Numbers 33 19

Numbers 33:19 kjv

And they departed from Rithmah, and pitched at Rimmonparez.

Numbers 33:19 nkjv

They departed from Rithmah and camped at Rimmon Perez.

Numbers 33:19 niv

They left Rithmah and camped at Rimmon Perez.

Numbers 33:19 esv

And they set out from Rithmah and camped at Rimmon-perez.

Numbers 33:19 nlt

They left Rithmah and camped at Rimmon-perez.

Numbers 33 verses

Numbers 33 19 Meaning

Numbers 33:19 describes a specific stage in the forty-year journey of the Israelites through the wilderness. It meticulously records that the people of Israel moved from their encampment at Rithmah and subsequently set up their camp at a new location called Rimmon-parez. This verse, like the surrounding ones, functions as a historical and geographical record of divine providence, meticulously detailing God's faithful leadership and guidance of His people through the vast and formidable wilderness, towards the land He promised them. It signifies progression on a divinely ordered path, each stage marked and remembered by God.

Numbers 33 19 Context

Numbers 33:19 is found within a detailed itinerary of the Israelites' wilderness wanderings. From verses 1 to 49 of Numbers 33, Moses is commanded by God to record all the stations (stages) of their journey from Egypt to the plains of Moab. This exhaustive list serves as a historical record, bearing witness to the fulfillment of God's promises and the reality of their supernatural preservation and guidance. Each entry marks a transition, highlighting God's meticulous leading of His people through challenging terrain over four decades. Verse 19 specifically details the twenty-third and twenty-fourth encampments in their long sojourn, indicating a consistent, step-by-step divine direction through known or perhaps lesser-known points in the desert landscape, reinforcing the truth that every stage of their national existence was under divine watch.

Numbers 33 19 Word analysis

• And they removed (וַיִּסְעוּ - vayyis'u): From the root nasa (נָסַע), meaning "to pull up stakes, journey, depart." This recurring verb throughout Numbers 33 emphasizes the dynamic, ongoing movement of Israel, indicating their transient state in the wilderness and constant progress under divine direction. It implies God's will driving their departures.

• from Rithmah (מֵרִתְמָה - meritmah): Rithmah (רִתְמָה) means "place of broom shrubs" or "place of retem/broom-plant." The broom tree (Retem) is a desert shrub common in the Sinai peninsula, known for providing shade in an otherwise barren environment. In biblical contexts, it sometimes appears in association with desolate places or a solitary refuge (e.g., Elijah sought shelter under one in 1 Ki 19:4). The place name suggests a location characterized by this specific vegetation, potentially offering temporary shelter or marking a relatively habitable spot in the desert.

• and pitched (וַיַּחֲנוּ - vayyahǎnu): From the root ḥanah (חָנָה), meaning "to encamp, pitch camp." This verb denotes the setting up of a temporary dwelling or military encampment. Its repeated use signifies periods of rest, re-grouping, and consolidation on their journey, orchestrated by God's guiding presence (cloud/fire).

• in Rimmon-parez (בְּרִמּוֹן פָּרֶץ - berimmon pareẓ): Rimmon-parez (רִמּוֹן פָּרֶץ) combines two Hebrew words:

  • Rimmon (רִמּוֹן) means "pomegranate." Pomegranates in the Bible symbolize fruitfulness, abundance, and blessing, often associated with the fertility of the Promised Land (Num 13:23; Deut 8:8) and as ornamental motifs in the Tabernacle (Exo 28:33-34). Its presence in a place name could signify an oasis, an unexpected source of life, or a prophetic hint of the abundance to come.
  • Parez (פָּרֶץ) comes from the verb parats (פָּרַץ), meaning "to break forth, burst out, break through, make a breach." This root is used for various actions, from violent breaking to overwhelming blessing (e.g., God "breaking forth" upon enemies in 2 Sam 5:20 at Baal-Perazim, or blessings "breaking forth" in Pro 3:10). The combination "Pomegranate of the Breach" could suggest a place where an unexpected burst of fruitfulness occurred, or perhaps a place where God's power broke through for them, or even a topographical feature like a wadi or a breach in the landscape. Though no specific incident is recorded here, the name evokes themes of breakthrough or abundant provision by divine intervention.

• Words-group Analysis: "removed from Rithmah, and pitched in Rimmon-parez": This phrase encapsulates the core action of the verse. It shows the orderly movement under God's command. "Removing" implies progress from a past stage, while "pitching" signifies arriving at a new, divinely appointed location for temporary rest. This structured journey underscores God's control over every detail of their pilgrimage, ensuring His people reached their destination not by chance but by design. Each named station, even without a specific narrative attached, is a marker of God's active, minute-by-minute leading through His servant Moses, confirming the reality and authenticity of Israel’s epic exodus.

Numbers 33 19 Bonus section

• The Wilderness Itinerary as Historical Proof: The entire chapter of Numbers 33 functions as irrefutable historical documentation for future generations of Israelites, confirming the reality of the Exodus and the subsequent wilderness period. This painstaking detail would serve as a powerful teaching tool, preventing later generations from doubting their origins or the God who brought them out of Egypt.
• Divine Control and Patience: The sheer number of movements and the detailed record also speak volumes about God's patient leading and enduring commitment to a frequently rebellious people. Every stop was part of His overarching plan, indicating that divine purpose can often unfold gradually and meticulously, rather than instantaneously.
• Spiritual Application of the Journey: Many theological interpretations view the Israelite journey as an archetype for the spiritual pilgrimage of believers. From liberation (Exodus) through the wilderness (life's challenges, growth, dependence on God) to the Promised Land (entering God's rest or ultimate destiny), each stage teaches about reliance on divine guidance and the testing of faith. The naming of specific, even seemingly minor, stopping points underscores that every segment of our journey with God, no matter how brief or uneventful it seems, is known and purposed by Him.

Numbers 33 19 Commentary

Numbers 33:19, while seemingly a dry list of place names, is profoundly significant as part of the itinerary of Israel’s wilderness journey. It serves as concrete historical evidence of God's faithfulness in leading His people. The divine precision in recording each camp shows that no detail of their sojourn was trivial to the Lord. It’s a testament to His presence, direction, and provision, reinforcing that every step taken was under His careful watch. These transitions from one desolate place (Rithmah) to another (Rimmon-parez) emphasize Israel's absolute dependence on God. The names themselves, 'place of broom shrubs' (potentially associated with weariness/refuge) and 'pomegranate of the breach' (suggesting surprising provision or divine breakthrough), subtly hint at the challenges and the unique blessings experienced during the journey. This detailed record contrasts sharply with any claim that Israel simply wandered aimlessly; instead, it declares a divinely guided procession towards a specific destiny, the Promised Land. The meticulous listing prepares the hearts of the new generation for taking possession of the land, demonstrating the consistent care of their covenant-keeping God throughout all their movements.