And on the east side, towards the rising of the sun,.... Which rises in the east; or of all; for, as Jarchi observes, that which is "before" is called "Kedem", the east, as the west is called "behind":shall they of the standard of the camp of Judah pitch, throughout their armies; the tribes of Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun, formed one camp, which had its name from the principal tribe Judah; and this was divided into various regiments and companies, called armies, who severally pitched under one and the same standard.
It is said Judah's stone was the "nophech" (which we render an emerald), and his flag was coloured in the likeness of the colour of the heavens, and there was formed upon it a lion. Issachar's was the sapphire, and his flag was coloured black, like to black lead, and there were framed upon it the sun and moon, on account of what is said, 1Ch 12:32.
Zebulun's was a diamond, and his flag was coloured white, and there was formed upon it a ship, because of what is said, Ge 49:13;and Nahshon, the son of Amminadab, [shall be] captain of the children of Judah; who had been assisting in numbering the people, and who afterwards offered to the dedication of the altar, Nu 1:2.
Bemidbar Rabba, sect. 2. fol. 178.