Numbers 33 26

Numbers 33:26 kjv

And they removed from Makheloth, and encamped at Tahath.

Numbers 33:26 nkjv

They moved from Makheloth and camped at Tahath.

Numbers 33:26 niv

They left Makheloth and camped at Tahath.

Numbers 33:26 esv

And they set out from Makheloth and camped at Tahath.

Numbers 33:26 nlt

They left Makheloth and camped at Tahath.

Numbers 33 verses

Numbers 33 26 Meaning

Numbers 33:26 simply records another specific leg of the Israelites' journey through the wilderness: "And they removed from Mithkah, and pitched in Hashmonah." This verse is part of a detailed itinerary documenting all the stopping places (42 in total) of the sons of Israel from their departure from Egypt to their arrival on the plains of Moab. It highlights the continued, divinely directed movement of the entire congregation as they progressed towards the Promised Land.

Numbers 33 26 Context

Numbers chapter 33 provides a detailed, comprehensive historical record of all the encampments of the Israelites during their forty years of wandering from their departure from Egypt to their final location on the plains of Moab before entering Canaan. This meticulous list underscores the fulfillment of God's promise to bring His people out of Egypt and into the land of promise, despite their rebellion and the subsequent long delay. Each "removed" and "pitched" entry signifies a specific stage, orchestrated or permitted by divine command (cf. Num 9:18). Verse 26, specifically, notes one of the many movements within this protracted journey, showing God's precise and ordered guidance for His people through desolate lands, leading them step by step according to His sovereign plan. The specificity of location names, even obscure ones like Mithkah and Hashmonah, highlights the historical accuracy and divine oversight of this extraordinary pilgrimage, serving as a testament to future generations of God's faithfulness and meticulous care for His people.

Numbers 33 26 Word analysis

• And they removed (וַיִּסְעוּ - vayyis'u): This Hebrew verb signifies "to pull up stakes," "to break camp," or "to journey onward." It emphasizes active, deliberate motion and the collective movement of the entire congregation. The constant removal symbolizes their transient nature in the wilderness and their perpetual journey towards a promised destination. It is often paired with 'pitched,' showing the rhythm of divine guidance – move then rest.
• from Mithkah (מִמִּתְקָה - mimmitqah):
  • מִן (min): Preposition meaning "from."
  • מִתְקָה (Mitqah): A place name. The precise geographical location is uncertain. Its name possibly derives from a Hebrew root meaning "sweetness" or "pleasantness" (like meteq for honey or sweetness). If so, it might hint at a brief period of respite or pleasant conditions amidst the harsh wilderness. However, the etymology of ancient place names is often speculative, and its primary significance is as a historical marker on God's directed path.
• and pitched (וַיַּחֲנוּ - vayyaḥănū): This Hebrew verb means "to encamp," "to settle," or "to set up a camp." It indicates a halt, a time of rest or temporary settlement, representing the conclusion of a segment of their journey and God's provision of a place to reside. This provides a balance to 'removed,' demonstrating a controlled journey with defined stages of movement and rest.
• in Hashmonah (בְּחַשְׁמֹנָה - bəḥashmonah):
  • בְּ (bə): Preposition meaning "in" or "at."
  • חַשְׁמֹנָה (Ḥashmonah): A place name. Like Mithkah, its exact location is unknown. Its etymology is debated; some suggest a connection to 'fatness' or 'richness' (שָׁמֵן, shamen), or potentially linked to the priestly Hashmonite family from later history (though chronologically distant). Here, it functions solely as a designated endpoint for that stage of their journey, known to God, a testament to His precise charting of their wilderness route.

Words-group analysis

• "And they removed from... and pitched in...": This recurring linguistic pattern throughout Numbers 33 emphasizes the continuity, intentionality, and divine rhythm of Israel's journey. It wasn't aimless wandering, but a purposeful progression. Each pair of actions ("removed" and "pitched") denotes a specific, divinely-approved stage of their pilgrimage, highlighting God's direct involvement in orchestrating their path through the wilderness. It illustrates the concept of journeying under divine authority, pausing only at God's direction, and moving again by His command.
• The specificity of place names: The inclusion of two distinct, ancient place names, Mithkah and Hashmonah, for which exact locations are now unknown, underscores the historical realism of the account. These are not symbolic names but genuine geographical markers, known to the original audience, which authenticated the record of God's leadership and the nation's journey, affirming the reality of the events to a future generation. It asserts that God led them through a very real and challenging landscape.

Numbers 33 26 Bonus section

The comprehensive itinerary in Numbers 33 holds significant theological weight beyond mere geography. It is a proof-text for God's enduring covenant and providential care. Each movement was not by human design or desire but "at the command of the LORD" (Num 9:18). This record reinforces that God never lost track of His people, not even for a day or a single stage of their journey, however arduous. This challenges the ancient world's chaotic view of deities or random fate, presenting YHWH as the orderly, planning, and executing Sovereign. Furthermore, this detailed log provided historical validation for Israel's claims to the land later on, connecting their current occupation to their miraculous origins and the specific path God brought them through to arrive at the border of Canaan. It was a tangible reminder for subsequent generations of their heritage as a people uniquely led by God.

Numbers 33 26 Commentary

Numbers 33:26, though brief, contributes to the overall narrative of God's meticulous guidance of Israel through the wilderness. It serves as one small stroke in a detailed portrait of divine faithfulness and sovereignty. The repeated pattern of "removed" and "pitched" is a litany demonstrating God's consistent leadership; He prescribed both movement and rest. Even in seemingly inconsequential steps like shifting from Mithkah to Hashmonah, the Israelites' journey was divinely charted, illustrating that no phase of their (or our) pilgrimage is outside of God's providential care. This record not only commemorates historical events but serves as an enduring testament to the active, guiding presence of the God who accompanies His people through every stage of their lives toward the ultimate promised inheritance. It reassures that our seemingly minor transitions or periods of unknown destination are under His specific watch and guidance. For instance, in our own lives, moments of significant transition ("removing") often lead to a new period of stabilization or rest ("pitching"), and just like Israel, these are ordained segments of our faith journey, even when the 'names' (specific experiences) are obscure or uncertain to us at the time.