Numbers 33 46

Numbers 33:46 kjv

And they removed from Dibongad, and encamped in Almondiblathaim.

Numbers 33:46 nkjv

They moved from Dibon Gad and camped at Almon Diblathaim.

Numbers 33:46 niv

They left Dibon Gad and camped at Almon Diblathaim.

Numbers 33:46 esv

And they set out from Dibon-gad and camped at Almon-diblathaim.

Numbers 33:46 nlt

They left Dibon-gad and camped at Almon-diblathaim.

Numbers 33 verses

Numbers 33 46 Meaning

Numbers 33:46 meticulously records another leg of the Israelites' wilderness journey, stating, "And they journeyed from Dibon-gad and camped in Almon-diblathaim." This verse is a segment of a divinely orchestrated itinerary, demonstrating God's faithful guidance and meticulous providence over His chosen people as they advanced towards the promised land. It underscores the precision and purpose behind every movement of the vast Israelite community, indicating that their journey was not random wandering but a directed pilgrimage under the Lord's command.

Numbers 33 46 Context

Numbers chapter 33 serves as a historical and theological anchor, providing a complete itinerary of the Israelite exodus from Egypt through their wilderness wanderings, culminating in their arrival at the plains of Moab. This detailed record of forty-two distinct encampments affirms the historical accuracy and divine direction of the journey. Each verse, including verse 46, highlights a specific leg of this extended pilgrimage, meticulously charting their movement from one divinely designated site to another. The entire chapter functions as a testament to God's steadfast guidance, provision, and patience throughout the forty years, despite the Israelites' recurrent faithlessness. This record was particularly important for the generation about to enter the Promised Land, reinforcing God's faithfulness and their covenant heritage. The specific stages were likely passed down orally and then precisely documented to prove that their experience was ordained by the Almighty and that they had arrived in their present location by divine purpose, not chance.

Numbers 33 46 Word analysis

• And they journeyed (וַיִּסְעוּ - wayyi'sa'u): This Hebrew verb signifies "to pull up stakes," "to break camp," or "to depart." It highlights active movement, commanded by God through the pillar of cloud and fire (Ex 40:36-37). Its frequent repetition throughout Numbers 33 emphasizes the dynamic, transitional nature of their wilderness existence, underlining God's consistent direction over their mobility. Each "journeying" was an act of obedience, propelled by divine instruction, reflecting God's perfect timing and destination for His people.
• from Dibon-gad (מִדִּיבֹן גָּד - mi-Divon Gad):
  • Dibon (דִּיבֹן - Dibon): A significant city in Moabite territory, eventually assigned to the tribe of Gad, hence "Dibon-gad" (Num 32:34). It indicates a definite, recognizable geographical marker, lending historical credibility to the account. Leaving Dibon-gad signified a movement further north and eastward within Transjordan.
  • Gad (גָּד - Gad): Referring to the Israelite tribe. Its inclusion associates the location with future Israelite inheritance, highlighting the meticulousness of God's planning even before the conquest of the land west of Jordan.
• and camped (וַיַּחֲנוּ - wayyaḥanū): This Hebrew verb means "to pitch a tent," "to encamp," or "to rest." It signifies the temporary settling of the entire Israelite community. This word is just as significant as "journeyed," as it points to divinely ordained periods of rest, reflection, and sustained presence in a particular location, suggesting that their resting was as intentional as their moving.
• in Almon-diblathaim (בְּעַלְמֹן דִּבְלָתָיִמָה - b'-Almon Divlatayim):
  • Almon (עַלְמֹן - Almon): Possibly related to a root meaning "hidden" or "secret place," but primarily a proper noun for a location.
  • Diblathaim (דִּבְלָתָיִמָה - Diblathayim): Plural form, often associated with "dibbāh" (דִּבָּה), meaning a cake of dried figs, or simply "twin fig-tree place." The name may suggest a place where provisions, perhaps even literal figs, were found or were characteristic. Like other station names, its specific details are less significant than its function as a precisely recorded waypoint, underscoring the exactness of God's guidance. The specificity of place names reinforces the historicity and factual basis of the narrative for the original readers.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "And they journeyed from... and camped in...": This recurring linguistic pattern throughout Numbers 33 creates a litany of divine leadership and human obedience. It highlights the rhythmic nature of their existence in the wilderness, punctuated by movement and rest, always at God's command. This divine control signifies that every phase, from departure to arrival, from activity to respite, was purposeful.
• "from Dibon-gad and camped in Almon-diblathaim": This phrase details a complete stage of their journey, specifying both the point of origin and the destination for a particular leg. The mention of distinct, geographical places validates the reality of their journey, grounding the theological truth of God's guidance in tangible, historical experience. The transition from a place associated with an Israelite tribe (Gad) to another, possibly signifying a unique landscape (twin fig-tree place), shows the continuous and diverse paths God led them through, demonstrating His sovereignty over various territories.

Numbers 33 46 Bonus section

The comprehensive nature of the travelogue in Numbers 33, including verse 46, also serves a powerful pedagogical purpose for the successive generations of Israel. By knowing every station, they could remember God's specific acts of provision, protection, and judgment along the way. This meticulous record functions as a form of divine witness, showing the length and breadth of God's faithfulness in guiding His covenant people through diverse and often challenging landscapes. The repetition of "they journeyed... and camped" fosters a sense of journey as pilgrimage, reminding them that their ultimate home was the Promised Land, foreshadowing the Christian journey towards the heavenly inheritance (Heb 4:9, 11:16). Furthermore, the detailing of specific names of places ensures that the journey was deeply ingrained in the historical memory of Israel, acting as an indisputable account of their origins as a nation under God's hand. This contrasts starkly with mythical founding stories of other nations, rooting Israel's identity in verifiable, divinely orchestrated events.

Numbers 33 46 Commentary

Numbers 33:46, while seemingly a simple record of movement, serves as a profound affirmation of God's sovereign oversight and faithfulness. It is one in a sequence of forty-two recorded stations, each testifying to God's presence. The very act of journeying and camping was an expression of their dependence on the Lord, who directed every move. The meticulous documentation emphasizes that the Israelites' journey through the wilderness was not a haphazard wandering, but a purposeful, disciplined march toward the Promised Land under divine orders. Even the precise names of the departure and arrival points, like Dibon-gad and Almon-diblathaim, testify to the historicity and the detailed attention God pays to His people's paths. This short verse reiterates that the God who initiates also sustains and concludes His plan, leading His people step by step toward their inheritance, even through what might appear to be harsh or forgotten wilderness stops. It serves as a reminder that every phase of God's children's lives is carefully watched over and purposeful.