Numbers 33 36

Numbers 33:36 kjv

And they removed from Eziongaber, and pitched in the wilderness of Zin, which is Kadesh.

Numbers 33:36 nkjv

They moved from Ezion Geber and camped in the Wilderness of Zin, which is Kadesh.

Numbers 33:36 niv

They left Ezion Geber and camped at Kadesh, in the Desert of Zin.

Numbers 33:36 esv

And they set out from Ezion-geber and camped in the wilderness of Zin (that is, Kadesh).

Numbers 33:36 nlt

They left Ezion-geber and camped at Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.

Numbers 33 verses

Numbers 33 36 Meaning

Numbers 33:36 marks a significant waypoint in the wilderness journey of the Israelites, stating their movement from Ezion-geber to the Wilderness of Zin, specifically identifying it as Kadesh. This verse is part of a detailed itinerary documenting the 42 encampments from Egypt to the plains of Moab, underscoring God's meticulous guidance and the fulfillment of His promises, even through periods of wanderings. It signifies a pivotal geographical and spiritual location, setting the stage for subsequent major events in their pilgrimage toward the Promised Land.

Numbers 33 36 Context

Numbers chapter 33 serves as a chronological record of the Israelite journey from their exodus out of Egypt until their arrival on the plains of Moab, spanning approximately forty years. It meticulously lists forty-two encampment sites, each implicitly ordained by God. This chapter reaffirms God's faithful guidance through the wilderness and demonstrates the fulfillment of His promises to bring them to the borders of the Promised Land despite their rebellions. Numbers 33:36 specifically records the 36th stop on this long journey. The mention of "Kadesh" highlights its importance, as it was the scene of significant events, including the sending of the spies (Num 13), the people's rebellion and subsequent condemnation to wander for forty years (Num 14), and Moses striking the rock (Num 20:1-13). Their return to Kadesh after a period of prolonged wandering underscores the completion of a major phase of judgment and the readiness for the next stage toward inheritance.

Word Analysis

• They set out from: (וַיִּסְעוּ, wayyis‘ū) – "And they broke camp," or "they journeyed." This verb denotes a purposeful departure and movement. It is often used in Numbers to describe the divinely ordered progression of Israel's journey, emphasizing that each move was commanded by the Lord. This constant movement reflects God's dynamic leading and the pilgrimage nature of the believer's life.
• Ezion-geber: (עֶצְי֥וֹן גֶּ֖בֶר, ‘Eṣyōn Geber) – Located at the northern tip of the Gulf of Aqaba, the eastern arm of the Red Sea. Its name possibly means "giant's backbone" or "giant's spine," perhaps referring to its topography. Archaeologically identified with Tell el-Kheleifeh, it was a port city later utilized by King Solomon and Jehoshaphat for naval ventures (1 Ki 9:26; 2 Chr 20:36), highlighting its strategic and historical significance. Its inclusion here marks a verifiable geographical point in their long, circuitous journey.
• and camped: (וַיַּחֲנוּ, wayyaḥănû) – "And they encamped." This signifies a pause, a divinely appointed stopping point. Each camp was a place of rest, provision, and often, testing or significant events. The repeated pattern of "setting out and camping" illustrates God's control over every phase of their journey.
• in the Wilderness of Zin: (בְּמִדְבַּר־צִ֔ן, bəmiḏbar-Ṣin) – A desolate and arid region in the Negeb, south of Canaan. The Hebrew term midbar ("wilderness") implies an untamed, sparsely populated area, not necessarily a desert of sand. This was the Israelites’ dwelling place for much of their forty years, a setting for their trials, their dependence on God for manna and water, and the demonstration of God’s sustained miraculous provision amidst barrenness.
• that is, Kadesh: (הִ֤וא קָדֵשׁ֙, hî Qāḏêš) – "This is Kadesh." The explanatory "that is" (hî, feminine singular pronoun, acting here as "it is" or "namely") is crucial, equating the Wilderness of Zin with Kadesh. Kadesh (also known as Kadesh-barnea, and Meribah-Kadesh) means "holy" or "sanctuary." It was a vital oasis and administrative center, a pivotal location for the Israelites. It served as their primary base camp for an extended period, perhaps around 38 years, following their rebellion after the spies' report (Num 14; Dt 1:46). The repetition of the name in different contexts across the Pentateuch underlines its importance in the history of Israel’s formation. It's associated with both testing (water from the rock in Meribah) and tragic failure (rebellion, Moses' sin).

Numbers 33 36 Commentary

Numbers 33:36 precisely pinpoints a critical geographical transition in Israel's wilderness narrative, leading them back to Kadesh. This return signifies the closure of the nearly 38 years of divine judgment and wandering in the desert (Dt 2:14), during which the disobedient generation perished. Their journey to Ezion-geber, then to Kadesh, emphasizes that even after circuits of punishment, God's promise and path remained sure, guiding them back to a strategic position from which to attempt entry into Canaan. The location Kadesh, steeped in the memory of past failures and God's patience, became a gateway to new opportunities and, ultimately, to the fulfillment of the Abrahamic covenant. It reflects God’s persistent hand, moving His people according to His divine timetable and purpose, preparing them for the next stage of their history.

Bonus SectionThe detailed listing of stations in Numbers 33 serves multiple theological purposes beyond simple geographical record-keeping. Firstly, it stands as a testament to God's omnipresent leadership, fulfilling His promise to be with Israel (Exo 33:14). Secondly, it highlights God's patience and enduring faithfulness despite the Israelites' repeated rebellion; He continued to lead and provide for them through the long wandering. Thirdly, it underscores the probationary nature of the wilderness experience, shaping a new generation ready to inherit the land. Lastly, some rabbinic traditions interpret these stations symbolically, seeing each stop as a lesson or a stage in Israel's spiritual development, reflecting both their struggles and divine intervention. The return to Kadesh, specifically, represents a full cycle completed, signaling that the wilderness journey’s purpose—purification and maturation—was largely achieved for the new generation, poised to cross the Jordan.