Numbers 33:49
And they pitched by Jordan, from Beth-jesimoth even unto Abel-shittim in the plains of Moab.
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּֽחֲנ֤וּ
And they pitched
H2583
וַיַּֽחֲנ֤וּ
And they pitched
Strong's:
H2583
Word #:
1 of 10
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
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
2 of 10
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הַיְשִׁמֹ֔ת
from Bethjesimoth
H1020
הַיְשִׁמֹ֔ת
from Bethjesimoth
Strong's:
H1020
Word #:
5 of 10
beth-ha-jeshimoth, a town east of the jordan
עַ֖ד
H5704
עַ֖ד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
6 of 10
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
הַשִּׁטִּ֑ים
even unto Abelshittim
H63
הַשִּׁטִּ֑ים
even unto Abelshittim
Strong's:
H63
Word #:
8 of 10
abel hash-shittim, a place in palestine
Historical Context
The plains of Moab (עַרְבֹת מוֹאָב, arvot Moav) were the Jordan valley lowlands northeast of the Dead Sea, opposite Jericho. Israel camped here several months (circa early 1406 BC): Moses delivered Deuteronomy here, died on Nebo, Joshua assumed leadership, spies explored Jericho (Joshua 2), and Israel crossed Jordan (Joshua 3). Shittim means "acacias," desert trees whose wood was used for the Tabernacle.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the dual legacy of Shittim—catastrophic sin yet launching point for conquest—encourage you when past failures haunt present opportunities?
- What does Israel's extended encampment "by Jordan" teach about waiting at the threshold of God's promises until His timing says "cross"?
- How might the "meadow of acacias" symbolize that even in spiritually dry places, God provides material (acacia wood for Tabernacle) to build what honors Him?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
They pitched by Jordan, from Beth-jesimoth even unto Abel-shittim in the plains of Moab (וַיַּחֲנוּ עַל־הַיַּרְדֵּן מִבֵּית הַיְשִׁמֹת עַד אָבֵל הַשִּׁטִּים בְּעַרְבֹת מוֹאָב)—This describes Israel's final, extended encampment before crossing Jordan. The Hebrew Yarden (יַרְדֵּן, "descender") separates wilderness wandering from Canaan conquest. Beth-jeshimoth (בֵּית הַיְשִׁמֹת, "house of the deserts/wastes") marks the southern end; Abel-shittim (אָבֵל הַשִּׁטִּים, "meadow of acacias") the northern—a massive camp stretching miles along Jordan's east bank.
Abel-shittim (shortened to Shittim in Numbers 25:1) was the site of Israel's catastrophic sin with Moabite women and Baal-peor (Numbers 25), resulting in 24,000 deaths by plague. Yet from this same camp, Israel will launch the conquest under Joshua. The juxtaposition is striking: greatest failure and greatest victory occupy the same geography. Shittim becomes both warning and hope—the place where a generation stumbled into idolatry and where the next generation stepped into inheritance. Grace doesn't erase sin's consequences but writes new chapters beyond them.