ScriptureDepth's study of Numbers 33
“They encamped by the Jordan, from Beth Jeshimoth even to Abel Shittim in the plains of Moab.”
Numbers 33:49
Moses writes to the children of Israel about their encampment by the Jordan, marking the point where they prepare to enter the land of Canaan.
What Numbers 33 is about
Moses records the journeys of the Israelites as they leave Egypt under his and Aaron's guidance (vv. 1-2). They travel from Rameses on the fifteenth day of the first month after the Passover (vv. 3-4). Their first encampments include Succoth and Etham, leading to their crossing through the Red Sea and arrival at Marah (vv. 5-9). Next, they camp by the Red Sea and the wilderness of Sin before moving through various locations such as Dophkah, Alush, and Rephidim (vv. 10-15). Aaron dies on Mount Hor after serving as priest for many years (vv. 36-39). The Israelites camp near Moab and prepare to enter Canaan (vv. 37-49). Yahweh commands them to drive out the inhabitants of Canaan and gives instructions about the land distribution (vv. 50-56).
Yahweh commands that all people in Canaan must be driven out to avoid future troubles.
Numbers 33 at a glance
- Numbers 33:1–2Introduction to the Journeys
- Numbers 33:3–9Initial Travels from Egypt
- Numbers 33:10–15Encampments in the Wilderness
- Numbers 33:16–24Further Journeying
- Numbers 33:25–36Leadership Transition and Death of Aaron
- Numbers 33:37–49Encampments Before Canaan
- Numbers 33:50–56Instructions for Conquest
Key verse: Numbers 33:49
One thing to notice
Yahweh commands the Israelites to drive out the inhabitants of Canaan in verse 51, stating they should 'destroy all their stone idols' and 'demolish all their high places.' This directive lays the groundwork for their future actions as they prepare to occupy the promised land.
Summary and study helps: AI-drafted (September 2026), checked by automated Scripture gates. Spotted an error? Report it. Fixes are listed on the corrections page.
Chapter text
Read Numbers 33 (WEB)
Introduction to the Journeys Numbers 33:1–2
1Verse 1. These are the journeys of the children of Israel, when they went out of the land of Egypt by their armies under the hand of Moses and Aaron. 2Verse 2. Moses wrote their goings out according to their journeys by the commandment of Yahweh. These are their journeys according to their goings out.
Initial Travels from Egypt Numbers 33:3–9
3Verse 3. They traveled from Rameses in the first month, on the fifteenth day of the first month; on the next day after the Passover, the children of Israel went out with a high hand in the sight of all the Egyptians, 4Verse 4. while the Egyptians were burying all their firstborn, whom Yahweh had struck among them. Yahweh also executed judgments on their gods. 5Verse 5. The children of Israel traveled from Rameses, and encamped in Succoth. 6Verse 6. They traveled from Succoth, and encamped in Etham, which is in the edge of the wilderness. 7Verse 7. They traveled from Etham, and turned back to Pihahiroth, which is before Baal Zephon: and they encamped before Migdol.
8Verse 8. They traveled from before Hahiroth, and crossed through the middle of the sea into the wilderness. They went three days’ journey in the wilderness of Etham, and encamped in Marah. 9Verse 9. They traveled from Marah, and came to Elim. In Elim, there were twelve springs of water, and seventy palm trees; and they encamped there.
Encampments in the Wilderness Numbers 33:10–15
10Verse 10. They traveled from Elim, and encamped by the Red Sea. 11Verse 11. They traveled from the Red Sea, and encamped in the wilderness of Sin. 12Verse 12. They traveled from the wilderness of Sin, and encamped in Dophkah. 13Verse 13. They traveled from Dophkah, and encamped in Alush. 14Verse 14. They traveled from Alush, and encamped in Rephidim, where there was no water for the people to drink. 15Verse 15. They traveled from Rephidim, and encamped in the wilderness of Sinai.
Further Journeying Numbers 33:16–24
16Verse 16. They traveled from the wilderness of Sinai, and encamped in Kibroth Hattaavah. 17Verse 17. They traveled from Kibroth Hattaavah, and encamped in Hazeroth. 18Verse 18. They traveled from Hazeroth, and encamped in Rithmah. 19Verse 19. They traveled from Rithmah, and encamped in Rimmon Perez. 20Verse 20. They traveled from Rimmon Perez, and encamped in Libnah. 21Verse 21. They traveled from Libnah, and encamped in Rissah.
22Verse 22. They traveled from Rissah, and encamped in Kehelathah. 23Verse 23. They traveled from Kehelathah, and encamped in Mount Shepher. 24Verse 24. They traveled from Mount Shepher, and encamped in Haradah.
Leadership Transition and Death of Aaron Numbers 33:25–36
25Verse 25. They traveled from Haradah, and encamped in Makheloth. 26Verse 26. They traveled from Makheloth, and encamped in Tahath. 27Verse 27. They traveled from Tahath, and encamped in Terah. 28Verse 28. They traveled from Terah, and encamped in Mithkah. 29Verse 29. They traveled from Mithkah, and encamped in Hashmonah. 30Verse 30. They traveled from Hashmonah, and encamped in Moseroth.
31Verse 31. They traveled from Moseroth, and encamped in Bene Jaakan. 32Verse 32. They traveled from Bene Jaakan, and encamped in Hor Haggidgad. 33Verse 33. They traveled from Hor Haggidgad, and encamped in Jotbathah. 34Verse 34. They traveled from Jotbathah, and encamped in Abronah. 35Verse 35. They traveled from Abronah, and encamped in Ezion Geber. 36Verse 36. They traveled from Ezion Geber, and encamped at Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.
Encampments Before Canaan Numbers 33:37–49
37Verse 37. They traveled from Kadesh, and encamped in Mount Hor, in the edge of the land of Edom. 38Verse 38. Aaron the priest went up into Mount Hor at the commandment of Yahweh, and died there, in the fortieth year after the children of Israel had come out of the land of Egypt, in the fifth month, on the first day of the month. 39Verse 39. Aaron was one hundred twenty-three years old when he died in Mount Hor. 40Verse 40. The Canaanite, the king of Arad, who lived in the South in the land of Canaan, heard of the coming of the children of Israel. 41Verse 41. They traveled from Mount Hor, and encamped in Zalmonah.
42Verse 42. They traveled from Zalmonah, and encamped in Punon. 43Verse 43. They traveled from Punon, and encamped in Oboth. 44Verse 44. They traveled from Oboth, and encamped in Iye Abarim, in the border of Moab. 45Verse 45. They traveled from Iyim, and encamped in Dibon Gad. 46Verse 46. They traveled from Dibon Gad, and encamped in Almon Diblathaim. 47Verse 47. They traveled from Almon Diblathaim, and encamped in the mountains of Abarim, before Nebo.
48Verse 48. They traveled from the mountains of Abarim, and encamped in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho. 49Verse 49. They encamped by the Jordan, from Beth Jeshimoth even to Abel Shittim in the plains of Moab.
Instructions for Conquest Numbers 33:50–56
50Verse 50. Yahweh spoke to Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho, saying, 51Verse 51. Speak to the children of Israel, and tell them, “When you pass over the Jordan into the land of Canaan, 52Verse 52. then you shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, destroy all their stone idols, destroy all their molten images, and demolish all their high places. 53Verse 53. You shall take possession of the land, and dwell therein; for I have given the land to you to possess it. 54Verse 54. You shall inherit the land by lot according to your families; to the more you shall give the more inheritance, and to the fewer you shall give the less inheritance. Wherever the lot falls to any man, that shall be his. You shall inherit according to the tribes of your fathers.
55Verse 55. “But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then those you let remain of them will be as pricks in your eyes and as thorns in your sides, and they will harass you in the land in which you dwell. 56Verse 56. It shall happen that as I thought to do to them, so will I do to you.”
World English Bible (public domain)
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Main themes in Numbers 33
Divine Guidance
In Numbers 33, divine guidance manifests through the meticulous record of the Israelites' journeys under Moses and Aaron's leadership. The text details their travels from Rameses to various encampments, signifying obedience to Yahweh's direction. For instance, in v. 2, 'Moses wrote their goings out according to their journeys by the commandment of Yahweh.' This pattern of movement showcases how the Israelites followed God's instructions throughout their time in the wilderness.
Faithfulness of God
The faithfulness of God is evident as He leads the Israelites from Egypt toward the Promised Land. In v. 53, Yahweh commands the Israelites to take possession of the land, affirming His commitment to fulfill His promise. The continual guidance and provision during their encampments, such as the refreshing springs in Elim in v. 9, demonstrate God's reliability throughout their journey.
Obedience and Responsibility
Obedience and responsibility surface in the directives given to the Israelites regarding the conquest of Canaan. In vv. 52-54, Yahweh instructs them to drive out the inhabitants of the land and destroy their idols, making their success dependent on their adherence to His commands. The text stresses that failure to comply will result in consequences, as seen in v. 55, which warns that those who remain will be a source of trouble.
Historical Remembrance
Historical remembrance is a key aspect of Numbers 33 as it chronicles the significant events in the Israelites' journey from Egypt to Canaan. Each encampment and travel detail serves to recall their experiences and divine interventions along the way. For example, the mention of Aaron's death in v. 38 anchors the narrative in their collective memory, connecting their present journey with their past experiences and the leadership that has shaped their identity.
Chapter outline
How Numbers 33 unfolds
Numbers 33:1–2 Introduction to the Journeys
Moses records the journeys of the children of Israel as they leave Egypt under the leadership of Moses and Aaron, following Yahweh's command (vv. 1-2).
Numbers 33:3–9 Initial Travels from Egypt
The initial travels begin with the Israelites departing from Rameses the day after Passover, boldly escaping while the Egyptians mourn their losses (vv. 3-4).
Numbers 33:10–15 Encampments in the Wilderness
The Israelites encamp in various locations including Etham and Marah, where they experience a lack of water before reaching the oasis of Elim with its abundant resources (vv. 10-15).
Numbers 33:16–24 Further Journeying
The Israelites traveled from the wilderness of Sinai and encamped in 'Kibroth Hattaavah', then moved to 'Hazeroth', 'Rithmah', 'Rimmon Perez', 'Libnah', 'Rissah', 'Kehelathah', 'Mount Shepher', and 'Haradah' (vv. 16-24).
Numbers 33:25–36 Leadership Transition and Death of Aaron
The Israelites moved from 'Haradah' and encamped in 'Makheloth', 'Tahath', 'Terah', 'Mithkah', 'Hashmonah', 'Moseroth', 'Bene Jaakan', 'Hor Haggidgad', 'Jotbathah', 'Abronah', and 'Ezion Geber', reaching 'Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin' (vv. 25-36).
Numbers 33:37–49 Encampments Before Canaan
As the Israelites approach Canaan, they establish camps in various places like Zalmonah and Dibon Gad, preparing for their next phase (vv. 41-49).
Numbers 33:50–56 Instructions for Conquest
Yahweh commands the Israelites to conquer and cleanse the land of Canaan, instructing them on driving out the inhabitants and the consequences of failing to do so (vv. 50-56).
Key verses
Numbers 33:49Moses writes to the children of Israel about their encampment by the Jordan, marking the point where they prepare to enter the land of Canaan.
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Study questions
Questions for studying Numbers 33
- observeIn v3, what does it mean that the Israelites went out 'with a high hand'?
- observeWhat happened in v38 when Aaron went up into Mount Hor?
- interpretThe command in vv. 52-53: what does it mean to 'drive out all the inhabitants'?
- interpretIn v55, why does God warn that remaining inhabitants will be 'pricks in your eyes'?
- applyWhen has God's guidance in your journey felt clear like the Israelites in v2?
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Cross-references
Passages that echo Numbers 33
- Exodus 12Numbers 33:4 and Exodus 12:12Both execute judgments: Numbers 33:4 Yahweh also executed judgments on their gods, while Exodus 12:12 I will execute judgments: I am Yahweh.
- Deuteronomy 7Numbers 33:55 and Deuteronomy 7:16Both drive out inhabitants: Numbers 33:55 You do not drive out the inhabitants, while Deuteronomy 7:16 You shall consume all the peoples.
- Judges 2Numbers 33:55 and Judges 2:3Both promise inhabitants will be a snare: Numbers 33:55 They will be as pricks in your eyes, while Judges 2:3 Their gods will be a snare to you.
- Deuteronomy 10Numbers 33:38 and Deuteronomy 10:6Both mention Aaron's death: Numbers 33:38 Aaron the priest died, while Deuteronomy 10:6 Aaron died and was buried.
- Exodus 14Numbers 33:7 and Exodus 14:2Both instruct to encamp before Pihahiroth: Numbers 33:7 They encamped before Migdol, while Exodus 14:2 You shall encamp opposite it by the sea.
- Numbers 21Numbers 33:40 and Numbers 21:1Both mention the Canaanite king: Numbers 33:40 The Canaanite, the king of Arad, while Numbers 21:1 The Canaanite, the king of Arad, heard.
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