Numbers 33:3
And they departed from Rameses in the first month, on the fifteenth day of the first month; on the morrow after the passover the children of Israel went out with an high hand in the sight of all the Egyptians.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּסְע֤וּ
And they departed
H5265
וַיִּסְע֤וּ
And they departed
Strong's:
H5265
Word #:
1 of 19
properly, to pull up, especially the tent-pins, i.e., start on a journey
הָֽרִאשׁ֑וֹן
in the first
H7223
הָֽרִאשׁ֑וֹן
in the first
Strong's:
H7223
Word #:
4 of 19
first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)
עָשָׂ֛ר
on the fifteenth
H6240
עָשָׂ֛ר
on the fifteenth
Strong's:
H6240
Word #:
6 of 19
ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth
י֖וֹם
day
H3117
י֖וֹם
day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
7 of 19
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
הָֽרִאשׁ֑וֹן
in the first
H7223
הָֽרִאשׁ֑וֹן
in the first
Strong's:
H7223
Word #:
9 of 19
first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)
הַפֶּ֗סַח
after the passover
H6453
הַפֶּ֗סַח
after the passover
Strong's:
H6453
Word #:
11 of 19
a pretermission, i.e., exemption; used only techically of the jewish passover (the festival or the victim)
יָֽצְא֤וּ
went out
H3318
יָֽצְא֤וּ
went out
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
12 of 19
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
בְנֵֽי
the children
H1121
בְנֵֽי
the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
13 of 19
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 #:
14 of 19
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
בְּיָ֣ד
hand
H3027
בְּיָ֣ד
hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
15 of 19
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
רָמָ֔ה
with an high
H7311
רָמָ֔ה
with an high
Strong's:
H7311
Word #:
16 of 19
to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
לְעֵינֵ֖י
in the sight
H5869
לְעֵינֵ֖י
in the sight
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
17 of 19
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
Cross References
Exodus 14:8And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued after the children of Israel: and the children of Israel went out with an high hand.Exodus 13:4This day came ye out in the month Abib.Exodus 12:37And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children.Isaiah 52:12For ye shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight: for the LORD will go before you; and the God of Israel will be your rereward.Psalms 105:38Egypt was glad when they departed: for the fear of them fell upon them.Exodus 12:2This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you.Genesis 47:11And Joseph placed his father and his brethren, and gave them a possession in the land of Egypt, in the best of the land, in the land of Rameses, as Pharaoh had commanded.Micah 2:13The breaker is come up before them: they have broken up, and have passed through the gate, and are gone out by it: and their king shall pass before them, and the LORD on the head of them.
Historical Context
The fifteenth day of the first month became Israel's independence day, commemorated annually at Passover. The bold daylight departure, after 430 years of slavery, demonstrated God's power over Egypt's gods and Pharaoh's authority. The public nature of the exodus meant Egypt witnessed their defeat and Israel's vindication. No one could later claim this deliverance was hidden or ambiguous.
Questions for Reflection
- How does public, witnessed deliverance strengthen faith and testimony?
- What does leaving 'with a high hand' teach about confidence in God's salvation?
- In what ways should Christian testimony be bold and public rather than private and hidden?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The departure from Rameses 'in the first month, on the fifteenth day of the first month' marks Passover morning, the day after the lamb was slain and eaten. The exodus began 'with an high hand' (boldly, openly, defiantly) demonstrating that God's deliverance was public and unmistakable. The phrase 'in the sight of all the Egyptians' emphasizes that this was witnessed redemption, not secret escape. The Reformed doctrine of visible, public profession of faith finds precedent here—our redemption is not private but testified before the watching world.