Numbers 33 27

Numbers 33:27 kjv

And they departed from Tahath, and pitched at Tarah.

Numbers 33:27 nkjv

They departed from Tahath and camped at Terah.

Numbers 33:27 niv

They left Tahath and camped at Terah.

Numbers 33:27 esv

And they set out from Tahath and camped at Terah.

Numbers 33:27 nlt

They left Tahath and camped at Terah.

Numbers 33 verses

Numbers 33 27 Meaning

Numbers 33:27 records a specific point in the detailed itinerary of the Israelites' wilderness journey. It signifies the continuation of their movement under divine guidance, progressing from one designated encampment, Makheloth, to another, Tahath. This seemingly simple entry confirms the historical reality of their wanderings and highlights God's meticulous oversight and faithful leading of His people step by step towards the promised land.

Numbers 33 27 Context

Numbers chapter 33 serves as a highly detailed, chronological, and geographic record of the forty-two encampment sites of the Israelites during their forty years of wilderness wandering, from their departure from Egypt to their arrival on the plains of Moab. This entire chapter underscores the literal and historical reality of the Exodus journey. Moses himself recorded this itinerary (v. 2), indicating its authoritative nature. Each verse, like Numbers 33:27, lists two places: the starting point ("from Makheloth") and the destination ("at Tahath"). These locations, though many are unidentified today, affirm the specific steps of a long, divinely-guided pilgrimage. The chapter's purpose is not to narrate events at each stop but to provide a verifiable list of the route, testifying to God's faithful preservation and meticulous leading of His people through challenging terrain for an extended period, ultimately bringing them to the borders of the promised land.

Numbers 33 27 Word analysis

• They moved: (Hebrew: vayisa'u - וַיִּסְעוּ). Derived from the verb nasa', meaning "to pull out," "to depart," "to set out," or "to journey." The Qal imperfect form with waw-conversive indicates a continuous or consecutive action. In the context of the wilderness, it specifically refers to taking down camp and setting off. It implies not a random wandering but a directed movement. This action was not by human whim but at the specific command and sign of the Lord (Num 9:17-23), indicating obedience to divine orchestration.

• from Makheloth: (Hebrew: mi-Makheloth - מִמַּקְהֵלֹת). "Mi-" is the preposition meaning "from" or "out of." Makheloth is a proper noun, the name of a specific encampment site. Its meaning in Hebrew might be related to kahal (קהל), an "assembly" or "congregation." If so, Makheloth could imply a "place of assemblies" or "places of congregation." This highlights that even the specific names of their stopping places might carry an indirect theological resonance for a people constituted as God's assembly (Exo 12:6, Deu 4:10). The precise geographical location is unknown today, yet its inclusion validates the detailed nature of God's leading.

• and camped: (Hebrew: vayihanu - וַיַּחֲנוּ). Derived from the verb hanah, meaning "to pitch a tent," "to encamp," "to lay siege," or "to remain." The Qal imperfect with waw-conversive again indicates a continuous or consecutive action of halting and setting up a temporary dwelling. This signifies a period of rest or a halt in the journey, equally determined by divine signals. Just as they moved by God's command, they also rested by His command (Num 9:18).

• at Tahath: (Hebrew: be-Tahath - בְּתָחַת). "Be-" is the preposition meaning "at" or "in." Tahath is a proper noun, another encampment site. The word tahat can mean "beneath" or "under" or refer to a "depression" or "lower place." As with Makheloth, its exact location is debated among scholars, yet it is presented as a definite point in their route. Its name could imply topographical features, or perhaps be an ancient, untranslatable place-name.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "They moved... and camped...": This phrase encapsulates the core rhythmic activity of the wilderness journey: constant cycles of setting out and settling down, dictated by the cloud by day and pillar of fire by night (Exo 13:21-22). This pattern, repeated 42 times in Numbers 33, illustrates the dependent and disciplined nature of Israel's relationship with God. Every movement and every halt was a divine command, symbolizing divine sovereignty and Israel's obedience. This ongoing process of journey and rest under God's guidance foreshadows the spiritual pilgrimage of believers, who similarly journey through life while relying on God for guidance and finding rest in Him.

• "from Makheloth... at Tahath": The specific naming of obscure, geographically untraceable places highlights the minute detail of the record. The significance is not in the prominence of these places (as they are not sites of major biblical events) but in the divine hand guiding every single step of the Israelites' long and arduous journey. It underscores the precision and historicity of the divine leadership, reinforcing the trustworthiness of the biblical account even in its mundane-seeming details.

Numbers 33 27 Bonus section

The comprehensive list of journeys in Numbers 33 is unique in ancient Near Eastern literature, demonstrating the highly organized and intentional nature of Israel's journey under Yahweh's direct supervision. Scholars often note that while many specific sites are now unidentifiable, the pattern of journeying from one point to another reinforces the historical account's veracity rather than detracting from it. The sheer mundane detail found in these verses actually strengthens the argument for their historicity, suggesting an authentic itinerary rather than a symbolic or fabricated narrative. This meticulous recording of every movement also serves as a polemic against the idea that Israel was merely a wandering horde. Instead, they were an ordered congregation, strategically moved by their divine Leader, showcasing the structured and disciplined nature of their existence in the wilderness, contrary to common pagan chaotic views of deity or nature.

Numbers 33 27 Commentary

Numbers 33:27, within the broader context of the Israelite wilderness itinerary, serves primarily as a historical and geographical anchor point. While not carrying the dramatic weight of verses recounting miraculous provisions or rebellions, its very inclusion testifies to the unwavering precision of God's leadership. The journey "from Makheloth and camped at Tahath" signifies two things: ongoing progress and settled rest, both orchestrated by divine command. The theological depth lies not in the place names themselves (which are often unknown today) but in the action described – moving and camping. This repeated rhythm of the Israelite journey underscores God's faithful provision, guiding His people through the wilderness for forty years, meticulously leading them from one location to the next. It speaks to a God who cares about every detail of His people's journey, no matter how ordinary. For the ancient reader, it reinforced the factual veracity of their Exodus history. For the modern believer, it illustrates the principle of God's meticulous guidance in life's pilgrimage, emphasizing that even the seemingly uneventful segments of our journey are under His watchful care and divine plan, always moving us towards our ultimate spiritual destination and rest in Him.