Numbers 33:31

KJV

And they departed from Moseroth, and pitched in Benejaakan.

KJV (with Strong's)

And they departed {H5265} from Moseroth {H4149}, and pitched {H2583} in Benejaakan {H1142}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They moved on from Moserot and camped at B'nei-Ya'akan.

Berean Standard Bible

They set out from Moseroth and camped at Bene-jaakan.

American Standard Version

And they journeyed from Moseroth, and encamped in Bene-jaakan.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 33:31 serves as a concise, yet profound, entry in the divine itinerary of Israel's wilderness journey, meticulously documenting their departure from Moseroth and encampment at Benejaakan. Far from being a mere geographical detail, this verse underscores God's unwavering and precise guidance over His covenant people through every stage of their forty-year pilgrimage, illustrating His faithfulness in leading them progressively toward the Promised Land. It highlights the historical reality of the Exodus and God's active involvement in the minute details of His people's lives.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 33 is a unique and comprehensive itinerary, a divine ledger detailing all 42 encampments of the Israelites from their departure from Rameses in Egypt to their arrival on the plains of Moab, just across the Jordan from Jericho. This chapter serves as a summary and validation of the entire wilderness narrative, reinforcing the historical veracity of the Exodus account. Verses like [Numbers 33:31](/numbers/33-31 "Numbers 33:31 - Departure from Moseroth and Encampment at Benejaakan") are not isolated incidents but integral components of this chronological record, demonstrating God's meticulous oversight of every stage of Israel's journey. The preceding verses (e.g., [Numbers 33:30](/numbers/33-30 "Numbers 33:30 - Departure from Hashmonah") and [Numbers 33:32](/numbers/33-32 "Numbers 33:32 - Departure from Benejaakan")) provide the immediate context, showing a continuous sequence of movement, emphasizing the pilgrimage aspect of their existence.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The wilderness journey described in Numbers 33 occurred over forty years, a period of divine discipline and formation for the nascent nation of Israel. The desert environment was harsh and unforgiving, making precise guidance and provision essential for survival. Encampments were vital for rest, sustenance, and worship, serving as temporary homes for millions of people and their livestock. The detailed record of these locations, even obscure ones like Moseroth and Benejaakan, reflects the ancient Near Eastern practice of meticulous record-keeping for significant journeys, often by kings or armies. For Israel, this record elevated their journey to a divinely orchestrated pilgrimage, not merely a nomadic wandering. The names themselves, while their exact modern locations are debated, point to real geographical features, grounding the narrative in historical reality and distinguishing it from mythical accounts.
* **Key Themes:** Numbers 33:31 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Numbers and the Pentateuch. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Guidance and Providence**, where God explicitly leads His people "by the hand of Moses and Aaron" ([Numbers 33:1](/numbers/33-1 "Numbers 33:1 - Moses Records the Stages")). Every departure and encampment signifies God's active presence and direction, fulfilling His covenant promises to bring them to the Promised Land ([Deuteronomy 1:8](/deuteronomy/1-8 "Deuteronomy 1:8 - The Promised Land")). Another key theme is the **Pilgrimage of Faith**, portraying life with God as a journey with distinct stages, some challenging, some offering respite. This verse, like others in the itinerary, underscores the **Historicity and Reliability of God's Word**, as the specific naming of places, even those not prominent elsewhere, lends weight to the Bible's claim as a factual account of God's interaction with humanity. It also subtly highlights the theme of **God's Patience and Discipline**, as the forty years in the wilderness were a consequence of their disobedience, yet God never abandoned His commitment to them ([Numbers 14:34](/numbers/14-34 "Numbers 14:34 - Forty Years in the Wilderness")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Moseroth (Hebrew, _môserōṯ'_):** This place name is derived from the root _yasar_ (יסר), meaning "to chasten," "to discipline," or "to instruct." While the exact etymology and significance are debated, some scholars connect it to "bonds" or "chastisements," possibly reflecting a place where the Israelites experienced hardship or divine discipline. It is mentioned as the place where Aaron died in [Deuteronomy 10:6](/deuteronomy/10-6 "Deuteronomy 10:6 - Aaron's Death at Moseroth"), though the sequence differs slightly (Deuteronomy 10:6 places it after Beeroth Bene-jaakan, while Numbers 33 places it before). This discrepancy is often resolved by understanding that Deuteronomy provides a theological summary, while Numbers 33 offers a precise itinerary.
* **Benejaakan (Hebrew, _bənê yaʿăqān'_):** Meaning "sons of Jaakan," this location is also known as Beeroth Bene-jaakan, "the wells of the sons of Jaakan," in [Deuteronomy 10:6](/deuteronomy/10-6 "Deuteronomy 10:6 - Beeroth Bene-jaakan"). The name suggests a place associated with a particular clan or tribe, and the mention of "wells" implies it was a source of water, a crucial resource in the arid wilderness. Its inclusion highlights the practical necessities of the journey and God's provision for His people's physical needs.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they departed from Moseroth":** This phrase signifies a transition, a movement away from a previous stage or location. In the context of Israel's journey, each "departure" marked the end of one period of rest or trial and the beginning of another phase of their pilgrimage. It implies a divine command to move, as the Israelites only moved when the cloud lifted from the tabernacle, signifying God's leading ([Numbers 9:17-23](/numbers/9-17 "Numbers 9:17-23 - The Cloud Guiding Israel")).
* **"and pitched in Benejaakan":** This clause indicates the establishment of a new encampment, a temporary dwelling place. "Pitched" (וַיַּחֲנוּ _wayyaḥănû_) refers to the setting up of tents and the establishment of a camp. This act represents the provision of rest and security, a pause in the arduous journey. It signifies God's faithfulness in bringing them to a place of respite and sustenance, even if temporary, before the next stage of their journey.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Numbers 33, and thus in [Numbers 33:31](/numbers/33-31 "Numbers 33:31 - A Stage in the Wilderness Journey"), is the **Itinerary**. This is a detailed, chronological list of places visited or stages completed on a journey. The chapter functions as a historical record, emphasizing the factual and divinely orchestrated nature of Israel's wilderness wanderings. The repetitive structure of "departed from X, and pitched in Y" throughout the chapter creates a sense of continuous movement and God's consistent guidance. While seemingly mundane, this precise enumeration serves to authenticate the narrative, grounding the theological truths in historical reality. It also functions as a form of **Repetition**, reinforcing the theme of God's methodical leadership and the Israelites' ongoing pilgrimage. The names themselves, though geographical, can also be seen as **Symbolic**, representing stages of trial (Moseroth, possibly linked to discipline) and provision (Benejaakan, linked to wells).

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 33:31, though brief, powerfully illustrates God's meticulous providence and unwavering faithfulness to His covenant people. It is a testament to the fact that God's guidance extends to every detail of life's journey, even the seemingly insignificant transitions between one place and another. This divine oversight ensured Israel's survival and progress, demonstrating that their ultimate destination was guaranteed by God's active presence. The journey itself, with its many stops and starts, becomes a metaphor for the life of faith, marked by periods of movement and rest, all under the sovereign hand of God. The inclusion of such precise geographical details also underscores the historical reliability of the biblical narrative, affirming that God's redemptive plan unfolds within real time and space.

* [Deuteronomy 1:33](/deuteronomy/1-33 "Deuteronomy 1:33 - God Goes Before You")
* [Psalm 37:23-24](/psalms/37-23 "Psalm 37:23-24 - The Steps of a Good Man")
* [Proverbs 3:5-6](/proverbs/3-5 "Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The seemingly simple record in Numbers 33:31 offers profound insights for contemporary believers. Just as God meticulously guided Israel through every step of their forty-year journey, leading them from one specific location to the next, so too does He orchestrate the path of our lives. This verse reminds us that even the mundane transitions, the "departures" from one season or circumstance and the "pitching" in another, are not random but are part of God's larger, purposeful plan. It calls us to cultivate a deep trust in God's sovereign hand, recognizing that His presence is constant, whether we are in a season of apparent hardship (Moseroth) or refreshing provision (Benejaakan). Our spiritual progress often unfolds in sequential, sometimes imperceptible, steps, each one significant in God's eyes as He shapes us and moves us toward our ultimate, eternal destination. This passage encourages patience, faith, and an awareness of God's active involvement in every detail of our pilgrimage.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does recognizing God's meticulous guidance in Israel's journey impact your trust in His leading in your own life, especially during transitions?**
* **Can you identify "Moseroth" and "Benejaakan" moments in your past or present—times of challenge/discipline and times of refreshing/provision? How did God's faithfulness manifest in each?**
* **In what ways does the detailed historical record of Israel's journey strengthen your confidence in the reliability and truthfulness of God's Word?**

### FAQ

**Why are seemingly insignificant places like Moseroth and Benejaakan included in the Bible's narrative?**

Answer: The inclusion of specific, even obscure, geographical locations like Moseroth and Benejaakan in [Numbers 33](/numbers/33 "Numbers 33 - The Stages of Israel's Journey") serves several crucial purposes. Firstly, it underscores the **historicity and factual nature** of the Exodus and wilderness journey. These are not mythical tales but accounts of real events involving real people in real places. This level of detail lends credibility to the biblical narrative. Secondly, it highlights **God's meticulous providence and omnipresence**. It demonstrates that God's guidance was not general but extended to every single step of Israel's journey, showing His active involvement in the minute details of His people's lives. Thirdly, it emphasizes the **pilgrimage aspect** of their existence, where every stop and start was part of a divinely orchestrated progression towards the Promised Land. These places, whether associated with difficulty or provision, were all part of God's plan for their formation and ultimate destination.

**What is the significance of the names Moseroth and Benejaakan?**

Answer: While their exact modern locations are debated, the names themselves carry potential significance. "Moseroth" (מוֹסֵרֹת _môserōṯ_) is often linked to the Hebrew root for "discipline" or "chastisement," suggesting a place where the Israelites might have faced challenges or learned through hardship. It is notably mentioned in [Deuteronomy 10:6](/deuteronomy/10-6 "Deuteronomy 10:6 - Aaron's Death") as the place where Aaron died, a significant event. "Benejaakan" (בְּנֵי יַעֲקָן _bənê yaʿăqān_), meaning "sons of Jaakan," is also known as Beeroth Bene-jaakan ("the wells of the sons of Jaakan") in [Deuteronomy 10:6](/deuteronomy/10-6 "Deuteronomy 10:6 - Wells of Bene-jaakan"). The mention of "wells" suggests it was a place of water and refreshment, a vital resource in the desert. Thus, these names, whether by etymology or association, may subtly symbolize the alternating experiences of discipline and provision that characterized Israel's wilderness journey.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 33:31, a seemingly simple record of movement, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus, who is the true and ultimate Guide of His people. Just as God led Israel through the wilderness to a physical promised land, Jesus leads His church, the new Israel, through the wilderness of this fallen world to a heavenly inheritance. He is the "way, the truth, and the life" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way")), the Good Shepherd who "goes before them" ([John 10:4](/john/10-4 "John 10:4 - The Good Shepherd")) and meticulously guides every step of their spiritual pilgrimage. The provision of water at Benejaakan foreshadows Jesus as the "living water" ([John 4:10](/john/4-10 "John 4:10 - Living Water")) who satisfies our deepest thirst, and the manna provided daily in the wilderness points to Him as the "bread of life" ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - The Bread of Life")). Moreover, the journey itself, with its trials and triumphs, prefigures the Christian life, which is a journey of faith marked by reliance on Christ's constant presence and provision, until we reach our eternal rest in Him, a rest far greater than any earthly promised land ([Hebrews 4:9-11](/hebrews/4-9 "Hebrews 4:9-11 - The Sabbath Rest")). He is the one who "will never leave us nor forsake us" ([Hebrews 13:5](/hebrews/13-5 "Hebrews 13:5 - God Will Never Leave You")), ensuring that every "departure" and "pitching" in our lives is part of His perfect plan to bring us safely 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.

Cross-References

Deuteronomy 10:6

And the children of Israel took their journey from Beeroth of the children of Jaakan to Mosera: there Aaron died, and there he was buried; and Eleazar his son ministered in the priest's office in his stead.

1 Chronicles 1:43

Now these [are] the kings that reigned in the land of Edom before [any] king reigned over the children of Israel; Bela the son of Beor: and the name of his city [was] Dinhabah.

Genesis 36:27

The children of Ezer [are] these; Bilhan, and Zaavan, and Akan.