In the first month, the whole congregation of Israel entered the Wilderness of Zin and stayed in Kadesh. There Miriam died and was buried. In the first monthThe "first month" refers to the beginning of the 40th year of the Israelites' wandering in the wilderness. This marks a significant transition period as the older generation, who had been condemned to die in the wilderness due to their disobedience, was passing away, and a new generation was preparing to enter the Promised Land. The first month is likely Nisan, which is significant in the Jewish calendar as it includes Passover, a reminder of God's deliverance from Egypt. the whole congregation of Israel
This phrase emphasizes the unity and collective experience of the Israelites. Despite their frequent rebellions and complaints, they are still recognized as a single entity, God's chosen people. The term "congregation" suggests a formal assembly, highlighting their identity as a covenant community under God's leadership. entered the Wilderness of Zin
The Wilderness of Zin is a desert region located in the northeastern part of the Sinai Peninsula. It is distinct from the Wilderness of Sin, which is closer to Egypt. The Wilderness of Zin is characterized by its harsh, arid conditions, which tested the faith and obedience of the Israelites. This area is part of the broader Negev desert, and its challenging environment underscores the Israelites' dependence on God for survival. and stayed in Kadesh
Kadesh, also known as Kadesh-barnea, is a significant location in the Israelites' journey. It served as a major encampment and a place of decision-making. Historically, Kadesh is associated with the Israelites' earlier refusal to enter the Promised Land, resulting in their 40 years of wandering. Archaeologically, Kadesh is identified with the site of Tell el-Qudeirat, where remains of ancient fortifications have been found. Kadesh represents both a place of failure and a place of preparation for the new generation. There Miriam died and was buried
Miriam, the sister of Moses and Aaron, was a prominent figure in Israel's history. She played a key role in the Exodus narrative, leading the women in song after the crossing of the Red Sea. Her death marks the end of an era, as she was part of the leadership that guided Israel out of Egypt. Miriam's burial in Kadesh signifies the passing of the old generation and the fulfillment of God's judgment that none of that generation, except for Caleb and Joshua, would enter the Promised Land. Her death also foreshadows the impending deaths of Aaron and Moses, highlighting the transition to new leadership under Joshua. Persons / Places / Events 1. The Congregation of IsraelThis refers to the entire assembly of the Israelites, God's chosen people, who were journeying through the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt. 2. The Wilderness of ZinA desert region in the southern part of Canaan, representing a place of testing and reliance on God for the Israelites. 3. KadeshA significant location in the wilderness journey of the Israelites, often associated with pivotal events and decisions. 4. MiriamThe sister of Moses and Aaron, a prophetess and leader among the Israelites. Her death marks the end of an era for the Israelites. 5. The Event of Miriam's DeathMiriam's passing is a significant moment, symbolizing both loss and transition for the Israelite community. Teaching Points The Significance of PlaceKadesh and the Wilderness of Zin are more than geographical locations; they are spiritual markers of testing and faith. Reflect on the "wilderness" experiences in your life and how they shape your faith journey. Leadership and LegacyMiriam's life and death remind us of the impact of leadership and the legacy we leave. Consider how you can lead and influence others in your community. Transitions and TrustThe death of Miriam signifies a transition for the Israelites. In times of change, trust in God's continued guidance and provision. The Role of Women in ScriptureMiriam's prominent role challenges us to recognize and value the contributions of women in the faith community. The Importance of CommunityThe congregation of Israel faced challenges together. Reflect on the importance of community support in your spiritual journey. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the location of Kadesh in the Wilderness of Zin serve as a backdrop for the events in Numbers 20:1, and what can we learn from this about facing our own "wilderness" experiences? 2. In what ways did Miriam's leadership and actions influence the Israelite community, and how can we apply these lessons to our roles in our own communities? 3. How does the death of Miriam mark a transition for the Israelites, and what does this teach us about handling transitions in our own lives? 4. Reflect on the role of women in the Bible, as seen in Miriam's life. How can we ensure that the contributions of women are valued and recognized in our faith communities today? 5. Considering the Israelites' journey and their reliance on community, how can we strengthen our own faith communities to support one another in times of trial and transition? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 15:20-21Miriam's role as a leader and prophetess is highlighted when she leads the women of Israel in song and dance after crossing the Red Sea. Numbers 12Miriam's earlier challenge to Moses' authority and the consequences she faced, showing her complex role in Israel's history. Deuteronomy 1:46The Israelites' prolonged stay at Kadesh, emphasizing the importance of this location in their journey. Hebrews 3:7-19The New Testament reflection on the Israelites' wilderness journey as a lesson in faith and obedience. People Aaron, Egyptians, Eleazar, Israelites, Miriam, MosesPlaces Edom, Egypt, Kadesh-barnea, King's Highway, Meribah, Mount Hor, ZinTopics Abide, Abode, Arrived, Assembly, Body, Buried, Community, Company, Congregation, Death, Desert, Died, Dieth, Israelite, Kadesh, Miriam, Month, Rest, Sons, Stayed, Tents, Waste, Wilderness, ZinDictionary of Bible Themes Numbers 20:1-4 7206 community Numbers 20:1-11 4278 spring of water
4293 water Numbers 20:1-13 5924 quarrelsomeness Library August 17. "Speak Ye unto the Rock" (Num. xx. 8).
"Speak ye unto the Rock" (Num. xx. 8). The Holy Ghost is very sensitive, as love always is. You can conquer a wild beast by blows and chains, but you cannot conquer a woman's heart that way, or win the love of a sensitive nature; that must be wooed by the delicate touches of trust and affection. So the Holy Ghost has to be taken by a faith as delicate and sensitive as the gentle heart with whom it is coming in touch. One thought of unbelief, one expression of impatient distrust or fear, will instantly …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth The Waters of Meribah
'Then came the children of Israel, even the whole congregation, into the desert of Zin in the first month: and the people abode in Kadesh; and Miriam died there, and was buried there. 2. And there was no water for the congregation: and they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron. 3. And the people chode with Moses, and spake, saying, Would God that we had died when our brethren died before the Lord! 4. And why have ye brought up the congregation of the Lord into this wilderness, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Kadesh. Rekam, and that Double. Inquiry is Made, Whether the Doubling it in the Maps is Well Done.
The readers of the eastern interpreters will observe, that Kadesh is rendered by all Rekam, or in a sound very near it. In the Chaldee, it is 'Rekam': in the Syriac, 'Rekem': in the Arabic, 'Rakim'... There are two places noted by the name Rekam in the very bounds of the land,--to wit, the southern and eastern: that is, a double Kadesh. I. Of Kadesh, or Rekam, in the south part, there is no doubt. II. Of it, in the eastern part, there is this mention: "From Rekam to the east, and Rekam is as the …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica The Baptist's Inquiry and Jesus' Discourse Suggested Thereby.
(Galilee.) ^A Matt. XI. 2-30; ^C Luke VII. 18-35. ^c 18 And the disciples of John told him of all these things. ^a 2 Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent by his disciples ^c 19 And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them unto the Lord [John had been cast into prison about December, a.d. 27, and it was now after the Passover, possibly in May or June, a.d. 28. Herod Antipas had cast John into prison because John had reproved him for taking his brother's wife. …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Epistle xxviii. To Augustine, Bishop of the Angli .
To Augustine, Bishop of the Angli [136] . Gregory to Augustine, &c. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men of good will (Luke ii. 14); because a grain of wheat, falling into the earth, has died, that it might not reign in heaven alone; even He by whose death we live, by whose weakness we are made strong, by whose suffering we are rescued from suffering, through whose love we seek in Britain for brethren whom we knew not, by whose gift we find those whom without knowing them we sought. …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great Travelling in Palestine --Roads, Inns, Hospitality, Custom-House Officers, Taxation, Publicans
It was the very busiest road in Palestine, on which the publican Levi Matthew sat at the receipt of "custom," when our Lord called him to the fellowship of the Gospel, and he then made that great feast to which he invited his fellow-publicans, that they also might see and hear Him in Whom he had found life and peace (Luke 5:29). For, it was the only truly international road of all those which passed through Palestine; indeed, it formed one of the great highways of the world's commerce. At the time …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Peræa to Bethany. Raising of Lazarus.
^D John XI. 1-46. ^d 1 Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. [For Bethany and the sisters, see p. 478.] 2 And it was that Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair [John xii. 3 ], whose brother Lazarus was sick. [The anointing had not yet taken place, as John himself shows. For a similar anticipation see Matt. x. 4. There are five prominent Marys in the New Testament: those of Nazareth, Magdala and Bethany; the …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
THE ISRAELITES IN THE LAND OF CANAAN: THE JUDGES--THE PHILISTINES AND THE HEBREW KINGDOM--SAUL, DAVID, SOLOMON, THE DEFECTION OF THE TEN TRIBES--THE XXIst EGYPTIAN DYNASTY--SHESHONQ OR SHISHAK DAMASCUS. The Hebrews in the desert: their families, clans, and tribes--The Amorites and the Hebrews on the left bank of the Jordan--The conquest of Canaan and the native reaction against the Hebrews--The judges, Ehud, Deborah, Jerubbaal or Gideon and the Manassite supremacy; Abimelech, Jephihdh. The Philistines, …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6 Backsliding.
"I will heal their backsliding; I will love them freely: for Mine anger is turned away."--Hosea xiv. 4. There are two kinds of backsliders. Some have never been converted: they have gone through the form of joining a Christian community and claim to be backsliders; but they never have, if I may use the expression, "slid forward." They may talk of backsliding; but they have never really been born again. They need to be treated differently from real back-sliders--those who have been born of the incorruptible …
Dwight L. Moody—The Way to God and How to Find It Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Numbers 20:1 NIVNumbers 20:1 NLTNumbers 20:1 ESVNumbers 20:1 NASBNumbers 20:1 KJV
Numbers 20:1 Commentaries
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