And on the east side toward the rising of the sun shall they of the standard of the camp of Judah pitch throughout their armies: and Nahshon the son of Amminadab shall be captain of the children of Judah.
On the east side ... Judah was placed at the head of a camp composed of three tribes rallying under its standard, said to have combined the united colours in the high priest's breastplate, but called by the name of Judah. They were appointed to occupy the east side; and to take the lead in the march, which, for the most part, was an easterly direction.
Nahshon (or Naasson, Matthew 1:4 ) ... shall be captain. It appears that the twelve men who were called to superintend the census were also appointed to be the captains wed probably to the circumstances, formerly noticed, of their holding the hereditary office of head or "prince."