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Exodus 12

Exodus 12:37

The Exodus Begins · Exodus 12:31–42
Read Exodus 12

Translations

Modern
The Israelites journeyed from Rameses to Succoth with about 600,000 men on foot, besides women and children.
Traditional
And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children.
Literal
And the sons of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot, apart from little ones.
Latin
Profectique sunt filii Israël de Ramesse in Socoth, sexcenta fere millia peditum virorum, absque parvulis.

Original

Hebrew
English
The Israelites journeyed from Rameses to Succoth with about 600,000 men on foot, besides women and children.

Notes

Exodus 12:37

Scholars often identify Succoth with Tell el-Maskhutah. The mention of 600,000 men in Numbers 1:46 suggests about 2.5 million people in total.

If this large number is literal, it presents some challenges:

  1. The camp area would cover 643 square kilometers (400 square miles).

  2. A column of people 1,000 wide would stretch nearly a mile and take 20 hours to pass one point.

  3. No other known armies in the ancient Near East were this large.

Scholars suggest two possible explanations:

  1. The number might be symbolic, showing that God greatly blessed Israel. Although unusual to us, this was acceptable in the ancient world.

  2. The Hebrew word for “thousand” (’elep) might actually be “troop” (’allup). If so, it originally meant “600 troops of fighting men.” With each troop having about 100 men, the total population would be much smaller.

Despite the logistical issues, it is possible there were indeed 2.5 million Israelites.

Exodus 12:31–14:31

The Lord delivered on his promises and rescued Israel, bringing them out of Egypt.

Events

People

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes

Places

Rameses: Egyptian city where Israelites lived before the Exodus Succoth: First Israelite campsite after leaving Egypt during Exodus

Glossary

Aaron Book of Exodus Chronology of the Bible (New Testament) Deuteronomy, Book of Exodus, the Family Life and Relations History of Israel Leaven Lintel (Top of a Doorframe) Meaning of Meals in the Bible Pithom Plague Rameses (Place) Succoth Wilderness Wanderings Worship

Topics

Israel: Journey from Rameses to Succoth Israel: Number of, at the Time of the Exodus Israel: Number of, Fit for Military Service when They Left Egypt Israel: Urged by the Egyptians to Depart Journey of Israel Through The Desert: Commenced from Rameses in Egypt Journey of Israel Through The Desert: Their Number Commencing Journey of Israel Through The Desert: To Succoth Passover: Institution of Rameses: The District in Egypt Which Was Inhabited by the Israelites Succoth: The First Camping Place of the Israelites After Leaving the City of Rameses The Tribes of Israel: Total Strength of, on Leaving Egypt Travellers: Often Travelled on Foot