What number verse is Numbers 33:20 in the Bible?

Numbers 33:20 is the 4,781st verse of the Bible. Counting straight through the King James canon — all 31,102 verses from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21 — Numbers 33:20 sits at position 4,781.

Translation

King James Version

And they departed from Rimmonparez, and pitched in Libnah.

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KJV (with Strong's)

And they departed ^H5265 from Rimmonparez ^H7428, and pitched ^H2583 in Libnah ^H3841.

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Complete Jewish Bible

They moved on from Rimmon-Peretz and camped at Livnah.

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Berean Standard Bible

They set out from Rimmon-perez and camped at Libnah.

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American Standard Version

And they journeyed from Rimmon-perez, and encamped in Libnah.

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World English Bible Messianic

They traveled from Rimmon Perez, and encamped in Libnah.

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Geneva Bible (1599)

And they departed from Rimmon Parez, and pitched in Libnah.

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Young's Literal Translation

and they journey from Rimmon-Parez, and encamp in Libnah.

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In the KJVVerse 4,781 of 31,102

Study This Verse

SUMMARY

Numbers 33:20 serves as a precise entry within the meticulously recorded itinerary of Israel's wilderness journey, stating, "And they departed from Rimmonparez, and pitched in Libnah." This verse, like the many others in Numbers chapter 33, functions as a divinely preserved logbook, documenting the specific movements and encampments of the Israelites during their forty years of wandering after the Exodus from Egypt, thereby emphasizing God's precise and sovereign guidance, the people's obedient progression, and the historical veracity of their pilgrimage toward the Promised Land.

CONTEXT

Literary Context: Numbers chapter 33 provides a unique and comprehensive historical record, detailing forty-two distinct stages of Israel's journey from their departure from Rameses in Egypt to their eventual arrival on the plains of Moab, opposite Jericho. This chapter functions as a meticulous itinerary, a divinely preserved logbook of their pilgrimage. Verses such as Numbers 33:20, with their repetitive "departed from... and pitched in..." structure, reinforce the historical veracity of the Exodus and the subsequent wilderness wanderings. The overarching purpose of this detailed list is not merely geographical mapping, but to underscore God's faithful presence, His meticulous guidance of His people, and their sustained obedience (even amidst their frequent rebellion) to His commands to move and encamp. It stands as a powerful testament to the fulfillment of God's promise to bring them out of Egypt and lead them to the land He had sworn to their ancestors.
Historical & Cultural Context: The wilderness journey of the Israelites was a transformative period, shaping them from a collection of freed slaves into a covenant nation under God's direct rule. Their nomadic existence was entirely dependent on divine provision and explicit direction. Culturally, "departing" and "pitching" were fundamental actions for any nomadic people, but for Israel, these movements were not arbitrary. They were dictated by the visible presence of God in the pillar of cloud by day and fire by night, which rested over the Tabernacle, signaling when to move and when to rest, as detailed in Exodus 40:36-38. The journey through the wilderness was fraught with immense challenges—desolate terrain, scarcity of water and food, and hostile tribes—making the precise guidance from God not just a convenience, but an absolute necessity for their survival and progression. The names of the places, such as Rimmonparez and Libnah, while perhaps not holding specific narrative significance beyond their geographical markers in this verse, represent real, tangible locations on a difficult and divinely orchestrated path.
Key Themes: The meticulous recording of each encampment in Numbers 33, including the brief mention of Rimmonparez and Libnah, powerfully highlights several overarching themes foundational to Israel's identity and faith. Firstly, Divine Sovereignty and Guidance is paramount; every move, every stop, was under God's direct command, demonstrating His active and intimate involvement in the lives of His people. This illustrates that God's plan is precise, even in seemingly insignificant details, extending His providential care over every step of their journey. Secondly, the chapter underscores God's Unwavering Faithfulness to His covenant promises. Despite the Israelites' repeated grumbling, rebellion, and lack of faith (as vividly depicted in earlier chapters like Numbers 14), God remained steadfast in His commitment to lead them to the Promised Land, as Moses later reminds them in Deuteronomy 8:2. Finally, the entire wilderness journey serves as a profound Metaphor for the Journey of Faith. It portrays life as a pilgrimage, where believers are called to trust God's leading through various stages, both comfortable and challenging, knowing that He is faithfully guiding them toward their ultimate destination.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

departed (Hebrew, nâsaʻ', H5265): A primitive root meaning "to pull up," specifically referring to the pulling up of tent-pins to start a journey. In the context of Israel's wilderness wanderings, this verb carries the profound weight of divine command and human obedience. The Israelites did not move on their own initiative but only when the pillar of cloud lifted from the Tabernacle, signaling God's will for them to continue their journey. This term emphasizes the active, divinely directed movement of the entire camp, a collective response to God's leading.
pitched (Hebrew, chânâh', H2583): A primitive root meaning "to incline," and by implication, "to decline" (like the slanting rays of evening), but specifically, "to pitch a tent" or "to encamp." It denotes the establishment of a temporary dwelling place for rest. Just as "departed" indicates movement by divine command, "pitched" signifies rest and settlement at a divinely appointed location. The act of pitching implies the setting up of the Tabernacle in the center of the camp, symbolizing God's continued presence dwelling among His people during their periods of rest and worship.
Rimmonparez (Hebrew, Rimmôn Perets', H7428): A compound place name meaning "pomegranate of the breach." While the specific significance of this name in the narrative is not elaborated, its inclusion as a distinct stage in the itinerary underscores the historical and geographical precision of the account. It serves as a tangible marker of a specific location where Israel had previously encamped, now left behind as they continued their divinely orchestrated journey.

Verse Breakdown

"And they departed from Rimmonparez": This initial clause indicates the previous encampment from which the Israelites moved. "Rimmonparez" (רִמּוֹן פָּרֶץ) is a specific place name, though its exact location and any particular historical event associated with it are not detailed in the biblical narrative beyond its mention as a stop on this comprehensive itinerary. The act of departing signifies the continuation of their journey, a direct response to God's signal to move forward, highlighting their ongoing pilgrimage.
"and pitched in Libnah": This subsequent clause identifies the next designated stopping point for the vast Israelite camp. "Libnah" (לִבְנָה) means "whiteness" or "purity," and while the name itself might suggest certain characteristics, the text does not elaborate on its deeper significance within this verse. Like Rimmonparez, its primary importance here is as a specific, divinely ordained location where the immense Israelite community, with the Tabernacle at its spiritual and physical center, settled temporarily. This act of pitching signifies a period of rest, communal life, worship, and preparation before the next stage of their pilgrimage, all under God's watchful eye.

Literary Devices

Numbers 33:20, as an integral part of the larger chapter, primarily employs the literary device of Itinerary or Catalogue. This is a detailed, sequential listing of places or events, meticulously creating a historical and geographical record of Israel's journey. The repetitive formula of "departed from [place A], and pitched in [place B]" is a prominent form of Repetition that emphasizes the systematic, ordered, and divinely directed nature of the entire wilderness journey. This meticulous cataloging serves to underscore the historical reality and veracity of the Exodus and the subsequent wilderness wanderings, providing concrete evidence of God's precise leading. While the names Rimmonparez and Libnah might carry potential symbolic meanings (e.g., "breach" and "whiteness"), the text does not explicitly develop them into a narrative Symbolism in this verse; their primary function is as precise geographical markers within the divinely revealed itinerary.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

The seemingly mundane listing of encampments in Numbers 33:20 and the surrounding chapter holds profound theological weight. It powerfully demonstrates God's meticulous care, His intimate involvement in the minute details of His people's lives, and His unwavering commitment to His covenant promises. Every "departed" and "pitched" was an act of divine sovereignty and human obedience, illustrating that God's guidance is precise and purposeful, even through challenging and seemingly insignificant stages of life. The wilderness journey, with its trials and periods of rest, served as a divine school of faith, teaching Israel absolute dependence on God alone for provision, protection, and direction. This divine itinerary is a powerful reminder that God's plan unfolds step by step, and His presence is constant, faithfully leading His people through every season of life, ultimately toward His promised rest.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

Numbers 33:20, like the entire itinerary in this chapter, invites us to reflect deeply on the nature of our own spiritual journey. Life is fundamentally a pilgrimage, and just as God meticulously guided Israel through the wilderness, He orchestrates the steps of our lives with intentionality and purpose. This verse reminds us that even the seemingly uneventful, difficult, or obscure periods—the "Rimmonparez" moments of departure from comfort or the "Libnah" moments of settling into a new, perhaps challenging, reality—are integral parts of God's sovereign plan for our growth. We are called to cultivate a profound trust in His timing, His leading, and His provision, knowing with certainty that He is faithful to complete the good work He has begun in us. Our spiritual growth often occurs not just in grand, miraculous interventions, but in the daily rhythm of "departing" from old ways of thinking or behaving and "pitching" new habits of faith, obedience, and dependence under His constant guidance. This ancient record encourages us to look back and recognize God's unfailing faithfulness in our past, thereby strengthening our trust for the path ahead, confident that He is leading us safely to our ultimate promised rest in Him.

Questions for Reflection

How does recognizing God's meticulous guidance in Israel's journey impact your understanding of His active involvement in your own life's "itinerary" and daily decisions?
What specific "Rimmonparez" (challenging departures or transitions) or "Libnah" (periods of rest, waiting, or purification) moments can you identify in your own life where you sensed God's leading, even if subtly or in hindsight?
How can the consistent rhythm of "departing" from self-reliance and "pitching" into deeper obedience to God's will be practically applied to your daily walk of faith and decision-making?

FAQ

Why is such a detailed list of encampments included in the Bible, and what is its significance beyond geographical markers?

Answer: The detailed itinerary in Numbers 33, including verses like Numbers 33:20, serves several crucial and profound purposes. Firstly, it underscores the historical accuracy and veracity of the Exodus account and the wilderness wandering. These were real places, and the journey was a tangible, verifiable event, not a myth or allegory. This meticulous record grounds the divine narrative in historical reality. Secondly, it powerfully highlights God's meticulous guidance and unwavering faithfulness. Every "departed" and "pitched" was a direct command from God, demonstrating His active, intimate, and providential involvement in leading His people. This illustrates that God's plan is precise, even in the smallest details of our lives, ensuring His people reach their destination. Finally, it serves as a testament to Israel's obedience, even amidst their frequent grumbling and rebellion. While they often complained and faltered, they ultimately followed God's leading through the wilderness, a journey that shaped them into a nation, taught them dependence on Him, and prepared them for the Promised Land, as recounted in Deuteronomy 8:2.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

The wilderness journey of Israel, meticulously documented in Numbers 33, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deeper spiritual meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While Israel journeyed through a literal wilderness toward an earthly promised land, Christ leads His people through the spiritual wilderness of this fallen world towards a heavenly and eternal inheritance. Jesus is the true pillar of cloud and fire, the ultimate divine guide who leads His people not merely to a geographical location, but into a transformative relationship with God and to the ultimate rest found only in Him, as He invites, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest". Just as Israel's journey was marked by divine provision (manna from heaven, water from the rock), Christ is the true Bread of Life who declares, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger", and the Living Water, offering eternal satisfaction as He told the Samaritan woman, "whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again". The meticulous record of Israel's journey, with its trials, periods of discipline, and triumphs, foreshadows the believer's walk of faith—a pilgrimage where Christ is both "the way, and the truth, and the life", leading us safely through every "departing" and "pitching" moment to the true Promised Land—eternal life and perfect communion with God in His glorious presence.

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Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers . Public domain.

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Origen of AlexandriaAD 253

HOMILIES ON NUMBERS 27:12

Next they came to Lebna [Libnah], which means “whitewashing.” I know that in some respects whitewashing has a pejorative connotation.… But this whitewashing is that concerning which the prophet says, “You will wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.…” So then, this whitewashing must be understood to come from the radiance of the true light and to descend from the brightness of heavenly visions.

Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.

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