Keraia
Numbers 33

Numbers 33:40

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

Translations

Modern
Now the Canaanite king of Arad, who lived in the Negev in the land of Canaan, heard that the Israelites were coming.
Traditional
And king Arad the Canaanite, which dwelt in the south in the land of Canaan, heard of the coming of the children of Israel.
Literal
And the Canaanite—the king of Arad—he dwelt in the Negev in the land of Canaan and heard of the coming of the sons of Israel.
Latin
Audivitque Chananæus rex Arad, qui habitabat ad meridiem, in terram Chanaan venisse filios Israël.

Original

Hebrew
English
Now the Canaanite king of Arad, who lived in the Negev in the land of Canaan, heard that the Israelites were coming.

Notes

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

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

Places

Arad: Arad, Canaanite city, attacked Israel, later inhabited by Kenites Canaan: Ancient region; descendants of Ham; promised to Abraham's descendants Negeb: The southern region of Israel, a semi-arid area

Glossary

Arabah Arad (Place) Deuteronomy, Book of Numbers, Book of

Topics

Arad: A City on the South of Canaan Journey of Israel Through The Desert: To Mount Hor: Arad Conquered