Numbers 33:6

And they departed from Succoth, and pitched in Etham, which [is] in the edge of the wilderness.

And they departed {H5265} from Succoth {H5523}, and pitched {H2583} in Etham {H864}, which is in the edge {H7097} of the wilderness {H4057}.

They moved on from Sukkot and camped at Etam, by the edge of the desert.

They set out from Succoth and camped at Etham, on the edge of the wilderness.

And they journeyed from Succoth, and encamped in Etham, which is in the edge of the wilderness.

Commentary

Commentary on Numbers 33:6

Numbers 33 serves as a divine travelogue, meticulously listing the encampments of the Israelites during their forty-year journey through the wilderness. Verse 6 records the second leg of this monumental journey after their miraculous departure from Egypt.

Context

Following their initial departure from Rameses, the Israelites first encamped at Succoth (Numbers 33:5). This verse details their next significant move: "And they departed from Succoth, and pitched in Etham, which [is] in the edge of the wilderness." This systematic record highlights God's direct involvement and precise guidance over every step of Israel's journey, from the miraculous Red Sea crossing to their eventual arrival at the plains of Moab.

Key Themes

  • Divine Guidance and Order: The precise naming of each location underscores God's meticulous leadership. The journey was not chaotic but a divinely orchestrated progression, demonstrating God's faithfulness in leading His people step by step.
  • Transition and Progression: Moving from Succoth to Etham, "in the edge of the wilderness," signifies a crucial transition. They were leaving the more populated regions near Egypt and entering the vast, unknown desert. This marks a point where their reliance on God's provision and direction would become increasingly vital.

Linguistic Insights

The name Succoth (ืกึปื›ึนึผืช) means "booths" or "tents," reflecting the temporary nature of their dwellings after leaving their permanent homes in Egypt. Etham (ืึตืชึธื) is understood to be a frontier location, a point of entry into the desolate wilderness. The phrase "edge of the wilderness" is significant, as it was from this strategic point that God began to lead them directly by the pillar of cloud by day and fire by night, a visible sign of His constant presence and direction.

Practical Application

Numbers 33:6 reminds us that God's guidance is often a journey of many small, obedient steps. Just as He led Israel from one specific point to the next, He guides us through the various stages of our lives. When we find ourselves on the "edge of the wilderness"โ€”facing new challenges, uncertainties, or significant transitionsโ€”this verse encourages us to trust in God's precise and faithful leadership. His presence is constant, leading us safely through the unknown and toward His ultimate purposes, much like He led Israel toward the Promised Land.

Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.

Cross-References

  • Exodus 13:20

    And they took their journey from Succoth, and encamped in Etham, in the edge of the wilderness.
โ† Back