How were the 12 tribes arranged around the tabernacle, and why is Levi not counted?
The twelve tribes camped in their assigned order around the tabernacle perimeter, with Judah positioned in front of the main gate and always first to move when the cloud lifted. Levi was left out of this tribal count, while Joseph's two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, made up the twelve tribes instead.
Les explains that Israel's camp was intensely organized, not slap hazard. The twelve tribes were encamped in their order around the tabernacle's perimeter. Levi is left out of the arrangement, and Joseph's two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, make up the twelve even though Levi is left out. Judah camped directly in front of the main gate, so when the cloud lifted and moved east, Judah was always the first tribe to go. The tabernacle was made to be moved, with rings and staves; whenever the cloud stopped, the tabernacle was set up and Israel encamped.