Keraia
Numbers 33

Numbers 33:4

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

Translations

Modern
…who were burying all their firstborn, whom the LORD had struck down among them; for the LORD had executed judgment against their gods.
Traditional
For the Egyptians buried all their firstborn, which the Lord had smitten among them: upon their gods also the Lord executed judgments.
Literal
For Egypt were burying those whom YHWH had struck down among them, all the firstborn, and on their gods YHWH had executed judgments.
Latin
…et sepelientibus primogenitos, quos percusserat Dominus (nam et in diis eorum exercuerat ultionem),

Interlinear

Hebrew
English
…who were burying all their firstborn, whom the LORD had struck down among them; for the LORD had executed judgment against their gods.

Notes

Numbers 33:4

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.

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.

Places

Egypt: Ancient nation; Israelites enslaved there; plagues and Exodus

Glossary

Arabah Deuteronomy, Book of Numbers, Book of

Topics

Egypt: Religion of, Idolatrous Firstborn of Egyptians Killed Idolatry: Prophecies Relating To Judgments: Inflicted Upon: False Gods