Why was Joseph not counted among the tribes around the tabernacle?
Joseph’s two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, were counted as two half-tribes and took his place, so Joseph himself was left out of the perimeter arrangement. Levi was also excluded as the priestly tribe, leaving twelve tribes stationed around the tabernacle.
Les explains that although Joseph was originally among the twelve tribes, he is not shown among the tribes stationed around the tabernacle. By that time, Joseph’s two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, are called the two half-tribes and take Joseph’s place, so Joseph is left out because the two half-tribes take his share. Levi is also left out because Levi was the priestly tribe; later, in the Promised Land, Levi had no inheritance but received a central area around Jerusalem for priests to live and depended on what came from the other tribes, much like God’s servants today depend on offerings, tithes, and gifts from believer friends.