2:17 midst of the camp. As the tabernacle (signifying the presence of God) was in the center of the tribes during periods of encampment, so it was moved along in the center when the hosts were marching, in both cases being immediately surrounded for protection and service by the priestly tribe of Levi. Appropriately and analogously, the Lord Jesus said: “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20).