” (Numbers 2:9), as the Torah is called rosh: “I was crowned from the distant past [merosh]” (Proverbs 8:23),16Torah here is a reference to Issachar. and it says: “For in the shadow of wisdom, in the shadow of money” (Ecclesiastes 7:12),17Money here is a reference to Zebulun. and it says: “Their king passed before them and the Lord is at their head” (Micah 2:13).18The king is a reference to Judah.
You find that everywhere Judah is first: first for encampment, as it is stated: “Those who encamp [to the east, the banner of the camp of Judah]” – first for travel. As it is stated: “They shall travel first” (Numbers 2:9). For offerings, Judah is first, as it is stated: “The one who presented [his offering on the first day was Naḥshon, son of Aminadav, of the tribe of Judah]” (Numbers 7:12). For war, Judah is first, as it is stated: “Who will ascend first against the Canaanites for us…? The Lord said: Judah will ascend” (Judges 1:1–2). And one verse says: “The Lord said: Judah first” (Judges 20:18). When the herald19Who will announce the redemption of Israel. comes, Judah will receive the tidings first, as it is stated: “The feet of the herald are upon the mountains, announcing peace. Celebrate your feasts, Judah” (Nahum 2:1). That is from the east.
The south, dews of blessing and rains of blessing emerge from it to the world. The tribe of Reuben will correspond to it, as he is a penitent. Penitence is a fine attribute, and the mercy of the Holy One blessed be He comes upon people when they repent. That is what is written: “The banner of the camp of Reuben is to the south…” (Numbers 2:10). With it, Gad, which was the possessor of a regiment, as it is stated: “Gad will wage war by regiment” (Genesis 49:19); Reuben with repentance, Gad with power, and Simeon in the middle to atone for it.20For the sin done with the daughters of Midyan at the Shitim (Number 25:1–9, 14–15). That is what is written: “And those who encamp with it, the tribe of Simeon” (Numbers 2:12), “and the tribe of Gad” (Numbers 2:14), “all those counted of the camp of Reuben…they shall travel second” (Numbers 2:16), as penitence is second to the Torah.
After these two banners traveled, the Levites would transport the Tabernacle; that is what is written: “The Tent of Meeting, the Levite camp, shall travel [in the midst of the camps]” (Numbers 2:17).
West, the storehouses of snow, the storehouses of hail, cold, and heat, and corresponding to them, Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin. Who can withstand snow and hail? It is Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin, as it is stated: “Rouse Your might before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh” (Psalms 80:3). The Divine Presence is always in the west, on the border of Benjamin, as it is stated: “Of Benjamin he said: The beloved, [the Lord will dwell in safety with him; He covers over him all the day, and He rests between his shoulders]” (Deuteronomy 33:12). That is what is written: “The banner of the camp of Ephraim according to their hosts is to the west…” (Numbers 2:18), “with it, the tribe of Manasseh…” (Numbers 2:20), “and the tribe of Benjamin, and the prince…” (Numbers 2:22), “all those counted for the camp [of Ephraim]…they shall travel third (Numbers 2:24). Strength is fitting for Torah and repentance, so that a person will strengthen himself in Torah and overcome his evil inclination.
North, from there darkness emerges to the world, and corresponding to it, the tribe of Dan. Why? It is because it brought darkness to the world with idol worship. Yerovam crafted two golden calves, and idol worship is darkness, as it is stated: “Their actions are in the dark” (Isaiah 29:15). Yerovam circulated throughout Israel and it was only the tribe of Dan that accepted it from him, as it is stated: “The king consulted, and he crafted two golden calves…and he placed one in Dan” (I Kings 12:28–29). That is why the Holy One blessed be He commanded that Dan would encamp in the north. That is what is written: “The banner of the camp of Dan is to the north…” (Numbers 2:25). With it, the tribe of Asher, which illuminates the darkness, as it is stated: “And of Asher he said: Blessed…and he dips his foot in oil”21Oil is used to light up the darkness. (Deuteronomy 33:24). Likewise it says: “And those who encamp with it, the tribe of Asher” (Numbers 2:27). With it, Naphtali, who is filled with blessing in order to provide sustenance, just as it is written: “Naphtali, his desire is satisfied, [and full with the blessing of the Lord]” (Deuteronomy 33:23). Likewise it says: “and the tribe of Naphtali” (Numbers 2:29). “All those counted for the camp of Dan…they shall travel last by their banners (Numbers 2:31), as anyone who engages in idol worship goes backward and not forward. That is why it is stated: “The Lord founded the earth with wisdom, established the heavens with understanding”(Proverbs 3:19).
Just as the Holy One blessed be He created four directions and four banners corresponding to them, so, too, He surrounded His throne with four angels: Mikhael, Gavriel, Uriel, and Refael. Mikhael was to His right, corresponding to Reuben. Why is his name called Mikhael? When Israel crossed the sea, Moses broke out in song: “Who is like You [mikhamokha]” (Exodus 15:11). When he concluded the Torah, he said: “Yeshurun, there is none like God [ein kael]” (Deuteronomy 33:26). Mi khamokha, ein kael, that is Mikhael.
Uriel to his left, corresponding to Dan that was in the north. Why is his name called Uriel? It is because of the Torah, Prophets, and Writings with which the Holy One blessed be He atones for it,22For the tribe of Dan. and illuminates for Israel, as it is stated: “Arise, shine [ori], for your light has come [and the glory of the Lord has shone upon you]” (Isaiah 60:1). And David said: “The Lord is God [el], He has illuminated for us” (Psalms 118:27); that is Uriel. Likewise, it says: “Though I sit in darkness, the Lord is a light for me” (Micah 7:8).
Gavriel before Him, corresponding to the kingdom of Judah, Moses, and Aaron, who were in the east.23The directions are defined relative to somebody facing east. Therefore, the front is east, the back is west, to the left is north and to the right is south. Why was his name called Gavriel? Regarding Judah, it is written: “For Judah prevailed [gavar] over his brothers” (I Chronicles 5:2), and regarding Moses, it is written: “He called to Moses” (Leviticus 1:1), and it is written: “He called his name Pele Yoetz El Gibor” (Isaiah 9:5). That is Gavriel.
Refael, corresponding to Ephraim. Why was his name called Refael? It was in order to heal [lerapot] the breach of Yerovam, who emerged from Ephraim that is in the west. “God [el], please, heal [refa] her now” (Numbers 12:13).
Midrash Tanchuma
(Numb. 6:23:) “Thus shall you bless.” This text is related (to Cant. 3:7), “There is his bed, the one belonging to Solomon (rt.: shlm), with sixty warriors around it […].” What reason did Solomon (rt.: shlm), have to be concerned with a bed?51Cant. R. 3:7:2, 4. When it said, “There is his bed,” it is simply that [the verse] was only concerned with the King to whom peace (rt.: shlm) belongs (God). (Ibid.:) “There is his bed.” This is the Temple.52Numb. R. 11:3. But why was the Temple compared to a bed? It is simply that just as a bed is only for being fruitful and multiplying, so it was with the Temple. Whatever was in it was being fruitful and multiplying, as stated (in I Kings 8:8 = II Chron. 5:9), “The poles grew long.”53This literal interpretation of the Hebrew text was seen to imply that the poles miraculously lengthened while within the Temple. See Tanh., Exod. 7:11. It also says (in II Chron. 3:6), “the gold was gold from Parvaim (as if from prh),” which produced fruit (rt.: prh). And so it says (in I Kings 7:2), “And he built the house of the Forest of Lebanon.” Why was it compared to a forest? Just as a forest is fruitful and multiplies, so it is in the case of the Temple. Whatever was in it was being fruitful and multiplying. It is therefore stated (in Cant. 3:7), “There is his bed.” (Ibid., cont.:) “With sixty warriors.” These are the sixty letters that are in the priestly blessing (in Numb. 6:24-26). (Cant. 3:8:) “All of them equipped with a sword,” because in each and every [verse of the priestly blessing] the name of the Holy One, blessed be He, is mentioned, “The Lord54This translation follows the common practice of substituting THE LORD for the Divine Name. bless you […]; The Lord make [His face] shine […]; The Lord lift up [His face …].” (Cant. 3:8, cont.:) “Each with his sword on his thigh.” What is the reason for the thigh to be mentioned here? Simply that, even if one sees in his dream a sword being drawn, placed over his neck, and [then] cutting off his thigh, he rises early in the morning and goes to the synagogue,55There may be an allusion here to circumcision. See Numb. R. 11:3; Cant. R. 3:7:4. from the fear [of what] he saw at night in his dream; then [when] he sees the priests raising their hands, the bad dream is cancelled from him. It is therefore stated (Cant. 3:8, cont.), “because of fear at night.” Therefore the Holy One, blessed be He, told Moses to caution Aaron and his children to bless My children, as stated (in Numb. 6:23), “Thus shall you bless [the Children of Israel].” The Holy One, blessed be He, said, “In the past I needed to bless My creatures.56Above, Gen. 3:5; Tanh., Gen. 3:4; Numb. 2:9, cont.; Numb. R. 11:2; PRK 31 (suppl. 1):11. I blessed the first Adam and his wife, as stated (in Gen. 1:28), ‘Then God blessed them.’ I blessed Noah and his children, as stated (in Gen. 9:1), ‘Then God blessed Noah and his children.’ I blessed Abraham, as stated (in Gen. 24:1), ‘and the Lord had blessed Abraham in everything.’” [Then] the Holy One, blessed be He, said to Abraham, “From now on behold, the blessings are being delivered to you.” Thus it is stated (in Gen. 12:2), “and you are to be a blessing.” Abraham begot two [children], Ishmael and Isaac, but he did not bless them. A parable:57Gen. R. 61:6. To what is the matter comparable? To a king who had an orchard58Pardes. Cf. the Gk.: paradeisos. [and] gave it to a tenant. Now in the midst of that orchard was one tree with an elixir of life…. Then Isaac blessed Jacob, and Jacob blessed the twelve tribes, as stated (in Gen. 49:28), “All these are the tribes of Israel, twelve in number, and this is what [their father] spoke to them [when he blessed them…].” From now on, said the Holy One, blessed be He, behold, the blessings are being delivered to you; and the priests will bless Israel.
Midrash Tanchuma Buber
[Another interpretation (of Numb. 6:23): THUS SHALL YOU BLESS.] The Holy One said: In the past I needed to bless my creatures.65Above, Gen. 3:5; Tanh., Gen. 3:4; Numb. 2:9, cont.; Numb. R. 11:2; PRK 31 (suppl. 1):11. I blessed the first Adam and his wife, as stated (in Gen. 1:28): THEN GOD BLESSED THEM…. I blessed Noah and his children, as stated (in Gen. 9:1): THEN GOD BLESSED NOAH AND HIS CHILDREN. I blessed Abraham, as stated (in Gen. 24:1): AND THE LORD HAD BLESSED ABRAHAM IN EVERYTHING. <Then> the Holy One said: From now on behold, the blessings are being delivered to you. Thus it is stated (in Gen. 12:2): AND YOU ARE TO BE A BLESSING. What did Abraham do? He begot two <children>, Ishmael and Isaac, but he did not bless them. A parable:66Gen. R. 61:6. To what is the matter comparable? To a king who had an orchard67Pardes. Cf. the Gk.: paradeisos. <and> gave it to a tenant. Now in the midst of that orchard was a one tree with an elixir of life and another tree with the elixir of death grafted upon it. The tenant said: If I water the tree with the elixir of life, the tree with the elixir of death will drink. The tenant said: I shall work and finish my time. Then whatever the king wants to do in his garden he may do.68Cf. Matthew 13:24–30. The king is the Holy One, and the garden is the world. The Holy One delivered it to Abraham. He said to him (in Gen. 12:2): AND YOU ARE TO BE A BLESSING. What did Abraham do? He had two children, one righteous and one wicked, Ishmael and Isaac. Abraham said: If I bless Isaac, Ishmael will want me to bless him, and he is wicked. I am only flesh and blood. When I depart from the world, the Holy One will do his will. When Abraham did depart, the Holy One revealed himself to Isaac and blessed him, as stated (in Gen. 25:11): AND IT CAME TO PASS AFTER THE DEATH OF ABRAHAM THAT GOD BLESSED HIS SON ISAAC. Then Isaac blessed Jacob, and Jacob blessed the twelve tribes, as stated (in Gen. 49:28): ALL THESE ARE THE TRIBES OF ISRAEL, TWELVE IN NUMBER, <AND THIS IS WHAT THEIR FATHER SPOKE TO THEM WHEN HE BLESSED THEM … >. From now on, said the Holy One, behold, the blessings are being delivered to you; and the priests will bless my children.