Numbers 21 11

Numbers 21:11 kjv

And they journeyed from Oboth, and pitched at Ijeabarim, in the wilderness which is before Moab, toward the sunrising.

Numbers 21:11 nkjv

And they journeyed from Oboth and camped at Ije Abarim, in the wilderness which is east of Moab, toward the sunrise.

Numbers 21:11 niv

Then they set out from Oboth and camped in Iye Abarim, in the wilderness that faces Moab toward the sunrise.

Numbers 21:11 esv

And they set out from Oboth and camped at Iye-abarim, in the wilderness that is opposite Moab, toward the sunrise.

Numbers 21:11 nlt

Then they went on to Iye-abarim, in the wilderness on the eastern border of Moab.

Numbers 21 verses

Numbers 21 11 Meaning

This verse details the Israelite's next stage of journeying during their wilderness wanderings, specifically stating their departure from Oboth and their encampment at Iye-abarim. It precisely locates Iye-abarim in the wilderness near the Moabite territory, indicating their movement eastward towards the sunrising. This records a literal geographical progression, fulfilling God's guiding hand as they skirt the nations bordering the Promised Land.

Numbers 21 11 Context

Numbers 21:11 is situated within the narrative of the Israelites' wilderness wanderings, specifically following their encounter with the venomous serpents and the provision of the bronze serpent (Num 21:4-9), which served as a remedy and a symbol of God's salvation. This section of Numbers (chapters 20-21) details Israel's final stage of journeying towards the Promised Land, marking their attempts to pass through Edom and Moab and their subsequent encirclement of these territories as per divine instruction. The verse records a specific leg of this circuitous route, providing a precise geographical marker that signifies their gradual, divinely directed approach towards the eastern border of Canaan, setting the stage for their encounters with the Amorite kings and their entry into the Plains of Moab.

Numbers 21 11 Word analysis

• And they journeyed:

  • Hebrew: וַיִּסְעוּ (vayyis‘u). From the root נָסַע (nasaʿ), meaning "to pull up," "to set out," "to depart."
  • Significance: Indicates continuous movement, a purposeful departure from the previous location. It highlights Israel's migratory nature under God's guidance, signifying their lack of permanent rest until the Promised Land. This ongoing journey underscores the divine orchestration of their path.

• from Oboth:

  • Hebrew: מֵאֹבֹת (me'Obowth). "Oboth" (אֹבֹת, `Obowth) means "bottles" or "water skins," possibly referencing water wells or springs.
  • Significance: Identifies the starting point of this particular leg of the journey, marking it on their divinely recorded itinerary. The name suggests a place with a water source, critical for wilderness survival. This demonstrates God's consistent provision, leading them to places where their needs could be met before moving on.

• and encamped:

  • Hebrew: וַיַּחֲנוּ (vayyachanun). From the root חָנָה (chanah), meaning "to pitch a tent," "to encamp," "to make camp."
  • Significance: Denotes a temporary cessation of movement for rest, worship, or strategy. Each encampment marked a stage in God's timetable for Israel, illustrating moments of pause and provision before proceeding with their appointed mission. It reflects divine management of their pace and timing.

• at Iye-abarim:

  • Hebrew: בְּעִיֵּי הָעֲבָרִים (beIye Ha'Abarim). "Iye-abarim" (עִיֵּי הָעֲבָרִים,Iye Ha'Abarim) means "ruins of Abarim" or "heaps of Abarim." "Abarim" refers to a mountain range (e.g., Deut 32:49, Num 27:12).
  • Significance: A specific, identifiable location marking their new resting place. The name "ruins" suggests a desolate, yet known, landmark within the rugged region. This emphasizes the precise, historical nature of the account, mapping Israel's journey through actual geographical features rather than abstract locations.

• in the wilderness:

  • Hebrew: בַּמִּדְבָּר (bammidbar). From מִדְבָּר (midbar), meaning "wilderness," "desert," or "pasture land." Often characterized by sparse vegetation.
  • Significance: Reinforces the primary setting of their 40-year wandering. The wilderness represents a place of testing, dependence on God, discipline, and divine provision. Their journey through the wilderness emphasizes their reliance on God, as opposed to self-sufficiency.

• which is before Moab:

  • Hebrew: אֲשֶׁר עַל־פְּנֵי מוֹאָב (asheral-pene Mo'ab). "Before" (עַל־פְּנֵי, `al-pene) literally means "upon the face of," or "facing." Moab (מוֹאָב, Mo'ab) refers to the land of the Moabites, descended from Lot (Gen 19:37).
  • Significance: Provides crucial geographical orientation, indicating their proximity to the border of Moab. This demonstrates their obedience to God's command not to provoke the Moabites or Edomites directly (Deut 2:9). It positions them strategically for future interactions, including the events with Balak and Balaam.

• toward the sunrising:

  • Hebrew: מִזְרָחָה (mizrachah). From מִזְרָח (mizrach), meaning "sunrise" or "east."
  • Significance: Specifies their general direction of travel. Moving "eastward" signifies their path around Edom and Moab, ultimately positioning them on the east side of the Jordan River, ready to enter Canaan. This eastward trajectory is pivotal to the entry strategy into the Promised Land (e.g., crossing the Jordan from the east), underscoring God's strategic planning.

Numbers 21 11 Bonus section

The seemingly mundane details of Israel's itinerary, as seen in Numbers 21:11 and extensive lists like Numbers 33, highlight several theological principles:

• Divine Sovereignty and Omnipresence: God knows every step, every rest, every challenge, and provides for His people even in the barren wilderness, asserting His control over space and time.
• Historicity and Authenticity: The precise geographical details, even of now-unknown ancient sites, lend authenticity to the historical accounts of Israel's formative period. It grounds their story in a real-world setting, supporting its claim to truth.
• Spiritual Parallel: The wilderness journey serves as a powerful metaphor for the Christian walk, characterized by periods of movement, rest, testing, and ultimate reliance on God's provision and guidance until reaching the "Promised Land" of eternal rest. Each stop is a stage of spiritual growth.
• Preparation and Discipline: The journey through specific places like Oboth and Iye-abarim, with its challenges, prepared the new generation for the responsibilities of nationhood and warfare in Canaan. It was a school of dependence on God.

Numbers 21 11 Commentary

Numbers 21:11 provides a crucial logistical detail within the grand narrative of Israel's journey, illustrating God's precise and continuous guidance. It is more than a simple geographical record; it reinforces the consistent movement directed by divine presence, following specific divine commands. The repeated journeying and encamping illustrate the pilgrimage nature of their faith and the discipline of being led through inhospitable terrains. Their approach towards Moab from the east emphasizes God's strategic leadership, ensuring they adhered to His will by circumventing nations not to be engaged in direct conflict. This steady progression toward the Promised Land, even through arduous paths, underscores God's faithfulness to His covenant promises and His methodical preparation of His people for their inheritance.