Numbers 33 15

Numbers 33:15 kjv

And they departed from Rephidim, and pitched in the wilderness of Sinai.

Numbers 33:15 nkjv

They departed from Rephidim and camped in the Wilderness of Sinai.

Numbers 33:15 niv

They left Rephidim and camped in the Desert of Sinai.

Numbers 33:15 esv

And they set out from Rephidim and camped in the wilderness of Sinai.

Numbers 33:15 nlt

They left Rephidim and camped in the wilderness of Sinai.

Numbers 33 verses

Numbers 33 15 Meaning

This verse precisely details a specific leg of the Israelites' journey from Rephidim to the Wilderness of Sinai, a pivotal location in their exodus from Egypt. It signifies not merely a physical relocation but a divinely orchestrated transition from a period of immediate life-or-death challenges (lack of water, battle with Amalek) to a momentous phase of national formation and intimate covenant relationship with God through the giving of the Law and the establishment of the Tabernacle. This orderly progression underscores God's meticulous guidance and Israel's obedient adherence to His commands during their wilderness pilgrimage.

Numbers 33 15 Context

Numbers chapter 33 serves as a historical and geographical retrospective, listing all 42 stopping places of the Israelites during their 40-year wilderness wanderings from Egypt to the plains of Moab, just before entering Canaan. This meticulous record, likely penned by Moses himself under divine instruction, emphasizes God's faithful guidance and miraculous preservation of His people throughout their long and arduous journey. Numbers 33:15 fits precisely within this chronological log. The prior verse, Numbers 33:14, mentions the departure from Dophkah and the encampment at Rephidim, detailing the immediate precursor. The subsequent verses recount the significant duration of their stay at Sinai, spanning nearly a year (from Exod 19:1 until Num 10:11), marking a transformative period in their national history. Historically, Rephidim was a place of acute physical trial (lack of water) and spiritual battle (Amalek). The journey from Rephidim to Sinai, specifically, ushers the nation into the direct presence of God where the covenant was ratified, the Law delivered, and the foundational institutions of worship and governance for Israel were established. This transition signifies the journey from physical survival to spiritual constitution, from dependence on God for basic needs to formal relationship and instruction in His ways.

Numbers 33 15 Word analysis

• And they departed (וַיִּסְעוּ - vayyis'u): The Hebrew verb נָסַע (nasa') means "to pull up stakes," "to set out," or "to journey forth." In the context of the Israelites' wilderness journey, it consistently implies an ordered, purposeful movement. This movement was not random but directly instructed by God, often indicated by the lifting of the cloud (Num 9:17). Its significance lies in conveying obedient progression in a divine pilgrimage, highlighting God's role as the guide and Israel's response as the led.
• from Rephidim (מֵרְפִידִים - meR^ephidim): Rephidim was a significant waypoint. Its name, potentially from a root meaning "to relax" or "to be propped up," ironically describes a place fraught with challenges for Israel. It was there they severely tested the Lord by complaining bitterly about thirst, leading to Moses striking the rock at Horeb to bring forth water (Exod 17:1-7). Also, it was the site of the battle with Amalek, where God famously provided victory (Exod 17:8-16). This departure signifies leaving behind recent tests and miraculous provision, moving on from past lessons learned and divine interventions witnessed.
• and encamped (וַיַּחֲנוּ - vayyaḥanu): The Hebrew verb חָנָה (ḥanah) means "to pitch a tent," "to encamp," or "to settle down temporarily." Unlike "departed" which signifies motion, "encamped" denotes a halt, a establishment of a temporary residence. The act of encamping for the Israelites was strategic and symbolic, dictated by the presence of the Lord in the cloud, indicating where God desired them to dwell and receive His instructions.
• in the Wilderness of Sinai (בְּמִדְבַּר סִינַי - bemidbar Sinay): This refers to the specific desert area surrounding Mount Sinai (also called Horeb). The Hebrew word מִדְבָּר (midbar) translates to "wilderness" or "desert," a generally uninhabited, harsh region, but also a place where God often revealed Himself (e.g., Elijah, John the Baptist). Sinai itself is arguably the most sacred geographical location in the Old Testament, being the place where the Law was given, the Covenant ratified, and the Tabernacle's design and construction commanded. Encamping here was not just a stop but a divine appointment, marking the threshold of Israel's national and religious constitution as a people set apart for God.

• "departed from Rephidim and encamped in the Wilderness of Sinai": This phrase details a key transition point. "Departed" and "encamped" describe complementary actions: one marks the end of a previous leg, the other the beginning of a new, significant stay. The transition from Rephidim to Sinai specifically illustrates a move from immediate, crisis-driven divine intervention (water, battle) to foundational, law-giving and covenant-establishing revelation. This journey phase represents a culmination of preliminary testing and preparation, leading into a period of deep theological instruction and the formal organization of God's chosen nation. It signifies moving from being sustained by God in adversity to being constituted into a nation under God's law.

Numbers 33 15 Bonus section

The meticulous recording of each journey stage in Numbers 33 underscores the historicity and reliability of God's dealings with Israel. This precision can be seen as a divine validation of the narrative, countering any skepticism regarding the actual physical movement of millions of people. Furthermore, the detailed itinerary provides a theological lesson: every stage of the believer's spiritual journey, even those characterized by difficulty (like Rephidim) or profound revelation (like Sinai), is carefully charted by God. The wilderness served not only as a pathway to the Promised Land but also as a divine classroom for developing faith, dependence, and corporate identity under God's watchful care. This systematic journey also prefigures the Christian life, a spiritual pilgrimage through various phases of testing, learning, and encountering God's transforming grace before reaching the ultimate promised rest.

Numbers 33 15 Commentary

Numbers 33:15, though seemingly a mere logistical record, carries profound theological weight within the epic narrative of the Exodus. It meticulously charts the journey from Rephidim, a place emblematic of human complaint, divine provision amidst scarcity, and God's triumph over spiritual foes, to the Wilderness of Sinai, the sacred ground of revelation and covenant. This concise statement highlights God's orderly leadership and Israel's obedience in following His detailed plan for their pilgrimage. The move from the chaos of recent trials to the structure and discipline of the Law at Sinai signifies a crucial developmental stage for Israel—from a rescued slave population to a nascent, divinely-governed nation. It prepares the way for the giving of the Torah, the erection of the Tabernacle, and the subsequent organization of Israel's tribal and spiritual life, establishing the core identity and purpose of God's chosen people.