Numbers 21:20

KJV

And from Bamoth [in] the valley, that [is] in the country of Moab, to the top of Pisgah, which looketh toward Jeshimon.

KJV (with Strong's)

And from Bamoth {H1120} in the valley {H1516}, that is in the country {H7704} of Moab {H4124}, to the top {H7218} of Pisgah {H6449}, which looketh {H8259} toward {H6440} Jeshimon {H3452}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and from Bamot to the valley by the plain of Mo'av at the start of the Pisgah range, where it overlooks the desert.

Berean Standard Bible

and from Bamoth to the valley in Moab where the top of Pisgah overlooks the wasteland.

American Standard Version

and from Bamoth to the valley that is in the field of Moab, to the top of Pisgah, which looketh down upon the desert.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 21:20 serves as a precise geographical marker within the Israelites' wilderness journey, detailing their movement from Bamoth, a location in the valley within Moabite territory, to the elevated peak of Pisgah, which offers a commanding view towards the Jeshimon wilderness. This verse is part of a larger narrative depicting Israel's final stages of encampment and conquest in the Transjordan region, underscoring God's meticulous guidance and the tangible progress toward the fulfillment of His covenant promises.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 21:20 is embedded within a section describing Israel's journey through the Transjordan, specifically following their victories over Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, king of Bashan. The preceding verses (Numbers 21:18-19) describe the digging of a well and a poetic fragment, often referred to as the "Song of the Well," which celebrates God's provision and guidance. Verse 20 continues this geographical progression, mapping out the route from the wilderness to the borders of Moab and beyond. This detailed itinerary serves to authenticate the historical narrative of the exodus and conquest, emphasizing God's precise leading of His people through specific, tangible locations on their way to the Promised Land. The mention of Pisgah here is particularly significant, as it foreshadows its pivotal role in the narrative of [Moses' final view of the Promised Land](/deuteronomy/34-1 "Deuteronomy 34:1 - Moses Views the Promised Land") before his death.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The journey described in Numbers 21 takes place in the late Bronze Age, as the Israelites, having wandered for forty years, are now positioned to enter Canaan from the east. The "country of Moab" refers to the territory east of the Dead Sea, a region with which Israel had a complex relationship, marked by both conflict and kinship. "Bamoth" (meaning "high places") could have been a location of ancient cultic activity, but here it functions purely as a geographical place name, likely a high plateau or ridge. Pisgah is a prominent peak within the Abarim mountain range, known for its expansive views. The term "Jeshimon" (wilderness) describes the desolate, barren landscape characteristic of the Transjordanian desert, contrasting sharply with the fertile lands of Canaan that lay beyond. Such detailed geographical descriptions were crucial for ancient travel narratives, providing verifiable landmarks and demonstrating the reality of the journey.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several overarching themes in Numbers and the Pentateuch. Firstly, **Divine Guidance and Providence** are paramount, as the meticulous detailing of Israel's route highlights God's active and precise leadership through challenging and unfamiliar territories. Every encampment and movement is part of His sovereign plan. Secondly, the theme of **Journey and Progress** is evident; each named location signifies another step closer to the ultimate destination, the Promised Land. Despite setbacks and periods of rebellion, God consistently moves His people forward, demonstrating His faithfulness to His covenant promises. Thirdly, **Geographical Significance** is emphasized, as these landmarks are not merely points on a map but places that will become historically and theologically important, most notably Pisgah, which becomes indelibly linked with [Moses' final moments](/deuteronomy/34-1 "Deuteronomy 34:1 - Moses Views the Promised Land") and the culmination of the wilderness generation's journey. The contrast between the "Jeshimon" and the promised fertile land also underscores the theme of **Covenant Fulfillment** and the transition from barrenness to blessing.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Bamoth (בָּמוֹת, _bāmōth_):** This Hebrew word literally means "high places" or "heights." While in many biblical contexts it refers to elevated sites used for worship, often idolatrous (e.g., [1 Kings 14:23](/1_kings/14-23 "1 Kings 14:23 - Judah's Idolatry")), here it functions as a proper noun, a specific geographical location within the Transjordan. Its inclusion as a waypoint underscores the tangible, physical reality of Israel's journey.
* **Pisgah (פִּסְגָּה, _pisgāh_):** Meaning "a peak" or "summit," Pisgah is a specific mountain peak within the Abarim range, east of the Jordan River. Its name accurately describes its elevated position, which afforded a wide-ranging view. Pisgah is most famously known as the vantage point from which Moses viewed the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 34:1-4), making its mention here a significant foreshadowing of that pivotal event.
* **Jeshimon (הַיְשִׁימוֹן, _hayyəšîmôn_):** This term translates to "the desert," "the wilderness," or "the desolation." It describes a barren, desolate region, often used to refer to the wilderness east of the Dead Sea. The phrase "looketh toward Jeshimon" from Pisgah emphasizes the vast, uncultivated expanse that Israel had traversed and was leaving behind, contrasting it with the fertile land they were about to enter.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And from Bamoth [in] the valley":** This clause establishes the starting point of the described segment of the journey. "Bamoth" is identified as a specific location, situated within a valley, indicating a topographical feature that might have offered some shelter or natural pathway. Its placement "in the country of Moab" further specifies its geopolitical context.
* **"that [is] in the country of Moab":** This clarifies the broader geographical and political territory where Bamoth is located. The country of Moab was a distinct kingdom east of the Dead Sea, and Israel's passage through or near its borders was a significant part of their journey towards Canaan.
* **"to the top of Pisgah":** This designates the destination of this particular leg of the journey. "The top of Pisgah" highlights its elevated nature, implying a climb or ascent, and sets the stage for the panoramic view it offers. Pisgah's prominence makes it a crucial landmark.
* **"which looketh toward Jeshimon":** This phrase describes the vista from Pisgah. From this elevated position, one could see the "Jeshimon," the vast wilderness or desert. This detail not only provides a precise geographical orientation but also symbolically emphasizes the barrenness of the land Israel was leaving behind, setting a poignant contrast with the fertile land of promise.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 21:20 primarily employs **Topographical Description** (or **Geographical Listing**), meticulously detailing the physical landmarks of Israel's journey. This precise naming of places like Bamoth, Moab, Pisgah, and Jeshimon lends historical verisimilitude to the narrative, grounding the divine narrative in real-world geography. Beyond mere mapping, the verse utilizes **Foreshadowing**, particularly with the mention of Pisgah. For readers familiar with the later events in Deuteronomy, Pisgah immediately evokes the powerful scene of Moses viewing the Promised Land before his death, imbuing this seemingly simple geographical note with profound theological significance. Furthermore, there is an implicit **Contrast** at play: the view from Pisgah "toward Jeshimon" highlights the desolate wilderness that Israel has endured, setting it against the backdrop of the fertile land of Canaan that lies just beyond, symbolizing the transition from hardship to the fulfillment of God's promises.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This seemingly simple geographical verse, Numbers 21:20, profoundly illustrates God's meticulous and sovereign guidance over His people. It reveals that God's plan unfolds not in abstract terms, but in concrete, historical, and geographical realities. Just as He precisely directed Israel's physical movements through valleys and over mountains, He orchestrates the details of human history and individual lives. Every "Bamoth" and "Pisgah" on our journey, whether a high point of clarity or a challenging transition, is under His watchful eye, moving us toward His ultimate purposes. The detailed naming of places underscores God's faithfulness to His covenant, demonstrating that He truly leads His people from the wilderness to the promised inheritance.

* [Deuteronomy 34:1-4](/deuteronomy/34-1 "Deuteronomy 34:1-4 - Moses Views the Promised Land")
* [Psalm 107:7](/psalms/107-7 "Psalm 107:7 - God Leads the Way")
* [Proverbs 3:5-6](/proverbs/3-5 "Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 21:20, though a geographical listing, offers profound insights for our spiritual journey. It reminds us that God's guidance is not vague but precise, leading us through specific "valleys" and to particular "peaks" in our lives. Just as Israel moved from the wilderness (Jeshimon) towards the promised land, our faith journey involves progression through various seasons – times of barrenness, challenging transitions, and moments of clear vision. We are called to trust God's leading through every topographical feature of our existence, knowing that He is meticulously orchestrating our steps. The "top of Pisgah" can symbolize those moments of spiritual clarity, glimpses of God's faithfulness, or even prophetic insights into His future promises, which sustain us even when the full realization is yet to come. This verse encourages us to look back and see God's hand in every detail of our past, and to look forward with confidence in His continued, faithful guidance towards our ultimate, eternal destination.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does recognizing God's meticulous guidance in Israel's physical journey encourage you in navigating the specific "geographical markers" (life stages, challenges, opportunities) of your own life's path?**
* **What "Pisgah moments" (moments of clear vision, hope, or divine insight) have you experienced, and how did they sustain you through "Jeshimon" (wilderness) periods?**
* **In what ways can seemingly ordinary or challenging "topographical descriptions" in your personal story reveal God's ongoing purpose and faithfulness?**

### FAQ
**Why is such a specific geographical listing included in the Bible?**

Answer: The inclusion of precise geographical details like those in Numbers 21:20 serves several important purposes. Firstly, it underscores the historical authenticity and reality of the events described. The Bible is not a collection of abstract myths but a record of God's interaction with real people in real places. These details would have been meaningful to the original audience, who were familiar with the region. Secondly, it highlights God's meticulous Providence. Every step of Israel's journey was guided by God, demonstrating His faithfulness to His covenant promises to bring them into the land He swore to their ancestors. It shows that God is intimately involved in the tangible details of His people's lives and their history, fulfilling His word precisely as promised (e.g., [Joshua 1:3](/joshua/1-3 "Joshua 1:3 - Every Place Your Foot Treads")).

**What is the significance of Pisgah beyond just a geographical point?**

Answer: Pisgah holds immense theological and symbolic significance primarily because it is the mountain from which Moses, at the end of his life, was granted a panoramic view of the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 3:27; [Deuteronomy 34:1-4](/deuteronomy/34-1 "Deuteronomy 34:1-4 - Moses Views the Promised Land")). Although Moses was forbidden from entering the land due to his disobedience, God graciously allowed him this final, breathtaking vision. Thus, Pisgah becomes a symbol of glimpsing God's promises even when full realization is just out of reach in this life. It represents the culmination of a long journey, the faithfulness of God in bringing His people to the threshold of their inheritance, and the bittersweet reality of human limitations in the face of divine decree.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 21:20, with its detailed mapping of Israel's journey towards the Promised Land, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The earthly journey of Israel, guided by God through wilderness and towards a physical inheritance, serves as a profound type for the spiritual journey of humanity, led by Christ to a heavenly inheritance. Jesus is the ultimate "Way" (as proclaimed in [John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life")), who meticulously guides His people from the "Jeshimon" of sin and spiritual barrenness into the glorious freedom and spiritual rest found in Him. The Promised Land, a place of rest and abundance, foreshadows the true "Sabbath rest" that remains for the people of God in Christ ([Hebrews 4:9-11](/hebrews/4-9 "Hebrews 4:9-11 - The Sabbath Rest for God's People")). Just as Moses viewed the land from Pisgah, believers in Christ are granted a spiritual vision of their heavenly inheritance, even while still on their earthly pilgrimage. Through His death and resurrection, Christ has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son ([Colossians 1:13](/colossians/1-13 "Colossians 1:13 - Delivered from Darkness to Light")), seating us with Him in the heavenly places ([Ephesians 2:6](/ephesians/2-6 "Ephesians 2:6 - Seated with Christ in Heavenly Places")). Thus, the geographical precision of Numbers 21:20 ultimately points to the precise and perfect plan of God in Christ, who ensures His people reach their true and eternal destination.

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 23:28

And Balak brought Balaam unto the top of Peor, that looketh toward Jeshimon.

Numbers 23:14

And he brought him into the field of Zophim, to the top of Pisgah, and built seven altars, and offered a bullock and a ram on [every] altar.

Numbers 26:63

¶ These [are] they that were numbered by Moses and Eleazar the priest, who numbered the children of Israel in the plains of Moab by Jordan [near] Jericho.

Deuteronomy 1:5

On this side Jordan, in the land of Moab, began Moses to declare this law, saying,

Deuteronomy 34:1

¶ And Moses went up from the plains of Moab unto the mountain of Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, that [is] over against Jericho. And the LORD shewed him all the land of Gilead, unto Dan,

Deuteronomy 4:49

And all the plain on this side Jordan eastward, even unto the sea of the plain, under the springs of Pisgah.

Numbers 33:49

And they pitched by Jordan, from Bethjesimoth [even] unto Abelshittim in the plains of Moab.