Numbers 33:6

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 33:6 meticulously records the second encampment of the Israelites after their miraculous departure from Egypt, detailing their move from Succoth to Etham, a location situated "in the edge of the wilderness." This verse is part of a divine travelogue that underscores God's precise and deliberate guidance of His people through the forty-year wilderness journey, highlighting His faithfulness in leading them step by step into the unknown.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 33 functions as a comprehensive itinerary, providing a divine record of the forty-two encampments of the Israelites from their departure from Rameses in Egypt to their arrival on the plains of Moab. This chapter serves as a historical and theological summary of the entire wilderness wandering period, emphasizing God's meticulous oversight and fulfillment of His covenant promises. Verse 6 specifically follows the initial departure from Rameses and the first encampment at Succoth, as detailed in [Numbers 33:5](/numbers/33-5 "Numbers 33:5 - First Encampment at Succoth"). The precise naming of each location, including Etham, reinforces the historical veracity and divine orchestration of the journey, setting the stage for the subsequent challenges and provisions in the vast wilderness.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Israelites had just been miraculously delivered from centuries of slavery in Egypt, a monumental event known as the Exodus, described in [Exodus 12](/exodus/12 "Exodus 12 - The Passover and Exodus"). Their journey began from Rameses, a significant administrative center in Goshen. Succoth, their first stop, likely served as a rallying point for the diverse multitude. Moving to Etham, "in the edge of the wilderness," marked a critical transition from the relatively populated and cultivated lands near Egypt into the desolate and untamed Sinai Peninsula. This geographical shift signified a departure from familiar territory and an entry into a realm where their survival would depend entirely on divine provision and guidance, a concept central to the wilderness experience depicted throughout [Exodus](/exodus/1 "The Book of Exodus") and [Numbers](/numbers/1 "The Book of Numbers").

* **Key Themes:** The meticulous recording of each stage of the journey, including the move to Etham, powerfully illustrates the theme of **Divine Guidance and Order**. God was not merely reacting to events but was actively leading His people with precision, as evidenced by the pillar of cloud and fire that guided them from this very point (see [Exodus 13:21-22](/exodus/13-21 "Exodus 13:21-22 - The Pillar of Cloud and Fire")). This verse also highlights **Transition and Progression**, marking the Israelites' move from the periphery of civilization into the heart of the wilderness, a place of testing and transformation. This transition underscores the theme of **Dependence on God**, as the harsh realities of the desert would necessitate complete reliance on His miraculous provision for water, food, and protection, echoing the lessons taught throughout [Deuteronomy 8](/deuteronomy/8 "Deuteronomy 8 - Remembering God's Provision in the Wilderness").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Succoth (סֻכּוֹת, _sukkot_):** Meaning "booths" or "tents," this name likely refers to a place where temporary shelters were common or where the Israelites first set up their own temporary dwellings after leaving permanent structures in Egypt. It signifies the initial phase of their nomadic existence, a symbolic detachment from their former life of slavery and a step into a new, mobile identity.
* **Etham (אֵתָם, _'etam_):** The precise location of Etham is debated among scholars, but it is consistently described as a frontier point, a gateway into the wilderness. Its strategic position is highlighted by the fact that it was from here that God began to lead them directly by the pillar of cloud and fire, signifying a point of no return from Egypt and full commitment to the wilderness journey.
* **Edge of the wilderness (קְצֵה הַמִּדְבָּר, _q'tseh hammidbar_):** This phrase vividly describes a boundary, a threshold. It represents the transition from the known (the vicinity of Egypt) to the unknown (the vast, desolate wilderness). It implies a point where the familiar landscape gives way to an untamed environment, demanding a new level of trust and reliance on divine direction.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they departed from Succoth":** This clause marks the commencement of the second leg of the journey. "Departed" (נָסְעוּ, _nas'u_) implies a deliberate, organized movement, not a chaotic flight. It signifies the Israelites' obedience to God's command to move forward, leaving behind their initial encampment.
* **"and pitched in Etham":** "Pitched" (וַיַּחֲנוּ, _vayyachanū_) indicates setting up camp, establishing a temporary dwelling place. This was a significant stop, not just a passing through, suggesting a period of rest and perhaps preparation before fully entering the deeper wilderness. It underscores the methodical nature of God's leading.
* **"which [is] in the edge of the wilderness":** This descriptive phrase provides crucial geographical and theological context. It defines Etham's location as the very border of the desolate region, emphasizing that the Israelites were now truly at the threshold of their wilderness experience, poised to enter the challenging environment where God would test, provide for, and transform them.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 33:6, within the broader context of the chapter, primarily employs **Itinerary**, a literary device characterized by a detailed list of places or stages in a journey. This meticulous cataloging underscores the historical reality and divine control over Israel's movements. The phrase "edge of the wilderness" functions as **Symbolism**, representing a liminal space—a threshold between the familiar past (Egypt) and the unknown future (the wilderness and ultimately the Promised Land). This transition point also creates **Foreshadowing**, hinting at the trials, dependence, and divine provision that would characterize the subsequent forty years of wandering. The precise, almost bureaucratic, recording of each stop reinforces the theme of God's **Omniscience** and **Providence**, demonstrating that no step of His people's journey is accidental or unobserved.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 33:6, as part of the detailed wilderness itinerary, powerfully illustrates God's meticulous and unwavering guidance of His people. It reveals a God who is not distant but intimately involved in the daily, physical journey of His covenant community. The transition from Succoth to Etham, at the "edge of the wilderness," marks a crucial theological point: the moment of full commitment to a path of complete dependence on God. This journey was not random but divinely orchestrated, designed to teach Israel about God's faithfulness, their own sinfulness, and the necessity of obedience. It underscores the truth that God leads His people through challenging transitions, preparing them for what lies ahead and demonstrating His power to sustain them in the most desolate circumstances.

* [Exodus 13:20-22](/exodus/13-20 "Exodus 13:20-22 - God Leads Israel by Cloud and Fire")
* [Deuteronomy 8:2-3](/deuteronomy/8-2 "Deuteronomy 8:2-3 - God's Purpose in the Wilderness")
* [Psalm 78:14](/psalm/78-14 "Psalm 78:14 - God's Guidance in the Wilderness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 33:6 offers profound encouragement for believers navigating life's transitions. Just as God meticulously led Israel from one specific point to the next, even to the "edge of the wilderness," He guides us through the various stages and uncertainties of our own lives. This verse reminds us that our journey of faith is not chaotic but a divinely orchestrated progression, requiring step-by-step obedience and trust. When we find ourselves at the "edge of the wilderness"—facing new challenges, significant life changes, or periods of uncertainty—this passage calls us to remember God's precise and faithful leadership. His presence, like the pillar of cloud and fire, is constant, leading us safely through the unknown and toward His ultimate purposes, preparing us for the "promised land" of His will. Our reliance on Him becomes paramount when we step beyond the familiar into uncharted territory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "edges of the wilderness" are you currently facing in your life, where familiar territory gives way to the unknown?**
* **How does the meticulous record of God's guidance in Numbers 33 encourage you to trust Him in your own life's transitions?**
* **In what ways might God be using your current "wilderness" experience to cultivate deeper dependence on Him?**

### FAQ

**Why is this itinerary in Numbers 33 so detailed?**

Answer: The detailed itinerary in [Numbers 33](/numbers/33 "Numbers 33 - The Wilderness Itinerary") serves several crucial purposes. First, it affirms the historical veracity of the Exodus and wilderness wanderings, providing a tangible record of God's mighty acts. Second, it underscores God's meticulous and sovereign control over every step of Israel's journey, demonstrating His faithfulness in leading His people. Third, it serves as a theological reminder that God's plans are precise and purposeful, even when His people are in a seemingly chaotic wilderness. It highlights His presence and guidance, ensuring that the journey was not random but divinely orchestrated, a testament to His covenant keeping.

**What is the significance of "the edge of the wilderness"?**

Answer: "The edge of the wilderness" signifies a critical threshold. It represents the point where the Israelites left behind the last vestiges of familiar, settled life near Egypt and fully entered the desolate, untamed environment of the Sinai desert. Theologically, it marks a transition from a place where some self-sufficiency might still be imagined to a place of absolute dependence on God for every need—food, water, and protection. It was from this strategic point that God's visible guidance, the pillar of cloud and fire, became their primary guide, as described in [Exodus 13:21](/exodus/13-21 "Exodus 13:21 - God's Guiding Pillars"). This "edge" was a point of no return, committing them fully to the path God had set before them.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The wilderness journey of Israel, meticulously recorded in passages like Numbers 33:6, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in several profound ways. Just as Israel was led by God's visible presence through the wilderness, so too is the church led by Christ, who is God incarnate, the ultimate guide and provision. Jesus Himself entered the "wilderness" for forty days, mirroring Israel's forty years, where He was tempted and fully relied on God's Word, demonstrating perfect obedience where Israel often failed (see [Matthew 4:1-11](/matthew/4-1 "Matthew 4:1-11 - The Temptation of Jesus")). Christ is the true "Lamb of God" who leads His people through a new exodus, not from physical slavery but from the bondage of sin and death, into the spiritual promised land of eternal life (compare [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") with [Hebrews 4:1-11](/hebrews/4-1 "Hebrews 4:1-11 - Rest in Christ")). The meticulous guidance of God for Israel foreshadows the precise and unfailing leading of the Holy Spirit, whom Christ sent to guide believers through the "wilderness" of this present age, ensuring their safe passage to the heavenly city, the New Jerusalem (see [John 16:13](/john/16-13 "John 16:13 - The Spirit of Truth") and [Revelation 21:1-4](/revelation/21-1 "Revelation 21:1-4 - The New Heaven and New Earth")). Thus, Numbers 33:6 is not just ancient history but a testament to the faithful God who, in Christ, continues to lead His people through every "edge of the wilderness" to their ultimate, glorious destination.

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

Exodus 13:20

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