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 chronicles a pivotal moment in the Israelites' wilderness journey, detailing their departure from Marah, a place of bitter experience and complaint, and their arrival at Elim. This divinely appointed oasis, characterized by its abundant twelve fountains of water and seventy palm trees, served as a profound provision of refreshment, rest, and sustenance, marking a significant transition from hardship to grace. This passage powerfully illustrates God's faithful and meticulous care for His people throughout their arduous pilgrimage, underscoring His commitment to meeting their needs even in the most desolate environments.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 33 presents a comprehensive and 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 functions as a historical and theological record, emphasizing God's direct guidance, sovereign control, and miraculous 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, undrinkable waters and complained against Moses and God, a narrative deeply rooted in [Exodus 15:23-26](/exodus/15-23-26 "Exodus 15:23-26 - The Bitter Waters of Marah and God's Healing"). The immediate progression from the testing at Marah to the abundance of Elim highlights a recurring narrative pattern in the Exodus and wilderness accounts: periods of trial and human failure are consistently followed by divine intervention and gracious provision, reinforcing themes of God's enduring faithfulness and the people's absolute dependence on Him.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The wilderness journey depicted in Numbers was a formidable undertaking for a vast multitude, encompassing an estimated two million people, along with their livestock. The Sinai Peninsula, through which they traversed, is predominantly an arid, desolate, and inhospitable landscape, making sources of fresh water and shade incredibly scarce and invaluable. Oases, like Elim, were not merely convenient stops but absolute necessities for survival in such a harsh environment. The specific mention of "fountains" (springs) and "palm trees" in [Numbers 33:9](/numbers/33-9 "Numbers 33:9 - Elim, an Oasis of Provision") indicates a true, life-sustaining oasis, a rare and miraculous find in the desert. Culturally, the Israelites were in a transitional phase, moving from slavery in Egypt to becoming a nation under God's covenant. This nomadic period was designed by God to teach them complete reliance on His miraculous provision for their daily needs, including food (manna and quail, as seen in [Exodus 16](/exodus/16 "Exodus 16 - Manna and Quail")) and water (such as at [Rephidim](/exodus/17-1-7 "Exodus 17:1-7 - Water from the Rock at Rephidim")). This journey was fundamentally a period of spiritual formation, where God disciplined, tested, and revealed His character to His chosen people.

* **Key Themes:** The journey from Marah to Elim encapsulates several profound and enduring themes central to the book of Numbers and the broader Pentateuch. **Divine Provision** is paramount, as Elim stands as a powerful, tangible testament to God's unfailing and meticulous care for His people, demonstrating His unwavering commitment to meeting their fundamental needs even in the most challenging and desolate environments. This act of leading them from bitter waters to an oasis of abundance vividly underscores the theme of **Rest and Refreshment**, highlighting God's compassionate desire to provide respite and renewal for His weary travelers, both physically and spiritually. Furthermore, the stark and deliberate contrast between the bitterness of Marah and the abundance of Elim emphasizes **God's Faithfulness Amidst Trials**, illustrating that periods of difficulty and testing are often followed by seasons of profound blessing and restoration. This narrative offers enduring hope and reassurance that God would not only sustain them throughout their long and arduous journey to the promised land but would also transform their experiences of hardship into demonstrations of His glorious power and grace. This journey also serves as a crucial pedagogical tool, teaching the Israelites about God's character, His covenant promises, and their absolute need for complete reliance on Him, lessons vital for their future as a nation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Marah (Hebrew, _Mârâh'_):** From a root meaning "to be bitter." This name perfectly encapsulates the Israelites' experience at this location, where they encountered undrinkable, bitter water, leading to their complaining against Moses and, by extension, against God. As the Strong's data indicates, it literally means "bitter," serving as a geographical marker that simultaneously describes the quality of the water and the disposition of the people. It represents a place of severe trial, discontent, and spiritual testing, a stark contrast to the subsequent destination.
* **Elim (Hebrew, _ʼÊylim'_):** The Strong's data defines this as "palm-trees," being the plural of the word for "palm-tree." This etymology directly reflects the physical characteristics of the oasis, which was abundant with palm trees. In the narrative context, Elim functions as a proper noun for a specific oasis, its name evoking the idea of natural abundance, shade, and life-giving sustenance, a direct and intentional counterpoint to the bitterness and scarcity of Marah. It signifies a place of divine provision and rest.
* **Fountains (Hebrew, _ʻayin'_):** Properly "an eye," but by analogy, "a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)." In this context, it refers to natural springs of water. The plural form, "fountains," emphasizes the multiplicity and abundance of water sources, a vital and precious commodity in the desert. The Strong's definition highlights this dual meaning, underscoring how these springs were literally the "eyes" of life in the desolate wilderness. The number twelve specifically carries symbolic weight, often associated with the twelve tribes of Israel, suggesting God's sufficient and comprehensive provision for the entire nation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they removed from Marah":** This clause signifies the continuation of the Israelites' journey, indicating a physical and experiential progression from a place of hardship, complaint, and spiritual testing. It marks a deliberate transition away from a period of distress, emphasizing God's ongoing guidance even after a difficult encounter.
* **"and came unto Elim":** This indicates their arrival at a new, divinely appointed destination, one significantly and providentially different from their previous stop. The movement from Marah to Elim is a clear demonstration of God's leading His people from a place of bitterness to one of blessing, underscoring His redemptive and restorative purposes.
* **"and in Elim [were] twelve fountains of water":** This detail highlights the extraordinary abundance and specific nature of water provision at Elim. The number "twelve" is highly symbolic in biblical contexts, consistently representing completeness, divine order, and specifically the twelve tribes of Israel. This precise number suggests that God's provision was not merely adequate but perfectly ample and meticulously tailored for the needs of His entire chosen people, signifying His comprehensive care.
* **"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 Ascend Sinai")) 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 from the desert sun, a source of dates for sustenance, and a visual representation of life and flourishing, further emphasizing the oasis's life-sustaining and restorative qualities.
* **"and they pitched there.":** This final phrase indicates that Elim was not merely a fleeting stop but a place where the Israelites encamped for an extended period. This suggests a time of significant rest, recuperation, and replenishment after the trials of Marah, signifying a moment of stability, comfort, and profound relief in their arduous journey through the wilderness. It underscores God's intention to provide seasons of rest for His weary people.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 33:9 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound theological and spiritual message. The most prominent is **Contrast**, specifically between the preceding location, Marah, and the current one, Elim. Marah, meaning "bitter," represents hardship, complaint, and scarcity, while Elim, with its abundant water and trees, symbolizes divine provision, refreshing sustenance, and peaceful rest. This stark juxtaposition powerfully illustrates God's sovereign ability to transform difficult and trying circumstances into seasons of profound blessing and renewal. The specific numbers, particularly the **Symbolism** of "twelve fountains" and "seventy palm trees," are also highly significant. "Twelve" consistently symbolizes the twelve tribes of Israel, indicating God's comprehensive and sufficient care for His entire covenant people. "Seventy" can represent completeness, universality, or a representative body, perhaps hinting at the broader scope of God's redemptive plan that extends beyond Israel. The entire narrative of the wilderness journey, of which Elim is a crucial part, functions as an **Allegory** for the spiritual journey of believers, demonstrating God's faithful guidance through trials, His unwavering commitment to His promises, and His ultimate provision of rest and sustenance for those who trust in Him.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The account of Elim in Numbers 33:9 serves as a profound theological statement about the very character of God and His covenantal relationship with His people. It underscores His unwavering faithfulness, meticulous foresight, and compassionate care, demonstrating that He not only delivers His people from bondage but also sovereignly sustains them through every trial and wilderness experience. After the testing and bitterness at Marah, Elim represents God's gracious provision of restorative rest and abundant renewal, a tangible and undeniable sign of His covenant-keeping nature. This divine pattern of trial followed by comfort, testing followed by provision, is a recurring theme throughout the biblical narrative, assuring believers across generations that God is always attentive to their deepest needs and infinitely capable of transforming bitterness into blessing. Elim stands as a powerful, enduring reminder that even in the most desolate spiritual or physical wildernesses, God faithfully provides oases of grace, comfort, and life-sustaining sustenance for His weary children.

* [Psalm 23:2](/psalms/23-2 "Psalm 23:2 - He Leads Me Beside Still Waters")
* [Isaiah 43:19-20](/isaiah/43-19-20 "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 and deeply practical lessons for believers navigating their own spiritual journeys in a fallen world. Just as the Israelites faced the bitterness and scarcity of Marah before experiencing the refreshing abundance of Elim, our lives are often marked by seasons of intense trial, spiritual exhaustion, and profound dryness. This verse provides a powerful and comforting reminder that God, in His perfect wisdom and unwavering faithfulness, sovereignly leads His people through these "Marahs" to "Elims" – periods of spiritual, emotional, and physical replenishment. It profoundly encourages us to cultivate a deep and unwavering trust in God's perfect timing and His boundless ability to provide comfort, sustenance, and renewal, even when our circumstances seem bleak or insurmountable. Our wilderness experiences are not meant to destroy us but are divinely purposed to draw us into a deeper, more dependent relationship with the One who promises to be our ever-present help and refuge. Elim invites us to pause, reflect on God's past faithfulness in our lives, and anticipate with confident hope His future provision, knowing that He delights in refreshing and restoring His weary children.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "Marah" experiences – moments of bitterness, complaint, or scarcity – have you encountered in your life, and how did you navigate them?**
* **How has God specifically provided an "Elim" for you in times of weariness, trial, or spiritual dryness, offering unexpected refreshment or relief?**
* **What does the profound contrast between Marah and Elim teach you about God's unchanging character, His faithfulness, and His compassionate care for His people?**
* **In your current circumstances, how can you intentionally seek out and more fully receive God's promised refreshment and sustenance for your soul?**

### 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 profound symbolic weight within biblical numerology, enriching the meaning of God's provision at Elim. "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, divine order, and comprehensive nature of God's chosen people. Its presence here suggests that God's provision of water at Elim was not merely sufficient but perfectly ample and divinely tailored for the needs of 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")), representing the leadership of the nation, or the seventy nations listed in [Genesis 10](/genesis/10 "Genesis 10 - The Table of Nations"), symbolically extending God's redemptive plan and provision beyond Israel to all humanity. Together, these numbers emphasize the comprehensive, abundant, and divinely ordered nature of God's provision for His chosen people and, by extension, His sovereign care for all of 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, spiritual sustenance, and eternal life found exclusively in Jesus Christ. Just as Elim provided vital physical sustenance and rest after the bitterness and testing of Marah, Christ offers living water and profound spiritual rest to those parched by the wilderness of sin, the bitterness of a fallen world, and the weariness of life's trials. He is the true "spring of living water" that satisfies eternally, as He Himself declared to the Samaritan woman in [John 4:14](/john/4-14 "John 4:14 - Jesus Offers Living Water"), promising that whoever drinks of the water He gives will never thirst again. The twelve fountains can be seen as anticipating the twelve apostles, whom Christ commissioned to carry the life-giving message of the Gospel to the world, extending God's provision of salvation and spiritual nourishment to all nations. The seventy palm trees, symbolizing rest, abundance, and flourishing, resonate profoundly 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 and peace found in Him. Ultimately, Elim points us to Christ as the ultimate source of all true refreshment, the Good Shepherd 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 eternally guide His redeemed 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, eternal, and satisfying provision 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.

Cross-References

Exodus 15:27

And they came to Elim, where [were] twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters.