Numbers 2 (NLT)

22 verses · New Living Translation · Dynamic equivalence (thought-for-thought)

The NLT renders the original texts into clear, natural English, prioritizing meaning over word-for-word correspondence. It is excellent for devotional reading and for those new to the Bible, making ancient truths immediately understandable.

Numbers Chapter 2 contains 22 verses and is presented here in the New Living Translation (NLT), which uses a dynamic equivalence (thought-for-thought) approach. Read the full text below, compare with other translations, or navigate to any of the 36 chapters in Numbers.

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Chapter 1Chapter 3

1Then the LORD gave these instructions to Moses and Aaron:

2“When the Israelites set up camp, each tribe will be assigned its own area. The tribal divisions will camp beneath their family banners on all four sides of the Tabernacle, but at some distance from it.

3[3-4] “The divisions of Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun are to camp toward the sunrise on the east side of the Tabernacle, beneath their family banners. These are the names of the tribes, their leaders, and the numbers of their registered troops: Tribe — Leader — Number Judah — Nahshon son of Amminadab — 74,600

5[5-6] Issachar — Nethanel son of Zuar — 54,400

7[7-8] Zebulun — Eliab son of Helon — 57,400

9So the total of all the troops on Judah’s side of the camp is 186,400. These three tribes are to lead the way whenever the Israelites travel to a new campsite.

10[10-11] “The divisions of Reuben, Simeon, and Gad are to camp on the south side of the Tabernacle, beneath their family banners. These are the names of the tribes, their leaders, and the numbers of their registered troops: Tribe — Leader — Number Reuben — Elizur son of Shedeur — 46,500

12[12-13] Simeon — Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai — 59,300

14[14-15] Gad — Eliasaph son of Deuel — 45,650

16So the total of all the troops on Reuben’s side of the camp is 151,450. These three tribes will be second in line whenever the Israelites travel.

17“Then the Tabernacle, carried by the Levites, will set out from the middle of the camp. All the tribes are to travel in the same order that they camp, each in position under the appropriate family banner.

18[18-19] “The divisions of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin are to camp on the west side of the Tabernacle, beneath their family banners. These are the names of the tribes, their leaders, and the numbers of their registered troops: Tribe — Leader — Number Ephraim — Elishama son of Ammihud — 40,500

20[20-21] Manasseh — Gamaliel son of Pedahzur — 32,200

22[22-23] Benjamin — Abidan son of Gideoni — 35,400

24So the total of all the troops on Ephraim’s side of the camp is 108,100. These three tribes will be third in line whenever the Israelites travel.

25[25-26] “The divisions of Dan, Asher, and Naphtali are to camp on the north side of the Tabernacle, beneath their family banners. These are the names of the tribes, their leaders, and the numbers of their registered troops: Tribe — Leader — Number Dan — Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai — 62,700

27[27-28] Asher — Pagiel son of Ocran — 41,500

29[29-30] Naphtali — Ahira son of Enan — 53,400

31So the total of all the troops on Dan’s side of the camp is 157,600. These three tribes will be last, marching under their banners whenever the Israelites travel.”

32In summary, the troops of Israel listed by their families totaled 603,550.

33But as the LORD had commanded, the Levites were not included in this registration.

34So the people of Israel did everything as the LORD had commanded Moses. Each clan and family set up camp and marched under their banners exactly as the LORD had instructed them.

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About This Translation

What is Numbers 2 in the NLT?

Numbers 2 in the New Living Translation (NLT) contains 22 verses. The NLT uses a dynamic equivalence (thought-for-thought) approach, first published in 1996 (rev. 2015).

How does the NLT translate Numbers 2 differently?

The New Living Translation uses dynamic equivalence (thought-for-thought), balancing accuracy with modern readability. Compare this with the NIV (dynamic equivalence) version of Numbers 2 for a different perspective.

How many verses are in Numbers 2 (NLT)?

Numbers Chapter 2 contains 22 verses in the New Living Translation. The book of Numbers has 36 chapters total.

Numbers (NLT) — All 36 Chapters