Keraia
Numbers 33

Numbers 33:38

Forty-Two Journeys of the Israelites · Numbers 33:1–49
Read Numbers 33

Translations

Modern
At the LORD’s command, Aaron the priest climbed Mount Hor and died there on the first day of the fifth month, in the fortieth year after the Israelites had come out of the land of Egypt.
Traditional
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.
Literal
And Aaron the priest went up to Mount Hor at the mouth of YHWH, and died there, in the fortieth year of the going out of the sons of Israel of the land of Egypt, on the first of the Fifth month.
Latin
Ascenditque Aaron sacerdos in montem Hor jubente Domino: et ibi mortuus est anno quadragesimo egressionis filiorum Israël ex Ægypto, mense quinto, prima die mensis,

Original

Hebrew
English
At the LORD’s command, Aaron the priest climbed Mount Hor and died there on the first day of the fifth month, in the fortieth year after the Israelites had come out of the land of Egypt.

Notes

Numbers 33:38–39

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).

Numbers 33:37–49

Israel traveled from Kadesh to the plains of Moab.

Numbers 33:1–56

  • 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.

People

Aaron: Moses' brother, first high priest of Israel Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes

Places

Egypt: Ancient nation; Israelites enslaved there; plagues and Exodus Mount Hor: Mountain where Aaron died and was buried

Glossary

Aaron Arabah Deuteronomy, Book of Numbers, Book of Wilderness Wanderings

Topics

Aaron: Age of, at Death Hor: The Mountain Upon Which Aaron Died Israel: The Death of Aaron Journey of Israel Through The Desert: To Mount Hor: Aaron Dies Month: (Number Only Mentioned): Aaron Died on the First Day of Time: Eras from Which, Computed: The Exodus from Egypt