Numbers 33:37
They set out from Kadesh and camped at Mount Hor, on the outskirts of the land of Edom.
They set out from Kadesh
The phrase "They set out from Kadesh" marks a significant transition in the journey of the Israelites. Kadesh, often referred to as Kadesh-barnea, was a major encampment for the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings. The Hebrew root for Kadesh (קָדֵשׁ) means "holy" or "sacred," indicating its importance as a place of divine encounters and decisions. Historically, Kadesh was a pivotal location where the Israelites faced challenges, such as the rebellion of the spies and the subsequent judgment of wandering. It symbolizes a place of testing and preparation before entering the Promised Land.

and camped at Mount Hor
The movement to "camped at Mount Hor" signifies another stage in the Israelites' journey. Mount Hor is traditionally identified with a mountain near Petra in modern-day Jordan. It is historically and scripturally significant as the place where Aaron, the brother of Moses and the first high priest, died and was buried. The Hebrew word for "camped" (חָנָה) implies a temporary settlement, reflecting the transient nature of the Israelites' journey. This encampment at Mount Hor represents a moment of transition and loss, as the leadership mantle began to shift from Aaron to his son Eleazar.

on the outskirts of the land of Edom
The phrase "on the outskirts of the land of Edom" situates Mount Hor geographically and culturally. Edom, the land of Esau's descendants, was located southeast of Israel. The Hebrew term for "outskirts" (קָצֶה) suggests a boundary or edge, indicating that the Israelites were on the periphery of Edom's territory. This location is significant because it highlights the Israelites' interactions with neighboring nations and their reliance on God's guidance to navigate these relationships. Historically, Edom's refusal to allow passage through their land (Numbers 20:14-21) underscores the challenges faced by the Israelites and the need for divine intervention and direction.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Kadesh
A significant location in the wilderness journey of the Israelites. It was a place of both rebellion and revelation, where the Israelites faced challenges and received God's instructions.

2. Mount Hor
A mountain on the border of Edom, significant as the place where Aaron, the brother of Moses, died and was buried. It marks a transition point in the Israelites' journey.

3. Edom
A region inhabited by the descendants of Esau, Jacob's brother. The Israelites' journey around Edom is a reminder of the complex relationships between the descendants of Isaac.

4. The Israelites
God's chosen people, journeying from Egypt to the Promised Land, learning to trust and obey God through their wilderness experiences.

5. Aaron
The first high priest of Israel, whose death at Mount Hor signifies a change in leadership and a reminder of the consequences of disobedience.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Obedience
The journey from Kadesh to Mount Hor underscores the need for obedience to God's commands. Disobedience can lead to significant consequences, as seen in the lives of Moses and Aaron.

Transitions in Leadership
Aaron's death at Mount Hor marks a transition in leadership. It reminds us of the importance of preparing the next generation to carry on God's work.

God's Faithfulness in Difficult Times
Despite the challenges faced by the Israelites, God remained faithful. This encourages us to trust in God's provision and guidance during our own wilderness experiences.

The Significance of Place
Locations like Kadesh and Mount Hor are not just geographical markers but are imbued with spiritual significance, teaching us about God's interactions with His people.
Bible Study Questions
1. What lessons can we learn from the Israelites' journey from Kadesh to Mount Hor about trusting God in times of transition?

2. How does the refusal of Edom to allow passage reflect the broader theme of opposition in the Christian journey, and how can we apply this to our own lives?

3. In what ways does Aaron's death at Mount Hor serve as a reminder of the importance of spiritual leadership and legacy?

4. How can the experiences of the Israelites in the wilderness encourage us to remain faithful during our own "wilderness" periods?

5. Reflect on a time when you faced a significant transition or challenge. How did you see God's faithfulness during that time, and how does this relate to the journey of the Israelites?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 17
The events at Kadesh, including the striking of the rock, highlight the Israelites' struggle with faith and obedience.

Numbers 20
Provides more context on the events at Kadesh and Mount Hor, including the death of Miriam and Aaron, and the refusal of Edom to allow passage.

Deuteronomy 2
Discusses the Israelites' journey around Edom, emphasizing God's guidance and provision despite obstacles.

Psalm 136
Celebrates God's enduring love and faithfulness throughout Israel's journey, including their time in the wilderness.
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
Border, Camped, Edge, Edom, Encamp, Encamped, Extremity, Hor, Journey, Journeyed, Kadesh, Mount, Pitched, Removed, Tents, Traveled
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Numbers 33:37

     5235   boundary

Numbers 33:3-48

     7222   exodus, events of

Numbers 33:37-39

     4254   mountains

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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