Numbers 33:9

KJV

And they removed from Marah, and came unto Elim: and in Elim [were] twelve fountains of water, and threescore and ten palm trees; and they pitched there.

KJV (with Strong's)

And they removed {H5265} from Marah {H4785}, and came {H935} unto Elim {H362}: and in Elim {H362} were twelve {H8147}{H6240} fountains {H5869} of water {H4325}, and threescore and ten {H7657} palm trees {H8558}; and they pitched {H2583} there.

Complete Jewish Bible

They moved on from Marah and came to Eilim; in Eilim were twelve springs and seventy palm trees, so they camped there.

Berean Standard Bible

They set out from Marah and came to Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and they camped there.

American Standard Version

And they journeyed from Marah, and came unto Elim: and in Elim were twelve springs of water, and threescore and ten palm-trees; and they encamped there.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 33:9 meticulously records a pivotal moment in the Israelites' wilderness journey, detailing their departure from Marah, a place of bitter experience, and their arrival at Elim. This oasis, characterized by its abundant twelve fountains of water and seventy palm trees, served as a divine provision of refreshment and rest, marking a significant transition from hardship to sustenance and foreshadowing God's faithful care for His people throughout their arduous pilgrimage.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 33 provides a comprehensive, chronological itinerary of the Israelites' forty-year wilderness wanderings, meticulously listing each encampment from their exodus out of Egypt to their arrival on the plains of Moab. This chapter serves as a historical record, emphasizing God's direct guidance and provision throughout their journey. Verse 9 specifically follows the account of Marah in [Numbers 33:8](/numbers/33-8 "Numbers 33:8 - From Etham to Marah"), where the people experienced bitter waters, a narrative echoed in [Exodus 15:23-26](/exodus/15-23 "Exodus 15:23-26 - The Bitter Waters of Marah"). The progression from the bitterness of Marah to the abundance of Elim highlights a recurring pattern in the Exodus narrative: periods of trial followed by divine intervention and provision, reinforcing themes of God's faithfulness and the people's dependence.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The wilderness journey depicted in Numbers was a harsh reality for a vast multitude, including men, women, children, and livestock. The Sinai Peninsula, through which they traveled, is largely arid and inhospitable, making sources of fresh water and shade incredibly precious. Oases like Elim were vital for survival. The mention of "fountains" (springs) and "palm trees" indicates a true oasis, a rare and life-sustaining find in such a desolate landscape. Culturally, the Israelites were a nomadic people at this stage, relying entirely on God's miraculous provision for their daily needs, including food (manna and quail) and water, as seen in episodes like the provision at [Rephidim](/exodus/17-1 "Exodus 17:1 - Water from the Rock at Rephidim"). This journey was also a period of spiritual formation, where God taught His people dependence and obedience.

* **Key Themes:** The journey from Marah to Elim encapsulates several profound themes central to the book of Numbers and the broader Pentateuch. **Divine Provision** is paramount, as Elim stands as a powerful testament to God's unfailing care for His people, demonstrating His commitment to meeting their fundamental needs even in the most challenging environments. This act of leading them from bitter waters to an oasis of abundance underscores the theme of **Rest and Refreshment**, highlighting God's desire to provide respite and renewal for His weary travelers. Furthermore, the stark contrast between Marah and Elim emphasizes **God's Faithfulness Amidst Trials**, illustrating that periods of difficulty are often followed by seasons of blessing and restoration, offering hope and reassurance that God would sustain them throughout their long journey to the promised land. This journey also serves as a pedagogical tool, teaching the Israelites about God's character and their need for complete reliance on Him, a lesson crucial for their future as a nation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Marah (Hebrew, _mārāh'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to be bitter." This name perfectly encapsulates the experience of the Israelites at this location, where they encountered undrinkable, bitter water, leading to their complaining against Moses and, by extension, against God. It represents a place of severe trial and discontent, a stark contrast to the subsequent destination.
* **Elim (Hebrew, _'êlîm'_):** While the precise etymology is debated, it is often linked to the Hebrew word for "strong trees" or "oaks," suggesting a place of significant vegetation. In the context of the narrative, Elim functions as a proper noun for a specific oasis, its name evoking the idea of strength, stability, and life-giving abundance, a direct counterpoint to the bitterness of Marah.
* **Fountains (Hebrew, _'ayin'_):** Literally "eye" or "spring." In this context, it refers to natural springs of water. The plural form, "fountains," emphasizes the multiplicity and abundance of water sources, a vital commodity in the desert. The number twelve specifically carries symbolic weight, often associated with the twelve tribes of Israel, suggesting God's sufficient provision for the entire nation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they removed from Marah":** This clause signifies the continuation of the Israelites' journey, moving on from a place of hardship and complaint. It marks a transition, both geographically and experientially, from a period of distress.
* **"and came unto Elim":** This indicates their arrival at a new destination, one divinely appointed and significantly different from their previous stop. The movement from Marah to Elim is a deliberate progression in God's leading.
* **"and in Elim [were] twelve fountains of water":** This detail highlights the extraordinary abundance of water at Elim. The number "twelve" is highly symbolic in biblical contexts, frequently representing completeness, divine order, and specifically the twelve tribes of Israel. This suggests that God's provision was ample and perfectly tailored for the needs of His entire chosen people.
* **"and threescore and ten palm trees":** "Threescore and ten" means seventy. Like "twelve," the number "seventy" holds significant biblical symbolism, often representing completeness, universality, or a representative body. It could allude to the seventy elders of Israel ([Exodus 24:1](/exodus/24-1 "Exodus 24:1 - The Seventy Elders")) or even the seventy nations listed in [Genesis 10](/genesis/10 "Genesis 10 - The Table of Nations"), symbolically extending God's provision beyond Israel to all humanity. The presence of palm trees provided crucial shade and possibly dates, further emphasizing the oasis's life-sustaining qualities.
* **"and they pitched there.":** This final phrase indicates that Elim was not merely a passing stop but a place where the Israelites encamped, suggesting a period of extended rest, recuperation, and replenishment after the trials of Marah. It signifies a moment of stability and relief in their arduous journey.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 33:9 employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Contrast**, specifically between Marah and Elim. Marah, meaning "bitter," represents hardship, complaint, and lack, while Elim, with its abundant water and trees, symbolizes divine provision, refreshment, and peace. This juxtaposition powerfully illustrates God's ability to transform difficult circumstances into seasons of blessing. The specific numbers, **Symbolism** of "twelve fountains" and "seventy palm trees," are also significant. "Twelve" often symbolizes the twelve tribes of Israel, indicating God's comprehensive care for His entire people, while "seventy" can represent completeness or universality, perhaps hinting at the broader scope of God's redemptive plan. The entire narrative of the wilderness journey, of which Elim is a part, functions as an **Allegory** for the spiritual journey of believers, demonstrating God's faithful guidance through trials and His ultimate provision of rest and sustenance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The account of Elim in Numbers 33:9 serves as a profound theological statement about God's character and His relationship with His people. It underscores His unwavering faithfulness and meticulous care, demonstrating that He not only delivers His people from bondage but also sustains them through every trial. After the testing at Marah, Elim represents God's gracious provision of rest and renewal, a tangible sign of His covenant keeping. This pattern of trial followed by divine comfort is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, assuring believers that God is always attentive to their needs and capable of transforming bitterness into blessing. Elim is a powerful reminder that even in the most desolate spiritual or physical wildernesses, God provides oases of grace and sustenance.

* [Psalm 23:2](/psalms/23-2 "Psalm 23:2 - He Leads Me Beside Still Waters")
* [Isaiah 43:19-20](/isaiah/43-19 "Isaiah 43:19-20 - God Makes a Way in the Wilderness")
* [Revelation 7:17](/revelation/7-17 "Revelation 7:17 - The Lamb Will Guide Them to Springs of Living Water")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 33:9 offers enduring lessons for believers navigating their own spiritual journeys. Just as the Israelites faced the bitterness of Marah before experiencing the abundance of Elim, our lives are often marked by seasons of trial, exhaustion, and spiritual dryness. This verse provides a powerful reminder that God faithfully leads His people through these "Marahs" to "Elims" – periods of spiritual and physical replenishment. It encourages us to cultivate a trust in God's perfect timing and His boundless ability to provide comfort, sustenance, and renewal, even when circumstances seem bleak. Our wilderness experiences are not meant to destroy us but to draw us closer to the One who promises to be our ever-present help. Elim invites us to pause, reflect on God's past faithfulness, and anticipate His future provision, knowing that He delights in refreshing His weary children.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "Marah" experiences have you encountered in your life, and how did you navigate them?**
* **How has God provided an "Elim" for you in times of weariness or trial?**
* **What does the contrast between Marah and Elim teach you about God's character and His faithfulness?**
* **How can you intentionally seek out and receive God's refreshment in your current circumstances?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of the numbers "twelve" and "seventy" in Numbers 33:9?**

Answer: The numbers "twelve" and "seventy" in Numbers 33:9 carry significant symbolic weight within biblical numerology. "Twelve" is consistently associated with the twelve tribes of Israel (e.g., [Genesis 49:28](/genesis/49-28 "Genesis 49:28 - Jacob's Blessing of the Twelve Tribes")), representing the completeness and divine order of God's people. Its presence here suggests that God's provision of water at Elim was perfectly sufficient for the entire nation. "Seventy" often symbolizes completeness, universality, or a representative body. It can allude to the seventy elders of Israel who ascended Mount Sinai with Moses ([Exodus 24:1](/exodus/24-1 "Exodus 24:1 - The Seventy Elders Ascend Sinai")) or the seventy nations listed in [Genesis 10](/genesis/10 "Genesis 10 - The Table of Nations"), symbolically extending God's provision beyond Israel to all humanity. Together, these numbers emphasize the comprehensive and abundant nature of God's provision for His chosen people and, by extension, His care for all creation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The oasis of Elim, with its twelve springs and seventy palm trees, stands as a powerful Old Testament foreshadowing of the ultimate refreshment and life found in Jesus Christ. Just as Elim provided physical sustenance after the bitterness of Marah, Christ offers spiritual living water to those parched by the wilderness of sin and the bitterness of a fallen world. He is the true "spring of living water" that satisfies eternally, as He declared to the Samaritan woman in [John 4:14](/john/4-14 "John 4:14 - Jesus Offers Living Water"). The twelve fountains can be seen as anticipating the twelve apostles, who would carry the life-giving message of the Gospel to the world, extending God's provision to all nations. The seventy palm trees, symbolizing rest and abundance, resonate with Jesus sending out the seventy-two disciples in [Luke 10:1](/luke/10-1 "Luke 10:1 - Jesus Sends Out the Seventy-Two"), signifying the universal reach of His redemptive work and the spiritual rest found in Him. Ultimately, Elim points to Christ as the source of all true refreshment, the one who leads His people beside still waters ([Psalm 23:2](/psalms/23-2 "Psalm 23:2 - The Lord is My Shepherd")), and the Lamb who will guide them to springs of living water in the new heavens and new earth ([Revelation 7:17](/revelation/7-17 "Revelation 7:17 - The Lamb Guides to Living Water")). He is our ultimate oasis, providing complete and eternal satisfaction for our weary souls.

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.