Numbers 20:1

KJV

¶ Then came the children of Israel, [even] the whole congregation, into the desert of Zin in the first month: and the people abode in Kadesh; and Miriam died there, and was buried there.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then came {H935} the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478}, even the whole congregation {H5712}, into the desert {H4057} of Zin {H6790} in the first {H7223} month {H2320}: and the people {H5971} abode {H3427} in Kadesh {H6946}; and Miriam {H4813} died {H4191} there, and was buried {H6912} there.

Complete Jewish Bible

The people of Isra'el, the whole community, entered the Tzin Desert in the first month, and they stayed in Kadesh. There Miryam died, and there she was buried.

Berean Standard Bible

In the first month, the whole congregation of Israel entered the Wilderness of Zin and stayed in Kadesh. There Miriam died and was buried.

American Standard Version

And the children of Israel, even the whole congregation, came into the wilderness of Zin in the first month: and the people abode in Kadesh; and Miriam died there, and was buried there.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 20:1 marks a pivotal moment in Israel's wilderness journey, signaling their arrival in the Desert of Zin, specifically at Kadesh, in what is understood to be the fortieth year after the Exodus. This verse not only establishes a new geographical and chronological setting for the narrative but also records the somber event of Miriam's death and burial, signifying the passing of a key leader from the generation that departed Egypt and foreshadowing further significant transitions for the nation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 20:1 abruptly shifts the narrative after a significant temporal gap, following the detailed laws concerning ritual purity and the red heifer in [Numbers 19](/numbers/19 "Numbers 19 - Laws of Purity and the Red Heifer"). The previous chapters, particularly [Numbers 16-18](/numbers/16 "Numbers 16 - Korah's Rebellion"), focused on the challenges to Mosaic and Aaronic leadership, divine judgment, and the confirmation of the Levitical priesthood. Chapter 20 re-engages with the historical progression of the Israelites, picking up their journey towards the Promised Land. The events immediately following this verse—the lack of water, Moses' and Aaron's sin at Meribah, and Aaron's subsequent death—are directly precipitated by the congregation's arrival at Kadesh, making this verse the crucial setup for the climactic events that define the end of the wilderness wandering.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The "first month" mentioned in [Numbers 20:1](/numbers/20-1 "Numbers 20:1 - Arrival at Kadesh and Miriam's Death") is widely understood by scholars to refer to the first month of the fortieth year after the Exodus from Egypt. This places the Israelites on the cusp of entering Canaan, having spent nearly four decades in the wilderness as a consequence of their rebellion at Kadesh-Barnea (recounted in [Numbers 13-14](/numbers/13 "Numbers 13 - The Spies Sent Out") and [Numbers 14](/numbers/14 "Numbers 14 - Israel's Rebellion and God's Judgment")). Kadesh, also known as Kadesh-Barnea, was a significant oasis and strategic location on the southern border of Canaan, serving as a base for Israel during earlier attempts to enter the land. The death of Miriam, a prophetess and the sister of Moses and Aaron (see [Exodus 15:20](/exodus/15-20 "Exodus 15:20 - Miriam's Song")), marks the passing of one of the original leaders who experienced the Exodus, symbolizing the generational transition occurring within the community before their final push into the Promised Land.
* **Key Themes:** This verse encapsulates several significant themes. Firstly, it highlights **Transition and Generational Change**, as the narrative moves from the older generation, many of whom have perished in the wilderness, to the new generation poised to inherit the land. Miriam's death is a poignant symbol of this passing. Secondly, it underscores **Divine Faithfulness and Endurance**, as God continues to lead and sustain His people, even after prolonged wandering and repeated failures. Despite their disobedience, God brings them to the very threshold of the Promised Land, demonstrating His unwavering covenant commitment. Thirdly, the setting at Kadesh reintroduces the theme of **Testing and Obedience**, as this location was previously a site of significant failure. The events that follow in [Numbers 20](/numbers/20 "Numbers 20 - Water from the Rock and Deaths of Miriam and Aaron") will further test the leadership and the people, revealing the ongoing need for trust and obedience to God's commands.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Congregation (Hebrew, _‘edah'_):** This term refers to the entire assembly or community of Israel, emphasizing their collective identity and shared journey. It underscores that the events described, including their movements and Miriam's death, impact the nation as a whole, not just a select few. The use of "whole congregation" highlights the unity, albeit often rebellious, of the people under God's covenant.
* **Desert of Zin (Hebrew, _Tsin'_):** This specific desert region, located south of Judah and west of Edom, is distinct from the wilderness of Sinai. Its mention precisely locates the Israelites geographically, indicating their proximity to the southern borders of Canaan. This geographical detail is crucial as it sets the stage for their final approach to the Promised Land and subsequent interactions with neighboring peoples.
* **Kadesh (Hebrew, _Qadesh'_):** Meaning "holy" or "sanctuary," Kadesh (often Kadesh-Barnea) was a significant oasis and a pivotal encampment site for Israel. It was here, nearly 38 years prior, that the Israelites rebelled against God after the spies' report, leading to the divine decree of prolonged wilderness wandering (see [Numbers 14:26-35](/numbers/14-26 "Numbers 14:26-35 - God's Judgment on the Rebellious Generation")). Their return to Kadesh signifies the completion of the decreed period of wandering and sets the stage for a renewed attempt to enter Canaan.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then came the children of Israel, [even] the whole congregation, into the desert of Zin in the first month:"** This clause establishes the setting and timing of the events. The phrase "children of Israel" refers to the entire nation, emphasizing their collective movement. The "whole congregation" reinforces this, highlighting that this was a unified, national relocation. The "desert of Zin" provides the geographical context, placing them near the southern border of Canaan. The "first month" is understood to be the first month of the fortieth year after the Exodus, marking the end of the long period of wandering and the beginning of their final approach to the Promised Land.
* **"and the people abode in Kadesh;"** This part specifies their destination within the Desert of Zin: Kadesh. The verb "abode" (Hebrew, _vayyeshev_) suggests a period of dwelling or settling, indicating that this was not merely a passing through but a significant encampment. Kadesh's strategic location and its historical significance as a place of past rebellion make their return here particularly poignant, setting the stage for the next phase of their journey and further tests of their faith and obedience.
* **"and Miriam died there, and was buried there."** This solemn statement records the death and burial of Miriam, Moses' and Aaron's sister. Her passing at Kadesh is significant, as she was one of the three prominent leaders (alongside Moses and Aaron) who led Israel out of Egypt. Her death marks the end of an era, symbolizing the gradual passing of the Exodus generation and paving the way for the new generation to enter the Promised Land. The simple, direct reporting of her death underscores its finality and the reality of mortality even among God's chosen leaders.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 20:1 employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. **Juxtaposition** is evident in the immediate succession of the congregation's arrival at a significant location and the death of a prominent leader. This places the themes of national progression and individual mortality side-by-side, highlighting the bittersweet reality of transition. The verse also utilizes **Conciseness** and **Understatement** in its reporting of Miriam's death: "Miriam died there, and was buried there." There is no elaborate eulogy or description of mourning, which, paradoxically, lends a stark and impactful solemnity to the event, emphasizing its finality and the inexorable march of time and divine decree. The **Setting** of Kadesh itself functions as a **Symbol**, representing both past failure (the rebellion at Kadesh-Barnea) and future hope (the threshold of the Promised Land), thereby imbuing the physical location with profound theological meaning.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 20:1 serves as a stark reminder of the passage of time and the fulfillment of God's prophetic word regarding the wilderness generation. Miriam's death, following the decree that the Exodus generation would not enter the Promised Land (except for Caleb and Joshua), underscores the divine faithfulness to judgment as well as to covenant promises. It highlights the principle that while individuals may pass, God's redemptive plan for His people continues. The arrival at Kadesh, a place of past rebellion, also sets the stage for a renewed test of faith and obedience, demonstrating God's persistent engagement with His people even through their failures, continually calling them to trust and follow Him. This verse initiates a crucial phase of transition, preparing the nation for their inheritance.

* [Numbers 14:32-35](/numbers/14-32 "Numbers 14:32-35 - The Wilderness Generation's Fate")
* [Deuteronomy 2:14](/deuteronomy/2-14 "Deuteronomy 2:14 - The Forty Years of Wandering")
* [Joshua 5:6](/joshua/5-6 "Joshua 5:6 - The New Generation Enters Canaan")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 20:1 invites us to reflect on the nature of transition, loss, and God's enduring faithfulness in our own lives and in the life of the community of faith. Miriam's death reminds us that even revered leaders and foundational figures are mortal, and their passing marks the end of an era. Yet, the narrative immediately continues with the "whole congregation" abiding in Kadesh, demonstrating that God's purposes transcend individual lives. This calls us to acknowledge the contributions of those who have gone before us, to mourn their loss, but also to recognize that the journey of faith continues. We are part of a larger story, called to carry forward the torch of faith, adapting to new seasons and challenges, always trusting that God remains sovereign over every transition, guiding His people towards their ultimate inheritance. It encourages us to embrace the present moment, learn from the past, and look forward with hope to God's unfolding plan.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do we honor the legacy of those who have gone before us in faith, while also embracing the new seasons and challenges God calls us to?**
* **What significant transitions are you currently experiencing, and how can the narrative of Israel's journey in the wilderness inform your perspective on them?**
* **In what ways does the continuity of God's plan, even amidst human mortality and failure, offer you comfort and encouragement today?**

### FAQ

**Why is Miriam's death mentioned so briefly in this verse?**

Answer: The brevity of the account of Miriam's death in [Numbers 20:1](/numbers/20-1 "Numbers 20:1 - Arrival at Kadesh and Miriam's Death") is striking, especially given her significant role in Israel's history (e.g., [Exodus 15:20-21](/exodus/15-20 "Exodus 15:20-21 - Miriam's Song of Victory")). This conciseness serves several literary and theological purposes. Firstly, it underscores the reality of mortality and the fulfillment of God's decree that the Exodus generation would perish in the wilderness (see [Numbers 14:29](/numbers/14-29 "Numbers 14:29 - God's Judgment on the Rebellious")). Her death, along with Aaron's later in the same chapter, marks the passing of the old guard, paving the way for the new generation to enter the Promised Land. Secondly, the focus of the book of Numbers is primarily on the collective journey and the unfolding of God's covenant with the nation, rather than detailed biographies of individuals. The primary purpose of mentioning her death here is to mark a significant chronological and generational transition for the "whole congregation" as they approach the end of their wilderness wandering and the beginning of their final push towards Canaan.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 20:1, with its themes of generational transition, the passing of old leadership, and the journey towards an inheritance, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment. Miriam's death at Kadesh, a place of past rebellion and future hope, foreshadows the necessary passing of the old covenant order and its limitations. Just as the old generation had to pass away for the new to enter the Promised Land, so too does the Law, represented by figures like Miriam, Moses, and Aaron, give way to a new and living way through Christ. Jesus is the ultimate leader who brings His people not merely to an earthly inheritance, but into the eternal rest and spiritual Promised Land of God's presence (see [Hebrews 4:8-9](/hebrews/4-8 "Hebrews 4:8-9 - The True Rest")). The wilderness journey, fraught with human failure and divine judgment, points to humanity's inability to achieve righteousness on its own, necessitating a perfect sacrifice. Christ, the true [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), enters our "wilderness" of sin and leads us through His atoning work on the cross, fulfilling the Law's demands and opening the way to true freedom and inheritance. His death and resurrection mark the ultimate transition, ushering in the new covenant where believers, through faith in Him, are granted access to God's eternal promises, a far greater reality than the earthly Canaan (see [Hebrews 9:15](/hebrews/9-15 "Hebrews 9:15 - Christ, Mediator of the New Covenant")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Numbers 13:21

¶ So they went up, and searched the land from the wilderness of Zin unto Rehob, as men come to Hamath.

Exodus 15:20

And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.

Numbers 33:36

And they removed from Eziongaber, and pitched in the wilderness of Zin, which [is] Kadesh.

Numbers 26:59

And the name of Amram's wife [was] Jochebed, the daughter of Levi, whom [her mother] bare to Levi in Egypt: and she bare unto Amram Aaron and Moses, and Miriam their sister.

Numbers 27:14

For ye rebelled against my commandment in the desert of Zin, in the strife of the congregation, to sanctify me at the water before their eyes: that [is] the water of Meribah in Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.

Numbers 12:1

¶ And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman.

Deuteronomy 1:22

And ye came near unto me every one of you, and said, We will send men before us, and they shall search us out the land, and bring us word again by what way we must go up, and into what cities we shall come.