ENCAMP

An encampment was the resting-place for a longer or shorter period of an army or company of travellers (Exo 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, Lev. 4: 12;6:11;8:17;10:4, 10: 5;13:46;14:3; Num. 12:14, Num. 12: 15;31:19; Deut. 23:10, Deut. 23: 12).

Criminals were executed without the camp (Lev. 4:12; comp. John 19:17, John 19: 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, 1-Sam 13: 3, 16, 23;17:3;29:1;30:9, 30: 24). The temple was sometimes called "the camp of the Lord" (2-Chr 31:2, 2-Chr 31: R.V.; comp. Psa 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).