Encamp An encampment was the resting-place for a longer or shorter period of an army or company of travellers (Exodus 13:20; Exodus 1:14; Joshua 10:5; Joshua 1:11).
The manner in which the Israelites encamped during their march through the wilderness is described in Numbers 1:2 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, Leviticus 1:4; Leviticus 1:6; Leviticus 1:8; Leviticus 1:10, Leviticus 1:10; Leviticus 1:13; Leviticus 1:14; Numbers 12:14, Numbers 1:12; Numbers 1:31; Deuteronomy 23:10, Deuteronomy 1:23).
Criminals were executed without the camp (Leviticus 4:12; comp. John 19:17, John 1:19), 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, 1 Samuel 1:13, 1 Samuel 1:13, 1 Samuel 1:13; 1 Samuel 1:17; 1 Samuel 1:29; 1 Samuel 1:30, 1 Samuel 1:30). 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).