They moved on from Ritmah and camped at Rimmon-Peretz.
They set out from Rithmah and camped at Rimmon-perez.
And they journeyed from Rithmah, and encamped in Rimmon-perez.
Commentary
Numbers 33:19 is a concise entry within a detailed itinerary of the Israelites' journey through the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt. It states, "And they departed from Rithmah, and pitched at Rimmonparez." This verse, like many others in Numbers 33, meticulously records the various encampments (or "pitches") of the Israelite nation under the leadership of Moses.
Context
Chapter 33 of the book of Numbers provides a comprehensive list of 42 encampments of the Israelites during their 40-year wilderness wanderings. This meticulous record begins with their departure from Rameses in Egypt and concludes with their arrival in the plains of Moab, just before entering the Promised Land. The purpose of this detailed historical account was likely to serve as a verifiable record for future generations, confirming the historical reality of the Exodus and God's faithful guidance. Rithmah and Rimmonparez are two of these many stops, providing specific geographical markers along their divinely orchestrated path.
Key Themes
Divine Guidance and Providence: The precise listing of each stop, even seemingly insignificant ones like Rithmah and Rimmonparez, underscores God's meticulous oversight and active presence in guiding His people. Every movement was ordered by the Lord, whether by the pillar of cloud by day or fire by night (Exodus 13:21).
Historical Veracity: The detailed itinerary serves as a powerful testament to the historical accuracy of the Exodus narrative. It's not a vague story but a documented journey with specific locations, reinforcing its truthfulness.
The Journey of Faith: The wilderness journey itself is a metaphor for the Christian walk. It highlights periods of movement and rest, challenges and provisions, all under God's watchful eye. Each "pitch" and "departure" represents a stage in their development and dependence on God.
Linguistic Insights
The names of these ancient sites often carried descriptive meanings. "Rithmah" (ืจึดืชึฐืึธื) is thought to be derived from the Hebrew word for "broom plant" or "juniper tree," suggesting a location known for such vegetation. "Rimmonparez" (ืจึดืึผืึนื ืคึธึผืจึถืฅ) combines "Rimmon," meaning "pomegranate," with "parez," which can mean "breach" or "division." This could indicate a place where pomegranates grew abundantly, or perhaps a location associated with a significant break or division in the landscape or a historical event.
Practical Application
While Numbers 33:19 seems like a simple geographical record, its inclusion in Scripture offers profound insights for believers today. It reminds us that:
God is in the Details: Just as God meticulously recorded every stop for Israel, He is intimately involved in every step of our lives, even the seemingly mundane or difficult ones. Our "departures" and "pitches" are all part of His sovereign plan for us.
Trust in His Leading: The Israelites often didn't know what lay ahead, but they followed the cloud. We too are called to trust God's leading, even when the path is unclear or takes us through unexpected places (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Every Stage Has a Purpose: The wilderness was a place of testing and learning for Israel (Deuteronomy 8:2). Similarly, each phase of our life's journey, with its unique challenges and comforts, serves a divine purpose in shaping our character and strengthening our faith.
Note: If the commentary doesnโt appear instantly, please allow 2โ5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.
Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.
Commentary
Numbers 33:19 is a concise entry within a detailed itinerary of the Israelites' journey through the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt. It states, "And they departed from Rithmah, and pitched at Rimmonparez." This verse, like many others in Numbers 33, meticulously records the various encampments (or "pitches") of the Israelite nation under the leadership of Moses.
Context
Chapter 33 of the book of Numbers provides a comprehensive list of 42 encampments of the Israelites during their 40-year wilderness wanderings. This meticulous record begins with their departure from Rameses in Egypt and concludes with their arrival in the plains of Moab, just before entering the Promised Land. The purpose of this detailed historical account was likely to serve as a verifiable record for future generations, confirming the historical reality of the Exodus and God's faithful guidance. Rithmah and Rimmonparez are two of these many stops, providing specific geographical markers along their divinely orchestrated path.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The names of these ancient sites often carried descriptive meanings. "Rithmah" (ืจึดืชึฐืึธื) is thought to be derived from the Hebrew word for "broom plant" or "juniper tree," suggesting a location known for such vegetation. "Rimmonparez" (ืจึดืึผืึนื ืคึธึผืจึถืฅ) combines "Rimmon," meaning "pomegranate," with "parez," which can mean "breach" or "division." This could indicate a place where pomegranates grew abundantly, or perhaps a location associated with a significant break or division in the landscape or a historical event.
Practical Application
While Numbers 33:19 seems like a simple geographical record, its inclusion in Scripture offers profound insights for believers today. It reminds us that:
Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.