Numbers 33:22

KJV

And they journeyed from Rissah, and pitched in Kehelathah.

KJV (with Strong's)

And they journeyed {H5265} from Rissah {H7446}, and pitched {H2583} in Kehelathah {H6954}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They moved on from Rissah and camped at K'helah.

Berean Standard Bible

They set out from Rissah and camped at Kehelathah.

American Standard Version

And they journeyed from Rissah, and encamped in Kehelathah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 33:22 is a precise entry within the meticulous itinerary of the Israelites' wilderness journey, documenting their departure from Rissah and their subsequent encampment at Kehelathah. This verse, though brief, is an integral part of Moses' comprehensive record of the forty-two stages of Israel's trek from Egyptian bondage to the borders of the Promised Land. It quietly testifies to the divine oversight and purposeful progression of God's people, highlighting that even seemingly minor movements were part of a divinely orchestrated plan.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 33 serves as a unique historical and theological record, detailing the forty-two distinct stages of Israel's wilderness wanderings from their departure from Rameses in Egypt to their arrival on the plains of Moab, just across the Jordan from Jericho. This chapter acts as a summary and culmination of the journey described throughout Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers. Verses like Numbers 33:22, with their simple "journeyed from... and pitched in..." structure, emphasize the chronological and geographical progression. The meticulous nature of this list underscores the historical veracity of the Exodus narrative and God's faithful, step-by-step guidance of His people. It is Moses' personal record, likely compiled towards the end of the wilderness period, serving as a testament to God's unwavering presence.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The journey described in Numbers 33:22 occurred during the forty-year period of wilderness wandering, a time of divine judgment, testing, and purification for the generation that left Egypt. The Israelites, numbering perhaps two to three million people, along with their livestock, moved as a massive, organized encampment. Each "pitching" involved setting up the tribal camps around the central Tabernacle, a feat requiring immense logistical planning and divine assistance. The wilderness itself was a harsh, arid environment, making divine provision of water, manna, and quail essential for survival. Culturally, these encampments were not merely temporary stops but significant points where the people rested, worshipped, and received instruction, all under the visible guidance of the [pillar of cloud by day and fire by night](/exodus/13-21 "Exodus 13:21 - God Leads Israel").
* **Key Themes:** The detailed itinerary, including verses like Numbers 33:22, reinforces several profound themes. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Guidance and Sovereignty**, demonstrating that every movement, every "stop" and "start," was under God's precise direction, not random wandering. This echoes the broader narrative of God's leading His people through the wilderness, as seen in [Deuteronomy 8:2](/deuteronomy/8-2 "Deuteronomy 8:2 - God's Purpose in the Wilderness Journey"). Secondly, it powerfully illustrates **God's Faithfulness to His Covenant**, as He consistently provided for and protected His people through the arduous journey, fulfilling His promise to bring them to the land He swore to their fathers. Each encampment was a testament to His provision and protection. Thirdly, the entire journey, including these specific stops, underscores **The Wilderness as a Place of Formation and Testing**, preparing a new generation for the responsibilities of the Promised Land. The journey itself became a metaphor for the life of faith, requiring perseverance and absolute dependence on God's leading towards His ultimate destination for His people, the inheritance of the [Promised Land](/joshua/1-3 "Joshua 1:3 - God's Promise of Land to Joshua").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Journeyed (Hebrew, _nasa'_):** This verb signifies "to pull up stakes," "to set out," or "to depart." In the context of the wilderness journey, it consistently denotes the act of breaking camp and beginning a new stage of movement, often initiated by the movement of the cloud from above the Tabernacle. It implies a dynamic, obedient response to divine command, indicating progress and forward motion towards a destination.
* **Pitched (Hebrew, _chanah'_):** This verb means "to encamp," "to settle down," or "to take up lodging." It describes the act of establishing a temporary dwelling place, typically a military-style camp, for rest, security, and organization. In the Israelite context, it signifies the cessation of movement, a period of rest and waiting for further divine instruction, and the re-establishment of the structured community around the Tabernacle.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they journeyed from Rissah":** This clause marks a specific point of departure. "Rissah" (meaning "ruin" or "dew") is one of the many wilderness locations whose exact modern identification remains uncertain. The significance lies not in the place itself, but in the act of leaving it. It signifies the continuation of the journey, the breaking of a temporary rest, and the obedient response of the vast Israelite community to God's leading. Every departure was a step further from Egypt and closer to the Promised Land.
* **"and pitched in Kehelathah":** This clause indicates the next destination and the establishment of a new camp. "Kehelathah" (meaning "assembly" or "congregation") is also unidentifiable today. The act of "pitching" signifies a period of rest, regrouping, and waiting. It underscores the disciplined nature of the journey, where the people did not wander aimlessly but moved from one divinely appointed stop to the next, finding temporary respite and provision under God's watchful eye.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in Numbers 33:22, and indeed throughout the entire chapter, is **Itinerary** or **List**. This meticulous listing of specific locations serves several crucial purposes: it underscores the **historical veracity** of the Exodus and wilderness wandering, providing a detailed record that asserts the factual nature of the events. It also highlights the **divine oversight** and meticulous planning of God, demonstrating that the journey was not random but a divinely orchestrated pilgrimage. The **Repetition** of the "journeyed from... and pitched in..." formula throughout the chapter creates a rhythmic, cumulative effect, emphasizing the relentless, yet purposeful, progression of the Israelites. Implicitly, the entire journey serves as a **Symbolism** for the spiritual pilgrimage of faith, where believers move through various stages, experiencing periods of movement and rest, all under the guidance of God towards an ultimate destination.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 33:22, as part of the broader itinerary, profoundly illustrates God's active involvement in the details of His people's lives and His unwavering commitment to His covenant promises. It teaches that the journey of faith is not a chaotic wandering but a divinely ordered progression, even through seemingly insignificant or challenging "stops." God's faithfulness is not just seen in grand miracles, but in the consistent, day-by-day leading of His people from one place to the next, providing for their needs and shaping their character. This meticulous record serves as a powerful reminder that God is sovereign over all circumstances, guiding His people towards His intended purpose, even when the path is long and arduous.

* [Psalm 107:7](/psalms/107-7 "Psalm 107:7 - God Leads to a Right Way")
* [Proverbs 3:5-6](/proverbs/3-5-6 "Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord")
* [Hebrews 11:8-10](/hebrews/11-8-10 "Hebrews 11:8-10 - Abraham's Journey of Faith")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The brief entry of Numbers 33:22 offers profound insights for the contemporary believer. It reminds us that God is intimately involved in every detail of our lives, not just the major milestones. Just as He meticulously recorded every "Rissah" and "Kehelathah" for Israel, He oversees our individual journeys, even the seemingly mundane or uneventful phases. This should instill a deep sense of trust and peace, knowing that our lives are not random but are part of a divinely orchestrated plan. We may not always understand the purpose of every "stop" or "detour" – every season of waiting or unexpected change – but we can trust that God is leading us purposefully. Reflecting on God's past faithfulness, both in the biblical narrative and in our personal history, strengthens our faith for the future, enabling us to persevere with confidence, knowing that He who began a good work in us will carry it on to completion.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous record of Israel's journey in Numbers 33, including seemingly minor stops, challenge or affirm your understanding of God's involvement in the details of your own life?**
* **What "Rissahs" (places of departure) or "Kehelathahs" (places of encampment/rest) have you experienced in your life where you can discern God's leading, even if it wasn't clear at the time?**
* **How can remembering God's faithfulness in past "journeys" strengthen your trust in His guidance for future "stops" or "detours"?**

### FAQ
**Why does the Bible include such a detailed itinerary with so many obscure place names?**

Answer: The inclusion of such a detailed itinerary, encompassing 42 distinct stages, serves several crucial purposes. Firstly, it underscores the historical veracity and factual nature of the Exodus and wilderness wandering. It asserts that these were not mythical events but a real journey undertaken by a real people, led by a real God. Secondly, it highlights the meticulous oversight and divine guidance of God. Every "journeyed from" and "pitched in" demonstrates that God was actively leading His people, providing for them, and disciplining them at every step, even in seemingly insignificant locations. This emphasizes God's sovereignty and faithfulness. Many of the sites are unidentifiable today, which further shifts the focus from geographical precision to the theological significance of the journey itself – God's presence with His people throughout their pilgrimage.

**Are Rissah and Kehelathah identifiable today?**

Answer: Like many of the specific encampment sites listed in Numbers 33, Rissah and Kehelathah are generally not identifiable with certainty by modern archaeologists or geographers. The precise routes and locations of the Israelite wilderness journey remain a subject of scholarly debate, primarily due to the nomadic nature of the encampments and the shifting landscapes over millennia. However, the lack of modern identification does not diminish their historical reality or the theological significance of their inclusion in Moses' record. The purpose of this itinerary was not to provide a map for future travelers, but to document God's faithful leading of His people through a specific, divinely ordained path.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The wilderness journey of Israel, meticulously recorded in Numbers 33, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in several profound ways. Just as God led Israel through the wilderness to a physical promised land, Jesus Christ is the true leader who guides His new covenant people through the wilderness of this world to a heavenly and eternal inheritance. He is the ultimate "Way, the Truth, and the Life" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way")), ensuring that every step of our spiritual journey is purposeful and divinely directed. Christ Himself experienced a wilderness testing ([Matthew 4:1-11](/matthew/4-1-11 "Matthew 4:1-11 - The Temptation of Jesus")), demonstrating perfect obedience where Israel failed. He is the spiritual "pillar of cloud and fire" for His church, providing guidance, protection, and sustenance, just as He was the spiritual rock from which Israel drank ([1 Corinthians 10:1-4](/1_corinthians/10-1-4 "1 Corinthians 10:1-4 - Spiritual Food and Drink")). Through His atoning sacrifice and resurrection, Jesus has secured our passage to the true rest, the heavenly Canaan, fulfilling the promise of a Sabbath rest that remains for the people of God ([Hebrews 4:9-11](/hebrews/4-9-11 "Hebrews 4:9-11 - The Rest of God's People")). Our citizenship is now in heaven ([Philippians 3:20](/philippians/3-20 "Philippians 3:20 - Our Citizenship is in Heaven")), and Christ, our faithful High Priest, leads us home.

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.