encamp

also known as: encampment, camp

An encampment 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).

• THE EXODUS—The manner in which the Israelites encamped during their march through the wilderness is described in Numbers 2 and 3. The order of the encampment (see CAMP) was preserved in the march (Numbers 2:17), the signal for which was the blast of two silver trumpets.

• SANITATION—Detailed regulations affecting the camp for sanitary purposes are given (Leviticus 4:11, 12; 6:11; 8:17; 10:4, 5; 13:46; 14:3; Numbers 12:14, 15; 31:19; Deuteronomy 23:10, 12).

• WAR TIME CAMPS—In the subsequent history of Israel, frequent mention is made of their encampments in the time of war (Judges 7:18; 1 Samuel 13:2-3, 16, 23; 17:3; 29:1; 30:9, 24).

• Criminals were executed without the camp (Leviticus 4:12; compare John 19:17, 20), and there also the young bullock for a sin-offering was burnt (Leviticus 24:14; compare Hebrews 13:12).

• TEMPLE—The temple was sometimes called “the camp of the Lord” (2 Chronicles 31:2, Revised King James Version; compare Psalm 78:28).

• THE MULTITUDES WHO FLOCKED TO DAVID are styled “a great host (i.e., camp; Hebrew: mahaneh), like the host of God” (1 Chronicles 12:22).

More information

• camp
• tent
• tabernacle
• wilderness
• Exodus
• wandering
• army
• war