Exodus 13:20
New International Version
After leaving Sukkoth they camped at Etham on the edge of the desert.

New Living Translation
The Israelites left Succoth and camped at Etham on the edge of the wilderness.

English Standard Version
And they moved on from Succoth and encamped at Etham, on the edge of the wilderness.

Berean Standard Bible
They set out from Succoth and camped at Etham on the edge of the wilderness.

King James Bible
And they took their journey from Succoth, and encamped in Etham, in the edge of the wilderness.

New King James Version
So they took their journey from Succoth and camped in Etham at the edge of the wilderness.

New American Standard Bible
Then they set out from Succoth and camped in Etham, on the edge of the wilderness.

NASB 1995
Then they set out from Succoth and camped in Etham on the edge of the wilderness.

NASB 1977
Then they set out from Succoth and camped in Etham on the edge of the wilderness.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then they set out from Succoth and camped in Etham on the edge of the wilderness.

Amplified Bible
They journeyed from Succoth [in Goshen] and camped at Etham on the edge of the wilderness.

Christian Standard Bible
They set out from Succoth and camped at Etham on the edge of the wilderness.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
They set out from Succoth and camped at Etham on the edge of the wilderness.

American Standard Version
And they took their journey from Succoth, and encamped in Etham, in the edge of the wilderness.

Contemporary English Version
The people of Israel left Succoth and camped at Etham at the border of Egypt near the desert.

English Revised Version
And they took their journey from Succoth, and encamped in Etham, in the edge of the wilderness.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
They moved from Succoth and camped at Etham, on the edge of the desert.

Good News Translation
The Israelites left Sukkoth and camped at Etham on the edge of the desert.

International Standard Version
They left Succoth and camped in Etham at the edge of the desert.

Majority Standard Bible
They set out from Succoth and camped at Etham on the edge of the wilderness.

NET Bible
They journeyed from Sukkoth and camped in Etham, on the edge of the desert.

New Heart English Bible
They took their journey from Succoth, and camped in Etham, in the edge of the wilderness.

Webster's Bible Translation
And they took their journey from Succoth, and encamped in Etham, in the edge of the wilderness.

World English Bible
They took their journey from Succoth, and encamped in Etham, in the edge of the wilderness.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And they journey from Succoth, and encamp in Etham at the extremity of the wilderness,

Young's Literal Translation
And they journey from Succoth, and encamp in Etham at the extremity of the wilderness,

Smith's Literal Translation
And they will remove from Succoth, and they will encamp in Etham, in the extremity of the desert.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And marching from Socoth they encamped in Etham in the utmost coasts of the wilderness.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And setting out from Soccoth, they encamped at Etham, in the most distant parts of the wilderness.

New American Bible
Setting out from Succoth, they camped at Etham near the edge of the wilderness.

New Revised Standard Version
They set out from Succoth, and camped at Etham, on the edge of the wilderness.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And they journeyed from Succoth and encamped at Etham, on the edge of the wilderness.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And they picked up from Sekoth and they camped in Atham which is at the end of the wilderness.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And they took their journey from Succoth, and encamped in Etham, in the edge of the wilderness.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the children of Israel departed from Socchoth, and encamped in Othom by the wilderness.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Pillars of Cloud and Fire
19Moses took the bones of Joseph with him because Joseph had made the sons of Israel swear a solemn oath when he said, “God will surely attend to you, and then you must carry my bones with you from this place.” 20They set out from Succoth and camped at Etham on the edge of the wilderness. 21And the LORD went before them in a pillar of cloud to guide their way by day, and in a pillar of fire to give them light by night, so that they could travel by day or night.…

Cross References
Numbers 33:6-8
They set out from Succoth and camped at Etham, on the edge of the wilderness. / They set out from Etham and turned back to Pi-hahiroth, opposite Baal-zephon, and they camped near Migdol. / They set out from Pi-hahiroth and crossed through the sea, into the wilderness, and they journeyed three days into the Wilderness of Etham and camped at Marah.

Exodus 14:1-2
Then the LORD said to Moses, / “Tell the Israelites to turn back and encamp before Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea. You are to encamp by the sea, directly opposite Baal-zephon.

Deuteronomy 1:33
who went before you on the journey, in the fire by night and in the cloud by day, to seek out a place for you to camp and to show you the road to travel.

Nehemiah 9:12
You led them with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, to light for them the way in which they should travel.

Psalm 78:14
He led them with a cloud by day and with a light of fire all night.

Psalm 105:39
He spread a cloud as a covering and a fire to light up the night.

Isaiah 63:12-13
who sent His glorious arm to lead them by the right hand of Moses, who divided the waters before them to gain for Himself everlasting renown, / who led them through the depths like a horse in the wilderness, so that they did not stumble?

1 Corinthians 10:1-2
I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud, and that they all passed through the sea. / They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea.

Hebrews 11:29
By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to follow, they were drowned.

Joshua 3:14-17
So when the people broke camp to cross the Jordan, the priests carried the ark of the covenant ahead of them. / Now the Jordan overflows its banks throughout the harvest season. But as soon as the priests carrying the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, / the flowing water stood still. It backed up as far upstream as Adam, a city in the area of Zarethan, while the water flowing toward the Sea of the Arabah (the Salt Sea) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho. ...

Numbers 9:17-23
Whenever the cloud was lifted from above the Tent, the Israelites would set out, and wherever the cloud settled, there the Israelites would camp. / At the LORD’s command the Israelites set out, and at the LORD’s command they camped. As long as the cloud remained over the tabernacle, they remained encamped. / Even when the cloud lingered over the tabernacle for many days, the Israelites kept the LORD’s charge and did not set out. ...

Deuteronomy 8:2
Remember that these forty years the LORD your God led you all the way in the wilderness, so that He might humble you and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commandments.

Psalm 136:13-16
He divided the Red Sea in two His loving devotion endures forever. / and led Israel through the midst, His loving devotion endures forever. / but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea. His loving devotion endures forever. ...

Isaiah 11:15-16
The LORD will devote to destruction the gulf of the Sea of Egypt; with a scorching wind He will sweep His hand over the Euphrates. He will split it into seven streams for men to cross with dry sandals. / There will be a highway for the remnant of His people who remain from Assyria, as there was for Israel when they came up from the land of Egypt.

Acts 7:36
He led them out and performed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, at the Red Sea, and for forty years in the wilderness.


Treasury of Scripture

And they took their journey from Succoth, and encamped in Etham, in the edge of the wilderness.

Numbers 33:5,6
And the children of Israel removed from Rameses, and pitched in Succoth…

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Camped Desert Edge Encamp Encamped End Etham Extremity Journey Leaving Moved Succoth Tents Waste Wilderness
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Camped Desert Edge Encamp Encamped End Etham Extremity Journey Leaving Moved Succoth Tents Waste Wilderness
Exodus 13
1. The firstborn are sanctified to God
3. The memorial of the Passover is commanded
11. The firstborn of man and beast are set apart
17. The Israelites go out of Egypt, and carry Joseph's bones with them.
20. They come to Etham
21. God guides them by a pillar of a cloud, and a pillar of fire














They set out
This phrase marks the beginning of a significant journey for the Israelites, symbolizing a transition from bondage to freedom. The Hebrew root for "set out" is "nasa," which conveys the idea of pulling up tent pegs, suggesting a readiness to move forward. This action reflects obedience to God's command and a willingness to trust in His guidance, leaving behind the familiar for the unknown.

from Succoth
Succoth, meaning "booths" or "temporary shelters," was the first stop after the Israelites left Egypt. Archaeologically, Succoth is believed to be located in the eastern Nile Delta. This place represents a temporary refuge and a reminder of God's provision during the initial phase of their journey. It signifies the beginning of a new identity as a people set apart for God's purposes.

and camped
The act of camping indicates a temporary halt in their journey, a time for rest and reflection. The Hebrew word "chanah" implies pitching a tent, suggesting a pause that allows the Israelites to regroup and prepare for the next stage. This pause is essential for spiritual and physical renewal, emphasizing the importance of rest in the rhythm of life.

at Etham
Etham is described as being "on the edge of the wilderness." The exact location of Etham is uncertain, but it is thought to be near the eastern border of Egypt. The name Etham may mean "with them," indicating God's presence with the Israelites. This location serves as a threshold between the known world of Egypt and the vast, uncharted wilderness, symbolizing a step of faith into God's promises.

on the edge of the wilderness
The wilderness represents both a physical and spiritual landscape. It is a place of testing, transformation, and reliance on God. The Hebrew word "midbar" for wilderness can also mean "desert" or "pasture," highlighting the dual nature of the wilderness as both barren and a place of potential growth. This setting foreshadows the challenges and divine encounters the Israelites will experience as they journey towards the Promised Land.

THE JOURNEY RESUMED.

(20) They took their journey from Succoth, and encamped in Etham.--The exact positions of both Succoth and Etham are uncertain, and can only be conjectured; but they probably lay to the southeast of Tanis, between that city and the Bitter Lakes. Succoth may have been at or near Tel Dafneh, about fifteen miles from Tanis, and Etham near the modern Ismailia, on the verge of the desert. Dr. Brugsch's identification of Etham with the Egyptian Khetam is highly improbable, since the Hebrew aleph never replaces the Egyptian kh, which is a very strong guttural. E-tham would mean "the house of Turn," and point to a temple of the Sun-god, who was specially worshipped in the Eastern Delta, at Heliopolis, Patumus, and elsewhere.

Verse 20. - And they took their journey from Succoth and encamped in Etham. On the probable position of Etham, see the "Introduction" to this book. The word probably means "House of Turn," and implies the existence at the place of a temple of the Sun-God, who was commonly worshipped as Tuna or Atum. The name, therefore, is nearly equivalent to Pithom (Exodus 1:11), which means "City of Turn;" but it is not likely that Moses designated the same place by two distinct appellations. The site of Etham, moreover, does not agree with that of the Patumos of Herodotus (2:158), which is generally allowed to be Pithom.

CHAPTER 13:21, 22

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
They set out
וַיִּסְע֖וּ (way·yis·‘ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5265: To pull up, the tent-pins, start on a, journey

from Succoth
מִסֻּכֹּ֑ת (mis·suk·kōṯ)
Preposition-m | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 5523: Succoth -- a city East of the Jordan, also a place in Egypt

and camped
וַיַּחֲנ֣וּ (way·ya·ḥă·nū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 2583: To incline, to decline, to pitch a, tent, gen, to encamp

at Etham
בְאֵתָ֔ם (ḇə·’ê·ṯām)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 864: Etham -- a place in Egypt

on the edge
בִּקְצֵ֖ה (biq·ṣêh)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7097: End, extremity

of the wilderness.
הַמִּדְבָּֽר׃ (ham·miḏ·bār)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4057: A pasture, a desert, speech


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OT Law: Exodus 13:20 They took their journey from Succoth (Exo. Ex)
Exodus 13:19
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