Numbers 33:41

KJV

And they departed from mount Hor, and pitched in Zalmonah.

KJV (with Strong's)

And they departed {H5265} from mount {H2022} Hor {H2023}, and pitched {H2583} in Zalmonah {H6758}.

Complete Jewish Bible

so they moved on from Mount Hor and camped at Tzalmonah.

Berean Standard Bible

And the Israelites set out from Mount Hor and camped at Zalmonah.

American Standard Version

And they journeyed from mount Hor, and encamped in Zalmonah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 33:41 is a concise yet significant verse within the meticulously recorded itinerary of the Israelites' wilderness journey. It marks a specific point in their divinely guided pilgrimage, detailing their departure from Mount Hor—a place of recent mourning and transition following Aaron's death—and their subsequent encampment in Zalmonah. This seemingly simple record underscores the continuous, step-by-step progress of God's people under His unwavering direction, emphasizing that every stage of their journey, whether marked by major events or obscure locations, was part of His sovereign plan to bring them to the Promised Land.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 33 provides a comprehensive, chronological list of all the encampments of the Israelites from their exodus from Egypt to their arrival on the plains of Moab. This chapter serves as a historical and theological record, emphasizing the reality and divine oversight of their forty-year wilderness journey. Numbers 33:41 specifically follows the account of Aaron's death at [Mount Hor](/numbers/33-38 "Numbers 33:38 - Aaron's Death at Mount Hor"), a pivotal moment of loss and priestly succession (also recounted in [Numbers 20:22-29](/numbers/20-22 "Numbers 20:22-29 - Aaron's Death and Succession")). The departure from Mount Hor signifies the end of a period of mourning and a renewed command to move forward. The subsequent narrative in Numbers 21, which immediately follows the departure from Hor, details the Israelites' encounter with the Canaanite king of Arad and their journey "by the way of the Red Sea" to bypass Edom. Thus, this verse is a crucial link in the ongoing narrative of Israel's journey towards their inheritance, demonstrating that even after significant events, the divine purpose for their movement continued.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Israelites' journey through the wilderness was a defining period in their national history, stretching over forty years due to their disobedience and unbelief. Their existence was nomadic, characterized by frequent "departures" (breaking camp) and "pitchings" (setting up camp). Mount Hor was a significant landmark, traditionally identified as a prominent mountain in the Edomite territory, notable as the place where Aaron, the high priest, died and was buried. This event marked a major transition in Israel's leadership and spiritual administration. Zalmonah, in contrast, is an obscure location, not mentioned elsewhere in the biblical narrative or identified with certainty by modern archaeology. Its inclusion highlights that every stop, regardless of its prominence, was part of the divinely ordained route. The journey through this arid region was fraught with challenges, including lack of water, hostile encounters, and the psychological toll of prolonged wandering, making their continued movement a testament to divine provision and their often-reluctant obedience.
* **Key Themes:** Numbers 33:41 contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Numbers and the Pentateuch. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **Divine Sovereignty and Guidance**. The meticulous record of each encampment, even the seemingly insignificant ones like Zalmonah, underscores God's direct, continuous, and detailed leadership over His people. He did not merely initiate their journey but guided every single step, demonstrating His unwavering commitment to His covenant promises. Secondly, the verse reinforces the theme of **The Wilderness Journey as a Pilgrimage**. Israel's forty years of wandering served as a period of testing, discipline, and learning to trust God. This verse is a small but vital piece of that larger narrative, emphasizing that life is a pilgrimage, a series of "departures" and "pitchings" towards a divinely appointed destination. Finally, it subtly speaks to **Obedience and Perseverance**. Despite the hardships of the wilderness and the recent loss of Aaron, the Israelites continued to obey God's command to move forward. Their departure from [Mount Hor](/numbers/33-37 "Numbers 33:37 - Arrival at Mount Hor") and encampment in Zalmonah reflects their ongoing, albeit sometimes faltering, commitment to follow the Lord's leading, even when the path was difficult or the destination seemed distant.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **departed (Hebrew, _nāsa'_)**: This verb signifies "to pull up stakes," "to journey," or "to set out." It implies an intentional and directed movement, often in response to a command or a signal (such as the cloud by day or fire by night, as described in [Numbers 9:15-23](/numbers/9-15 "Numbers 9:15-23 - The Cloud and Fire Guiding Israel")). In this context, it marks the end of their stay at Mount Hor and the initiation of the next leg of their journey, emphasizing the dynamic and mobile nature of their existence under divine guidance.
* **pitched (Hebrew, _ḥāna_):** This verb means "to encamp," "to settle down," or "to make a temporary dwelling." It describes the act of setting up camp, implying a period of rest and stability, however brief. The juxtaposition of "departed" and "pitched" highlights the rhythmic cycle of the Israelites' nomadic life—periods of movement followed by periods of rest, all orchestrated by God. The act of pitching in Zalmonah indicates a divinely appointed stop, a temporary home on their journey.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they departed from mount Hor,"**: This clause signifies a critical transition point. Mount Hor was not just another stop; it was the place where Aaron, the high priest and Moses' brother, died and was buried ([Numbers 33:38-39](/numbers/33-38 "Numbers 33:38-39 - Aaron's Death at Mount Hor")). Their departure from this significant location indicates the end of a period of mourning and a renewed mandate from God to continue their journey. It underscores that even after profound loss and major life events, God's plan for His people's progression remains steadfast, calling them to move forward in faith.
* **"and pitched in Zalmonah."**: This second clause marks the establishment of their next temporary encampment. Zalmonah is an obscure location, lacking the historical or theological significance of Mount Hor. Its very obscurity highlights that God's meticulous guidance extended to every single stop, even those that were seemingly mundane or unremarkable. It demonstrates the Israelites' continued obedience to God's instructions for their movement, settling in a place He designated, thereby reinforcing the theme of divine sovereignty over every detail of their pilgrimage.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 33:41, though brief, employs several literary devices. The most prominent is **Itinerary**, as the entire chapter functions as a detailed travelogue. This meticulous listing of encampments serves to underscore the historical veracity of the journey and, more importantly, the **Divine Oversight** of every step. The very act of recording such detail emphasizes that God was intimately involved in guiding His people through the wilderness. There is also an element of **Repetition** throughout Numbers 33, with the recurring pattern of "departed from X and pitched in Y." This stylistic choice reinforces the continuous, structured, and divinely directed nature of the Israelites' journey, creating a rhythmic sense of progress. Finally, a subtle **Contrast** is present between the highly significant Mount Hor, a place of death and transition, and the obscure Zalmonah. This contrast highlights that God's guidance is not limited to major, memorable events but extends to every seemingly ordinary or unremarkable stop along the way, demonstrating His consistent presence and direction through all circumstances.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 33:41, as a single entry in a long list of encampments, might seem inconsequential at first glance, but it carries profound theological weight. It speaks to God's meticulous and unwavering faithfulness in leading His people. The detailed itinerary of the wilderness journey, of which this verse is a part, serves as a powerful testament to God's sovereign control over every aspect of Israel's history. It teaches us that God's guidance is not just for the major milestones but extends to every "departure" and "pitching" in our lives—the transitions, the periods of rest, and even the seemingly insignificant stops. This continuous movement under divine command underscores the nature of faith as a journey, a pilgrimage towards a promised destination, requiring ongoing obedience and trust in God's perfect timing and direction, even when the path is difficult or the next stop is unknown.

* [Deuteronomy 8:2-3](/deuteronomy/8-2 "Deuteronomy 8:2-3 - God's Purpose in the Wilderness")
* [Psalm 119:105](/psalms/119-105 "Psalm 119:105 - God's Word as a Lamp")
* [Hebrews 11:13-16](/hebrews/11-13 "Hebrews 11:13-16 - Pilgrims on Earth")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 33:41, though a simple historical record, offers profound insights for the believer's journey of faith. Our lives, much like the Israelites' wilderness wanderings, are a series of "departures" and "pitchings"—moments of transition, loss, and new beginnings, interspersed with periods of rest and routine. The Israelites' departure from Mount Hor, a place of significant mourning and change, reminds us that even after profound experiences of loss or major life transitions, God calls us to continue moving forward in His plan. We are not meant to linger indefinitely in the past, but to trust His leading into the next season. The subsequent "pitching in Zalmonah," an obscure and unremarkable location, serves as a powerful reminder that God's guidance is not limited to the grand, dramatic moments. He is intimately involved in every detail of our lives, even the mundane, the ordinary, and the seemingly insignificant "Zalmonahs." This verse encourages us to cultivate a deep trust in God's meticulous care, knowing that He orchestrates every step of our journey, leading us precisely where we need to be for His purposes. It calls us to persevere in faith, finding contentment and purpose in both the significant "Mount Hor" experiences and the quiet "Zalmonah" periods, continually submitting to His sovereign direction as we press toward the ultimate promised land.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do you recognize God's guidance in the "departures" and "pitchings" of your own life, especially during periods of transition or uncertainty?**
* **What "Mount Hor" experiences (periods of significant loss, change, or challenge) have you faced, and how did you find the strength or faith to continue moving forward?**
* **How does the detail of this itinerary, including obscure places like Zalmonah, encourage you to trust God in the seemingly ordinary or less significant "Zalmonahs" of your daily life?**
* **In what ways can you better cultivate a posture of obedience and perseverance, trusting God's timing and direction for each stage of your personal pilgrimage?**

### FAQ
**Why is such a detailed itinerary included in the Bible?**

Answer: The detailed itinerary in Numbers 33 serves multiple purposes. Historically, it authenticates the narrative of the Exodus and the wilderness wanderings, providing a verifiable record of Israel's journey. Theologically, it underscores God's meticulous oversight and faithfulness. Every "departure" and "pitching," even in obscure locations like Zalmonah, demonstrates that God was intimately involved in guiding His people every step of the way. It emphasizes His covenant faithfulness in leading them towards the Promised Land, despite their rebellion and the long duration of their wanderings. It also serves as a metaphor for the life of faith as a journey, a pilgrimage under divine guidance.

**What is the significance of Zalmonah being an obscure location?**

Answer: The obscurity of Zalmonah is significant precisely because it is unremarkable. Unlike Mount Hor, which is tied to a major event (Aaron's death), Zalmonah is not mentioned elsewhere in the biblical narrative. Its inclusion highlights that God's guidance is not limited to famous or dramatic places and events but extends to every single, seemingly mundane step of the journey. It reinforces the idea that God's care is comprehensive and meticulous, encompassing even the ordinary "stops" in life. This detail assures us that God is present and active in every aspect of our lives, not just the highlights.

**How does this verse relate to the broader narrative of the wilderness wanderings?**

Answer: Numbers 33:41 is a small but vital piece of the larger narrative of Israel's forty-year wilderness wanderings. These wanderings were a period of divine discipline, testing, and preparation for entering the Promised Land. This verse, like others in the itinerary, demonstrates the ongoing nature of this pilgrimage. It shows the Israelites' continued movement under God's command, even after significant events like Aaron's death. It underscores themes of divine patience, Israel's often-reluctant obedience, and God's unwavering purpose to fulfill His covenant promises, ultimately bringing His people to their inheritance, as promised in [Deuteronomy 1:8](/deuteronomy/1-8 "Deuteronomy 1:8 - The Promised Land").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The wilderness journey of Israel, meticulously documented in Numbers 33, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in several profound ways. Israel's pilgrimage, marked by divine guidance through "departures" and "pitchings," foreshadows the Christian life as a spiritual journey, a pilgrimage through this world towards a heavenly inheritance. Just as God led Israel by a cloud and fire, Christ is the ultimate guide and the very "way" for His people ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, Truth, and Life")). He Himself experienced a "wilderness" of temptation ([Matthew 4:1-11](/matthew/4-1 "Matthew 4:1-11 - Jesus' Temptation in the Wilderness")), enduring trials to open the path to salvation. The temporary nature of Israel's camps, including Zalmonah, points to the New Testament truth that believers do not have a lasting city here on earth but are seeking the city that is to come, the heavenly Jerusalem ([Hebrews 13:14](/hebrews/13-14 "Hebrews 13:14 - We Seek a City to Come"); [Hebrews 12:22-24](/hebrews/12-22 "Hebrews 12:22-24 - The Heavenly Jerusalem")). Christ, through His death and resurrection, has inaugurated the true "promised land" of eternal life and fellowship with God. Our "departures" from old ways and "pitchings" in new seasons of faith are all directed by Him, as we are called to follow in His footsteps, pressing on towards the prize of the upward call in Christ Jesus ([Philippians 3:13-14](/philippians/3-13 "Philippians 3:13-14 - Pressing On to the Goal")). He is the faithful leader who brings His people safely through every wilderness experience to their eternal rest.

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 21:4

¶ And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way.