Numbers 33:13
They set out from Dophkah and camped at Alush.
They set out
This phrase indicates movement and transition, a common theme in the Israelites' journey through the wilderness. The Hebrew root for "set out" is "nasa," which means to pull up, especially the tent pegs, signifying the beginning of a journey. This action reflects obedience to God's command and a willingness to follow His guidance, even when the destination is unknown. It serves as a metaphor for the Christian life, where believers are called to step out in faith, trusting in God's plan.

from Dophkah
Dophkah is one of the many encampments of the Israelites during their exodus from Egypt. The exact location of Dophkah is uncertain, but it is believed to be in the Sinai Peninsula. The name "Dophkah" may derive from a root meaning "knocking" or "beating," possibly referring to the laborious journey or the trials faced by the Israelites. This reminds believers that the journey of faith often involves challenges and perseverance.

and camped
The act of camping signifies a temporary rest and a pause in the journey. The Hebrew word "chanah" means to pitch a tent or encamp, suggesting a time of dwelling and reflection. In the wilderness, these moments of rest were crucial for the Israelites to regroup, worship, and receive further instructions from God. For Christians, it symbolizes the importance of spiritual rest and renewal, taking time to seek God's presence and guidance.

at Alush
Alush is another encampment site, and like Dophkah, its exact location is not definitively known. The name "Alush" might be related to a root meaning "to knead" or "to mix," possibly indicating a place where provisions were prepared or where the Israelites experienced God's provision in a tangible way. This highlights God's faithfulness in providing for His people throughout their journey. It serves as a reminder that God meets the needs of His followers, often in unexpected ways, and encourages believers to trust in His provision.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Dophkah
A location in the wilderness where the Israelites camped during their exodus from Egypt. The exact location is not known, but it is part of the journey from Egypt to the Promised Land.

2. Alush
Another campsite in the wilderness journey of the Israelites. Like Dophkah, its precise location is uncertain, but it represents a stage in the Israelites' journey of faith and reliance on God.

3. The Israelites
The people of God who were delivered from slavery in Egypt and were on their way to the Promised Land. Their journey is marked by stages of travel and encampment, reflecting their dependence on God's guidance.

4. The Exodus
The significant event of the Israelites' departure from Egypt, symbolizing God's deliverance and faithfulness. This journey is a foundational account for understanding God's covenant relationship with His people.

5. Moses
The leader chosen by God to guide the Israelites out of Egypt and through the wilderness. His leadership is crucial in navigating the challenges and stages of the journey.
Teaching Points
Dependence on God
The journey from Dophkah to Alush reminds us of the importance of relying on God's guidance in every stage of life. Just as the Israelites depended on God for direction and provision, we too must trust Him in our daily walk.

Spiritual Journey
Our Christian life can be seen as a journey with various stages and challenges. Each "camp" or phase in life is an opportunity to grow in faith and obedience.

God's Faithfulness
Despite uncertainties and unknowns, God remains faithful. The Israelites' journey is a testament to God's unwavering commitment to His promises.

Learning from the Past
Reflecting on the Israelites' journey helps us learn from their experiences, both their successes and failures, to better navigate our spiritual journey.

Community and Leadership
The role of Moses and the collective journey of the Israelites highlight the importance of godly leadership and community support in our faith journey.
Bible Study Questions
1. What does the journey from Dophkah to Alush teach us about trusting God in times of uncertainty?

2. How can we apply the lessons from the Israelites' wilderness journey to our own spiritual walk today?

3. In what ways does the faithfulness of God in the Israelites' journey encourage us in our current life situations?

4. How can we support and encourage one another in our community of faith, similar to the Israelites' journey together?

5. Reflect on a "wilderness" experience in your life. How did you see God's provision and guidance during that time?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 17
The journey from Dophkah to Alush is part of the broader account of the Israelites' wilderness wanderings, which includes events like the provision of manna and water from the rock, demonstrating God's provision.

Deuteronomy 8
Reflects on the wilderness journey as a time of testing and reliance on God, emphasizing the lessons learned through the stages of travel and encampment.

Psalm 78
A recounting of Israel's history, including their wilderness journey, highlighting God's faithfulness despite the people's rebellion and forgetfulness.
The Journeyings of the IsraelitesD. Young Numbers 33:1-49
People
Aaron, Abel, Arad, Egyptians, Gad, Geber, Israelites, Moses, Perez, Tahath, Terah, Zephon
Places
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, Zin
Topics
Alush, Camped, Departed, Dophkah, Encamp, Encamped, Journey, Journeyed, Pitched, Removed, Tents, Traveled
Dictionary 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 Hebraica

Arbel. 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

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