Exodus 13:20 kjv
And they took their journey from Succoth, and encamped in Etham, in the edge of the wilderness.
Exodus 13:20 nkjv
So they took their journey from Succoth and camped in Etham at the edge of the wilderness.
Exodus 13:20 niv
After leaving Sukkoth they camped at Etham on the edge of the desert.
Exodus 13:20 esv
And they moved on from Succoth and encamped at Etham, on the edge of the wilderness.
Exodus 13:20 nlt
The Israelites left Succoth and camped at Etham on the edge of the wilderness.
Exodus 13 20 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ex 12:37 | The Israelites journeyed from Rameses to Succoth... | Previous stage of journey |
| Ex 13:17-18 | God did not lead them through the way of the land of the Philistines... but led the people around... | God's specific guiding choice |
| Ex 13:21-22 | And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud, to lead them the way... | Divine presence and guidance initiated |
| Num 9:17 | Whenever the cloud lifted from over the tent, then the Israelites set out; and in the place... | Principle of divine movement confirmed |
| Num 9:23 | At the mouth of the Lord they encamped, and at the mouth of the Lord they set out. | All movement at God's command |
| Deut 1:33 | He went before you in the way to search out a place to pitch your tents... | God's leading and preparation emphasized |
| Deut 8:2 | And you shall remember the whole way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years... | Remembering God's wilderness guidance |
| Deut 32:10 | He found him in a desert land, and in the howling waste of the wilderness... | God's care in the harsh wilderness |
| Neh 9:12 | By day you led them with a pillar of cloud, and by night with a pillar of fire... | Recalling God's specific guidance |
| Neh 9:19 | You did not forsake them in the wilderness. | God's unwavering faithfulness |
| Ps 78:14 | In the daytime he led them with a cloud, and all night with a fiery light. | Poetic remembrance of the pillar |
| Ps 105:39 | He spread a cloud for a covering, and fire to give light by night. | God's protective and guiding provision |
| Ps 107:4 | Some wandered in desert wastes, finding no way to a city to dwell in. | Human helplessness without guidance |
| Ps 107:7 | He led them by a straight way until they reached a city to dwell in. | God leads through wilderness to rest |
| Isa 58:11 | And the Lord will guide you continually... | Prophetic promise of continued guidance |
| Prov 3:5-6 | Trust in the Lord with all your heart... he will make straight your paths. | Principle of trusting divine direction |
| Jer 2:2 | I remember the devotion of your youth, your love as a bride, how you followed me in the wilderness... | Israel's initial faith in following God |
| Mk 1:12-13 | The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. | Jesus' own wilderness experience |
| 1 Cor 10:1 | For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud... | Wilderness as an example for believers |
| Heb 3:7-9 | Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness... | Warning against hardening heart in wilderness trials |
| Heb 11:8 | By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place... | Faith's journey from homeland |
| 1 Pet 2:11 | Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh... | Believers as spiritual sojourners |
Exodus 13 verses
Exodus 13 20 Meaning
Exodus 13:20 marks a crucial step in the Israelite Exodus, detailing their departure from Succoth and their subsequent encampment in Etham, which lay at the very edge of the vast wilderness. This precise geographic note underscores the systematic and divinely orchestrated nature of their journey, as they transitioned from the settled land of Egypt into the challenging, untamed territory where they would rely solely on God's miraculous provision and direct guidance.Exodus 13 20 Context
Exodus 13:20 is situated within the narrative of the Exodus, immediately following God's clear instructions regarding the Passover, the consecration of the firstborn, and the detailed reason for taking a longer route (Ex 13:17-19) to avoid confrontation with the Philistines. The Israelites had just departed Rameses (Ex 12:37) and made their first short journey to Succoth, where they paused. Verse 20 describes their second stage of movement, pressing deeper into their journey toward freedom and the Promised Land. This movement signifies a physical and spiritual transition, as they leave the familiarity of Egypt for the unknown but divinely directed path of the wilderness. The historical context is that of a newly freed nation, numbering hundreds of thousands, embarking on an unprecedented journey led by a God who demonstrates His power and faithfulness. This sets the stage for the miraculous guidance by the pillar of cloud and fire that immediately follows.Exodus 13 20 Word analysis
- And they took their journey (וַיִּסְעוּ, vayyis'û): The verb "to journey" or "to set out" (nasa’) emphasizes a deliberate and orchestrated movement, not a chaotic flight. It highlights that the departure was an orderly progression under divine command. The repeated action throughout the wilderness journey emphasizes God's direct guidance at every step.
- from Succoth (מִסֻּכּוֹת, misukkot): "Succoth" means "booths" or "tabernacles." This was the Israelites' first encampment after leaving Rameses, where they may have hastily set up temporary shelters. Its naming evokes the future Feast of Booths (Sukkot), commemorating Israel's temporary dwelling and God's provision in the wilderness (Lev 23:42-43).
- and encamped (וַיַּחֲנוּ, vayyaḥănû): From the root chanah, "to pitch a tent," or "to encamp." This verb implies a setting up of camp, resting, and preparing for the next leg. It suggests structure and organization, further emphasizing the divine ordering of their pilgrimage, rather than aimless wandering.
- in Etham (בְּאֵתָם, b'etham): The exact location is debated among scholars, but it is described as being on the edge of the wilderness. Its strategic significance lies in its position as a gateway from settled land to the wilderness. Its naming could imply strength or steadfastness, fitting for a place at a critical transition point.
- in the edge of the wilderness (בִּקְצֵה הַמִּדְבָּר, biqṣēh hammidbār): "Edge" (qetseh) signifies a boundary or extremity. The "wilderness" (midbār) refers to an uncultivated, sparsely populated desert region. This phrase marks a significant demarcation: they were no longer within the traditional borders of Egypt but were moving into a place of solitude, testing, and absolute dependence on God. It foreshadows the next forty years of their journey and trials. This was the point where the tangible evidence of God's direct guidance – the pillar of cloud and fire – would become manifest.