Numbers 33:7 kjv
And they removed from Etham, and turned again unto Pihahiroth, which is before Baalzephon: and they pitched before Migdol.
Numbers 33:7 nkjv
They moved from Etham and turned back to Pi Hahiroth, which is east of Baal Zephon; and they camped near Migdol.
Numbers 33:7 niv
They left Etham, turned back to Pi Hahiroth, to the east of Baal Zephon, and camped near Migdol.
Numbers 33:7 esv
And they set out from Etham and turned back to Pi-hahiroth, which is east of Baal-zephon, and they camped before Migdol.
Numbers 33:7 nlt
They left Etham and turned back toward Pi-hahiroth, opposite Baal-zephon, and camped near Migdol.
Numbers 33 7 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ex 13:20 | They moved... and encamped in Etham, on the edge of the wilderness. | Previous stop before this journey stage. |
| Ex 14:2-3 | Tell the people of Israel to turn back and encamp in front of Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea... Pharaoh will say of the people of Israel, 'They are entangled...' | God's specific command for this seemingly illogical move and its divine purpose. |
| Ex 14:9 | The Egyptians pursued them, all Pharaoh's horses... and overtook them encamped by the sea, at Pi-hahiroth, in front of Baal-zephon. | Confirmation of the exact location for the pursuit and entrapment. |
| Ex 14:13 | Do not be afraid... The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent. | Divine assurance in their 'trapped' state. |
| Ex 14:16 | Lift up your staff... and the people of Israel shall go into the midst of the sea on dry ground. | God's miraculous plan for deliverance from the entrapment. |
| Ex 14:21-22 | Moses stretched out his hand... the Lord drove the sea back by a strong east wind... and the people of Israel went into the midst of the sea on dry ground. | The Red Sea crossing, the outcome of God's strategic positioning. |
| Ex 15:1-5 | Then Moses and the people... sang this song to the Lord... The sea covered them... | Song of the Sea celebrating God's triumph and deliverance. |
| Num 9:17-23 | Whenever the cloud lifted... there the people of Israel would set out... they would camp... | Explanation of how their movements ("moved" and "camped") were divinely led. |
| Num 33:8 | They set out from before Pi-hahiroth and passed through the midst of the sea into the wilderness. | Next step, confirming this verse leads to the Red Sea crossing. |
| Deut 11:4 | How the Lord drowned the horse and their chariots... at the Red Sea... | Remembering God's power displayed at this location. |
| Neh 9:9-11 | You saw the affliction... and heard their cry... you divided the sea... and cast them into the depths. | Recalling God's faithfulness and power during the exodus at this point. |
| Ps 77:16 | When the waters saw you, O God... the deeps trembled. | Poetic reference to the sea's response to God's presence during the crossing. |
| Ps 78:13 | He divided the sea and let them pass through it, and made the waters stand like a heap. | Emphasizes God's direct involvement in creating the dry path. |
| Ps 106:7-8 | Our fathers... rebelled... at the Red Sea... Yet he saved them for his name's sake, that he might make known his mighty power. | Highlights divine purpose for deliverance even when humanly weak. |
| Ps 114:3-5 | The sea saw it and fled; Jordan turned back... What ails you, O sea, that you flee? | Poetic anthropomorphism celebrating God's power over waters. |
| Isa 51:10 | Art thou not he that dried the sea, the waters of the great deep; that made the depths of the sea a way for the ransomed to pass over? | Prophetic remembrance of God's power demonstrated at the Red Sea. |
| Ezek 29:3-5 | Pharaoh, king of Egypt... I will put hooks in your jaws... and bring you up... and all the fish... will stick to your scales. | Although metaphoric, echoes divine trapping of proud rulers (like Pharaoh). |
| 1 Cor 10:1-2 | All passed through the sea... and were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. | New Testament theological interpretation of the Red Sea event as spiritual initiation. |
| Heb 11:29 | By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, trying to do the same, were swallowed up. | Emphasizes faith's role in the crossing and its miraculous nature. |
| Rev 15:3 | They sing the song of Moses... and the song of the Lamb: "Great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty!" | The song of redemption, linking God's historical acts (Exodus) with future triumph. |
Numbers 33 verses
Numbers 33 7 Meaning
Numbers 33:7 describes a specific stage of the Israelites' journey after leaving Etham. Guided by the Lord, they made an unusual maneuver, turning back to a location called Pi-hahiroth. This spot was strategically situated east of Baal-zephon and they then set up camp before Migdol, positioning themselves in a seemingly trapped vulnerable area, ready for the miraculous intervention of God.
Numbers 33 7 Context
Numbers chapter 33 serves as a comprehensive travelogue of the Israelites' forty-year wilderness wanderings, from their departure from Egypt to their arrival on the plains of Moab. This chapter is a historical recap, meticulously listing each stop and camp along their divinely orchestrated journey. Verse 7, in particular, describes a pivotal early stage immediately preceding the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea, as detailed more fully in Exodus 14. This specific maneuver, where they "turned back," was not an error but a direct command from God designed to lure Pharaoh into believing the Israelites were trapped, setting the stage for a spectacular demonstration of divine power and judgment against Egypt's military and its gods. It underscores God's meticulous guidance over every step of His people's journey and His sovereign control over their circumstances and their enemies.
Numbers 33 7 Word analysis
- They moved (וַיִּסְעוּ, vayyis'u): From the Hebrew verb nasa', meaning "to pull up stakes," "to set out," "to journey." This verb often signifies divinely directed movement throughout the wilderness narratives (Num 9:17). It implies a purposeful and organized departure, not aimless wandering.
- from Etham (מֵאֵתָם, me'Etham): "Etham" (אֵתָם). A location on the edge of the wilderness, bordering the desert (Ex 13:20). Its mention places Israel at the threshold of open, barren land, just before the dramatic events unfolded.
- and turned back (וַיָּשֻׁבוּ, vayyashuvu): From the Hebrew verb shuv, meaning "to return," "to turn back." This phrase highlights a specific, deliberate, and counter-intuitive movement. Instead of continuing eastward directly towards Canaan, they veered, appearing to be "entangled in the land" to any observer (Ex 14:3). This "turn" was a strategic part of God's plan.
- to Pi-hahiroth (לְפִי הַחִירֹת, lºPhi Hachiroth): "Pi-hahiroth" (פִּי הַחִירֹת). Believed to mean "mouth of the canals" or "gorge." This was a geographic bottleneck, described as being between Migdol and the sea, which would indeed appear to trap an army (Ex 14:2). It signified a seemingly inescapable position, making the upcoming deliverance more pronounced.
- which is east of Baal-zephon (אֲשֶׁר עַל־פְּנֵי בַּעַל צְפוֹן, 'asher 'al-p'nê Baal Tz'phon): "Baal-zephon" (בַּעַל צְפוֹן), meaning "Lord of the North." This was likely a specific site, perhaps an Egyptian fort or temple dedicated to the Canaanite storm god Baal, specifically worshipped in this aspect for maritime protection. Its mention served as a precise geographical marker for the original audience. Placing Israel directly across from a prominent pagan deity's site subtly reinforces Yahweh's ultimate sovereignty and power over all other gods.
- and they camped (וַיַּחֲנוּ, vayyahnu): From the Hebrew verb ḥanah, "to encamp," "to pitch tents." Indicates they settled down temporarily after their march. This resting state amplified their perceived vulnerability to Pharaoh's advancing army.
- before Migdol (לִפְנֵי מִגְדֹּל, liphnei Migdol): "Migdol" (מִגְדֹּל), meaning "tower" or "fortress." This refers to an Egyptian border stronghold. Its presence confirms that the Israelites were hemmed in from one side by a military fortification, while the sea was on another, fulfilling the condition of being "entangled in the land."
Words-group by words-group analysis
- "They moved from Etham and turned back to Pi-hahiroth": This phrase highlights God's unexpected leading. Rather than a straightforward path, God orchestrated a seeming "retreat" into a perilous location. This maneuver was a strategic decoy to bait Pharaoh, demonstrating divine cunning and control even when circumstances appear contrary to success (Ex 14:1-4).
- "which is east of Baal-zephon, and they camped before Migdol": These geographical markers pinpoint Israel's position with stark clarity. They were situated with the sea to one side, a fort (Migdol) to another, and the "Baal of the North" associated area. This location dramatically intensified their perceived predicament, perfectly setting the stage for God's miraculous intervention, showcasing His supremacy over natural barriers, military might, and false gods.
Numbers 33 7 Bonus section
- The meticulous detailing of specific camp locations throughout Numbers 33 validates the historical reality of the Exodus account. This comprehensive itinerary provided undeniable evidence for future generations of Israelites regarding the physical reality of God's leading.
- The exact locations of Etham, Pi-hahiroth, Baal-zephon, and Migdol are subjects of ongoing scholarly debate, with various theories about the precise Red Sea crossing point. However, their narrative function as strategic choke points designed to create a sense of utter impossibility for human escape remains consistent across all interpretations, magnifying God's miraculous deliverance.
- This particular turning back at Pi-hahiroth highlights God's sovereign control over seemingly disadvantageous circumstances. It teaches that even when God leads His people into difficult or seemingly inescapable situations, it is for His greater purpose and glory, to showcase His power and faithfulness, leading to profound trust.
Numbers 33 7 Commentary
Numbers 33:7 provides a precise itinerary detail from the Exodus narrative, underscoring the divine authorship of Israel's journey. This verse highlights God's active and strategic guidance, even when His instructions seem counterintuitive to human reasoning. The command to "turn back" to Pi-hahiroth was not a mistake, but a deliberate tactical move to entice Pharaoh to pursue them, believing they were hopelessly trapped (Ex 14:3). Their location "east of Baal-zephon" and "before Migdol" depicts them perfectly hemmed in—sea to the east, mountains to the west, Egyptian fortifications (Migdol) and a pagan cultic site (Baal-zephon) sealing their escape routes. This apparent vulnerability was, in fact, God's divinely orchestrated theater for a grand display of His power over natural elements, the might of the greatest empire, and the impotence of its idols. It served as a powerful testimony that salvation is from the Lord, turning a moment of seeming entrapment into the glorious revelation of His mighty hand.