Numbers 21:19

KJV

And from Mattanah to Nahaliel: and from Nahaliel to Bamoth:

KJV (with Strong's)

And from Mattanah {H4980} to Nahaliel {H5160}: and from Nahaliel {H5160} to Bamoth {H1120}:

Complete Jewish Bible

from Mattanah to Nachali'el, from Nachali'el to Bamot,

Berean Standard Bible

and from Mattanah to Nahaliel, and from Nahaliel to Bamoth,

American Standard Version

and from Mattanah to Nahaliel; and from Nahaliel to Bamoth;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 21:19 is a concise geographical marker within a poetic itinerary of the Israelites' wilderness journey, detailing their movement from Mattanah to Nahaliel, and then to Bamoth. This seemingly simple listing underscores the continuous, divinely guided progress of God's people toward the Promised Land, following a miraculous provision of water. It serves as a testament to God's meticulous providence and the historical reality of Israel's journey, even in the seemingly mundane details of their travels.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 21:19 is embedded within a unique poetic interlude (Numbers 21:17-20) that breaks the typical prose narrative of the Israelites' wilderness wanderings. This section immediately follows the "Song of the Well" (Numbers 21:17-18), a celebratory hymn of praise for God's miraculous provision of water at Beer, a place that means "well." The itinerary, including Mattanah, Nahaliel, and Bamoth, forms a continuation of this poetic celebration, emphasizing the Israelites' ongoing journey and the divine guidance that facilitated their movement. It precedes the final stages of their approach to the plains of Moab and the significant encounters with Sihon and Og, highlighting a period of renewed divine favor and progress after the challenges of the fiery serpents earlier in the chapter (see [Numbers 21:4-9](/numbers/21-4 "Numbers 21:4-9 - The Fiery Serpents")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The wilderness journey of the Israelites was a period of profound formation for the nation, marked by both divine provision and human rebellion. The listing of specific locations like Mattanah, Nahaliel, and Bamoth provides a sense of historical verisimilitude to the narrative, reflecting the detailed record-keeping of ancient itineraries. While the exact locations of these sites are debated by modern archaeologists, their inclusion emphasizes the tangible reality of the Israelites' forty-year trek through the desolate Arabian Peninsula. The names themselves, as discussed below, often reflect geographical features or significant events, typical of ancient place-naming conventions, and underscore the challenging yet divinely sustained nature of their nomadic existence before settling in the [Promised Land](/exodus/3-8 "Exodus 3:8 - Description of the Promised Land").
* **Key Themes:** This verse, though brief, contributes to several overarching themes in Numbers and the Pentateuch. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **Divine Guidance and Providence**, showing God's meticulous leading of His people through every stage of their journey, even in what appears to be a simple list of waypoints. This echoes the constant presence of the pillar of cloud by day and fire by night (see [Exodus 13:21](/exodus/13-21 "Exodus 13:21 - God's Guidance by Pillar of Cloud and Fire")). Secondly, it reinforces the theme of **Journey and Progress**, emphasizing that the Israelites were continually moving forward toward their ultimate destination, despite setbacks and delays. This pilgrimage motif is central to the book of Numbers, which details the wilderness wanderings (see [Deuteronomy 8:2](/deuteronomy/8-2 "Deuteronomy 8:2 - Remembering the Wilderness Journey")). Lastly, the specificity of the place names contributes to the theme of **Historical Accuracy and Reliability of the Narrative**, lending credibility to the biblical account as a record of real events experienced by a real people under the direct oversight of God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Mattanah (Hebrew, _mattānāh_):** This Hebrew word literally means "gift" or "present." Its placement immediately after the "Song of the Well" (Numbers 21:17-18) strongly suggests a connection to God's miraculous provision of water. It implies that this location was remembered as a place where God bestowed a significant "gift" upon His people, likely water or other sustenance, reaffirming His covenant faithfulness in the wilderness.
* **Nahaliel (Hebrew, _naḥălîʾēl_):** This compound name combines "Nahal" (נַחַל), meaning "wadi" or "torrent valley," with "El" (אֵל), meaning "God." Thus, Nahaliel translates to "wadi of God" or "valley of God." This suggests a geographical feature—a valley or dry riverbed that might seasonally fill with water—where God's presence was particularly manifest, or where His divine power was evident, perhaps in providing water in an otherwise arid landscape.
* **Bamoth (Hebrew, _bāmōt_):** Meaning "high places" or "heights." While in later biblical contexts "bamoth" often refers to pagan altars or cultic sites on elevated ground, here it appears to be purely a geographical descriptor. It indicates an elevated location that the Israelites traversed or encamped upon, possibly offering a strategic vantage point or simply representing a significant change in elevation during their journey.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And from Mattanah to Nahaliel:"** This clause details the first leg of the journey described in the verse. It signifies a movement from a place of divine "gift" or provision (Mattanah) to a "wadi of God" (Nahaliel). This progression highlights the continuous nature of God's leading, moving His people from one significant point of encounter or provision to another, emphasizing that His care is not static but dynamic and ongoing throughout their pilgrimage.
* **"and from Nahaliel to Bamoth:"** This second clause continues the itinerary, indicating a further movement from the "wadi of God" (Nahaliel) to the "high places" (Bamoth). The repetition of Nahaliel serves as a clear transition point, reinforcing the sequential nature of their journey. The movement to "high places" could imply ascending challenging terrain or reaching a significant elevated encampment, symbolizing progress and perhaps a change in perspective or a new phase of their journey.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Numbers 21:19 is **Itinerary** or **Topographical Listing**. This technique, common in ancient Near Eastern texts, serves to provide a detailed, almost documentary, account of a journey, lending historical weight and authenticity to the narrative. The precise naming of locations, even if their exact modern equivalents are unknown, grounds the story in a tangible reality. Furthermore, the verse employs **Repetition** by repeating "Nahaliel," which acts as a clear pivot point, reinforcing the sequential and progressive nature of the journey. While not explicitly metaphorical, the names themselves carry inherent **Symbolism** (e.g., "gift," "wadi of God," "high places"), subtly enriching the narrative with theological undertones about God's provision, presence, and the challenges of the pilgrimage.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 21:19, though a simple geographical listing, profoundly illustrates God's active and meticulous involvement in the lives of His people. It speaks to the theme of divine guidance, demonstrating that every step of Israel's journey, from places of clear provision (Mattanah, the "gift") to challenging terrains (Nahaliel, the "wadi of God") and elevated positions (Bamoth, the "high places"), was orchestrated by God. This continuous movement, marked by specific divine waypoints, underscores the pilgrimage motif central to biblical theology—that life is a journey of faith, and God faithfully leads His people through all its phases, providing, protecting, and shaping them for their ultimate destination. It assures believers that God's providence extends even to the seemingly mundane details of their lives.

* [Exodus 13:21](/exodus/13-21 "Exodus 13:21 - God's Guidance by Pillar of Cloud and Fire")
* [Deuteronomy 8:2](/deuteronomy/8-2 "Deuteronomy 8:2 - Remembering the Wilderness Journey")
* [Psalm 23:2-3](/psalms/23-2 "Psalm 23:2-3 - The Lord as Shepherd and Guide")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 21:19 invites us to consider our own lives as a divinely guided journey. Just as the Israelites moved from "Mattanah" (places of clear gifts and blessings) to "Nahaliel" (valleys or challenging periods where God's presence might be felt in a different, perhaps more profound, way) and then to "Bamoth" (high places of new perspective or even struggle), so too does God lead us through various seasons. This verse reminds us that even the seemingly uneventful or difficult transitions in our lives are part of God's perfect plan. It calls us to trust in His active guidance, knowing that He is present in every "gift" and every "wadi," leading us toward His intended destination. Our faith is not just for the mountaintops but for the valleys and the long stretches of travel in between, recognizing His hand in every detail, no matter how small or obscure it may seem.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life have you experienced a "Mattanah," a clear gift or provision from God?**
* **How have you recognized God's presence and work in your "Nahaliel" moments—the challenging or "valley" periods?**
* **What "Bamoth" (high places or significant challenges) have you ascended, and what new perspectives did they offer on God's faithfulness?**
* **How does understanding God's meticulous guidance of Israel's journey encourage you to trust Him with the seemingly mundane details of your own life's path?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of listing these specific, seemingly obscure, places in the Bible?**

Answer: The listing of specific places like Mattanah, Nahaliel, and Bamoth serves several important purposes. Firstly, it lends historical credibility and authenticity to the biblical narrative, grounding the story of Israel's wilderness wanderings in tangible geographical reality, much like an ancient travel log. It suggests a precise record-keeping of their journey, affirming that these were real events experienced by a real people. Secondly, the names themselves carry symbolic and theological weight (e.g., Mattanah meaning "gift," Nahaliel meaning "wadi of God"), subtly enriching the narrative by highlighting God's continuous provision and presence even in the midst of a challenging wilderness. This reinforces the theme of divine guidance throughout their pilgrimage, ensuring that every step was part of God's sovereign plan for His people as they moved toward the [Promised Land](/numbers/33 "Numbers 33 - The Stages of Israel's Journey").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 21:19, with its emphasis on divine guidance through a journey marked by gifts, valleys, and high places, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the true and ultimate "gift" (Mattanah) from God to humanity, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") and the source of all spiritual blessings (see [Ephesians 1:3](/ephesians/1-3 "Ephesians 1:3 - Blessed in Christ")). Just as God led Israel through the "wadi of God" (Nahaliel), Christ is the living water who leads us through the dry and desolate places of our lives, transforming our wilderness into a garden (see [John 7:37-38](/john/7-37 "John 7:37-38 - Jesus' Invitation to Drink Living Water")). He is the one who ascends to the "high places" (Bamoth), not merely a geographical location, but the very throne of God, having completed His earthly journey through suffering and death, and now reigns in glory (see [Ephesians 4:8-10](/ephesians/4-8 "Ephesians 4:8-10 - Christ's Ascension and Gifts")). Our spiritual journey, from conversion to glorification, is a continuous pilgrimage under His perfect guidance, leading us not to an earthly promised land, but to the eternal city, the [New Jerusalem](/revelation/21-2 "New Jerusalem"), where Christ Himself is our ultimate destination and fulfillment.

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.