Numbers 21:11
And they journeyed from Oboth, and pitched at Ije-abarim, in the wilderness which is before Moab, toward the sunrising.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּסְע֖וּ
And they journeyed
H5265
וַיִּסְע֖וּ
And they journeyed
Strong's:
H5265
Word #:
1 of 12
properly, to pull up, especially the tent-pins, i.e., start on a journey
וַֽיַּחֲנ֞וּ
and pitched
H2583
וַֽיַּחֲנ֞וּ
and pitched
Strong's:
H2583
Word #:
3 of 12
properly, to incline; by implication, to decline (of the slanting rays of evening); specifically, to pitch a tent; generally to encamp (for abode or s
בַּמִּדְבָּר֙
in the wilderness
H4057
בַּמִּדְבָּר֙
in the wilderness
Strong's:
H4057
Word #:
6 of 12
a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert
אֲשֶׁר֙
H834
אֲשֶׁר֙
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
7 of 12
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
8 of 12
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
פְּנֵ֣י
which is before
H6440
פְּנֵ֣י
which is before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
9 of 12
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
מוֹאָ֔ב
Moab
H4124
מוֹאָ֔ב
Moab
Strong's:
H4124
Word #:
10 of 12
moab, an incestuous son of lot; also his territory and descendants
Historical Context
This occurred in the 40th year after the Exodus (c. 1406 BC), as Israel circumnavigated Edom and Moab to approach Canaan from the east. Ije-abarim was in the mountain range overlooking Moab's plateau, marking the final phase of wilderness wandering.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's detailed preservation of Israel's journey encourage you in seasons that feel aimless or directionless?
- What 'encampments' in your spiritual journey mark God's faithfulness through difficult transitions?
- How does the geographic precision of Scripture validate its historical trustworthiness for you?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
They journeyed from Oboth, and pitched at Ije-abarim (עִיֵּי הָעֲבָרִים, iyye ha-abarim, "ruins of the regions beyond")—Israel's encampment names marked their progress toward Canaan. In the wilderness which is before Moab, toward the sunrising locates them east of the Dead Sea, approaching Transjordan from the southern route. Each encampment testified to God's faithfulness through decades of wandering.
The geographic precision reflects Moses' firsthand account—these weren't mythic wanderings but historical movements through real terrain. Deuteronomy 2:1-8 expands this narrative, showing God's sovereign direction even through seemingly aimless desert circuits.