They set out
This phrase indicates the movement and journey of the Israelites, a recurring theme throughout the Book of Numbers. The Hebrew root for "set out" is "nasa," which means to pull up, especially in the context of pulling up tent pegs. This action signifies not just physical movement but also spiritual progress and obedience to God's command. The Israelites' journey is a metaphor for the Christian life, which involves continual growth and movement towards God's promises.

from Iyyim
"Iyyim" is a location mentioned in the Israelites' wilderness journey. The name "Iyyim" means "ruins" in Hebrew, suggesting a place that may have been desolate or abandoned. This reflects the transient and often challenging nature of the Israelites' journey. Spiritually, it can symbolize the desolate places in our lives where God calls us to move forward, trusting in His provision and guidance.

and camped
The act of camping signifies a temporary resting place. In Hebrew, "chanah" is used, meaning to pitch a tent or encamp. This reflects the nomadic lifestyle of the Israelites and their reliance on God's direction for when to move and when to rest. For Christians, it is a reminder of the importance of finding rest in God amidst life's journey and the temporary nature of our earthly dwelling.

at Dibon-gad
"Dibon-gad" is another station in the Israelites' journey. The name combines "Dibon," which means "pining" or "wasting," and "Gad," which refers to fortune or a troop. Historically, Dibon was a Moabite city, and its mention here may indicate a place of strategic or spiritual significance. Theologically, it can represent the duality of human experience—times of pining or struggle alongside the hope of divine fortune and blessing. This duality encourages believers to trust in God's sovereignty and goodness, even in challenging circumstances.

(45) From Iim.--Instead of the seven intermediate stations between Ijim, or Iie-abarim, and the plains of Moab, which are mentioned in Numbers 21:11-20, we find only three mentioned in this chapter: viz., Dibon of Gad, Almon-diblathaim, and Mount Abarim before Nebo, none of which agree in name with the stations mentioned in Numbers 21. In regard to the number of stations, the diversity may probably be explained on the supposition that Numbers 21 mentions those stations only which were of historical importance--as, e.g., those from which any military expedition was made--whilst Numbers 33 appears to mention every place in which an organised camp was erected, and in which the Tent of Meeting was formally set up. If this supposition be correct, no difficulty is involved in the fact that fewer stations are named between Mount Hor and Ije-abarim in Numbers 21 than in Numbers 33, whilst more stations are. named between Ije-abarim and Arboth-Moab in Numbers 33 than in Numbers 21. There is a further diversity, however, in the two accounts as regards the names of the intermediate stations between Ije-abarim and the plains of Moab. In respect of the stations between Mount Hor and Ije-abarim, if we suppose Zalmonah to have been the station at which the brazen serpent was set up (see Numbers 21:10, and Note), the difference between the two accounts consists only in the insertion in Numbers 33 of the station at Punon, between Zalmonah and Oboth. In respect of the stations, however, between Ije-abarim and Arboth-Moab there is not only a difference in the number, but also in the names of the stations. But this difference is easily accounted for when it is remembered that a host consisting of 600,000 men, with their wives, children, and cattle, must have extended over a large area, and, in the case of an inhabited country in which towns and villages abounded, may have occupied more than one of these at the same time. (Comp. Numbers 33:49, where the Israelites are represented as encamping "from Beth-jesimoth even unto Abel-shittim.") Hence there is no difficulty in connecting the formal encampment at Dibon of Gad (Numbers 33:45) with some one or more of the stations on the north of the Arnon mentioned in Numbers 23:13-19, or in connecting Almon-diblathaim, which appears to have been situated on the north or north-west of Dibon (Comp. Jeremiah 48:22, where Beth-diblathaim is mentioned in conjunction with Dibon and Nebo) with Bamoth--i.e., heights--which, if identical with Bamoth-Baal (Numbers 22:4), is mentioned by Joshua (Joshua 13:17) in immediate connection with Dibon. In regard to the last station named in this chapter before the encampment in the plains of Moab--viz., "the mountains of Abarim, before Nebo"--there can be no doubt as to the identity of the station with that in "the valley in the country (or, field) of Moab, at the top of Pisgah," in Numbers 21:20. According to Deuteronomy 34:1, Mount Nebo was a peak of Pisgah, which, as we learn from Deuteronomy 32:49, was one of the mountains of Abarim; and the place of the burial of Moses, who died upon the top of Pisgah, is described as "the valley"--i.e., the well-known valley--"in the land of Moab" (Deuteronomy 34:6). . . . Verse 45. - Dibon-gad. This encampment may have been the same as that previously called by the name of Nabaliel or Bamoth (Numbers 21:19, and see on Numbers 33:34). Several stages are here passed over in the Itinerary. At a time when the conquest and partial occupation of large districts was going on, it would be hard to say what regular stages were made by the host as such (see note at end of chapter).

Parallel Commentaries ...


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 Iyim
מֵעִיִּ֑ים (mê·‘î·yîm)
Preposition-m | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 5864: Iim -- a place on the eastern border of Moab

and camped
וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ (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 Dibon-gad.
בְּדִיבֹ֥ן (bə·ḏî·ḇōn)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1769: Dibon -- a city in Moab, also a place in Judah


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OT Law: Numbers 33:45 They traveled from Iyim and encamped (Nu Num.)