Keraia
Numbers 33

Numbers 33:8

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

Translations

Modern
They set out from Pi-hahiroth and crossed through the sea, into the wilderness, and they journeyed three days into the Wilderness of Etham and camped at Marah.
Traditional
And they departed from before Pi–hahiroth, and passed through the midst of the sea into the wilderness, and went three days’ journey in the wilderness of Etham, and pitched in Marah.
Literal
And they set out from Pi-hahiroth, and passed through in the midst of the sea into the wilderness, and went a journey of three days in the Wilderness of Etham, and camped at Marah.
Latin
Profectique de Phihahiroth, transierunt per medium mare in solitudinem: et ambulantes tribus diebus per desertum Etham, castrametati sunt in Mara.

Original

Hebrew
English
They set out from Pi-hahiroth and crossed through the sea, into the wilderness, and they journeyed three days into the Wilderness of Etham and camped at Marah.

Notes

Numbers 33:5–15

For the list of Israel’s travel places between Rameses and the wilderness of Sinai, see Exodus 13:17–19:1.

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

Etham: Wilderness area where Israelites camped during the Exodus Marah: A place with bitter water on the Exodus route Pi-hahiroth: A place near the Red Sea crossing

Glossary

Arabah Deuteronomy, Book of Etham Exodus, the Hahiroth Marah Numbers, Book of Shur Wilderness

Topics

Israel: Journey to Marah Journey of Israel Through The Desert: Through the Wilderness of Shur or Etham Journey of Israel Through The Desert: To Marah Marah: The First Station of the Israelites, where Moses Made the Bitter Waters Sweet Migdol: A Place Near the Red Sea where the Israelites Encamped Pi-Hahiroth: The Place on the West Shore of the Red Sea where Pharaoh Overtook the Israelites Red Sea: Israelites Cross; Pharaoh and his Army Drowned In