Numbers Chapter 33 — The Journey from Egypt to Moab
Numbers 33 provides a chronological list of the locations where the Israelites camped during their journey from Egypt to the plains of Moab. It also includes instructions for the upcoming conquest of Canaan.
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Notable Verses
Numbers 33:2
“Moses wrote the starting points of their journeys by the commandment of the LORD.”
It establishes the divine authority and intentionality behind recording Israel's history.
Numbers 33:38
“Aaron the priest went up into Mount Hor at the commandment of the LORD and died there, in the fortieth year after the children of Israel had come out of the land of Egypt, in the fifth month, on the first day of the month.”
This verse marks the conclusion of the ministry of the first High Priest of Israel.
Numbers 33:53
“You shall take possession of the land, and dwell therein; for I have given the land to you to possess it.”
This summarizes the ultimate goal of the journey and the promise made to the Israelites.
Chapter Summary
Numbers 33 serves as a historical record of Israel's journey from their departure at Rameses in Egypt to their final camp in the plains of Moab by the Jordan. At God's command, Moses documented each stage of the forty-year trek, highlighting milestones such as the crossing of the Red Sea, the encampment at Sinai, and the death of Aaron the priest at Mount Hor at the age of 123. The chapter concludes with specific instructions from God regarding the conquest of Canaan. The Israelites are commanded to drive out all current inhabitants, destroy all idols and high places, and divide the land by lot according to their tribes. God warns that failing to remove the inhabitants will result in those people becoming a source of constant trouble and harassment for the nation in their new home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moses recorded the journey by the commandment of the Lord to serve as a historical record of Israel's travels. It tracks their progress from the Exodus out of Egypt to the threshold of the Promised Land.
According to the text, Aaron the priest went up to Mount Hor at God's command and died there at 123 years old. This occurred in the fortieth year after the Exodus, on the first day of the fifth month.
God commanded the Israelites to destroy all stone idols, molten images, and high places of worship belonging to the inhabitants of the land. This was part of the instruction to fully take possession of the territory God had given them.
God warned that any remaining inhabitants would become like 'pricks in your eyes and thorns in your sides.' He stated that these people would harass the Israelites and that He would eventually do to Israel what He had intended to do to the inhabitants.
Study Note
Numbers 33 is unique as one of the few sections of the Pentateuch explicitly stated to have been written down by Moses at God's direct command.
Related Chapters
Exodus 12
This chapter describes the original departure from Egypt mentioned at the start of the itinerary.
Joshua 1
Joshua leads the people across the Jordan, fulfilling the instructions given in Numbers 33.
Deuteronomy 1
Deuteronomy also reviews the history of Israel's journey and their preparation to enter the land.
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