King James Bible Dictionary

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 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. 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).

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

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). The temple was sometimes called "the camp of the Lord" (2 Chronicles 31:2, R.V.; comp. Psalms 78:28). The multitudes who flocked to David are styled "a great host (i.e., "camp;" Heb. mahaneh), like the host of God" (1 Chronicles 12:22).

ENCAMP', verb intransitive [from camp.] To pitch tents or form huts, as an army; to halt on a march, spread tents and remain for a night or for a longer time, as an army or company.

They encamped in Etham. Exodus 13:20.

The Levites shall encamp about the tabernacle. Numbers 1:50.

1. To pitch tents for the purpose of a siege; to besiege.

ENCAMP against the city and take it. 2 Samuel 12:28.

ENCAMP', verb transitive To form into a camp; to place a marching army or company in a temporary habitation or quarters.

ENCAMP'ED, participle passive Settled in tents or huts for lodging or temporary habitation.

ENCAMP'ING, participle present tense Pitching tents or forming huts, for a temporary lodging or rest.

primarily denoted the resting-place of an army or company of travellers at night, (Genesis 32:21; Exodus 16:13) and was hence applied to the army or caravan when on its march. (Genesis 32:7,8; Exodus 14:19; Joshua 10:5; 11:4) The description of the camp of the Isr'lites, on their march from Egypt, Numbers 2,3, supplies the greatest amount of information on the subject. The tabernacle, corresponding to the chieftains tent of an ordinary encampment, was placed in the centre, and around and facing it, (Numbers 2:1) arranged in four grand divisions, corresponding to the four points of the compass, lay the host of Isr'l, according to their standards. (Numbers 1:52; 2:2) In the centre, round the tabernacle, and with no standard but the cloudy or fiery pillar which rested over it, were the tents of the priests and Levites. The former, with Moses and Aaron at their head, were encamped on the eastern side. The order of encampment was preserved on the march. (Numbers 2:17)

ENCAMP'MENT, noun The act of pitching tents or forming huts, as an army or traveling company, for temporary lodging or rest.

1. The place where an army or company is encamped; a camp; a regular order of tents or huts for the accommodation of an army or troop.