◄ Numbers 33:23 ►
They set out from Kehelathah and camped at Mount Shepher.
Study Bible
They set out from Kehelathah
Kehelathah is one of the many stations listed in the Israelites' wilderness journey. The name Kehelathah means "assembly" or "gathering," which may indicate a place where the Israelites gathered for a significant event or rest. This journey is part of the larger narrative of the Exodus, where God leads His people from slavery in Egypt to the Promised Land. The movement from Kehelathah signifies obedience to God's command to continue their journey, reflecting the transient nature of their wilderness experience.

and camped at Mount Shepher.
Mount Shepher is not widely known outside of this biblical reference, and its exact location remains uncertain. The name Shepher means "beauty" or "glory," suggesting a place of significance or perhaps a visually striking location. This stop is part of the 42 encampments listed in Numbers 33, which serve as a record of God's faithfulness and guidance. The journey from one camp to another symbolizes the spiritual journey of believers, moving from one stage of faith to another. The encampment at Mount Shepher can be seen as a type of resting in God's provision and presence, a theme echoed throughout Scripture, such as in Psalm 23, where God leads His people to green pastures and still waters.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Kehelathah
This is one of the stations in the Israelites' journey through the wilderness. The name "Kehelathah" is derived from the Hebrew root (qahal), meaning "assembly" or "congregation," indicating a place where the Israelites gathered.

2. Mount Shepher
This is the next location where the Israelites camped after leaving Kehelathah. The name "Shepher" means "beauty" or "goodness" in Hebrew, suggesting a place of pleasantness or favor.

3. The Israelites' Journey
This verse is part of a larger account detailing the stages of the Israelites' journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. It highlights the faithfulness of God in guiding His people through the wilderness.
Teaching Points
God's Faithful Guidance
Just as God led the Israelites from Kehelathah to Mount Shepher, He faithfully guides us through the various stages of our lives. We can trust His direction even when the path is unclear.

The Significance of Each Step
Every stop in the Israelites' journey had a purpose. Similarly, every season in our lives, whether challenging or pleasant, is part of God's plan for our growth and preparation.

The Beauty of Obedience
The name "Mount Shepher" reminds us of the beauty and goodness found in obedience to God's leading. When we follow His guidance, we experience His blessings and favor.

Reflecting on Our Journey
Like the Israelites, we are on a spiritual journey. Reflecting on where God has brought us from and where He is leading us can strengthen our faith and encourage us to persevere.
Bible Study Questions
1. What does the journey from Kehelathah to Mount Shepher teach us about God's guidance in our own lives?

2. How can we find purpose and meaning in the different "stops" or seasons of our spiritual journey?

3. In what ways does the concept of "beauty" associated with Mount Shepher apply to our obedience to God today?

4. How can reflecting on past experiences of God's faithfulness encourage us in our current circumstances?

5. What parallels can we draw between the Israelites' journey and the journey of faith described in Hebrews 11:8-10? How can these insights impact our daily walk with God?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 13:21-22
This passage describes how God led the Israelites with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. It connects to Numbers 33:23 by emphasizing God's guidance and presence throughout their journey.

Deuteronomy 8:2
This verse reflects on the purpose of the Israelites' wilderness journey, which was to humble and test them. It relates to Numbers 33:23 by providing context for the significance of each stop along the way.

Hebrews 11:8-10
This New Testament passage speaks of Abraham's faith in journeying to an unknown land. It parallels the Israelites' journey, highlighting the theme of faith and trust in God's promises.
Sermons
The Journeyings of the IsraelitesD. Young Numbers 33:1-49
People
Aaron, Abel, Arad, Egyptians, Gad, Geber, Israelites, Moses, Perez, Tahath, Terah, Zephon
Places
0, Abarim, Abel-shittim, Abronah, Almon-diblathaim, Alush, Arad, Baal-zephon, Bene-jaakan, Beth-jeshimoth, Canaan, Dibon-gad, Dophkah, Edom, Egypt, Elim, Etham, Ezion-geber, Hahiroth, Haradah, Hashmonah, Hazeroth, Hor-haggidgad, Iye-abarim, Iyim, Jericho, Jordan River, Jotbathah, Kadesh-barnea, Kehelathah, Kibroth-hattaavah, Libnah, Makheloth, Marah, Migdol, Mithkah, Moab, Moseroth, Mount Hor, Mount Shepher, Nebo, Negev, Oboth, Pi-hahiroth, Punon, Rameses, Red Sea, Rephidim, Rimmon-perez, Rissah, Rithmah, Sinai, Succoth, Tahath, Terah, Zalmonah, Zin
Topics
Camped, Encamp, Encamped, Journey, Journeyed, Kehelah, Kehelathah, Kehela'thah, Mount, Pitched, Removed, Shapher, Shepher, Tents, Traveled
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Numbers 33:3-48

     7222   exodus, events of

Library
Some Miscellaneous Matters Belonging to the Country About Jericho.
Let us begin from the last encampings of Israel beyond Jordan. Numbers 33:49: "They encamped near Jordan from Beth-jeshimoth unto Abel-shittim."--"From Beth-jeshimoth to Abel-shittim were twelve miles." It is a most received opinion among the Jews, that the tents of the Israelites in the wilderness contained a square of twelve miles. So the Targum of Jonathan, upon Number 2:2; "The encamping of Israel was twelve miles in length, and twelve miles in breadth." And the Gemarists say, "It is forbidden …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Arbel. Shezor. Tarnegola the Upper.
"Arbel a city of Galilee."--There is mention of it in Hosea 10:14. But there are authors which do very differently interpret that place, viz. the Chaldee paraphrast, R. Solomon, Kimchi: consult them. It was between Zippor and Tiberias. Hence Nittai the Arbelite, who was president with Josua Ben Perahiah. The valley of Arbel is mentioned by the Talmudists. So also "The Arbelite Bushel." "Near Zephath in Upper Galilee was a town named Shezor, whence was R. Simeon Shezori: there he was buried. There …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Christ the Water of Life.
"Jesus answered and said unto her, Every one that drinketh of this water shall thirst again: but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall become in him a well of water springing up unto eternal life" (John iv. 13, 14). "Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink" (John vii. 37). "And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank …
Frank G. Allen—Autobiography of Frank G. Allen, Minister of the Gospel

Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners:
A BRIEF AND FAITHFUL RELATION OF THE EXCEEDING MERCY OF GOD IN CHRIST TO HIS POOR SERVANT, JOHN BUNYAN; WHEREIN IS PARTICULARLY SHOWED THE MANNER OF HIS CONVERSION, HIS SIGHT AND TROUBLE FOR SIN, HIS DREADFUL TEMPTATIONS, ALSO HOW HE DESPAIRED OF GOD'S MERCY, AND HOW THE LORD AT LENGTH THROUGH CHRIST DID DELIVER HIM FROM ALL THE GUILT AND TERROR THAT LAY UPON HIM. Whereunto is added a brief relation of his call to the work of the ministry, of his temptations therein, as also what he hath met with …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

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 Section Chap. I. -iii.
The question which here above all engages our attention, and requires to be answered, is this: Whether that which is reported in these chapters did, or did not, actually and outwardly take place. The history of the inquiries connected with this question is found most fully in Marckius's "Diatribe de uxore fornicationum," Leyden, 1696, reprinted in the Commentary on the Minor Prophets by the same author. The various views may be divided into three classes. 1. It is maintained by very many interpreters, …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Peaceable Principles and True: Or, a Brief Answer to Mr. D'Anver's and Mr. Paul's Books against My Confession of Faith, and Differences in Judgment About Baptism no Bar to Communion.
WHEREIN THEIR SCRIPTURELESS NOTIONS ARE OVERTHROWN, AND MY PEACEABLE PRINCIPLES STILL MAINTAINED. 'Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men?'--Psalm 58:1 SIR, I have received and considered your short reply to my differences in judgment about water baptism no bar to communion; and observe, that you touch not the argument at all: but rather labour what you can, and beyond what you ought, to throw odiums upon your brother for reproving you for your error, …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

In Death and after Death
A sadder picture could scarcely be drawn than that of the dying Rabbi Jochanan ben Saccai, that "light of Israel" immediately before and after the destruction of the Temple, and for two years the president of the Sanhedrim. We read in the Talmud (Ber. 28 b) that, when his disciples came to see him on his death-bed, he burst into tears. To their astonished inquiry why he, "the light of Israel, the right pillar of the Temple, and its mighty hammer," betrayed such signs of fear, he replied: "If I were …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

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

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