Numbers 33:21

KJV

And they removed from Libnah, and pitched at Rissah.

KJV (with Strong's)

And they removed {H5265} from Libnah {H3841}, and pitched {H2583} at Rissah {H7446}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They moved on from Livnah and camped at Rissah.

Berean Standard Bible

They set out from Libnah and camped at Rissah.

American Standard Version

And they journeyed from Libnah, and encamped in Rissah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 33:21 concisely records two consecutive stages in the Israelites' divinely guided wilderness journey: their departure from Libnah and their subsequent encampment at Rissah. This brief entry, part of a comprehensive itinerary, underscores the meticulous historical record-keeping of the Exodus narrative and highlights the continuous, purposeful movement of God's people under His faithful direction across the vast and challenging desert landscape.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 33 serves as a unique and detailed itinerary, meticulously listing all 42 encampments of the Israelites from their departure from Egypt to their arrival on the plains of Moab. This chapter acts as a historical summary, reinforcing the veracity of the Exodus account by providing specific geographical markers. Verses 1-4 establish the divine command for Moses to record these stages, emphasizing their significance. Numbers 33:21 is situated within the latter half of this extensive list, following their departure from Libnah (verse 20) and preceding their move to Kehelathah (verse 22). Each verse in this section, including verse 21, follows a consistent pattern of "they removed from X, and pitched at Y," creating a rhythmic chronicle of their nomadic existence and God's sustained guidance through each leg of their forty-year pilgrimage.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The wilderness wanderings, spanning four decades, were a formative period for the nascent nation of Israel, transforming them from a slave people into a covenant community prepared for nationhood in the Promised Land. Their existence was nomadic, characterized by regular movements dictated by the pillar of cloud and fire, signifying God's presence and direction (cf. [Exodus 13:21](/exodus/13-21 "Exodus 13:21 - God's Guidance by Cloud and Fire")). The act of "removing" (נָסַע, *nasa'*) and "pitching" (חָנָה, *chanah*) was central to their daily life, involving the dismantling and reassembling of the Tabernacle, a massive logistical undertaking requiring divine order and human obedience. Place names like Libnah and Rissah, though often unidentifiable today, serve as historical anchors, pointing to specific, albeit remote, locations in the vast Arabian desert, emphasizing the tangible reality of their journey.
* **Key Themes:** This verse, like others in Numbers 33, contributes to several overarching themes. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **Divine Guidance and Providence**, showcasing God's active, moment-by-moment leading of His people through an inhospitable environment. Every move, every stop, was orchestrated by Him, underscoring His sovereignty over their journey (cf. [Deuteronomy 8:2](/deuteronomy/8-2 "Deuteronomy 8:2 - Remembering God's Leading in the Wilderness")). Secondly, the meticulous record emphasizes the **Historical Veracity** of the Exodus narrative, providing concrete evidence against the notion that these events were mythical. The precise listing of encampments lends credibility to the entire biblical account of Israel's formative history. Lastly, the continuous journey itself serves as a profound metaphor for the **Life as a Journey of Faith**, where believers, like ancient Israel, are pilgrims on a divinely appointed path, encountering various stages, challenges, and periods of rest, all under the faithful oversight of God (cf. [Hebrews 11:13](/hebrews/11-13 "Hebrews 11:13 - Pilgrims and Strangers on Earth")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Removed (Hebrew, נָסַע, _nasa'_):** This verb signifies "to pull up stakes," "to journey," or "to depart." In the context of nomadic life, it describes the act of breaking camp, packing up all possessions, and setting out for a new location. It implies a deliberate, ordered movement, particularly for a large multitude like Israel, where every individual and family unit had to be prepared to move at God's command, often signaled by the movement of the cloud from above the Tabernacle.
* **Pitched (Hebrew, חָנָה, _chanah_):** This verb means "to encamp," "to settle," or "to pitch a tent." It denotes the establishment of a temporary dwelling place. For the Israelites, "pitching" involved setting up their tents according to tribal arrangement around the Tabernacle, indicating a period of rest, replenishment, and worship. It signifies the temporary nature of their wilderness existence and the constant readiness to resume their journey.
* **Libnah (Hebrew, לִבְנָה, _Livnah_):** Meaning "whiteness" or "purity," possibly referring to the color of the soil, rocks, or a type of tree (poplar or storax) common in the area. This name appears as an encampment site in the wilderness itinerary. While its exact location is debated, its inclusion, along with Rissah, highlights the specificity of the divine record.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they removed from Libnah":** This clause describes the departure of the entire Israelite congregation from their previous encampment at Libnah. The verb "removed" (נָסַע, _nasa'_) implies a collective, organized movement, signaling the end of one stage of their journey and the beginning of the next. It underscores the continuous, divinely directed nature of their pilgrimage, where periods of rest were always followed by renewed movement toward their ultimate destination.
* **"and pitched at Rissah":** This clause indicates the establishment of a new temporary camp at Rissah. The verb "pitched" (חָנָה, _chanah_) signifies the act of setting up their tents and the Tabernacle, marking a period of rest and stability after their journey. This pattern of "removing" and "pitching" is a recurring motif throughout Numbers 33, highlighting the cyclical nature of their wilderness existence—periods of active travel interspersed with times of encampment and replenishment, all under God's watchful eye.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 33:21, as part of the larger chapter, primarily employs **Itinerary** as its central literary device. This meticulous listing of places creates a sense of historical verisimilitude, lending credibility to the narrative by providing specific, tangible waypoints. The **Repetition** of the phrase "they removed from... and pitched at..." throughout the chapter establishes a rhythmic pattern that emphasizes the continuous nature of the journey and the divine regularity of their movements. While not explicitly metaphorical, the entire wilderness journey detailed in this itinerary functions as a powerful **Symbolism** for the life of faith—a pilgrimage marked by stages of movement and rest, challenges and provisions, all under the sovereign guidance of God. The seemingly mundane listing of places thus takes on deeper theological significance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 33:21, though a simple statement of movement, contributes significantly to the overarching biblical narrative of God's faithfulness and Israel's journey of faith. It serves as a microcosm of the entire wilderness experience, testifying to God's meticulous care in guiding His people through every step of their pilgrimage. The very act of moving from one place to another, even to obscure locations like Libnah and Rissah, underscores the divine orchestration of their lives and the covenant relationship between Yahweh and His chosen nation. This continuous leading foreshadows God's ongoing guidance for His people throughout history, demonstrating His commitment to bringing His redemptive plans to fruition. The journey is not random but purposeful, leading toward the promised inheritance.

* [Deuteronomy 2:7](/deuteronomy/2-7 "Deuteronomy 2:7 - God's Provision in the Wilderness")
* [Psalm 107:7](/psalms/107-7 "Psalm 107:7 - God Leads the Way")
* [Isaiah 48:21](/isaiah/48-21 "Isaiah 48:21 - God Leads His People Through the Desert")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 33:21, despite its brevity, offers profound lessons for the contemporary believer. Our lives, too, are a journey—a spiritual pilgrimage marked by various stages of transition, challenge, and rest. Just as God meticulously guided Israel from Libnah to Rissah, He is intimately involved in the details of our own paths, orchestrating our "removals" and our "pitchings." This verse calls us to cultivate a deep trust in God's sovereign leading, even when the destination is unclear or the terrain seems barren. It reminds us that every season of life, whether one of active movement or quiet encampment, is part of His perfect plan to form us, refine us, and lead us toward our ultimate promised inheritance in Christ. We are encouraged to embrace the journey with faith, knowing that His presence goes with us always.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life are you currently experiencing a "removal" or a "pitching"? How can you discern God's hand in these transitions?**
* **How does the meticulous record of Israel's journey in Numbers 33 encourage you about God's attention to detail in your own life?**
* **What does it mean to trust God's timing and direction when the path ahead is uncertain, as it often was for the Israelites in the wilderness?**

### FAQ
**Why does the Bible include such detailed lists of places like Numbers 33?**

Answer: The inclusion of detailed itineraries like the one in Numbers 33 serves several crucial purposes. Firstly, it underscores the historical veracity of the Exodus and wilderness wanderings. By naming specific, albeit often obscure, locations, the text grounds the narrative in tangible reality, affirming that these were real events experienced by a real people, not mythical tales. This meticulous record strengthens the credibility of the biblical account. Secondly, it highlights the theme of divine guidance and providence. Each "removal" and "pitching" was directed by God, demonstrating His continuous oversight and faithfulness in leading His people. The journey was not random but purposeful, orchestrated by God to bring Israel to the Promised Land, just as He led them out of [Egypt](/exodus/12 "Exodus 12 - The Exodus from Egypt"). Finally, these lists provide a framework for understanding the duration and challenges of their forty-year journey, emphasizing the immense logistical undertaking and the unwavering presence of God throughout.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The wilderness journey of Israel, meticulously documented in passages like Numbers 33:21, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the greater pilgrimage of redemption led by Jesus Christ. Just as Israel was led from bondage in Egypt through the wilderness to the Promised Land, humanity, enslaved by sin, is led by Christ through the wilderness of this world to the promised eternal inheritance. Jesus Himself is the ultimate guide, the "pillar of cloud by day and fire by night," who perfectly fulfills the divine presence that led Israel (cf. [John 8:12](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World")). He is the true bread from heaven, the manna that sustained Israel, offering Himself as the living bread for eternal life (cf. [John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")). Our journey of faith, marked by "removals" from old ways and "pitchings" in new spiritual realities, is entirely dependent on His leadership and provision. He is our ultimate destination, the true rest and inheritance (cf. [Matthew 11:28](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28 - Come to Me, All Who Are Weary")). The historical journey of Israel thus prefigures the spiritual journey of believers united with Christ, who is both the way and the destination of our salvation.

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.