Seventh-day Adventist Bible CommentaryNumbers 33

The journeys. From the Hebrew verb “to pull up,” as tent pegs. Reference is to stages from one camp to another, as they “pulled up” stakes and set out on their way to a new campsite. With their armies. Literally, “according to their hosts,” suggesting an orderly arrangement (see Ex. 12:41, 51; 13:18). Under the hand of Moses and Aaron. See Ex. 12:1, 28, 50. These two men fulfilled their tasks as appointed shepherds and ministers of the flock.

Moses wrote. Moses was the chronicler of these events, and wrote “by the commandment of the Lord” (see Ex. 17:14; 24:4; 34:27; Deut. 31:9, 24).

Rameses. Also mentioned in Gen. 47:11; see on Ex. 1:11; 12:37.

Their firstborn. See Ex. 12:29–33. Upon their gods. See on Ex. 7:17; 8:2; 12:12; see also Isa. 19:1; Jer. 43:12. The Lord took similar action later in respect to the gods of Babylon (Isa. 21:9).

Succoth. See on Ex. 12:37.

Etham. See on Ex. 13:20.

Pi-hahiroth. For the places mentioned in this verse see on Ex. 14:2.

Midst of the sea. See on Ex. 14:17–30. Marah. The word thus translated is from the verb “to be bitter,” “to be distressed.” See on Ex. 15:23–25.

Elim. See on Ex. 15:27. The word thus translated is from a root meaning “to be first,” “to be strong.” The noun is applied to the oak tree, the pine, and also to thickets of trees where idol worship was carried on.

Wilderness of Sin. This is not to be confused with the Wilderness of Zin mentioned in ch. 13:21. See on Ex. 16:1.

Dophkah. Neither Dophkah nor Alush is mentioned elsewhere in the Scriptures, and neither can be identified with any known place today.

Rephidim. See on Ex. 17:1, 8 and 19:2. No water … to drink. See on Ex. 17:2-6. Rephidim was also a place of trial from the Amalekites (see on Ex. 17:8–12; see also 1 Sam. 15:2), who inflicted losses upon stragglers but were defeated by Joshua and his forces.

Wilderness of Sinai. See on Ex. 3:1; 19:1. Kibroth-hattaavah. Literally, “the graves of lust” (see ch. 11:34). Many died here for grumbling about the manna. This was also the place where God bestowed His Spirit upon the 70 elders.

Hazeroth. Compare chs. 11:35; 12:1, 10 for Miriam and Aaron’s envious attitude toward Moses.

Rithmah. The name of a plant. See 1 Kings 19:5, where the same Hebrew root is translated “juniper” (cf. Job 30:4). Some have identified Rithmah with Wadi Retemat, but that is not certain.

Rimmon-parez. Not used elsewhere in the OT. The second half of the name appears often in other combinations (2 Sam. 5:20; 6:8; 1 Chron. 13:11; 14:11).

Libnah. Presumably an encampment not near any settled community. The root word means “to be white,” and the name here may refer to limestone formations in the vicinity. The personal name Laban is probably a variant from this same root. See Joshua 10:29; 15:42 for another town of the same name. The Hebrew word for “moon” is from the same root, probably in reference to its pale light. The name may possibly indicate some connection with moon worship.

Rissah. Names are easily corrupted in pronunciation and spelling. Some have suggested that Rissah is the same as Rasa, some 16 mi. from Ezion-geber.

Kehelathah. Nothing is known with certainty regarding the places mentioned in vs. 22–28.

Hashmonah. Some identify this with Heshmon (Joshua 15:27).

Moseroth. Probably the Mosera of Deut. 10:6, where the death and burial of Aaron and the succession of Eleazar to his office occurred.

Bene-jaakan. Location unknown (see Deut. 10:6).

Hor-hagidgad. See Deut. 10:7 where a different spelling probably denotes the same place. Location unknown.

Jotbathah. It has been suggested that the Jotbah of 2 Kings 21:19 may be the same place (see also Deut. 10:7).

Ebronah. Location unknown. 35 Ezion-gaber. Compare Deut. 2:8; 1 Kings 9:26; 22:48; 2 Chron. 8:17; 20:36. A harbor for the merchant ships of King Solomon at the northern end of the Gulf of ‘Aqaba. It is now known as Tell el–Kheleifeh.

Kadesh. See ch. 20:1. This Kadesh is the same as Kadesh-barnea, on the border of Canaan.

King Arad. Compare ch. 21:1. This verse seems out of place in this context.

Zalmonah. Location unknown; compare Mt. Zalmon (Judges 9:48) and Salmon (Ps. 68:14).

Punon. See Gen. 36:41 and 1 Chron. 1:52 for the name Pinon, probably a variant spelling of the same name. Identified with the modern Feinân, 25 mi. directly south of the Dead Sea.

Oboth. See ch. 21:10.

Ije-abarim. See on ch. 21:11.

Dibon-gad. See chs. 21:30; 32:34. Some stages of the Exodus are difficult to follow.

Almon-diblathaim. Perhaps the same as the Beth-diblathaim of Jer. 48:22.

Abarim. See on ch. 21:11; see also Num. 27:12; cf. Jer. 48:22.

Plains of Moab. See on ch. 22:1.

Beth-jesimoth. See Joshua 12:3; 13:20; Eze. 25:9. The modern Tell el–‘Azeimeh, between Mt. Nebo and the Jordan, has been suggested as the site of this place. Abel-shittim. See ch. 25:1. Possibly the modern Tell el–Hammâm, some 5 mi. north of Beth-jeshimoth.

The Lord spake. Definite instructions were given in respect to the law of possession of the land of Canaan.

When ye are passed over. Compare Num. 34:2; 35:10; Deut. 11:31; 18:9.

Ye shall drive out. The former inhabitants could not b,e allowed to remain in the land, as they were devoted to idolatry and would corrupt Israel (see Ex. 23:33; Deut. 20:16–18). Pictures. Literally, “figured stones.” This may refer to carved figures on the pillars inside their idol temples, such as are common in India today. High places. A reference to the heathen sanctuaries and altars built on the high hills.

Ye shall dispossess. For the procedure and process see Ex. 23:29, 30; Deut. 7:22.

By lot. For directions see ch. 26:53–55. Every man’s inheritance. Even to the individual family inheritance.

Pricks. Compare the language of Joshua 23:13 and Eze. 28:24, and of Paul (2 Cor. 12:7). Vex you. They were to be a continual source of uneasiness (see Judges 2:18; 4:3; 6:6).

I shall do unto you. As a matter of fact, the idolatrous inhabitants of Canaan were never entirely exterminated. Their baleful influence continued throughout the history of Israel, who also came before God in judgment (see Judges 3:8, 14; 6:2).