Numbers 21 12

Numbers 21:12 kjv

From thence they removed, and pitched in the valley of Zared.

Numbers 21:12 nkjv

From there they moved and camped in the Valley of Zered.

Numbers 21:12 niv

From there they moved on and camped in the Zered Valley.

Numbers 21:12 esv

From there they set out and camped in the Valley of Zered.

Numbers 21:12 nlt

From there they traveled to the valley of Zered Brook and set up camp.

Numbers 21 verses

Numbers 21 12 Meaning

Numbers 21:12 records another significant stop in the Israelites' wilderness journey as they approached the Promised Land. After departing from Oboth (verse 11), they continued their travels under divine guidance, establishing a new temporary encampment in the Valley of Zared. This marks a specific geographic and temporal point in their pilgrimage, demonstrating their ongoing movement and progression towards their destination.

Numbers 21 12 Context

Numbers chapter 21 chronicles a pivotal and challenging segment of Israel's journey in the wilderness. Having already spent decades wandering, they were now nearing the territories that bordered the Promised Land from the east. The chapter begins with their conflict against Arad, then details the well-known incident of the fiery serpents and the bronze serpent as an act of divine judgment and provision for sin. Following these events, the narrative returns to charting their itinerary.

Numbers 21:12 specifically follows their departure from Oboth (verse 11) and precedes their encampment beyond the Arnon (verse 13). This places the encampment at Zared in the immediate vicinity of Moab and Edom. Historically and geographically, the "valley of Zared" served as an important natural boundary, especially in the Deuteronomic account where it marks the end of the thirty-eight years of wilderness wandering and the generation appointed to die for their rebellion (Deut 2:13-14). The people are continually progressing towards their ultimate inheritance, navigating through hostile territories while under the direct, visible guidance of the Lord, affirming His covenant faithfulness despite their frequent disobedience.

Numbers 21 12 Word analysis

• From thence: (מִשָּׁם - mishsham). This adverb indicates a continuation of movement from the preceding location, Oboth, mentioned in Numbers 21:11. It highlights the sequential nature of their journey and God's consistent direction.
• they removed: (וַיִּסְעוּ - vayyis'u). This verb comes from the root נסע (nasa), meaning "to pull up," "to depart," "to journey." It is the standard biblical Hebrew term used throughout the Pentateuch to describe the Israelites breaking camp and setting out on their travels (e.g., Exod 14:10, Num 10:12, Num 33:5). It signifies a deliberate and directed movement, not a wandering aimlessly. The people are pilgrims on a divine itinerary.
• and pitched: (וַיַּחֲנוּ - vayyahǎnu). This verb comes from the root חנה (ḥanah), meaning "to encamp," "to pitch tents," "to settle down temporarily." This term regularly describes the Israelites stopping and establishing a temporary camp (e.g., Exod 15:27, Num 9:18, Num 33:1). The pairing of "removed" and "pitched" illustrates the typical rhythm of their nomadic life under divine guidance: periods of movement followed by periods of rest. This reflects both human necessity and divine orchestration of their journey.
• in the valley: (בְּנַחַל - bĕnaḥal). The preposition בְּ (be-) means "in" or "at." The noun נַחַל (naḥal) refers to a wadi, a seasonal stream, or a ravine/valley that contains such a stream. These wadis often served as natural pathways and provided essential resources like water, particularly important for a large multitude and their livestock. The strategic selection of such locations for encampments points to divine foresight in leading them to sustainable sites.
• of Zared: (זֶרֶד - Zered). This is a specific geographical landmark, generally identified as the Wadi al-Hasa in modern-day Jordan. It formed part of the eastern border of Moab. Its significance is heightened by Deut 2:13-14, which indicates that crossing the Zered marked the completion of the 38 years of judgment during which the generation of disobedience perished in the wilderness. Though not explicitly stated in Num 21:12, this later revelation imbues the location with profound theological meaning: a turning point where one generation ended, and a new one was prepared to enter the land.

Numbers 21 12 Bonus section

The seemingly mundane reporting of geographical waypoints like Zared held immense theological weight for the original Israelite audience and for us. The crossing of the Wadi Zered (mentioned more fully in Deut 2:13-14) served as a tangible sign of God's covenant faithfulness and also of the conclusion of His judgment on the disobedient generation. At Zared, the forty years (specifically, the last thirty-eight years after Kadesh Barnea) of the old generation's perishing were brought to an end. This cleared the way for the new generation, born and raised in the wilderness under God's direct care, to begin their conquest of the land. Thus, Zared represents not merely a physical river but a temporal and theological divide: the boundary between a past of wilderness discipline and a future of promised inheritance, achieved through divine leading and judgment.

Numbers 21 12 Commentary

Numbers 21:12, though seemingly a simple geographical notation, encapsulates significant theological themes within the grand narrative of Israel's Exodus journey. It highlights the continuous and progressive nature of their divine pilgrimage. The constant cycle of "removing" and "pitching" underscores God's persistent presence and guidance for His people, who were utterly dependent on Him for their sustenance and direction. Each encampment was a stage in God's redemptive plan, leading them inexorably toward the fulfillment of His promises, despite the many trials and failures along the way. The mention of the "valley of Zared," when read in light of Deuteronomy, adds a profound layer of meaning, marking it as a critical threshold—the final natural barrier before the full crossing into the lands intended for conquest. It symbolizes the close of a punitive era and the emergence of a new generation poised for inheritance. This ongoing movement illustrates the spiritual life of believers as a journey guided by God, full of challenges and milestones, aiming for a promised rest.