Numbers 33:48

KJV

And they departed from the mountains of Abarim, and pitched in the plains of Moab by Jordan [near] Jericho.

KJV (with Strong's)

And they departed {H5265} from the mountains {H2022} of Abarim {H5682}, and pitched {H2583} in the plains {H6160} of Moab {H4124} by Jordan {H3383} near Jericho {H3405}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They moved on from the 'Avarim Range and camped in the plains of Mo'av by the Yarden, across from Yericho.

Berean Standard Bible

They set out from the mountains of Abarim and camped on the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho.

American Standard Version

And they journeyed from the mountains of Abarim, and encamped in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 33:48 marks the penultimate stage of the Israelites' forty-year wilderness journey, detailing their final encampment before entering the Promised Land. This verse concludes the meticulous itinerary of their wanderings, positioning them strategically on the plains of Moab, directly across the Jordan River from Jericho. It signifies the culmination of divine guidance and faithfulness, bringing the generation born in the wilderness to the very threshold of their long-awaited inheritance, poised for the conquest of Canaan.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 33 is a unique chapter, serving as a comprehensive itinerary of all 42 encampments of the Israelites from their departure from Rameses in Egypt to their arrival on the plains of Moab. This meticulous record, beginning in [Numbers 33:1](/numbers/33-1 "Numbers 33:1 - The Journey from Rameses"), highlights God's faithful and precise leading of His people through the wilderness. Verse 48, specifically, is one of the final entries in this detailed list, immediately preceding the divine command to conquer and possess the land in [Numbers 33:50-56](/numbers/33-50 "Numbers 33:50-56 - Instructions for Conquering Canaan"). It acts as a geographical and chronological bridge, concluding the nomadic phase and setting the stage for the book of Joshua, which commences with the crossing of the Jordan.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Israelites had spent forty years wandering in the wilderness as a consequence of their disobedience at Kadesh-Barnea, as detailed in [Numbers 14:33-35](/numbers/14-33 "Numbers 14:33-35 - The Forty Years of Wandering"). This verse describes the arrival of a new generation, born and raised in the wilderness, at the eastern border of the Promised Land. The "mountains of Abarim" refer to a range east of the Jordan, from which Moses would later view Canaan (cf. [Deuteronomy 32:49](/deuteronomy/32-49 "Deuteronomy 32:49 - Moses Views the Land from Mount Nebo")). The "plains of Moab" were a fertile region east of the Dead Sea and the Jordan River, historically inhabited by the Moabites. This area served as a significant staging ground where the Israelites would be numbered a second time ([Numbers 26](/numbers/26 "Numbers 26 - The Second Census")), receive final instructions and laws (the book of Deuteronomy), and prepare for the imminent invasion. Jericho, a prominent and ancient city, was strategically located on the western side of the Jordan, making it the first major stronghold the Israelites would confront upon entering Canaan.

* **Key Themes:** This verse encapsulates several profound themes. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Faithfulness and Guidance**, demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to His covenant promises, leading His people meticulously through every stage of their difficult journey to their ordained destination. Secondly, it highlights the **Culmination of the Wilderness Journey and Proximity to Promise**. The arrival at the plains of Moab signifies the end of a generation-long period of wandering and the immediate anticipation of entering the land promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob centuries earlier (cf. [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - God's Promise to Abraham")). Thirdly, it speaks to **Preparation for Inheritance and Conquest**. This final encampment was not merely a resting place but a strategic position from which the Israelites would organize, receive final instructions, and prepare to cross the Jordan River and begin the conquest of Canaan, starting with the formidable city of [Jericho](/joshua/6 "Joshua 6 - The Fall of Jericho"). Thus, Numbers 33:48 is a powerful testament to God's steadfast loyalty and His sovereign plan unfolding precisely as promised.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Abarim (Hebrew, _ʿĂbārîm_):** This name literally means "regions beyond" or "across." It refers to a mountain range in Moab, east of the Jordan River. Its significance lies in its elevated vantage point, offering panoramic views of the Promised Land. It was from a peak within this range, Mount Nebo, that Moses was granted a final glimpse of Canaan before his death, as recorded in [Deuteronomy 34:1-4](/deuteronomy/34-1 "Deuteronomy 34:1-4 - Moses Views the Promised Land"). The departure from Abarim marks the descent from the heights of contemplation to the plains of action.
* **Moab (Hebrew, _Môʾāb_):** Refers to the territory east of the Dead Sea and the lower Jordan River, inhabited by the Moabites, descendants of Lot. The "plains of Moab" were a fertile, low-lying region. This location was crucial as it served as the final gathering point for the Israelite nation before the invasion, where they received the final instructions and exhortations recorded in the book of Deuteronomy. It was also the site of significant events, including the incident with Balaam (cf. [Numbers 22-24](/numbers/22 "Numbers 22 - Balaam and the Donkey")) and the sin at Baal Peor (cf. [Numbers 25](/numbers/25 "Numbers 25 - The Sin at Baal Peor")).
* **Jericho (Hebrew, _Yərîḥô_):** Often translated as "fragrant" or "moon city," Jericho was one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, located in the Jordan Valley, west of the river. Its strategic position, guarding the eastern approaches to central Canaan, made it the logical first target for the Israelite invasion. Its mention here emphasizes the immediate proximity to the land and the imminent challenges of conquest.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they departed from the mountains of Abarim":** This clause signifies a specific movement from a significant geographical landmark. The mountains of Abarim represented a high point, a place of overview and final contemplation (for Moses). The departure indicates the end of one phase of their journey—the long, arduous wilderness wandering—and the transition to a new, active phase of conquest and settlement. It implies a descent from the elevated terrain to the lower plains.
* **"and pitched in the plains of Moab":** This describes their final, pivotal encampment. The plains of Moab served as the staging ground for the entire nation. Here, they would have rested, organized, and received vital instructions and laws from Moses, preparing them spiritually, legally, and militarily for the challenges ahead. This was not merely a stop but a significant period of transition and preparation before the final push into Canaan.
* **"by Jordan [near] Jericho":** This precise geographical marker pinpoints their exact location. They were encamped on the eastern bank of the Jordan River, directly opposite the city of Jericho on the western bank. The Jordan River served as a natural boundary to the Promised Land, and Jericho was the first major fortified city they would encounter. This detail emphasizes their immediate proximity to their inheritance and the formidable obstacles that lay directly before them, setting the stage for the dramatic crossing of the Jordan and the subsequent conquest narratives in the book of Joshua.

#### Literary Devices
The verse, as part of a larger itinerary, primarily employs **Itinerary/Chronicle**, a literary device characterized by a detailed, sequential listing of places or events. This meticulous record-keeping underscores God's precise and deliberate guidance throughout the Israelites' journey, emphasizing His sovereign control over every step. Furthermore, there is significant **Geographical Symbolism** at play. The "mountains of Abarim" can symbolize a place of final perspective or overview, a high point before a descent into action. The "plains of Moab" represent a crucial **Staging Ground**—a place of preparation, instruction, and organization before a major undertaking. The "Jordan" river functions as a **Threshold** or barrier, marking the boundary between the wilderness and the Promised Land, while "Jericho" stands as a **Foreshadowing** of the initial, formidable challenge and the beginning of the conquest narrative. The very naming of these locations is laden with future significance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 33:48 is a powerful testament to God's unwavering faithfulness and His commitment to fulfilling His covenant promises. After forty years of wandering, marked by both divine provision and human rebellion, the Israelites finally arrive at the very threshold of the land promised to their forefathers. This arrival signifies the culmination of God's patient and meticulous leading, demonstrating that despite the detours caused by human sin, His ultimate purposes will prevail. The verse underscores the theme of divine sovereignty, showing that God orchestrates every step of His people's journey, bringing them precisely to their appointed destination at the appointed time. It is a vivid illustration that God always keeps His word, even across generations.

* [Deuteronomy 32:49](/deuteronomy/32-49 "Deuteronomy 32:49 - Moses on Mount Nebo")
* [Joshua 3:1](/joshua/3-1 "Joshua 3:1 - Israel Crosses the Jordan")
* [Hebrews 4:9](/hebrews/4-9 "Hebrews 4:9 - The Sabbath Rest")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 33:48, though a simple geographical marker, offers profound encouragement for the contemporary believer. Just as the Israelites endured a long, challenging wilderness journey before reaching the plains of Moab, we too navigate periods of waiting, testing, and spiritual growth. This verse reminds us that God is meticulously guiding our steps, even when the path seems long or arduous. It invites us to persevere in faith, trusting that God's promises will ultimately be fulfilled in our lives, whether it pertains to a personal calling, a spiritual breakthrough, or the ultimate realization of His kingdom. Reaching a "plains of Moab" moment in our spiritual walk often signifies the culmination of one season and the preparation for a new one, calling us to anticipate God's next move and to ready ourselves for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in His divine plan.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the Israelites' forty-year journey and their eventual arrival at the plains of Moab resonate with periods of waiting or challenge in your own life of faith?**
* **What "plains of Moab" might God be leading you to, preparing you for a new season or a significant challenge in your spiritual journey?**
* **How does this verse encourage you to trust in God's meticulous guidance and unwavering faithfulness, even when the path ahead seems uncertain or the obstacles appear formidable?**

### FAQ
**Why is this specific location so important in the biblical narrative?**

Answer: The location described in Numbers 33:48—the plains of Moab by the Jordan near Jericho—is profoundly significant because it marks the definitive end of the Israelites' forty-year wilderness wanderings and their immediate proximity to the Promised Land. This was the final staging ground before the conquest of Canaan. From here, Moses delivered his farewell discourses (recorded in [Deuteronomy](/deuteronomy/1 "Deuteronomy - Moses' Farewell Speeches")), a second census was taken ([Numbers 26](/numbers/26 "Numbers 26 - The Second Census")), and Joshua was commissioned as Moses' successor ([Numbers 27:18-23](/numbers/27-18 "Numbers 27:18-23 - Joshua Appointed")). It was also the place from which they would cross the Jordan River to begin the conquest, with Jericho being their first major target ([Joshua 3-6](/joshua/3 "Joshua 3 - Crossing the Jordan")). Thus, it represents a critical transition point from nomadic existence to settled inheritance, from promise to fulfillment, and from Moses' leadership to Joshua's.

**What significant events occurred while the Israelites were encamped on the plains of Moab?**

Answer: The encampment on the plains of Moab was a period of intense activity and preparation. It was here that the prophet Balaam was hired by Balak, king of Moab, to curse Israel, but instead, he pronounced blessings upon them, as detailed in [Numbers 22-24](/numbers/22 "Numbers 22 - Balaam's Prophecies"). Tragically, it was also here that the Israelites fell into grievous sin with the Moabite and Midianite women, leading to the incident at Baal Peor, which resulted in a plague that killed 24,000 people ([Numbers 25](/numbers/25 "Numbers 25 - The Sin at Baal Peor")). Following this, the second census was taken to prepare for the division of the land ([Numbers 26](/numbers/26 "Numbers 26 - The Second Census")). Most importantly, Moses delivered his final speeches and instructions to the new generation, which constitute the entire book of [Deuteronomy](/deuteronomy/1 "Deuteronomy - The Law Repeated"). This period was crucial for spiritually and militarily preparing the Israelites for their entry into the Promised Land.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 33:48, chronicling Israel's arrival at the threshold of the Promised Land, profoundly foreshadows the greater spiritual journey and ultimate inheritance found in Jesus Christ. The long wilderness wandering, filled with trials and divine provision, mirrors the believer's journey through this fallen world, sustained by God's grace. Just as Israel was led by a pillar of cloud and fire, believers are guided by the Holy Spirit. The Promised Land, a place of rest and inheritance, serves as a type of the spiritual rest and eternal inheritance believers receive in Christ (cf. [Hebrews 4:1-11](/hebrews/4-1 "Hebrews 4:1-11 - Entering God's Rest")). Jesus is the ultimate "crossing over" (Passover Lamb, [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), who by His death and resurrection, has opened the way for us to enter God's presence and receive the true spiritual blessings of the heavenly Canaan. He is the true Joshua, who leads His people not merely into a physical land, but into a spiritual kingdom and eternal life (cf. [Joshua 1:1-9](/joshua/1-1 "Joshua 1:1-9 - God's Charge to Joshua") and [Matthew 1:21](/matthew/1-21 "Matthew 1:21 - Jesus Saves His People from Sins")). The meticulous journey of Israel culminates in Christ, who perfectly fulfills God's promises and brings His people into the fullness of His presence and the glorious inheritance prepared for them from the foundation of the world (cf. [Ephesians 1:3-14](/ephesians/1-3 "Ephesians 1:3-14 - Spiritual Blessings in Christ")).

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 22:1

¶ And the children of Israel set forward, and pitched in the plains of Moab on this side Jordan [by] Jericho.