Numbers 33 44

Numbers 33:44 kjv

And they departed from Oboth, and pitched in Ijeabarim, in the border of Moab.

Numbers 33:44 nkjv

They departed from Oboth and camped at Ije Abarim, at the border of Moab.

Numbers 33:44 niv

They left Oboth and camped at Iye Abarim, on the border of Moab.

Numbers 33:44 esv

And they set out from Oboth and camped at Iye-abarim, in the territory of Moab.

Numbers 33:44 nlt

They left Oboth and camped at Iye-abarim on the border of Moab.

Numbers 33 verses

Numbers 33 44 Meaning

Numbers 33:44 tersely records a specific stage in the Israelites' exodus journey: their departure from Alush and arrival at Rephidim. The verse highlights the critical absence of water at this encampment, setting the immediate physical scene for one of the most significant trials and divine interventions during their wilderness sojourn. It underscores the ongoing challenges of their desert pilgrimage and their utter dependence on the Lord for their sustenance.

Numbers 33 44 Context

Numbers chapter 33 serves as a meticulous, chronological list of all the forty-two encampments of the Israelites from their departure from Egypt until they reached the plains of Moab, opposite Jericho. It is essentially a divine travelogue, commissioned by God through Moses, detailing the various stages of their wilderness journey. Each entry typically records the previous stop and the new encampment. Verse 44 specifically focuses on the move from Alush to Rephidim and the critical challenge encountered there—the lack of water. This systematic listing served to validate Israel’s divinely guided journey, reminding them and future generations of God's faithful presence, the trials endured, and His provision throughout their pilgrimage. The mention of Rephidim immediately cues the knowledgeable Israelite reader to recall the full narrative account provided in Exodus 17, which details not only the thirst but also the subsequent quarrel, Moses striking the rock to obtain water, and the battle against Amalek, demonstrating the profound significance of this location despite the brevity of the reference in Numbers 33.

Numbers 33 44 Word analysis

• They set out: Refers to the Israelites, guided by God’s pillar of cloud by day and fire by night (Ex 13:21-22). This movement signifies the continuation of their divinely orchestrated journey toward the Promised Land, implying a transition and progress even through hardship.
• from Alush: (Hebrew: אָלוּשׁ, ʼAlûsh) A wilderness encampment preceding Rephidim. The name likely refers to a location in the Sinai wilderness, though its exact modern site is debated. In the biblical narrative, it functions primarily as a geographical waypoint, marking the continuous, methodical progression of the exodus journey.
• and camped: (Hebrew: וַיַּֽחֲנ֗וּ wayyaḥănû) Indicates a temporary resting place, a stopping point for the multitude. These encampments were strategic halts in their arduous trek, often chosen or confirmed by divine direction, offering rest but not always comfort or resources.
• at Rephidim: (Hebrew: רְפִידִים, Rĕphîḏîm) A highly significant location in the wilderness narrative (Ex 17, Ex 19). The name's etymology is uncertain, sometimes linked to a root meaning "to prop, support, rest," or "relaxation/slackening." Rephidim is renowned as the place where the Israelites tested the LORD by demanding water ("Massah"), quarreled ("Meribah"), and where water miraculously flowed from the rock when Moses struck it (Ex 17:1-7). It was also the site of the first battle against the Amalekites (Ex 17:8-16), serving as a crucial junction for trials of faith and divine revelation.
• where there was no water: (Hebrew: אֵין־מַ֕יִם ʼên-mayim – literally "no water") This direct statement highlights a fundamental and life-threatening deficiency. In the arid wilderness, water was not merely a convenience but a necessity for survival for hundreds of thousands of people and their livestock. This lack served as a direct test of Israel's faith and obedience, compelling them to rely entirely on God's provision.
• for the people to drink: Emphasizes the immediate, vital need for hydration for the vast community. It defines the direct consequence of the "no water" situation and the specific purpose for which water was desperately required. This phrase stresses the severity of their physical condition and the imminent crisis.

• They set out from Alush and camped at Rephidim: This phrase chronicles a specific segment of the Israelites' journey, marking their progress. It illustrates the structured and directed nature of their exodus under divine guidance, despite the subsequent difficulties encountered at their destination. Each step of the way, as listed in this chapter, shows God's sovereign control over their itinerary.
• where there was no water for the people to drink: This constitutes the critical observation about Rephidim in the context of Numbers 33. It’s a concise statement of fact that points to a severe challenge that would necessitate miraculous intervention. For the original audience, this phrase would immediately recall the vivid accounts of the people's complaining and God's powerful, yet patient, provision of water from the rock (Ex 17), thus invoking themes of divine testing, human faithlessness, and God’s unending faithfulness.

Numbers 33 44 Bonus section

The inclusion of specific hardships like "no water" within this itinerary (Num 33) is not merely for historical accuracy. It serves a theological purpose, reiterating God's sovereign hand in leading Israel through both comforts and trials. These trials were not random; they were part of God's plan to humble Israel and test their obedience, to teach them that "man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD" (Deut 8:3). Rephidim, with its water scarcity and the associated incident of Massah and Meribah, became a standing warning against hardening one's heart against the LORD, a warning echoed in the Psalms and the New Testament (Ps 95:8-9; Heb 3:7-11). The brief nature of the reference in Numbers 33 assumes the reader's familiarity with the fuller dramatic accounts in Exodus, thus serving as a condensed point of recall for Israel's significant spiritual formation experiences.

Numbers 33 44 Commentary

Numbers 33:44, a brief entry in Israel's wilderness itinerary, transcends its simple factual statement to evoke a pivotal moment of crisis and divine provision. By stating that "there was no water for the people to drink" at Rephidim, the verse concisely captures the dire physical reality that underpins the longer narrative found in Exodus 17. This critical lack of a fundamental life necessity highlights the Israelites' total dependency on God in the barren wilderness. It reminds readers of their constant grumbling and unbelief, even after repeated demonstrations of God's power. Yet, it equally showcases God's steadfast faithfulness and willingness to sustain His people even in the face of their provocations, providing water miraculously from a rock. The meticulous record in Numbers 33, of which this verse is a part, serves as a testament to God's precise leadership throughout their journey, ensuring their remembrance of His sovereign hand and preparing them for the lessons to be learned in the Promised Land.