Keraia
Numbers 33

Numbers 33:49

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

Translations

Modern
And there on the plains of Moab they camped by the Jordan, from Beth-jeshimoth to Abel-shittim.
Traditional
And they pitched by Jordan, from Beth–jesimoth even unto Abel–shittim in the plains of Moab.
Literal
And they camped by the Jordan, from Beth-jeshimoth to Abel-shittim in the plains of Moab.
Latin
Ibique castrametati sunt de Bethsimoth usque ad Abelsatim in planioribus locis Moabitarum.

Original

Hebrew
English
And there on the plains of Moab they camped by the Jordan, from Beth-jeshimoth to Abel-shittim.

Notes

Numbers 33:42–49

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.

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.

Places

Beth-jeshimoth: Town in Moab, allotted to Reuben, mentioned in prophecy Jordan: A river and region, significant in Israel's history Plains of Moab: Region east of the Jordan River, opposite Jericho Shittim: The last Israelite campsite before crossing the Jordan

Glossary

Abel-shittim Arabah Beth-Jeshimoth Deuteronomy, Book of Numbers, Book of Shittim (Place)

Topics

Beth-Jeshimoth: Called Beth-Jesimoth Israel: Arrive in the Plains of Moab, at the Fords of the Jordan River Journey of Israel Through The Desert: Return to the Plains of Moab Shittim: Also Called Abel-Shittim Shittim: Also Called Abel-Shittim: A Camping Place of Israel