Numbers 33:8
And they departed from before Pi-hahiroth, and passed through the midst of the sea into the wilderness, and went three days' journey in the wilderness of Etham, and pitched in Marah.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּסְעוּ֙
And they departed
H5265
וַיִּסְעוּ֙
And they departed
Strong's:
H5265
Word #:
1 of 15
properly, to pull up, especially the tent-pins, i.e., start on a journey
מִפְּנֵ֣י
from before
H6440
מִפְּנֵ֣י
from before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
2 of 15
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
וַיַּֽעַבְר֥וּ
and passed through
H5674
וַיַּֽעַבְר֥וּ
and passed through
Strong's:
H5674
Word #:
4 of 15
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
הַיָּ֖ם
of the sea
H3220
הַיָּ֖ם
of the sea
Strong's:
H3220
Word #:
6 of 15
a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif
בְּמִדְבַּ֣ר
in the wilderness
H4057
בְּמִדְבַּ֣ר
in the wilderness
Strong's:
H4057
Word #:
7 of 15
a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert
וַיֵּ֨לְכ֜וּ
H1980
וַיֵּ֨לְכ֜וּ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
8 of 15
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
דֶּ֣רֶךְ
journey
H1870
דֶּ֣רֶךְ
journey
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
9 of 15
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
שְׁלֹ֤שֶׁת
three
H7969
שְׁלֹ֤שֶׁת
three
Strong's:
H7969
Word #:
10 of 15
three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice
יָמִים֙
days
H3117
יָמִים֙
days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
11 of 15
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
בְּמִדְבַּ֣ר
in the wilderness
H4057
בְּמִדְבַּ֣ר
in the wilderness
Strong's:
H4057
Word #:
12 of 15
a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert
Historical Context
The Red Sea crossing (יַם־סוּף, Yam Suph, traditionally the Gulf of Suez or Bitter Lakes region) occurred circa 1446 BC, destroying Pharaoh's pursuing army (Exodus 14:26-28). The "three days' journey" to Marah fulfilled the original request to worship in the wilderness (Exodus 3:18). This event became Israel's foundational redemption memory, celebrated annually at Passover.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the Red Sea crossing as a "baptism" (1 Cor 10:1-2) picture death to old life and resurrection to new identity?
- Why did God allow Israel to experience thirst and bitterness immediately after such spectacular deliverance?
- What does the three-day journey to Marah teach about the gap between miraculous rescue and mature trust?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Passed through the midst of the sea (וַיַּעַבְרוּ בְּתוֹךְ־הַיָּם, vaya'avru b'tokh ha-yam)—The verb avar (to cross over, pass through) is the same root as Hebrew (עִבְרִי, 'Ivri, "one who crosses over"). This crossing defined Israel's identity as God's redeemed people. The dry ground through water walls (Exodus 14:21-22) typologically foreshadows baptism (1 Corinthians 10:1-2) and Christ's resurrection passage through death.
Went three days' journey in the wilderness of Etham—After the miraculous crossing, Israel marched three days without water until reaching Marah (מָרָה, "bitterness"), where undrinkable water tested their newfound faith (Exodus 15:23). This compressed summary reminds Israel that deliverance through the sea was just the beginning; wilderness testing immediately followed every miracle. Egypt was left behind, but faith refinement had just begun.