Easton's Bible Dictionary: M. G. Easton, M.A., D.D.
An encampment was the resting-place for a longer or shorter period of an army or company of travellers (Ex. 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 Num. 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, 12, 6:11, 8:17, 10:4, 5, 13:46, 14:3; Num. 12:14, 15, 31:19; Dt. 23:10, 12).
Criminals were executed without the camp (Lev. 4:12; comp. Jn. 19:17, 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, 3, 16, 23, 17:3, 29:1, 30:9, 24). The temple was sometimes called "the camp of the Lord" (2 Chr. 31:2, R.V.; comp. Ps. 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).