Numbers 33 11

Numbers 33:11 kjv

And they removed from the Red sea, and encamped in the wilderness of Sin.

Numbers 33:11 nkjv

They moved from the Red Sea and camped in the Wilderness of Sin.

Numbers 33:11 niv

They left the Red Sea and camped in the Desert of Sin.

Numbers 33:11 esv

And they set out from the Red Sea and camped in the wilderness of Sin.

Numbers 33:11 nlt

They left the Red Sea and camped in the wilderness of Sin.

Numbers 33 verses

Numbers 33 11 Meaning

Numbers 33:11 details a specific stage in Israel's journey from Egypt, stating that "And they removed from the Red sea, and encamped in the wilderness of Sin." This verse marks the transition from their encampment near the Red Sea (likely after having crossed it and stopping at Elim) into a more desolate region known as the Wilderness of Sin. It signifies continued divine guidance through their journey and anticipates key events of God's miraculous provision for His people in this new setting.

Numbers 33 11 Context

Numbers chapter 33 serves as a divinely inspired travelogue, meticulously listing 42 distinct encampments of the Israelites from their departure from Rameses in Egypt to their arrival on the plains of Moab. This detailed itinerary underscores God's active presence and careful direction at every stage of their wilderness journey. Verse 11, specifically, notes the progression from an encampment by the Red Sea—a place of reflection on God's recent miraculous deliverance (the sea crossing)—into the more barren and challenging Wilderness of Sin. This specific move prepares the stage for pivotal moments of testing and provision, especially concerning their hunger, as the Israelites found themselves truly isolated in the desert's harsh environment. The meticulous record serves as a testament to God's faithfulness in guiding His people through hardship to their promised inheritance, validating His power over the wilderness and His consistent care.

Numbers 33 11 Word analysis

• And they removed (וַיִּסְעוּ - vayyis'u): From the Hebrew verb נָסַע (nasa'), meaning to pull up, break camp, depart, journey. This word emphasizes the ordered and deliberate movement of the vast Israelite host, not aimless wandering. It suggests an act of God's leading, as the people moved according to the pillar of cloud (Num 9:15-23), highlighting divine orchestration.
• from the Red sea (מִיַּם־סוּף - miyam-sûp̄): Literally "from the Sea of Reeds." This specific location indicates an encampment that followed their passage through the actual sea, likely a place on the eastern shores or along one of its gulfs (perhaps the Gulf of Suez). It represents a temporary stop after the major miracle of crossing, emphasizing that God continued to lead them directly from sites of His mighty acts, further into dependence. The term Yam Suph itself, while "Red Sea" in English translations, connects to the reeds or weeds in marshy areas, giving a potential physical characteristic to the region.
• and encamped (וַיַּחֲנוּ - vayyachanû): From the Hebrew verb חָנָה (chanah), meaning to pitch a tent, encamp, or settle. This implies setting up a new dwelling place, indicating a period of rest, worship, or a time for God to interact with His people. Each encampment was a point on God's precise map for them, not a random stop, reinforcing the purposeful nature of their journey.
• in the wilderness of Sin (בְּמִדְבַּר סִין - bəmiḏbar Sîn):
  • Wilderness (מִדְבָּר - midbar): Denotes a dry, sparsely populated region, often associated with barrenness, danger, but also a place where one relies solely on God. In biblical narrative, it's often a setting for spiritual testing and revelation.
  • Sin (סִין - Sîn): This name is derived either from an ancient lunar deity worshipped in the region or, more commonly in scholarship, from the Hebrew root signifying "thorn bush" or "clay," possibly referring to the terrain. It is distinct from the idea of "sin" as moral transgression. This specific wilderness is highly significant because it is here that the Israelites' provisions from Egypt fully ran out, and God began to provide manna and quail (Exod 16), fundamentally altering their reliance from human-supplied stores to direct divine sustenance.

Numbers 33 11 Bonus section

The detailed nature of Numbers 33's itinerary, including verse 11, served multiple purposes for the original audience and for believers throughout time. It underscored God's omnipresence and intimate involvement in Israel's history, preventing any notion that their wandering was arbitrary or God was absent. For future generations, it provided a tangible record, an "atlas" of God's faithfulness and their ancestors' journey of dependency. It served as a historical and theological anchor, confirming the truth of the Exodus narrative against any skepticism and reiterating that every step, even in the most desolate wilderness, was under divine watch. The very listing of these often nondescript locations implies that no place is too insignificant for God's purposes or His people's experience of Him.

Numbers 33 11 Commentary

Numbers 33:11 is more than a geographical record; it is a profound testament to divine providence and Israel's continued journey of faith. The movement "from the Red Sea" reminds them of God's powerful deliverance, a recent memory they carry into the next phase. Encamping "in the wilderness of Sin" signals a deeper dive into true desert dependency, leaving behind even the residual familiarity of past coastal areas. This seemingly simple transition highlights several key themes: God's unfailing leadership, demonstrated by the consistent pattern of leading and resting; His meticulous planning, evident in the specific itinerary designed for their spiritual formation; and the unfolding revelation of His character, as He consistently met their needs in barren landscapes, soon to miraculously provide daily sustenance (manna and quail). The verse sets the stage for vital lessons on obedience, trust, and recognizing God as the sole provider in impossible circumstances, echoing that God leads His people into places where only He can sustain them.