Exodus 16:1
And they took their journey from Elim, and all the congregation of the children of Israel came unto the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after their departing out of the land of Egypt.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּסְעוּ֙
And they took their journey
H5265
וַיִּסְעוּ֙
And they took their journey
Strong's:
H5265
Word #:
1 of 23
properly, to pull up, especially the tent-pins, i.e., start on a journey
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
4 of 23
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
עֲדַ֤ת
and all the congregation
H5712
עֲדַ֤ת
and all the congregation
Strong's:
H5712
Word #:
5 of 23
a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd)
בְּנֵֽי
of the children
H1121
בְּנֵֽי
of the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
6 of 23
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
7 of 23
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
מִדְבַּר
unto the wilderness
H4057
מִדְבַּר
unto the wilderness
Strong's:
H4057
Word #:
9 of 23
a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert
סִ֔ין
of Sin
H5512
סִ֔ין
of Sin
Strong's:
H5512
Word #:
10 of 23
sin the name of an egyptian town and (probably) desert adjoining
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
11 of 23
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
בֵּין
H996
בֵּין
Strong's:
H996
Word #:
12 of 23
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
וּבֵ֣ין
H996
וּבֵ֣ין
Strong's:
H996
Word #:
14 of 23
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
עָשָׂ֥ר
H6240
עָשָׂ֥ר
Strong's:
H6240
Word #:
17 of 23
ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth
יוֹם֙
day
H3117
יוֹם֙
day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
18 of 23
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
הַשֵּׁנִ֔י
of the second
H8145
הַשֵּׁנִ֔י
of the second
Strong's:
H8145
Word #:
20 of 23
properly, double, i.e., second; also adverbially, again
לְצֵאתָ֖ם
after their departing out
H3318
לְצֵאתָ֖ם
after their departing out
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
21 of 23
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
Historical Context
This occurred approximately 45 days after leaving Egypt, in the second month (Iyar). The route from the Red Sea through Elim led into the barren Sinai peninsula where food supplies from Egypt would be exhausted.
Questions for Reflection
- How do seasons of abundance (Elim) prepare us for seasons of testing (wilderness of Sin)?
- What does this journey teach about corporate faith versus individual faith?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And they took their journey from Elim—Israel's wilderness journey from Elim to Sin represents the transition from initial refreshment to testing of faith. The Hebrew דְּבַר־סִין (midbar-Sin) means 'Wilderness of Sin,' possibly related to thorny bushes. This second month after exodus marks a critical period where Israel must learn dependence on God's provision rather than Egyptian security. The congregation's unity in journeying ('all the congregation') sets the stage for their collective murmuring, revealing how corporate faith can quickly become corporate unbelief.