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The Book of Numbers

Numbers 14:14 - And they will tell [it] to the inhabitants of this land: [for] they have heard that thou LORD [art] among this people, that thou LORD art seen face to face, and [that] thy cloud standeth over them, and [that] thou goest before them, by day time in a pillar of a cloud, and in a pillar of fire by night.

The Old Testament - A Brief Overview

Bible Survery - Numbers Hebrew Name - Bemidhbar "in the wilderness" Greek Name - Numbers "numberings" Author - Moses Date - From 1490-1451 BC Approximately Theme - The Journey to the Promised Land Types and Shadows - In Numbers Jesus is the Pillar of Cloud by Day and the Pillar of Fire by Night

The book of Numbers takes its name from the account of the census that happened two times among the congregation of Israel in Numbers 1-4 and Numbers 26. The Greek title was used even though there is really no connection with the "numberings." The original Hebrew title which means "in the wilderness," is much more accurate, because the book of Numbers is it's really an accurate history of the events that happened during the period of wandering in the wilderness and not necessarily a book about statistics. The book of Numbers seems to follow naturally after the book of Leviticus in the order of the books of Moses in the Old Testament. After the children of Israel received the laws at Mount Sinai, they began the journey as described in the book of Exodus, and they were ready to march directly into the land of Canaan. The book of Numbers reveals how the children of Israel became prepared, and went to various trials, and how they were sinful in not trusting the Lord. Their sinful ways resulted in 37 years of wandering through the harsh wilderness. The book of Numbers concludes with the children of Israel once again at the edge of the land of Canaan, where they received instructions for the conquest of Canaan and the division of the land.

The principle divisions of the book are as follows:

Outline of the Book of Numbers

1) The preparation for the departure from Sinai (1:1-10:10). The events described here took place in nineteen days. In this time a census was taken of all men who were over twenty and who could serve in military efforts (1-4). The total obtained was 603,550 (1:46). This would indicate that the total population of the group was probably near three million. The census was followed by the cleansing and blessing of the congregation (5-6), the offering of gifts from the various tribes (7), the consecration of the Levites (8) and the observance of the Passover at Sinai (9:1-14).

2 ) The journey from Sinai to Kadesh-barnea (10:11-14:45). This section includes the account of the coming of the quail (11), the rebellion against Moses by Miriam and Aaron (12), and the fateful mission of the spies (13, 14).

3) The wanderings of the desert wilderness (15-19). As noted above, this covered a period of thirty-seven years, from the end of the second to the beginning of the fortieth year in the wilderness. Ch. 15 includes various laws and a record of capital punishment for Sabbath breaking. The rebellion of Korah (ch. 16) and the budding of Aaron's rod (ch. 17) are also mentioned here.

4 ) The history of the last year, from the second arrival of the Israelites at Kadesh till they reach "the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho" (20-36: 13). Notable sections of this are the story of Balaam (22:2-24:25), the zeal of Phinehas (ch. 25), the second census (26:1-51) , instructions for dividing the land (26:52-27: 11), the appointment of Joshua as Moses' successor (27: 12-23), various laws concerning offerings and vows ( 28-30 ), the war with Midian (ch. 31), the settlement of the tribes east of the Jordan (ch. 32), a review of the locations at which Israel had camped during their wanderings (33: 1-49), more instructions concerning the conquest and division of Canaan (33:50-34:29 ), the appointment of the cities of refuge (ch. 35) and instructions concerning the marriage of land-owning Israelite women (ch. 36).

Quick Reference Maps - Numbers

The Exodus of the Hebrews

Mount Horeb

The Red Sea

Canaan Before Joshua

Kadesh barnea

Moab and Ammon

Numbers Resources

The Wilderness Wanderings

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Numbers 33 – Review of the Exodus, Preview of the Conquest

A. introduction: leaving egypt., 1. (1-2) the account of israel’s journey, written by the command of the lord..

These are the journeys of the children of Israel, who went out of the land of Egypt by their armies under the hand of Moses and Aaron. Now Moses wrote down the starting points of their journeys at the command of the LORD. And these are their journeys according to their starting points:

a. These are the journeys of the children of Israel : Numbers 33 is the remarkable record of the journey of Israel from Egypt to the threshold of the Promised Land. 42 place names are given, starting with Rameses of Egypt and ending with the plains of Moab.

i. As Israel prepared itself to cross the Jordan and conquer Canaan, it was good for this second generation from Egypt to remember the faithfulness of God over the last 40 years. Remembering God’s goodness in the past was preparation for the challenges of the future.

ii. “From Rameses, the place of departure, to Abel-Shittim, in the plains of Moab, forty-two stations in all are given at which the Israelites pitched. Of these about twenty-four are named either in Exodus, in other parts of the Book of Numbers, or in Deuteronomy. Some eighteen, therefore, are mentioned in this passage and nowhere else.” (Watson)

iii. Allen describes the difficulty the following list gives to the geographer: “The chapter presents numerous difficulties, however, once one brings out the map. Most of the sites were desert encampments, not cities with lasting archaeological evidences. Many of the places in the listing are not recorded elsewhere in Exodus and Numbers (e.g., most of the places in Numbers 33:19-29).”

b. Moses wrote down the starting points of their journeys at the command of the LORD : Moses compiled his written record over the 40 years of Israel’s journey in the wilderness and did so at God’s command.

i. Both Wenham and Cole organize the list into six cycles of seven places each. This arrangement is presented below. “It appears as a bare and uninteresting list of names and yet it tells the story of a people guided by God through discipline.” (Morgan)

ii. “The unknown places, like those men remembered only for their inclusion in a family tree, receive recognition as sites where God’s eternal purposes were worked out. Though from a human point of view nothing memorable may have happened at Dophkah or Alush, these are recorded as places where the hosts of Israel, the Lord’s army, marched through on their way to the promised land.” (Wenham)

iii. Several commentators point out that this list is presented in the style that ancient kings in the Near East listed their conquests and triumphs. This was Yahweh’s victory procession from Egypt to the edge of Canaan.

2. (3-4) The departure from Egypt.

They departed from Rameses in the first month, on the fifteenth day of the first month; on the day after the Passover the children of Israel went out with boldness in the sight of all the Egyptians. For the Egyptians were burying all their firstborn, whom the LORD had killed among them. Also on their gods the LORD had executed judgments.

a. The children of Israel went out with boldness in the sight of all the Egyptians : Though they were slaves for hundreds of years, they did not leave Egypt in shame. God gave them the boldness to leave as conquerors, not as escaping slaves.

b. On their gods the LORD had executed judgments : The plagues the LORD brought upon Egypt were not randomly chosen. They were specifically intended to humble the people and rebuke the people for their belief in the bizarre and demonic Egyptian deities.

B. Israel’s Journey from Egypt to the Plains of Moab.

1. (5-10) stage 1: from egypt to the red sea (exodus 12-16)..

Then the children of Israel moved from Rameses and camped at Succoth. They departed from Succoth and camped at Etham, which is on the edge of the wilderness. They moved from Etham and turned back to Pi Hahiroth, which is east of Baal Zephon; and they camped near Migdol. They departed from before Hahiroth and passed through the midst of the sea into the wilderness, went three days’ journey in the Wilderness of Etham, and camped at Marah. They moved from Marah and came to Elim. At Elim were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees; so they camped there.

They moved from Elim and camped by the Red Sea.

a. Succoth…Etham…Pi Hahiroth….Marah…Elim…the Red Sea : These six places (counting after the starting place of Rameses) mark Israel’s journey in the first stage of the exodus. According to some sources (Allen, Clarke, Trapp), the names of these places have the following associations.

· Succoth: Booths .

· Desert of Etham (unknown).

· Pi Hahiroth: Mouth of Burning .

· Marah: Bitter Spring .

· Elim: Place of Trees .

· The Red Sea: Sea of Reeds .

i. As is often the case with the meanings of biblical names, one must be careful to not invest too much spiritual significance in what are sometimes speculative interpretations. “Mr. Bromley, in his Way to the Sabbath of Rest , considers each name and place as descriptive of the spiritual state through which a soul passes in its way to the kingdom of God. But in cases of this kind fancy has much more to do than judgment .” (Clarke)

ii. The Red Sea : “By the Red Sea we are not to understand a sea, the waters of which are red , or the sand red, or any thing else about or in it red; for nothing of this kind appears. It is called in Hebrew yam suph , which signifies the weedy sea .” (Clarke)

b. They moved from Marah and came to Elim : With a wonderful touch, God made no mention of Israel’s great sin at Marah but did note the refreshing springs at Elim ( twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees ).

i. “In his enumeration of the halting places of Israel, Moses mentions Marah and Elim. In the case of the former, he does not dwell on the murmuring of the people over the bitter stream: but in the case of Elim, he loves to dilate on the twelve springs of water, and the three-score and ten palm trees, under which they pitched. Years of weary travel had not obliterated the memory of the refreshment afforded by those seventy palms.” (Meyer)

ii. “There is no word of their murmurings, either at Marah or Rephidim. It is thus that God deals with us. ‘I, even I, am He that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.’ When God forgives, He forgets.” (Meyer)

2. (11-17) Stage 2: From the Wilderness of Sin to Hazeroth (Exodus 16-19; Numbers 10-11).

They moved from the Red Sea and camped in the Wilderness of Sin. They journeyed from the Wilderness of Sin and camped at Dophkah. They departed from Dophkah and camped at Alush. They moved from Alush and camped at Rephidim, where there was no water for the people to drink.

They departed from Rephidim and camped in the Wilderness of Sinai. They moved from the Wilderness of Sinai and camped at Kibroth Hattaavah. They departed from Kibroth Hattaavah and camped at Hazeroth.

a. Camped in the Wilderness of Sinai : This portion of the journey took them about a year, but most of the time was not spent in traveling, but in receiving the law at Mount Sinai.

b. Wilderness of Sin…Dophkah…Alush…Rephidim…Wilderness of Sinai…Kibroth Hattaavah…Hazeroth : These seven places mark Israel’s journey in the second stage of the exodus. According to some sources (Allen, Clarke, Trapp), the names of these places have the following associations.

· Wilderness of Sin (unknown).

· Dophkah: Beaten .

· Alush (unknown).

· Rephidim: Spreading .

· Wilderness of Sinai (unknown).

· Kibroth Hattaavah: Graves of Desire .

· Hazeroth: Settlements .

i. In this and the following stages are many places not previously recorded in Exodus, Leviticus, or Numbers. “Numbers 10:33-13:25 mentions only three stopping-places between the mountain of the Lord and Kadesh in the wilderness of Paran, Taberah, Kibroth-hattaavah and Hazeroth (11:3, 34-35), whereas Numbers 33:16-36 mentions twenty-two stages beginning with the wilderness of Sinai and ending ‘with the wilderness of Zin (that is Kadesh)’.” (Wenham)

3. (18-24) Stage 3: From Rithmah to Haradah.

They departed from Hazeroth and camped at Rithmah. They departed from Rithmah and camped at Rimmon Perez. They departed from Rimmon Perez and camped at Libnah. They moved from Libnah and camped at Rissah. They journeyed from Rissah and camped at Kehelathah. They went from Kehelathah and camped at Mount Shepher. They moved from Mount Shepher and camped at Haradah.

a. Rithmah…Rimmon Perez…Libnah…Rissah…Kehelathah…Mount Shepher…Haradah : These seven places mark Israel’s journey in the third stage of the exodus. According to some sources (Allen, Clarke, Trapp), the names of these places have the following associations.

· Rithmah: Binding .

· Rimmon Perez: Pomegranate Beach .

· Libnah: White .

· Rissah (unknown).

· Kehalathah: Assembly .

· Mount Shepher: Mount of Beauty .

· Haradah: Frightening .

4. (25-31) Stage 4: From Makheloth to Bene Jaakan (Deuteronomy 10).

They moved from Haradah and camped at Makheloth. They moved from Makheloth and camped at Tahath. They departed from Tahath and camped at Terah. They moved from Terah and camped at Mithkah. They went from Mithkah and camped at Hashmonah. They departed from Hashmonah and camped at Moseroth. They departed from Moseroth and camped at Bene Jaakan.

a. Makheloth…Tahath…Terah…Mithkah…Hashmonah…Moseroth…Bene Jaakan : These seven places mark Israel’s journey in the fourth stage of the exodus. According to some sources (Allen, Clarke, Trapp), the names of these places have the following associations.

· Makheloth: Place of Assembly .

· Tahath: Lower .

· Terah (unknown).

· Mithcah: Sweetness .

· Hashmonah: Swiftness .

· Moseroth: Bands .

· Bene Jaakan: Sons of Yaaqan .

5. (32-41) Stage 5: From Hor Hagidad to Zalmonah (Numbers 20-21).

They moved from Bene Jaakan and camped at Hor Hagidgad. They went from Hor Hagidgad and camped at Jotbathah. They moved from Jotbathah and camped at Abronah. They departed from Abronah and camped at Ezion Geber. They moved from Ezion Geber and camped in the Wilderness of Zin, which is Kadesh. They moved from Kadesh and camped at Mount Hor, on the boundary of the land of Edom.

Then Aaron the priest went up to Mount Hor at the command of the LORD, and died there in the fortieth year after the children of Israel had come out of the land of Egypt, on the first day of the fifth month. Aaron was one hundred and twenty-three years old when he died on Mount Hor.

Now the king of Arad, the Canaanite, who dwelt in the South in the land of Canaan, heard of the coming of the children of Israel.

So they departed from Mount Hor and camped at Zalmonah.

a. Hor Haggidgad…Jotbathah…Abronah…Ezion Geber…Kadesh…Mount Hor…. Zalmonah : These seven places mark Israel’s journey in the fifth stage of the exodus. According to some sources (Allen, Clarke, Trapp), the names of these places have the following associations.

· Hor Haggidgad: The Hollow of Gidgad .

· Jotbathah: Pleasantness .

· Abronah: Regions Beyond .

· Ezion Geber: Mighty Trees .

· Kadesh: Sanctuary .

· Mount Hor (unknown).

· Zalmonah: Resemblance or Image .

b. Aaron the priest went up to Mount Hor at the command of the LORD : The camp at Mount Hor is given special mention, honoring the death and burial place of Aaron, the brother of Moses and first high priest of Israel.

6. (42-49) Stage 6: From Punon to the Plains of Moab (Numbers 21-22).

They departed from Zalmonah and camped at Punon. They departed from Punon and camped at Oboth. They departed from Oboth and camped at Ije Abarim, at the border of Moab. They departed from Ijim and camped at Dibon Gad. They moved from Dibon Gad and camped at Almon Diblathaim. They moved from Almon Diblathaim and camped in the mountains of Abarim, before Nebo. They departed from the mountains of Abarim and camped in the plains of Moab by the Jordan, across from Jericho. They camped by the Jordan, from Beth Jesimoth as far as the Abel Acacia Grove in the plains of Moab.

a. Punon…Oboth…Ije Abarim…. Dibon Gad…Almon Diblathaim…the mountains of Abarim : These six places (up to the plains of Moab ) mark Israel’s journey in the sixth stage of the exodus. According to some sources (Allen, Clarke, Trapp), the names of these places have the following associations.

· Punon (unknown).

· Oboth: Water Skins .

· Ije Abarim: The Heaps of Abarim .

· Dibon Gad: Built Up by Gad .

· Almon Diblathaim: Hidden Figs (possibly).

· Mountains of Abarim: The Mountains Beyond .

b. They camped by the Jordan, from Beth Jesimoth as far as the Abel Acacia Grove in the plains of Moab : This was Israel’s current position, on the threshold of Canaan. In a few months, they would go from the plains of Moab across the Jordan, into the Promised Land.

i. “The encampments of the thousands of Israel stretched from Beth Jeshimoth…to Abel Shittim…in the lowlands of Moab. The distance from these two sites, north to south, was over five miles—a suitable spread for the thousands of the tribes of Israel.” (Allen)

C. Looking ahead: The conquest of Canaan.

1. (50-53) the command to conquer the inhabitants of canaan..

Now the LORD spoke to Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan, across from Jericho, saying, “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘When you have crossed the Jordan into the land of Canaan, then you shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, destroy all their engraved stones, destroy all their molded images, and demolish all their high places; you shall dispossess the inhabitants of the land and dwell in it, for I have given you the land to possess.

a. You shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you : God had a special role for the nation of Israel regarding the people of Canaan. He used them as a unique instrument of judgment against the Canaanites.

i. This challenge or command looks forward to the seventh stage of Israel’s journey from Egypt. Led by Joshua, Israel would conquer the land of Canaan and drive out the Canaanites.

b. Drive out all the inhabitants of the land…destroy all their engraved stones…destroy their molded images…demolish their high places : This strong language, expressed in four different Hebrew verbs (translated drive out , destroy , destroy , and demolish ), explained God’s command to leave nothing of Canaanite culture to encourage idolatry and immorality.

i. Israel was not to tolerate a co-existence with the depraved idolatry and immorality of the Canaanites, which included even human sacrifice. “No false pity or selfish motive was to operate in such fashion as to leave any corrupting influence behind. The unequivocal command to drive out all, was based on the tenderest regard of God for the well-being of the chosen people, and through them, the whole [human] race.” (Morgan)

ii. “Shall we suffer those vipers to lodge in our bosoms till they eat out our hearts?” (Trapp)

iii. “Pluralism in the form of peaceful coexistence with idolatry would be impossible, both for the well-being of the people and the sanctity of the land Yahweh had given as a gift to his people.” (Cole)

iv. Demolish their high places : “We know from the Book of Judges and subsequent history, the law, especially in regard to the demolition of high places, became practically a dead letter.” (Watson)

2. (54) The command to possess the land of Canaan.

And you shall divide the land by lot as an inheritance among your families; to the larger you shall give a larger inheritance, and to the smaller you shall give a smaller inheritance; there everyone’s inheritance shall be whatever falls to him by lot. You shall inherit according to the tribes of your fathers.

a. You shall divide the land by lot as an inheritance among your families : God’s intent was not only to bring judgment on the corrupt culture of the Canaanites but also to give the land to Israel to possess.

b. To the larger you shall give a larger inheritance, and to the smaller you shall give a smaller inheritance : God commanded that the land be distributed fairly, generally according to the size of the tribe.

3. (55-56) Israel is warned of the consequences of not driving out the Canaanites and their influence.

But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then it shall be that those whom you let remain shall be irritants in your eyes and thorns in your sides, and they shall harass you in the land where you dwell. Moreover it shall be that I will do to you as I thought to do to them.’”

a. If you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then it shall be that those whom you let remain shall be irritants in your eyes and thorns in your sides : If Israel failed to drive the Canaanites out of the land, they could still occupy the Promised Land. However, the idolatry and immorality of the Canaanites would find a place among Israel and be a source of constant trouble and irritation.

i. “The description of trouble is, of course, sadly prophetic. The remaining Canaanites were to be barbs in the eye and pricks in the side (images that Joshua uses in his farewell address; see Joshua 23:13).” (Allen)

b. It shall be that I will do to you as I thought to do to them : This warning was eventually fulfilled in Israel’s history. Though they possessed the land, they did not fully drive out the Canaanites or destroy their influence. By following the Canaanite idolatry and immorality, eventually God drove Israel out of the land in exile.

i. The abiding spiritual principle teaches us that it is of no use for the church to succeed in the eyes of man – as Israel had succeeded when they occupied the land and became a legitimate nation, instead of an enslaved people – if it merely allows the corrupt practices and attitudes of the Canaanites to take root among God’s people. If, spiritually speaking, a similar thing happens among God’s people today, they should expect to be eventually driven from their place of apparent success or influence.

© 2023 The  Enduring Word  Bible Commentary by David Guzik –  ewm@enduringword.com

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For New King James text and comment, click here.

Where y'all been for the last 40 years? (Numbers 33:1-49)

Israel leaves Egypt (see table below) .

1 These are the journeys of the children of Israel, which went forth out of the land of Egypt with their armies under the hand of Moses and Aaron. 2 And Moses wrote their goings out according to their journeys by the commandment of the LORD: and these are their journeys according to their goings out. 3 And they departed from Rameses in the first month, on the fifteenth day of the first month; on the morrow after the passover the children of Israel went out with an high hand in the sight of all the Egyptians. 4 For the Egyptians buried all their firstborn, which the LORD had smitten among them: upon their gods also the LORD executed judgments. 5 And the children of Israel removed from Rameses, and pitched in Succoth. 6 And they departed from Succoth, and pitched in Etham, which is in the edge of the wilderness. 7 And they removed from Etham, and turned again unto Pihahiroth, which is before Baalzephon: and they pitched before Migdol. 8 And they departed from before Pihahiroth, and passed through the midst of the sea into the wilderness, and went three days’ journey in the wilderness of Etham, and pitched in Marah. 9 And they removed from Marah, and came unto Elim: and in Elim were twelve fountains of water, and threescore and ten palm trees; and they pitched there. 10 And they removed from Elim, and encamped by the Red sea. 11 And they removed from the Red sea, and encamped in the wilderness of Sin. 12 And they took their journey out of the wilderness of Sin, and encamped in Dophkah. 13 And they departed from Dophkah, and encamped in Alush. 14 And they removed from Alush, and encamped at Rephidim, where was no water for the people to drink. 15 And they departed from Rephidim, and pitched in the wilderness of Sinai. 16 And they removed from the desert of Sinai, and pitched at Kibrothhattaavah. 17 And they departed from Kibrothhattaavah, and encamped at Hazeroth. 18 And they departed from Hazeroth, and pitched in Rithmah.

The 38+ years of wilderness wandering for which there is no detailed account begin here (see table below) .

19 And they departed from Rithmah, and pitched at Rimmonparez. 20 And they departed from Rimmonparez, and pitched in Libnah. 21 And they removed from Libnah, and pitched at Rissah. 22 And they journeyed from Rissah, and pitched in Kehelathah. 23 And they went from Kehelathah, and pitched in mount Shapher. 24 And they removed from mount Shapher, and encamped in Haradah. 25 And they removed from Haradah, and pitched in Makheloth. 26 And they removed from Makheloth, and encamped at Tahath. 27 And they departed from Tahath, and pitched at Tarah. 28 And they removed from Tarah, and pitched in Mithcah. 29 And they went from Mithcah, and pitched in Hashmonah. 30 And they departed from Hashmonah, and encamped at Moseroth. 31 And they departed from Moseroth, and pitched in Benejaakan. 32 And they removed from Benejaakan, and encamped at Horhagidgad. 33 And they went from Horhagidgad, and pitched in Jotbathah. 34 And they removed from Jotbathah, and encamped at Ebronah. 35 And they departed from Ebronah, and encamped at Eziongaber.

The recorded events of Israel's wanderings resume here (see table below) .

36 And they removed from Eziongaber, and pitched in the wilderness of Zin, which is Kadesh. 37 And they removed from Kadesh, and pitched in mount Hor, in the edge of the land of Edom. 38 And Aaron the priest went up into mount Hor at the commandment of the LORD, and died there, in the fortieth year after the children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt, in the first day of the fifth month. 39 And Aaron was an hundred and twenty and three years old when he died in mount Hor. 40 And king Arad the Canaanite, which dwelt in the south in the land of Canaan, heard of the coming of the children of Israel. 41 And they departed from mount Hor, and pitched in Zalmonah. 42 And they departed from Zalmonah, and pitched in Punon. 43 And they departed from Punon, and pitched in Oboth. 44 And they departed from Oboth, and pitched in Ijeabarim, in the border of Moab. 45 And they departed from Iim, and pitched in Dibongad. 46 And they removed from Dibongad, and encamped in Almondiblathaim. 47 And they removed from Almondiblathaim, and pitched in the mountains of Abarim, before Nebo. 48 And they departed from the mountains of Abarim, and pitched in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho. 49 And they pitched by Jordan, from Bethjesimoth even unto Abelshittim in the plains of Moab.

Okay, so maybe this chapter is not the most interesting reading, but there is some very helpful information here. For instance, just from reading the incidents of Exodus through Numbers 32, it may seem that Israel did not often break camp and move on during their 40 years in the wilderness. However, there is a gap of 38+ years of recorded activity that begins somewhere between the return of the spies in Numbers 14 (see notes) and the beginning of Numbers 20 (see notes) . It cannot be known with absolute certainty when exactly the events of chapters 15-19 took place; but Numbers 16 (see notes) reads like the events of that chapter took place at the beginning of the 38+ years. Also, the instructions of Numbers 17-19 appear to be given in the aftermath of the tragic events of Numbers 16. For that reason, I'm relatively certain that the 38+ year gap takes place between Numbers 19 and 20 (see notes) . This record bridges that gap by giving the route which Israel took during this time in verses 19-36. This is the only place in scripture where we get a complete overview (although without details) of their wilderness journey.

The 17 camp sites mentioned in verses 19-36 between Rithmah and Kadesh, are the places at which Israel set up in the desert, from their return from Kadesh into the “desert of the way to the Red Sea” ( Numbers 14:25, see notes ), till the reassembling of the whole congregation in the desert of Zin at Kadesh ( Numbers 20:1, see notes ). You may be asking, "Why are the maps of Israel's journey so vague?" The reason is that most of the place names where the Hebrews traveled were camp sites - not cities, and thus cannot be identified with certainty today. Centers of activity come and go. For example, if I asked 100 people in my community where Kenwood, Georgia is located, I seriously doubt that ten people could tell me. Fifty years from now, it is likely that no one will remember. It's no longer found on most maps and remains as just a memory for our county's old timers who used to gather around the country store at the train depot there. It even had it's own post office. That's the way it is with regard to the mapping of Israel's journeys in the wilderness; we simply have no accurate record regarding the exact location of most of these camp sites.

Here we are; what do we do now? (Numbers 33:50-56)

50 And the LORD spake unto Moses in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho, saying, 51 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye are passed over Jordan into the land of Canaan; 52 Then ye shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, and destroy all their pictures, and destroy all their molten images, and quite pluck down all their high places: 53 And ye shall dispossess the inhabitants of the land, and dwell therein: for I have given you the land to possess it. 54 And ye shall divide the land by lot for an inheritance among your families: and to the more ye shall give the more inheritance, and to the fewer ye shall give the less inheritance: every man’s inheritance shall be in the place where his lot falleth; according to the tribes of your fathers ye shall inherit. 55 But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those which ye let remain of them shall be pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell. 56 Moreover it shall come to pass, that I shall do unto you, as I thought to do unto them.

At this point, Israel is set up east of the Jordan River across from Jericho. That's just east of the north side of the Dead Sea. They are ready to go into Canaan. But first, some instructions about what to do when they get there are in order. Verse 52 says it well, "Then ye shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, and destroy all their pictures, and destroy all their molten images, and quite pluck down all their high places:" Paganism, polytheism and the people who are involved - all must go. Verse 53 says that Israel is to evict these folks. Later we see in Deuteronomy 9:4 (see notes) , "Speak not thou in thine heart, after that the LORD thy God hath cast them out from before thee, saying, For my righteousness the LORD hath brought me in to possess this land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD doth drive them out from before thee." A similar statement is made concerning the banishment of these people from Canaan in Leviticus 18:27-28 (see notes) . Verse 54 explains the process whereby Israel shall determine which tribe moves where after crossing the Jordan River into Canaan - the lottery. Casting lots was the supernatural way Israel made decisions. (For more information on casting lots, click here.)

So, what if Israel chooses not to drive out the current inhabitants of Canaan? There's your answer in verse 55, "...those which ye let remain of them shall be pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell." After a seven-year campaign of Israel inhabiting Canaan, they did not manage to drive all of the previous citizens out of the land. And, just as verse 55 says, those previous residents turned out to be a problem...a huge problem.

1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 2 Command the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye come into the land of Canaan; (this is the land that shall fall unto you for an inheritance, even the land of Canaan with the coasts thereof:) 3 Then your south quarter shall be from the wilderness of Zin along by the coast of Edom, and your south border shall be the outmost coast of the salt sea eastward: 4 And your border shall turn from the south to the ascent of Akrabbim, and pass on to Zin: and the going forth thereof shall be from the south to Kadeshbarnea, and shall go on to Hazaraddar, and pass on to Azmon: 5 And the border shall fetch a compass from Azmon unto the river of Egypt, and the goings out of it shall be at the sea. 6 And as for the western border, ye shall even have the great sea for a border: this shall be your west border. 7 And this shall be your north border: from the great sea ye shall point out for you mount Hor: 8 From mount Hor ye shall point out your border unto the entrance of Hamath; and the goings forth of the border shall be to Zedad: 9 And the border shall go on to Ziphron, and the goings out of it shall be at Hazarenan: this shall be your north border. 10 And ye shall point out your east border from Hazarenan to Shepham: 11 And the coast shall go down from Shepham to Riblah, on the east side of Ain; and the border shall descend, and shall reach unto the side of the sea of Chinnereth eastward: 12 And the border shall go down to Jordan, and the goings out of it shall be at the salt sea: this shall be your land with the coasts thereof round about. 13 And Moses commanded the children of Israel, saying, This is the land which ye shall inherit by lot, which the LORD commanded to give unto the nine tribes, and to the half tribe: 14 For the tribe of the children of Reuben according to the house of their fathers, and the tribe of the children of Gad according to the house of their fathers, have received their inheritance; and half the tribe of Manasseh have received their inheritance: 15 The two tribes and the half tribe have received their inheritance on this side Jordan near Jericho eastward, toward the sunrising.

So, they haven't crossed over Jordan yet, but Moses is very specific about what property is to be Israel's for a possession. Some of these names are no longer locatable on a map, because they simply ceased to be called by that name after that. The place names for the eastern, western and southern borders are relatively easy to find on a map. The names given in this account for the northern border, extending into today's Lebanon and Syria, mention names that are no longer used. We do have a general idea of the location of that Northern border. Verse 14-15 make reference to the fact that Gad, Reuben and half of Manasseh stayed on the east side of the Jordan River.

A point of clarification is in order here. Take note of Genesis 15:18 (see notes) , "In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abraham, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:" That's from the Nile to the Euphrates. That passage has caused some confusion because the tribes of Israel did not inhabit all of that land when they arrived in the Book of Joshua, nor is that large of a land survey specified in this passage. However, later on King David did, in fact, control the territory all the way over to the Euphrates. We see this in II Samuel 8:3 (see notes) "David smote also Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his border at the river Euphrates." So, while the Israelites did not choose to live that far away, nonetheless David's kingdom and control extended to that point, thus fulfilling the promise God made to Abraham in Genesis 15:18 (see notes) . So...to put it more succinctly, Israel's living area was smaller than the actual kingdom area would be when the covenant with Abraham would be fulfilled under King David.

Organizing the lottery (Numbers 34:16-29)

16 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 17 These are the names of the men which shall divide the land unto you: Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun. 18 And ye shall take one prince of every tribe, to divide the land by inheritance. 19 And the names of the men are these: Of the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh. 20 And of the tribe of the children of Simeon, Shemuel the son of Ammihud. 21 Of the tribe of Benjamin, Elidad the son of Chislon. 22 And the prince of the tribe of the children of Dan, Bukki the son of Jogli. 23 The prince of the children of Joseph, for the tribe of the children of Manasseh, Hanniel the son of Ephod. 24 And the prince of the tribe of the children of Ephraim, Kemuel the son of Shiphtan. 25 And the prince of the tribe of the children of Zebulun, Elizaphan the son of Parnach. 26 And the prince of the tribe of the children of Issachar, Paltiel the son of Azzan. 27 And the prince of the tribe of the children of Asher, Ahihud the son of Shelomi. 28 And the prince of the tribe of the children of Naphtali, Pedahel the son of Ammihud. 29 These are they whom the LORD commanded to divide the inheritance unto the children of Israel in the land of Canaan.

Well, let's appoint a man from each tribe to be responsible for dividing the land. Here's the list; Eleazar (Aaron's son and high priest) and Joshua (Moses' successor) are placed in charge of overseeing the whole process. If you would like to see the notes on the actual lottery in Joshua 19, click here. A map of the tribe allotments can be found there as well.

Copyright 2003-2011 by Wayne D. Turner

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Chapters 1-10: Mt. Sinai

Chapters 11-12: travel, chapters 13-19: wilderness of paran, chapters 20-21: travel, chapters 22-36: plains of moab.

Remembering Israel’s Journey

1 This is the route the Israelites followed as they marched out of Egypt under the leadership of Moses and Aaron. 2 At the Lord ’s direction, Moses kept a written record of their progress. These are the stages of their march, identified by the different places where they stopped along the way.

3 They set out from the city of Rameses in early spring—on the fifteenth day of the first month—on the morning after the first Passover celebration. The people of Israel left defiantly, in full view of all the Egyptians. 4 Meanwhile, the Egyptians were burying all their firstborn sons, whom the Lord had killed the night before. The Lord had defeated the gods of Egypt that night with great acts of judgment!

5 After leaving Rameses, the Israelites set up camp at Succoth.

6 Then they left Succoth and camped at Etham on the edge of the wilderness.

7 They left Etham and turned back toward Pi-hahiroth, opposite Baal-zephon, and camped near Migdol.

8 They left Pi-hahiroth and crossed the Red Sea into the wilderness beyond. Then they traveled for three days into the Etham wilderness and camped at Marah.

9 They left Marah and camped at Elim, where there were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees.

10 They left Elim and camped beside the Red Sea.

11 They left the Red Sea and camped in the wilderness of Sin.

12 They left the wilderness of Sin and camped at Dophkah.

13 They left Dophkah and camped at Alush.

14 They left Alush and camped at Rephidim, where there was no water for the people to drink.

15 They left Rephidim and camped in the wilderness of Sinai.

16 They left the wilderness of Sinai and camped at Kibroth-hattaavah.

17 They left Kibroth-hattaavah and camped at Hazeroth.

18 They left Hazeroth and camped at Rithmah.

19 They left Rithmah and camped at Rimmon-perez.

20 They left Rimmon-perez and camped at Libnah.

21 They left Libnah and camped at Rissah.

22 They left Rissah and camped at Kehelathah.

23 They left Kehelathah and camped at Mount Shepher.

24 They left Mount Shepher and camped at Haradah.

25 They left Haradah and camped at Makheloth.

26 They left Makheloth and camped at Tahath.

27 They left Tahath and camped at Terah.

28 They left Terah and camped at Mithcah.

29 They left Mithcah and camped at Hashmonah.

30 They left Hashmonah and camped at Moseroth.

31 They left Moseroth and camped at Bene-jaakan.

32 They left Bene-jaakan and camped at Hor-haggidgad.

33 They left Hor-haggidgad and camped at Jotbathah.

34 They left Jotbathah and camped at Abronah.

35 They left Abronah and camped at Ezion-geber.

36 They left Ezion-geber and camped at Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.

37 They left Kadesh and camped at Mount Hor, at the border of Edom. 38 While they were at the foot of Mount Hor, Aaron the priest was directed by the Lord to go up the mountain, and there he died. This happened in midsummer, on the first day of the fifth month of the fortieth year after Israel’s departure from Egypt. 39 Aaron was 123 years old when he died there on Mount Hor.

40 At that time the Canaanite king of Arad, who lived in the Negev in the land of Canaan, heard that the people of Israel were approaching his land.

41 Meanwhile, the Israelites left Mount Hor and camped at Zalmonah.

42 Then they left Zalmonah and camped at Punon.

43 They left Punon and camped at Oboth.

44 They left Oboth and camped at Iye-abarim on the border of Moab.

45 They left Iye-abarim and camped at Dibon-gad.

46 They left Dibon-gad and camped at Almon-diblathaim.

47 They left Almon-diblathaim and camped in the mountains east of the river, near Mount Nebo.

48 They left the mountains east of the river and camped on the plains of Moab beside the Jordan River, across from Jericho. 49 Along the Jordan River they camped from Beth-jeshimoth as far as the meadows of Acacia on the plains of Moab.

50 While they were camped near the Jordan River on the plains of Moab opposite Jericho, the Lord said to Moses, 51 “Give the following instructions to the people of Israel: When you cross the Jordan River into the land of Canaan, 52 you must drive out all the people living there . You must destroy all their carved and molten images and demolish all their pagan shrines. 53 Take possession of the land and settle in it, because I have given it to you to occupy. 54 You must distribute the land among the clans by sacred lot and in proportion to their size. A larger portion of land will be allotted to each of the larger clans, and a smaller portion will be allotted to each of the smaller clans. The decision of the sacred lot is final. In this way, the portions of land will be divided among your ancestral tribes. 55 But if you fail to drive out the people who live in the land, those who remain will be like splinters in your eyes and thorns in your sides. They will harass you in the land where you live. 56 And I will do to you what I had planned to do to them.”

Numbers 33 Resources

Numbers: Journey to God's Rest-Land by Irving Jensen- used by permission

Source: ryrie study bible.

OUTLINE OF NUMBERS-   See Detailed Outline of Numbers

Christ in the Book of Numbers : Portrayed as our "Lifted-Up One" ( Nu 21:9 , cp  Jn 3:14-15 )

• See Christ in the Old Testament by A M Hodgkin
• See The Old Testament Presents... Reflections of Christ by Paul R Van Gorder
• Irving Jensen's summary on how to study Numbers
• Spiritual Warfare in the Book of Numbers-Chuck Huckaby
• Introduction to the Book of Numbers – John MacArthur
• Overview of Numbers - Charles Swindoll  - see chart on right side
• Numbers – Analysis – James Van Dine
• Numbers – Living Messages-G Campbell Morgan
• Numbers 1-19 Synthetic Bible Studies  - including spiritual lessons
• Numbers 20-36 Synthetic Bible Studies – James Gray
• Numbers The Incomplete Christian Life – Ray Stedman – very practical
• Theology of Numbers – Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology
• Parallels Between Exodus and Numbers  - chart
• Map - Journey of the Spies
• Map - Journey from Kadesh-Barnea to the Plains of Moab
• The Conquest of the East - Numbers 21 - Map correlating with verses in Numbers 21

DICTIONARY ARTICLES

• The Book of Numbers
• Book of Numbers - Bible Survey
• Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology  Theology of Numbers
• American Tract Society  Numbers, the Book of
• Bridgeway Bible Dictionary  Numbers, book of
• Easton's Bible Dictionary  Numbers, Book of
• Fausset Bible Dictionary  Numbers, the Book of
• Holman Bible Dictionary  Numbers, Book of
• Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible  Numbers, Book of
• Morrish Bible Dictionary  Numbers, Book of
• International Standard Bible Encyclopedia  Numbers, Book of  
• McClintock and Strong's Bible Encyclopedia  Numbers, Book Of,  
• The Nuttall Encyclopedia  Numbers, Book of  
• The Jewish Encyclopedia  Numbers, Book of

PRECEPT MINISTRIES

• 7 lessons  ( Download Lesson 1 - 54 page Pdf )
• Numbers 1-11  Kay Notes : Worshiping God the Proper Way
• Numbers 11-14  (Kay Notes):  Heroes Following God Fully
• Numbers 15-17   (Kay Notes): How Does One Become Holy?
• Numbers 18-20  (Kay Notes): God's Pictur e of Grace to Come
• Numbers 21-25  (Kay Notes):  Blessing of Being God's People
• Numbers 26-31  (Kay Notes) : What's Missing from our Journey with God?
• Numbers 32-36  (Kay Notes):  Lessons from the Past for the Future

GREGG ALLEN - sermons

• The Conquest of the East - Numbers 21 - Map correlating with verses
• Numbers 3 Sons of Levi Diagram
• Numbers 4 Diagram of Tabernacle Duties of the Levites
• Numbers 7 The Leaders Offerings - Diagram
• Numbers 24 Old Testament Witness that Jesus is the Christ
• Numbers 28-29 Calendar of Feasts - Diagram
• Numbers 28-29 Offerings - Diagram
• Numbers 28-29 Offerings - Table of Grain, Oil, Wine Offerings

ALBERT BARNES

• Numbers Commentary  33

BRIAN BELL Sermons on Numbers

BIBLICAL ILLUSTRATOR

HENRY BLUNT

Providing concise exposition on Numbers and Deuteronomy, Henry Blunt moves verse-by-verse through each chapter. Providing both historical and cultural background, Blunt offers practical commentary and application

• Numbers Commentary

GEORGE BUSH Commentary on the Book of Numbers Chapter by chapter exegesis. 1858

CAMBRIDGE BIBLE FOR SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES NUMBERS A. H. McNeile

RICH CATHERS Notes on Numbers

• Numbers 32:6-33:56

ADAM CLARKE Commentary on the Book of Numbers (1760-1832)

See caveat regarding his interpretative approach

THOMAS CONSTABLE Commentary and Expositional Notes on Numbers

RON DANIEL Sermons on Numbers

• Numbers 32:1-34:29

JOHN DUMMELOW

• Numbers Commentary  33  

J LIGON DUNCAN Sermons Book of Numbers

• Numbers 33:1-49 With God in the Wilderness (44): From Egypt to Jordan

MARCUS DODS Commentary on the Book of Numbers

EASY ENGLISH

• Numbers 21-36: The Israelites Prepare to Enter the Promised Land

ALFRED EDERSHEIM Old Testament History Book of Numbers

• Numbers 33:19-37; 16, 17; Deuteronomy 1:46-11:15 - The Thirty-Eight Years In The Wilderness - The Sabbath-Breaker - The Gainsaying Of Korah And Of His Associates - Murmuring Of The People; The Plague, & How It Was Stayed - Aaron's Rod Budding, Blossoming, And Bearing Fruit
• Numbers 21:3-35; 33:35-49; Deuteronomy 2, 3 - Journey Of Children Of Israel In "Compassing" Land Of Edom - The "Fiery Serpents" And The "Brazen Serpent" - Israel Enters The Land Of The Amorites - Victories Over Sihon And & Og, - The Kings Of The Amorites And Of Bashan - Israel Camps In "Lowlands Of Moab" Close By The Jordan
• Numbers 22:36-31:1-20 - The "Prophecies" Of Balaam - The End Of Balaam - Parallel Between Balaam And Judas
• Numbers 26-36 - The Second Census Of Israel - The "Daughters Of Zelophehad" - Appointment Of Moses' Successor - Sacrificial Ordinances - The War Against Midian - Allocation Of Territory East Of The Jordan - Levitical And Cities Of Refuge

CHARLES J ELLICOTT Commentary on the Book of Numbers For English Readers

J N DARBY Numbers

ARNO C. GAEBELEIN Commentary Book of Numbers

GENE GETZ - these are short video summaries about 10 minutes or so with applications

• Numbers; Principle #40; Numbers 33:1-56; p. 215  Obeying God Fully:  To be a witness in our world today, we must be transformed into the image of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Video

JOHN GILL Commentary on the Book of Numbers

GEORGE B GRAY - be wary - does not think Moses wrote Numbers!

• A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on Numbers

DAVID GUZIK Commentary Book of Numbers

Conservative, Evangelical, Millennial Perspective

ROBERT HAWKER

HOMILETICS Numbers

HYMNS Relating to The Book of Numbers

• Click here, scroll down, click specific book

MATTHEW HENRY Commentary on the Book of Numbers (1706)

JAMIESON, FAUSSET, BROWN Commentary of Numbers 

JAMIESON, FAUSSET, BROWN Unabridged Commentary of Numbers 

WILLIAM KELLY

PAUL KRETZMANN

LANGE'S COMMENTARY NUMBERS

Irving Jensen writes "An excellent commentary, with much helpful background material."

HENRY LINTON Notes on the Book of Numbers 1884

KEIL & DELITZSCH Commentary on the Old Testament Book of Numbers

Irving Jensen  - An excellent commentary, comprehensive, interestingly written. For the advanced student.

C H MACKINTOSH Devotional Commentary On Numbers

Mackintosh, a Plymouth Brethren, was a gifted teacher and writer. D L Moody said that " it was C. H. Mackintosh who had the greatest influence " upon his learning of the Word of God. One of his most respected works was  Notes on the Pentateuch .  Further biographical Note

Irving Jensen  writes "Written in a devotional style, with emphasis on spiritual application."

J VERNON MCGEE Thru the Bible  Mp3 Audio   Click to listen or Right click and select "Save Target as"

• Complete Book of Numbers (82.6 MB) - 87 tracks on one file = listening time of 6 hrs 23 minutes

F B MEYER Our Daily Homily Devotional Commentary On Numbers

• Numbers 33:9

HENRY MORRIS

Defender's Study Bible Notes  - Excellent, conservative, literal study Bible notes from a leading creationist commentator, Dr Henry Morris. Click Chapter number below and see right margin for links to available notes.

NET BIBLE NOTES - Book of Numbers

• Click for 75 page Pdf that contains all the Bible text and notes in a single document

OUR DAILY BREAD

• Numbers Devotions

JOSEPH PARKER THE PEOPLE'S BIBLE Numbers

MATTHEW POOLE

PREACHER'S HOMILETICAL COMMENTARY

PULPIT COMMENTARY

ROBERT RAYBURN Sermons Book of Numbers - Intro notes to each sermon are helpful

• Numbers 33:1-56

REFORMATION STUDY BIBLE Notes Numbers

• Numbers 33:3–4
• Numbers 33:4
• Numbers 33:5–48
• Numbers 33:31
• Numbers 33:36
• Numbers 33:44
• Numbers 33:52
• Numbers 33:53

SERMON AUDIO - variable quality

• Numbers 33 Sermons - audios
• Numbers 33 Sermons - Pdf's

DAVID THOMPSON Sermons Numbers

CHUCK SMITH Sermon Notes Book of Numbers

• Numbers 33:50-56 A Clean Sweep

CHUCK SMITH  Commentary

JAMES SMITH HANDFULS OF PURPOSE NUMBERS

Click here for notes on the following passages :

• HOW TO INHERIT GOD'S LAND OF PROMISE. Numbers 33:50-56

THIRD MILLENNIUM study notes

• Israel's Travels and Call to Conquest - Numbers 33:1-56

TODAY IN THE WORD Devotionals on Numbers Moody Bible Institute

• Numbers 33:50-56

ROBERT A WATSON Expositor's Bible Commentary on Numbers

SERMONS BY VERSE - older resources

• Numbers Resources

• Introduction

Stages of the Journey. 1 The following are the stages by which the Israelites went out by companies from the land of Egypt under the guidance of Moses and Aaron. * 2 Moses recorded the starting points of the various stages at the direction of the L ORD . These are the stages according to their starting points: 3 They set out from Rameses in the first month, on the fifteenth day of the first month. On the day after the Passover the Israelites went forth in triumph, in view of all Egypt, 4 while the Egyptians buried those whom the L ORD had struck down, every firstborn; on their gods, too, the L ORD executed judgments. a

From Egypt to Sinai. 5 Setting out from Rameses, the Israelites camped at Succoth. 6 Setting out from Succoth, they camped at Etham near the edge of the wilderness. 7 Setting out from Etham, they turned back to Pi-hahiroth, which is opposite Baal-zephon, and they camped opposite Migdol. b 8 Setting out from Pi-hahiroth, they crossed over through the sea into the wilderness, c and after they traveled a three days’ journey in the wilderness of Etham, they camped at Marah. 9 Setting out from Marah, they came to Elim; at Elim there were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees, and they camped there. d 10 Setting out from Elim, they camped beside the Red Sea. 11 Setting out from the Red Sea, they camped in the wilderness of Sin. 12 Setting out from the wilderness of Sin, they camped at Dophkah. 13 Setting out from Dophkah, they camped at Alush. 14 Setting out from Alush, they camped at Rephidim, where there was no water for the people to drink. e 15 Setting out from Rephidim, they camped in the wilderness of Sinai. f

From Sinai to Kadesh. 16 Setting out from the wilderness of Sinai, they camped at Kibroth-hattaavah. 17 Setting out from Kibroth-hattaavah, they camped at Hazeroth. g 18 Setting out from Hazeroth, they camped at Rithmah. 19 Setting out from Rithmah, they camped at Rimmon-perez. 20 Setting out from Rimmon-perez, they camped at Libnah. 21 Setting out from Libnah, they camped at Rissah. 22 Setting out from Rissah, they camped at Kehelathah. 23 Setting out from Kehelathah, they camped at Mount Shepher. 24 Setting out from Mount Shepher, they camped at Haradah. 25 Setting out from Haradah, they camped at Makheloth. 26 Setting out from Makheloth, they camped at Tahath. 27 Setting out from Tahath, they camped at Terah. 28 Setting out from Terah, they camped at Mithkah. 29 Setting out from Mithkah, they camped at Hashmonah. 30 * Setting out from Hashmonah, they camped at Moseroth. 31 Setting out from Moseroth, they camped at Bene-jaakan. 32 Setting out from Bene-jaakan, they camped at Mount Gidgad. 33 Setting out from Mount Gidgad, they camped at Jotbathah. 34 Setting out from Jotbathah, they camped at Abronah. 35 Setting out from Abronah, they camped at Ezion-geber. * 36 Setting out from Ezion-geber, they camped in the wilderness of Zin, that is, Kadesh. h

From Kadesh to the Plains of Moab. 37 Setting out from Kadesh, they camped at Mount Hor on the border of the land of Edom.

38 Aaron the priest ascended Mount Hor i at the L ORD ’s direction, and there he died in the fortieth year after the departure of the Israelites from the land of Egypt, on the first day of the fifth month. 39 Aaron was a hundred and twenty-three years old when he died on Mount Hor.

40 * When the Canaanite, the king of Arad, who ruled over the Negeb in the land of Canaan, heard that the Israelites were coming….

41 * Setting out from Mount Hor, they camped at Zalmonah. 42 Setting out from Zalmonah, they camped at Punon. 43 Setting out from Punon, they camped at Oboth. 44 Setting out from Oboth, they camped at Iye-abarim on the border of Moab. 45 Setting out from Iye-abarim, they camped at Dibon-gad. 46 Setting out from Dibon-gad, they camped at Almon-diblathaim. 47 Setting out from Almon-diblathaim, they camped in the Abarim range opposite Nebo. 48 Setting out from the Abarim range, they camped on the plains of Moab by the Jordan opposite Jericho. 49 They camped by the Jordan on the plains of Moab extended from Beth-jeshimoth to Abel-shittim.

Conquest and Division of Canaan. 50 The L ORD spoke to Moses on the plains of Moab by the Jordan opposite Jericho: 51 Speak to the Israelites and say to them: When you go across the Jordan into the land of Canaan, 52 dispossess all the inhabitants of the land before you; destroy all their stone figures, destroy all their molten images, and demolish all their high places. j

53 You will take possession of the land and settle in it, for I have given you the land to possess. 54 You will apportion the land among yourselves by lot, clan by clan, assigning a large heritage to a large clan and a small heritage to a small clan. k Wherever anyone’s lot falls, there will his possession be; you will apportion these shares within your ancestral tribe.

55 But if you do not dispossess the inhabitants of the land before you, those whom you allow to remain will become barbs in your eyes and thorns in your sides, and they will harass you in the land where you live, l 56 and I will treat you as I had intended to treat them.

* [ 33:1 – 3 ] According to v. 2 , this list of camping sites was drawn up by Moses as an itinerary recording Israel’s trek through the wilderness. Comparison with the more detailed accounts of the journey as given elsewhere suggests that the list is not necessarily comprehensive. It records just forty camping sites, not counting the starting place, Rameses, and the terminus, the plains of Moab. This number, which corresponds exactly to the forty years of wandering in the wilderness, is probably a schematic device. Moreover, it seems that in its present form the order of some of the names here has been disturbed. Several names listed here are not recorded elsewhere.

* [ 33:30 – 36 ] Moseroth is mentioned in Dt 10:6 (in the form of “Moserah”) as the place where Aaron died, apparently a variant of the tradition here in v. 38 regarding the place of Aaron’s death; so also Nm 20:22 – 24 and Dt 32:50 . Perhaps Moseroth was close to Mount Hor.

* [ 33:35 ] Ezion-geber : Solomon conducted sea trade with Ophir from this port ( 1 Kgs 9:26 ), today probably identified on the northern coast of the Gulf of Elath between the Jordanian city of Aqabah and the Israeli city of Elath.

* [ 33:40 ] The verse repeats almost verbatim the same introduction to the account of the victory over Arad as is given in 21:1 – 3 , where it also follows the account of Aaron’s death. Perhaps the isolated verse here is intended by the editor(s) of Numbers to point the reader to the fuller account given there.

* [ 33:41b – 49 ] It seems that this section stood originally immediately after v. 36a .

a. [ 33:4 – 5 ] Ex 12:12 , 29 , 37 .

b. [ 33:7 ] Ex 14:2 .

c. [ 33:8 ] Ex 15:22 .

d. [ 33:9 ] Ex 15:27 .

e. [ 33:14 ] Ex 17:1 .

f. [ 33:15 ] Ex 19:2 .

g. [ 33:17 – 18 ] Nm 11:34 – 35 .

h. [ 33:36 – 37 ] Nm 20:1 , 22 .

i. [ 33:38 ] Nm 20:25 ; Dt 32:50 .

j. [ 33:52 ] Ex 23:31 ; 34:13 ; Dt 7:5 ; 12:3 .

k. [ 33:54 ] Nm 26:53 – 56 .

l. [ 33:55 ] Jos 23:13 ; Jgs 2:3 .

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Numbers 33 : KJV

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Footnotes 4

• [a]. Kibrothhattaavah: that is, the graves of lust
• [b]. Ijeabarim: or, heaps of Abarim
• [c]. Abelshittim: or, the plains of Shittim
• [d]. give the more...: Heb. multiply his inheritance

Numbers 33 Commentaries

Numbers 33 EasyEnglish Bible

The journey of the israelites.

33  This is the way that the Israelites travelled, after Moses and Aaron led them out of Egypt. They travelled in their family groups. 2  The Lord told Moses that he should write about the journey. These are the places where they made their camps on the way:

3  They left Rameses in Egypt on the 15th day of the first month. That was the day after the Passover meal. The Israelites marched out bravely, while all the Egyptian people watched them. 4  As they left, the Egyptians were burying all their firstborn sons, because the Lord had killed them. The Lord had shown his power over the Egyptians' gods.

5  They left Rameses and they travelled to Succoth. They made their camp there.

6  They travelled from Succoth to Etham. They made their camp there, on the edge of the desert.

7  They travelled from Etham and they turned round to go to Pi-Hahiroth, which is east of Baal-Zephon. They made their camp near Migdol.

8  They travelled from Pi-Hahiroth. They went through the middle of the sea and then went into the desert. They travelled for three days and then they made their camp at Marah, in Etham desert.

9  They travelled from Marah to Elim. At Elim, there were 12 wells of water and 70 palm trees. They made their camp there.

10  They travelled from Elim and they made their camp by the side of the Red Sea.

11  They travelled from the Red Sea. And they made their camp in the Sin desert.

12  They travelled from the Sin desert and they made their camp at Dophkah.

13  They travelled from Dophkah and they made their camp at Alush.

14  They travelled from Alush and they made their camp at Rephidim. There was no water there for the people to drink.

15  They travelled from Rephidim and they made their camp in the Sinai desert.

16  They travelled from the Sinai desert and they made their camp at Kibroth-Hattaavah.

17  They travelled from Kibroth-Hattaavah and they made their camp at Hazeroth.

18  They travelled from Hazeroth and they made their camp at Rithmah.

19  They travelled from Rithmah and they made their camp at Rimmon-Perez.

20  They travelled from Rimmon-Perez and they made their camp at Libnah.

21  They travelled from Libnah and they made their camp at Rissah.

22  They travelled from Rissah and they made their camp at Kehelathah.

23  They travelled from Kehelathah and they made their camp at Shepher mountain.

24  They travelled from Shepher mountain and they made their camp at Haradah.

25  They travelled from Haradah and they made their camp at Makheloth.

26  They travelled from Makheloth and they made their camp at Tahath.

27  They travelled from Tahath and they made their camp at Terah.

28  They travelled from Terah and they made their camp at Mithcah.

29  They travelled from Mithcah and they made their camp at Hashmonah.

30  They travelled from Hashmonah and they made their camp at Moseroth.

31  They travelled from Moseroth and they made their camp at Bene-Jaakan.

32  They travelled from Bene-Jaakan and they made their camp at Hor-Haggidgad.

33  They travelled from Hor-Haggidgad and they made their camp at Jotbathah.

34  They travelled from Jotbathah and they made their camp at Abronah.

35  They travelled from Abronah and they made their camp at Ezion-Geber.

36  They travelled from Ezion-Geber and they made their camp at Kadesh in the Zin desert.

37  They travelled from Kadesh and they made their camp at Hor mountain. It is on the border of Edom land.

38  The Lord told Aaron that he must go up Hor mountain. Aaron went up and he died there. That was in the 40th year after the Israelites had left Egypt. He died on the first day of the fifth month. 39  Aaron was 123 years old when he died on Hor mountain.

40  The king of Arad lived in the south part of the land of Canaan. People told him that the Israelites were coming.

41  The Israelites travelled from Hor mountain and they made their camp at Zalmonah.

42  They travelled from Zalmonah and they made their camp at Punon.

43  They travelled from Punon and they made their camp at Oboth.

44  They travelled from Oboth and they made their camp at Iye-Abarim, on the border of Moab land.

45  They travelled from Iye-Abarim and they made their camp at Dibon-Gad.

46  They travelled from Dibon-Gad and they made their camp at Almon-Diblathaim.

47  They travelled from Almon-Diblathaim and they made their camp in the mountains of Abarim, near Nebo.

48  They travelled from the mountains of Abarim and they made their camp in Moab beside the Jordan River. They were on the other side of the river from Jericho city.

49  They made their camp on the flat ground beside the river. Their tents covered the ground from Beth-Jeshimoth to Abel-Shittim.

50  Then the Lord spoke to Moses there in Moab beside the Jordan River. Jericho was on the other side of the river. The Lord said, 51  ‘Say to the Israelites, “You will cross over the Jordan River and you will go into the land of Canaan. 52  Then you must chase out all the people who live in that land. You must destroy all their idols that are made from wood or stone. Also destroy the altars where they worship their false gods. 53  I have given this land to you to live in. So you must win power over the people who live there now. 54  You must use lots to choose how to give part of the land to each family. You must give more land to the larger clans and you must give less land to the smaller clans. The lots will decide which piece of land belongs to each family. Each of your ancestors' tribes will get its own part of the land.

55  If any Canaanites remain in the land, they will bring trouble and pain to the Israelites. So you must chase them all away. 56  If you do not do that, I will punish you in the way that I wanted to punish them.” ’

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