Numbers 20:1 - The children of Israel, even the whole congregation, came into the wilderness of Zin in the first month. The people stayed in Kadesh. Miriam died there, and was buried there.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Numbers 20:1" mean?
This verse from Numbers 20:1 is a concise and somewhat somber statement marking a significant moment in the Israelites' journey through the wilderness. Let's break down its meaning:
"The children of Israel, even the whole congregation, came into the wilderness of Zin in the first month." This indicates that the entire Israelite community (men, women, children) arrived at a specific location: the wilderness of Zin. The mention of "the first month" is likely a reference to the first month of the religious year (Nisan), as opposed to the first month from their departure from Egypt. This implies a specific time in their calendar. The significance of the wilderness of Zin is that it's on the border of Canaan, the promised land.
"The people stayed in Kadesh." Kadesh (also known as Kadesh-Barnea) was an important oasis and a location where the Israelites encamped for a significant period during their wanderings. It served as a base of operations for spies sent into Canaan and was a site of previous rebellions. Staying in Kadesh suggests a longer period of encampment.
"Miriam died there, and was buried there." This is the most emotionally impactful part of the verse. Miriam, the sister of Moses and Aaron, and a prophetess in her own right, died and was buried in Kadesh. This is a significant loss for the community. Miriam was a key figure in the Exodus story (leading the women in song after crossing the Red Sea) and her death marks the passing of an important generation of leaders. It foreshadows the eventual deaths of Moses and Aaron before entering the Promised Land.
Overall Meaning:
The verse sets the scene for the next events in the narrative of Numbers. It tells us:
Location: The Israelites are in a specific place (Wilderness of Zin/Kadesh), close to the Promised Land.
Time: The events occur in the first month of the religious year.
Loss: A key leader, Miriam, has died, marking a shift in leadership and a reminder of mortality within the wandering generation.
Essentially, the verse is a transition point. The death of Miriam signifies the passing of an era and sets the stage for new challenges and changes in leadership as the Israelites continue their journey towards the Promised Land. The following verses detail the problems the Israelites face with a lack of water, leading to Moses' actions and subsequent punishment.
Numbers 20:1 - The children of Israel, even the whole congregation, came into the wilderness of Zin in the first month. The people stayed in Kadesh. Miriam died there, and was buried there.
What does "Numbers 20:1" mean?
This verse from Numbers 20:1 is a concise and somewhat somber statement marking a significant moment in the Israelites' journey through the wilderness. Let's break down its meaning:
"The children of Israel, even the whole congregation, came into the wilderness of Zin in the first month." This indicates that the entire Israelite community (men, women, children) arrived at a specific location: the wilderness of Zin. The mention of "the first month" is likely a reference to the first month of the religious year (Nisan), as opposed to the first month from their departure from Egypt. This implies a specific time in their calendar. The significance of the wilderness of Zin is that it's on the border of Canaan, the promised land.
"The people stayed in Kadesh." Kadesh (also known as Kadesh-Barnea) was an important oasis and a location where the Israelites encamped for a significant period during their wanderings. It served as a base of operations for spies sent into Canaan and was a site of previous rebellions. Staying in Kadesh suggests a longer period of encampment.
"Miriam died there, and was buried there." This is the most emotionally impactful part of the verse. Miriam, the sister of Moses and Aaron, and a prophetess in her own right, died and was buried in Kadesh. This is a significant loss for the community. Miriam was a key figure in the Exodus story (leading the women in song after crossing the Red Sea) and her death marks the passing of an important generation of leaders. It foreshadows the eventual deaths of Moses and Aaron before entering the Promised Land.
Overall Meaning:
The verse sets the scene for the next events in the narrative of Numbers. It tells us:
Location: The Israelites are in a specific place (Wilderness of Zin/Kadesh), close to the Promised Land.
Time: The events occur in the first month of the religious year.
Loss: A key leader, Miriam, has died, marking a shift in leadership and a reminder of mortality within the wandering generation.
Essentially, the verse is a transition point. The death of Miriam signifies the passing of an era and sets the stage for new challenges and changes in leadership as the Israelites continue their journey towards the Promised Land. The following verses detail the problems the Israelites face with a lack of water, leading to Moses' actions and subsequent punishment.