They set out from Rephidim and camped in the Wilderness of Sinai. They set outThis phrase indicates a deliberate action taken by the Israelites under the leadership of Moses. The Hebrew root for "set out" is "nasa," which means to pull up, especially the tent pegs, and thus to start on a journey. This action signifies obedience to God's command and a readiness to follow His guidance. It reflects the transient nature of the Israelites' journey, emphasizing their dependence on God for direction and sustenance. from Rephidim
Rephidim is a significant location in the Israelites' journey. It was here that they experienced God's provision of water from the rock and victory over the Amalekites. The name "Rephidim" is thought to mean "supports" or "rests," which is ironic given the challenges they faced there. This highlights the theme of God's provision and protection even in places of trial and testing. and camped
The act of camping suggests a temporary dwelling, a pause in their journey. The Hebrew word "chanah" means to pitch a tent or encamp. This reflects the nomadic lifestyle of the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings. It also symbolizes a time of rest and preparation for what lies ahead, a moment to reflect on God's faithfulness and to receive His instructions. in the Wilderness of Sinai
The Wilderness of Sinai is a place of profound spiritual significance. It is here that the Israelites received the Law, the Ten Commandments, and entered into a covenant relationship with God. The Hebrew word "midbar" for wilderness can also mean "a place of speaking," which is fitting as it was in Sinai that God spoke to His people. This wilderness represents both a physical and spiritual journey, a place of testing, revelation, and transformation. It underscores the idea that God often uses wilderness experiences to draw His people closer to Him and to prepare them for their future. Persons / Places / Events 1. RephidimA location where the Israelites camped during their exodus from Egypt. It is notable for the event where Moses struck the rock to provide water for the people ( Exodus 17:1-7). 2. Wilderness of SinaiA significant desert region where the Israelites camped after leaving Rephidim. It is here that they received the Ten Commandments and the Law from God through Moses (Exodus 19-20). 3. The IsraelitesThe chosen people of God, led by Moses, who were on a journey from slavery in Egypt to the Promised Land. 4. MosesThe leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to deliver His people from Egypt and guide them through the wilderness. 5. The ExodusThe journey of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt to freedom, marked by a series of miraculous events and divine guidance. Teaching Points The Journey of FaithThe Israelites' journey from Rephidim to Sinai symbolizes the journey of faith every believer undertakes. It involves moving from a place of need and dependence on God to a place of receiving His law and guidance. God's Provision and GuidanceJust as God provided water at Rephidim and His law at Sinai, He provides for our needs and guides us through His Word. Trust in His provision and seek His guidance in every step of your journey. The Importance of ObedienceThe Wilderness of Sinai is where the Israelites received the Ten Commandments. This underscores the importance of obedience to God's commands as a response to His grace and provision. Preparation for Greater ThingsThe time spent in the Wilderness of Sinai was a period of preparation for the Israelites. Similarly, God uses seasons of waiting and preparation in our lives to equip us for future challenges and blessings. Bible Study Questions 1. What can we learn from the Israelites' experience at Rephidim about trusting God in times of need? 2. How does the journey from Rephidim to the Wilderness of Sinai reflect our spiritual journey as Christians? 3. In what ways does God's provision at Rephidim and His revelation at Sinai demonstrate His faithfulness to His people? 4. How can we apply the lessons of obedience and preparation from the Wilderness of Sinai to our own lives today? 5. What other biblical events or teachings can you connect to the themes of provision, guidance, and obedience found in Numbers 33:15? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 17:1-7This passage describes the events at Rephidim, where the Israelites quarreled with Moses due to a lack of water, leading to God providing water from a rock. Exodus 19-20These chapters detail the Israelites' arrival at the Wilderness of Sinai and the giving of the Ten Commandments, highlighting the significance of this location in their spiritual journey. Deuteronomy 1:2This verse provides context for the journey from Horeb (Sinai) to Kadesh-barnea, emphasizing the importance of the Wilderness of Sinai as a place of preparation and covenant. People Aaron, Abel, Arad, Egyptians, Gad, Geber, Israelites, Moses, Perez, Tahath, Terah, ZephonPlaces 0, Abarim, Abel-shittim, Abronah, Almon-diblathaim, Alush, Arad, Baal-zephon, Bene-jaakan, Beth-jeshimoth, Canaan, Dibon-gad, Dophkah, Edom, Egypt, Elim, Etham, Ezion-geber, Hahiroth, Haradah, Hashmonah, Hazeroth, Hor-haggidgad, Iye-abarim, Iyim, Jericho, Jordan River, Jotbathah, Kadesh-barnea, Kehelathah, Kibroth-hattaavah, Libnah, Makheloth, Marah, Migdol, Mithkah, Moab, Moseroth, Mount Hor, Mount Shepher, Nebo, Negev, Oboth, Pi-hahiroth, Punon, Rameses, Red Sea, Rephidim, Rimmon-perez, Rissah, Rithmah, Sinai, Succoth, Tahath, Terah, Zalmonah, ZinTopics Camped, Departed, Desert, Encamp, Encamped, Journey, Journeyed, Pitched, Removed, Rephidim, Reph'idim, Sinai, Tents, Traveled, Waste, WildernessDictionary of Bible Themes Numbers 33:3-48 7222 exodus, events of Library Some Miscellaneous Matters Belonging to the Country About Jericho.
Let us begin from the last encampings of Israel beyond Jordan. Numbers 33:49: "They encamped near Jordan from Beth-jeshimoth unto Abel-shittim."--"From Beth-jeshimoth to Abel-shittim were twelve miles." It is a most received opinion among the Jews, that the tents of the Israelites in the wilderness contained a square of twelve miles. So the Targum of Jonathan, upon Number 2:2; "The encamping of Israel was twelve miles in length, and twelve miles in breadth." And the Gemarists say, "It is forbidden …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and HebraicaArbel. Shezor. Tarnegola the Upper.
"Arbel a city of Galilee."--There is mention of it in Hosea 10:14. But there are authors which do very differently interpret that place, viz. the Chaldee paraphrast, R. Solomon, Kimchi: consult them. It was between Zippor and Tiberias. Hence Nittai the Arbelite, who was president with Josua Ben Perahiah. The valley of Arbel is mentioned by the Talmudists. So also "The Arbelite Bushel." "Near Zephath in Upper Galilee was a town named Shezor, whence was R. Simeon Shezori: there he was buried. There …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Christ the Water of Life.
"Jesus answered and said unto her, Every one that drinketh of this water shall thirst again: but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall become in him a well of water springing up unto eternal life" (John iv. 13, 14). "Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink" (John vii. 37). "And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank …
Frank G. Allen—Autobiography of Frank G. Allen, Minister of the Gospel Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners:
A BRIEF AND FAITHFUL RELATION OF THE EXCEEDING MERCY OF GOD IN CHRIST TO HIS POOR SERVANT, JOHN BUNYAN; WHEREIN IS PARTICULARLY SHOWED THE MANNER OF HIS CONVERSION, HIS SIGHT AND TROUBLE FOR SIN, HIS DREADFUL TEMPTATIONS, ALSO HOW HE DESPAIRED OF GOD'S MERCY, AND HOW THE LORD AT LENGTH THROUGH CHRIST DID DELIVER HIM FROM ALL THE GUILT AND TERROR THAT LAY UPON HIM. Whereunto is added a brief relation of his call to the work of the ministry, of his temptations therein, as also what he hath met with …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Kadesh. Rekam, and that Double. Inquiry is Made, Whether the Doubling it in the Maps is Well Done.
The readers of the eastern interpreters will observe, that Kadesh is rendered by all Rekam, or in a sound very near it. In the Chaldee, it is 'Rekam': in the Syriac, 'Rekem': in the Arabic, 'Rakim'... There are two places noted by the name Rekam in the very bounds of the land,--to wit, the southern and eastern: that is, a double Kadesh. I. Of Kadesh, or Rekam, in the south part, there is no doubt. II. Of it, in the eastern part, there is this mention: "From Rekam to the east, and Rekam is as the …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica The Section Chap. I. -iii.
The question which here above all engages our attention, and requires to be answered, is this: Whether that which is reported in these chapters did, or did not, actually and outwardly take place. The history of the inquiries connected with this question is found most fully in Marckius's "Diatribe de uxore fornicationum," Leyden, 1696, reprinted in the Commentary on the Minor Prophets by the same author. The various views may be divided into three classes. 1. It is maintained by very many interpreters, …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Peaceable Principles and True: Or, a Brief Answer to Mr. D'Anver's and Mr. Paul's Books against My Confession of Faith, and Differences in Judgment About Baptism no Bar to Communion.
WHEREIN THEIR SCRIPTURELESS NOTIONS ARE OVERTHROWN, AND MY PEACEABLE PRINCIPLES STILL MAINTAINED. 'Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men?'--Psalm 58:1 SIR, I have received and considered your short reply to my differences in judgment about water baptism no bar to communion; and observe, that you touch not the argument at all: but rather labour what you can, and beyond what you ought, to throw odiums upon your brother for reproving you for your error, …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 In Death and after Death
A sadder picture could scarcely be drawn than that of the dying Rabbi Jochanan ben Saccai, that "light of Israel" immediately before and after the destruction of the Temple, and for two years the president of the Sanhedrim. We read in the Talmud (Ber. 28 b) that, when his disciples came to see him on his death-bed, he burst into tears. To their astonished inquiry why he, "the light of Israel, the right pillar of the Temple, and its mighty hammer," betrayed such signs of fear, he replied: "If I were …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Numbers 33:15 NIVNumbers 33:15 NLTNumbers 33:15 ESVNumbers 33:15 NASBNumbers 33:15 KJV
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