Numbers 33 1

Numbers 33:1 kjv

These are the journeys of the children of Israel, which went forth out of the land of Egypt with their armies under the hand of Moses and Aaron.

Numbers 33:1 nkjv

These are the journeys of the children of Israel, who went out of the land of Egypt by their armies under the hand of Moses and Aaron.

Numbers 33:1 niv

Here are the stages in the journey of the Israelites when they came out of Egypt by divisions under the leadership of Moses and Aaron.

Numbers 33:1 esv

These are the stages of the people of Israel, when they went out of the land of Egypt by their companies under the leadership of Moses and Aaron.

Numbers 33:1 nlt

This is the route the Israelites followed as they marched out of Egypt under the leadership of Moses and Aaron.

Numbers 33 verses

Numbers 33 1 Meaning

Numbers 33:1 serves as a declarative heading for the extensive itinerary that follows, cataloging every stopping place of the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings from Egypt to the plains of Moab. It succinctly establishes the historical context of their departure from bondage as an ordered, divinely-guided nation, led by God's chosen instruments, Moses and Aaron. This verse emphasizes the specificity and divine orchestration of their foundational journey, marking it as a deliberate act of redemption.

Numbers 33 1 Context

Numbers 33:1 serves as the overarching introduction to a unique chapter, the "Travelogue of Israel." Unlike previous narratives in Numbers which intersperse laws, events, and censuses, chapter 33 provides a strict chronological and geographical record of all 42 stopping places of Israel during their forty years of wandering. This comprehensive list emphasizes the precision and meticulous nature of God's guidance, confirming the fulfillment of divine promises (e.g., God bringing them out) and His constant presence with His people.

Historically and culturally, meticulous record-keeping, especially of royal or military movements, was known in the ancient Near East. However, this specific enumeration of every camp for an entire nation, particularly one led by their deity out of slavery, is unparalleled. It solidified the Israelite national identity, constantly referencing their miraculous exodus and God's faithfulness in guiding them through barren wildernesses. It counters any perception of their exodus as a disorganized flight, instead presenting it as a purposeful, ordered march by a divinely commanded host, under the explicit authority of Moses and Aaron. This record would have been vital for future generations, teaching them about God's past actions and instilling faith.

Numbers 33 1 Word analysis

• These are (אֵ֣לֶּה – 'elleh): This is a common Hebrew demonstrative pronoun often used to introduce a list, record, or genealogy, giving emphasis and authority to what follows. Here, it highlights the forthcoming detailed account of their journeys as authoritative and foundational.
• the journeys (מַסְעֵי – mas'ei): Plural construct of מַסָּע (massa), meaning "a breaking up (of a camp), a march, a journey." This term denotes movement from one defined stage to the next, emphasizing not a continuous trip but a series of distinct encampments and departures, each precisely remembered and recorded. It underscores God's moment-by-moment guidance.
• of the children of Israel (בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל – b'nei-Yisrael): "Sons of Israel," the collective term for the nation, emphasizing their covenant identity and lineage. This confirms that the historical record pertains specifically to God's chosen people, distinct from other nations.
• who went forth (אֲשֶׁ֣ר יָֽצְאוּ – asher yats'u): Literally, "who went out" or "who departed." This verb highlights the fundamental redemptive act of God liberating His people from bondage, establishing the Exodus as the defining event of their nationhood.
• out of the land of Egypt (מֵאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַ֗יִם – mei'eretz Mitzrayim): "From the land of narrowness" (referencing the Hebrew etymology of "Egypt" implying restriction or bondage). This specifies the origin of their departure, underscoring their transformation from slaves in a foreign land to a free nation led by their God.
• by their armies (בְּצִבְאֹתָם – b'tziv'otam): From צָבָא (tzava), meaning "host, army, multitude." This powerful word portrays Israel not as a disorganized rabble of escaping slaves but as an organized, numerous, and disciplined force, brought out under divine command. This presentation challenges the notion of mere flight and emphasizes God's sovereign ordering of His people.
• under the hand of Moses and Aaron (בְּיַד־מֹשֶׁ֥ה וְאַהֲרֹֽן – b'yad-Mosheh v'Aharon): Literally, "by the hand of." This idiom denotes under the authority, supervision, and leadership of. Moses, as the prophet and lawgiver, and Aaron, as the high priest, were God's divinely appointed instruments for this monumental undertaking. This emphasizes the role of divinely-chosen human leaders in guiding God's people according to His will.
• Words-group Analysis:
  • "The journeys of the children of Israel, who went forth out of the land of Egypt": This phrase establishes the foundational narrative of Israel's national existence—their supernatural liberation from Egypt. It serves as a constant reminder of their dependence on God's power and intervention for their very identity.
  • "by their armies under the hand of Moses and Aaron": This group of words emphasizes divine order and delegated authority. Israel's departure was not chaotic but orderly ("armies"), reflecting a military precision that could only come from divine organization. Moses and Aaron were not self-appointed leaders but God's chosen instruments ("under the hand of"), signifying that the entire Exodus was God's plan executed through His servants. This implicitly carries a polemic against pagan notions of chaotic creation or unguided human migrations, showcasing God's sovereign control over historical events.

Numbers 33 1 Bonus section

The detailed itinerary that Numbers 33:1 introduces holds significant theological weight beyond mere historical record.

• Divine Faithfulness: The exhaustive list implicitly demonstrates God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises despite Israel's frequent rebellion. Each named stop is a testament to His patience and provision.
• Instruction for Future Generations: This list was intended for future generations (Joshua 4:6-7) to understand their heritage and the path God led their ancestors, reinforcing the importance of remembering divine acts and the lessons learned in the wilderness (Deut 8:2-5).
• Precedent for Guidance: It establishes a pattern of God leading His people step by step through unknown territories, assuring them that His guidance is always specific and precise, even through trials.
• Legal/Covenant Witness: Such meticulous record-keeping functioned as a formal witness, confirming the covenantal obligation on both God and Israel concerning the land and the Law given at Sinai. It attests to the factual nature of their divine experience.
• Application for Believers: The "journeys" can metaphorically represent the spiritual pilgrimage of believers, marked by distinct stages, challenges, and divine leading from "bondage" (sin) to the promised "land" (heavenly rest), always under the guidance of the Great Shepherd and His appointed leaders.

Numbers 33 1 Commentary

Numbers 33:1 introduces the wilderness itinerary, transforming forty years of wandering into a detailed record of God's faithfulness and meticulous guidance. It is more than a geographical list; it is a historical witness to divine intervention, reminding Israel and future generations that their foundational identity as a free nation was forged through precise stages orchestrated by God. The depiction of Israel departing "by their armies" emphasizes a disciplined, formidable multitude rather than a fleeing mob, reflecting God's power in raising them from bondage into an organized people ready for inheritance. The explicit mention of Moses and Aaron underscores God's reliance on appointed human instruments, while never diminishing His ultimate authority. This verse provides the authoritative framework for understanding the Exodus journey not as aimless wandering but as a divinely charted course, filled with specific stops, each testifying to God's constant presence and provision. It serves as a profound call to remember and trust in God's faithfulness in every step of one's journey.