Numbers 33:36, "They traveled from Ezion Geber, and encamped at Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin," is a brief statement documenting a specific leg of the Israelites' journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. Let's break down its meaning:
"They traveled from Ezion Geber": This refers to the Israelites departing from Ezion Geber. Ezion Geber was a port city located on the northern end of the Gulf of Aqaba (the eastern arm of the Red Sea). It's a place where they likely had some form of contact or trade, probably after their time wandering in the Sinai Peninsula.
"and encamped at Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin": This states that their next campsite was at Kadesh, which was located in the Wilderness of Zin.
Kadesh (also sometimes Kadesh-barnea): This was a significant and well-known oasis in the Negev desert, marking an important place in their journey. They stayed at Kadesh for a long time, it was a pivotal location where many important events occurred, including sending spies into Canaan and experiencing major rebellions.
Wilderness of Zin: This is the desert region surrounding Kadesh.
In essence, the verse simply records a movement from the Red Sea to a desert oasis called Kadesh, marking a transition point in the Israelites' long journey. This verse is part of a comprehensive list in Numbers 33 summarizing the entire itinerary of the Israelites from Egypt to the plains of Moab, before entering the Promised Land.
Significance in the Broader Context:
While seemingly simple, the verse highlights the following:
The journey continues: Even after significant periods of wandering, the Israelites were still on their way.
Locations mattered: The specific places mentioned held historical and strategic importance. Kadesh was a central location for key events.
Detail in Scripture: The Bible provides detailed accounts of this journey, underscoring the historical reality of their experience.
Numbers 33:36, "They traveled from Ezion Geber, and encamped at Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin," is a brief statement documenting a specific leg of the Israelites' journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. Let's break down its meaning:
"They traveled from Ezion Geber": This refers to the Israelites departing from Ezion Geber. Ezion Geber was a port city located on the northern end of the Gulf of Aqaba (the eastern arm of the Red Sea). It's a place where they likely had some form of contact or trade, probably after their time wandering in the Sinai Peninsula.
"and encamped at Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin": This states that their next campsite was at Kadesh, which was located in the Wilderness of Zin.
Kadesh (also sometimes Kadesh-barnea): This was a significant and well-known oasis in the Negev desert, marking an important place in their journey. They stayed at Kadesh for a long time, it was a pivotal location where many important events occurred, including sending spies into Canaan and experiencing major rebellions.
Wilderness of Zin: This is the desert region surrounding Kadesh.
In essence, the verse simply records a movement from the Red Sea to a desert oasis called Kadesh, marking a transition point in the Israelites' long journey. This verse is part of a comprehensive list in Numbers 33 summarizing the entire itinerary of the Israelites from Egypt to the plains of Moab, before entering the Promised Land.
Significance in the Broader Context:
While seemingly simple, the verse highlights the following:
The journey continues: Even after significant periods of wandering, the Israelites were still on their way.
Locations mattered: The specific places mentioned held historical and strategic importance. Kadesh was a central location for key events.
Detail in Scripture: The Bible provides detailed accounts of this journey, underscoring the historical reality of their experience.