CAMP (מַחֲנֶה, H4722, παρεμβολή, G4213, encampment, barracks, a company of troops). The camp or encampment of the Israelites during the Exodus is described in detail in the Book of Numbers. From the time of the first pause after crossing the Red Sea until the crossing of the Jordan River the twelve tribes arranged themselves according to a plan which called for “facing the tent of meeting on every side” (Num 2:2). The four fronts faced the cardinal points N, S, E, and W. The Tabernacle was surrounded by the twelve tribes forming the outer sides of the rectangle. Those on the E side were Judah, Issachar and Zebulun. On the S side were Reuben, Simeon, and Gad. On the W side were Ephraim, Manasseh and Benjamin. Dan, Asher, and Naphtali were on the N side. Within the larger square the Tabernacle was surrounded by the tribe of Levi and the baggage carriers, the baggage and the stalls of the domestic animals. No reference is made in Numbers to a line of defense being thrown up for the protection of the camp.

Later in the history of Israel when single armies fought against each other, the encampment was not necessarily quadrangular in shape. Sometimes the crest of steep hills provided the line of the camp. The space occupied was that in keeping with the nature of the terrain, and defense lines were sometimes thrown up (1 Sam 17:20; 26:5). The camp was constantly guarded (Judg 7:19). While the battle was taking place, a remnant stayed behind watching the camp (1 Sam 30:24).

In the NT the barracks or headquarters of the Rom. troops in Jerusalem are referred to as a παρεμβολή, G4213, (Acts 21:34, 37; 22:24; 23:10, 16, 32). The writer to the Hebrews uses the term in speaking of armies in battle array (Heb 11:34). Then again (13:11, 13) the term refers to the encampment of the army. This same usage is found in Revelation 20:9.

While the terminology bearing upon the camp is applicable to either nomads or troops, it is generally related to the business of war.