Numbers 33

The list of travel places shows careful record-keeping. It includes many specific details. This is the only place in Numbers that says Moses wrote down part of Israel’s history (compare Exodus 24:4).

• This review of the entire wilderness period includes the longest connected list of place names in the Old Testament. It begins with Israel’s departure from Egypt (33:3; compare Exodus 12:37). It ends with their arrival in the plains of Moab, across from Jericho (Numbers 33:49; compare 22:1).

  The list names 42 stopping places along the way. These places represent more than a physical journey from one land to another. They also remind readers of Israel’s forty years of spiritual growth and testing.

  Israel traveled from Rameses in Egypt (33:3) to Abel-shittim on the plains of Moab (33:49). During these years, the people became ready to enter the land of Canaan and receive the promises God had made to Abraham.

• This list does not give enough information to trace an exact route on a map. Many of the places cannot be identified with certainty. Some of these names do not appear anywhere else in the Hebrew Bible.

  In addition, there are not enough details to locate these places precisely. The list is also selective. It does not include every place that earlier parts of the journey mention.

marched out defiantly: See Exodus 14:8.

executed judgment against their gods: See Exodus 6:6; 12:12. This historical review emphasizes the special events that forced Pharaoh to allow the Israelites to leave Egypt.

For the list of Israel’s travel places between Rameses and the wilderness of Sinai, see Exodus 13:17–19:1.

Etham: See Exodus 13:20.

The exact location of Elim is not known. However, it may have been the oasis (a place with water, springs, and palm trees) at Wadi Gharandel.

The entry for Rephidim (see study note on 20:13) includes a reminder that Israel rebelled there (Exodus 7:1–7).

Tradition associates the wilderness of Sinai with a mountainous region in the southern Sinai Peninsula near Jebel Musa (Arabic for “mountain of Moses”), though scholars have suggested other locations.

Kibroth-hattaavah … Hazeroth: See 11:34–12:16.

The journey between Sinai and Kadesh. Our ability to locate the named sites depends on the identification of Mount Sinai.

Most of the names of the places in this section do not appear elsewhere in the Old Testament.

Moseroth was also known as Moserah (Deuteronomy 10:6). This is where Aaron died and was buried (compare Numbers 20:22–29; 33:37–39).

Ezion-geber was located near the northern end of the Gulf of Aqaba (see Deuteronomy 2:8).

Israel was living in Kadesh when the spies returned and gave the report of their journey through Canaan (13:26; 27:14; “Kadesh-barnea,” 32:8).

Israel traveled from Kadesh to the plains of Moab.

These details about Aaron’s death and his age show that he was about three years older than Moses (compare Numbers 20:22–29; Deuteronomy 31:1–2; 34:7).

Many possible locations for these places are east of the Jordan River. They lie between the southern Arabah and the plains of Moab, across from Jericho.

Almon-diblathaim is probably the same place as Beth-diblathaim (Jeremiah 48:22). This place is also mentioned in the Mesha Inscription, an ancient Moabite stone monument (see study note on Numbers 21:26).

After the Israelites arrived at the plains of Moab, across from Jericho (22:1), they camped there. They remained in that place for the rest of the events recorded in Numbers (see 36:13; Deuteronomy 34:8).

While they camped there, God gave Israel specific instructions on how to deal with the people of Canaan. The Lord commanded them to destroy the people groups living in Canaan and remove all traces of their religious practices (compare Exodus 23:23–33; 34:11–17; Deuteronomy 7:1–6; 12:2–4; Joshua 23:4–8).

Moses said they must destroy carved and metal idols (compare Leviticus 26:1). They were also to tear down pagan places of worship (see Deuteronomy 12:2–3).

divide the land by lot: See 26:53–56. Chapter 34 describes the boundaries of the land of Canaan, which they would soon conquer and divide.

Israel did not follow God's instructions. So, they suffered the consequences predicted here (33:51–53; see Judges 1:1–2:5; 2:11–3:6). Israel’s enemies in the period of the judges were like "barbs … and thorns" (Numbers 33:55). Their enemies caused them military and spiritual trouble (compare 2 Corinthians 12:7).