Numbers 33 21

Numbers 33:21 kjv

And they removed from Libnah, and pitched at Rissah.

Numbers 33:21 nkjv

They moved from Libnah and camped at Rissah.

Numbers 33:21 niv

They left Libnah and camped at Rissah.

Numbers 33:21 esv

And they set out from Libnah and camped at Rissah.

Numbers 33:21 nlt

They left Libnah and camped at Rissah.

Numbers 33 verses

Numbers 33 21 Meaning

Numbers 33:21 details a specific stage in the Israelites' wilderness journey, noting their departure from Rimmon-Perez and their subsequent encampment in Libnah. This verse, part of a comprehensive itinerary, underscores God's meticulous guidance of His people, providing a historical record of their divinely orchestrated movements through the challenging desert. It highlights God's continuous leadership, moving His people step by step towards the promised land.

Numbers 33 21 Context

Numbers chapter 33 serves as a historical and theological itinerary, meticulously chronicling the 42 encampments of the Israelites from their exodus out of Egypt (Ex 12:37) until they reached the plains of Moab, just before entering Canaan. This specific verse, Numbers 33:21, is part of this detailed list, noting the sixteenth stopping point of their long journey. The entire chapter functions as a historical validation of God's leading, fulfilling His promises and prophecies concerning their deliverance and arduous path. For the original audience, it provided a factual, verifiable account of their collective experience, affirming God's power and faithfulness. Culturally, nomadic life involved regular movement, but this specific journey was distinct due to its divine oversight. The enumeration of each stop demonstrates that their wanderings were not random but guided by the cloud and fire, showcasing God's sovereignty and His care for every detail of their pilgrimage. It implicitly counters any skeptical narrative that might arise regarding the Exodus accounts by providing precise locations.

Numbers 33 21 Word analysis

• And they removed (וַיִּסְעוּ, vayyis‘u):
  • Hebrew root: nasa‘ (נָסַע).
  • Meaning: To pull up stakes, set out, journey, depart.
  • Significance: This is a consistent verb used throughout Numbers 33 (e.g., v. 18, 19, 20) emphasizing the continuous, directed movement of the entire Israelite community. It indicates an active departure from one location to another, prompted by divine command via the cloud.
• from Rimmon-Parez (מֵרִמֹּון פָּרֶץ, mīRimmon Parets):
  • Meaning: "Pomegranate of the breach/fissure."
  • Significance: An obscure location known only from this wilderness itinerary (Numbers 33:19-20). The meaning suggests a place perhaps characterized by fruit-bearing trees near a chasm or split in the land. Its very obscurity underscores that it was a divinely appointed temporary stop, not a significant settlement or a place of lasting importance to the Israelites beyond being a stage in their wilderness walk.
• and pitched (וַיַּחֲנוּ, vayyaḥănū):
  • Hebrew root: ḥānâh (חָנָה).
  • Meaning: To encamp, pitch camp, lie down, settle.
  • Significance: This verb, also repeated throughout the chapter (e.g., v. 20, 22), signifies the act of establishing a temporary resting place. It highlights the structured, orderly nature of their journey under divine command—they didn't just wander, they moved from one designated resting point to another. It implies a pause for rest, sustenance, and worship.
• in Libnah (בְּלִבְנָה, bəLibnah):
  • Meaning: "Whiteness" or "white place."
  • Significance: Like Rimmon-Perez, this is another distinct wilderness location known only from this chapter. It is not the Libnah later known as a Canaanite city conquered by Joshua (Josh 10:29) or a Judean city (2 Kgs 8:22), but rather a separate temporary campsite, perhaps named for white geological features. The "whiteness" might even metaphorically connect to the manna that sustained them (Ex 16:31, white and flaky). Its mention continues the meticulous, historical accuracy of the divine record.
• Words-Group Analysis: "removed from... and pitched in..."
  • Significance: This repetitive phraseology throughout Numbers 33 (e.g., "they journeyed from [place A] and camped in [place B]") emphasizes the orderly, sequential, and directed nature of the wilderness journey. It is a formulaic pattern reinforcing God's constant, step-by-step guidance. Every movement and every rest were initiated by the movement or resting of the Lord's presence (pillar of cloud/fire, Num 9:15-23), illustrating complete dependence and obedience to divine will. It transforms a geographical list into a testament of divine providence.

Numbers 33 21 Bonus section

The historical meticulousness of Numbers 33, highlighted in verses like 33:21, holds a deep theological purpose beyond mere record-keeping. It stands as a powerful testament against potential future doubts about the veracity of the Exodus event. For generations living long after the wilderness wanderings, this precise itinerary would serve as a tangible and authoritative proof that the journey happened exactly as God had orchestrated it, thereby validating the Law given at Sinai and the covenant established by God. The naming of specific, albeit now obscure, locations solidifies the narrative as actual historical occurrences, grounding faith in objective reality rather than mere tradition. It assures us that God is actively involved in the minutiae of His people's journey, proving that every step, every "removing" and "pitching," is within His sovereign plan, preparing them for their promised land and us for our eternal home.

Numbers 33 21 Commentary

Numbers 33:21 is more than a mere geographical entry; it is a segment in a profound divine narrative. This verse, like others in the itinerary, underscores God's active involvement and precise direction in the life of His covenant people. Every departure from (Rimmon-Perez) and every arrival at (Libnah) were not arbitrary choices by Israel but dictated by the pillar of cloud and fire (Num 9:15-23). This reiterates God's faithfulness in leading His people, even through unknown and challenging wilderness terrain, ensuring their ultimate arrival at the promised inheritance. The detailed nature of this record refutes any notion of aimless wandering or legendary tales, instead providing a concrete, verifiable history for future generations. Spiritually, it mirrors the believer's walk of faith: a journey marked by specific stages, both times of movement and rest, all under the sovereign guidance of God, preparing us for our eternal inheritance. It reminds us that our paths are ordered by the Lord, even through seemingly desolate places.

• Practical Examples:
  • Just as Israel moved from Rimmon-Perez to Libnah at God's command, a believer might move through a difficult "breach" (Rimmon-Perez) in life, trusting God to lead them to a place of rest and purification (Libnah).
  • This pattern encourages patience in spiritual progress, understanding that God has a specific plan for each step, and every "stop" serves a divine purpose in our journey towards His eternal rest.