Numbers 33:48
They set out from the mountains of Abarim and camped on the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho.
They set out from the mountains of Abarim
The mountains of Abarim are a mountain range east of the Jordan River, often associated with the region of Moab. This area is significant as it represents the final stages of the Israelites' journey to the Promised Land. The Abarim range includes Mount Nebo, where Moses would later view the Promised Land before his death (Deuteronomy 32:49-50). This departure marks a transition from wandering to preparing for conquest, symbolizing a shift from judgment to promise.

and camped on the plains of Moab
The plains of Moab are located east of the Jordan River, opposite Jericho. This area served as a staging ground for the Israelites before entering Canaan. Moab, a nation descended from Lot, had a complex relationship with Israel, often marked by conflict and interaction (Genesis 19:37). The plains of Moab are also where Moses delivered his final speeches, recorded in Deuteronomy, and where the Israelites renewed their covenant with God.

by the Jordan
The Jordan River is a significant geographical and spiritual boundary for the Israelites. It represents the final barrier before entering the Promised Land. Crossing the Jordan is symbolic of entering into God's promises and is later mirrored in the New Testament by the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan, signifying a new beginning (Matthew 3:13-17). The river serves as a place of transition and transformation.

across from Jericho
Jericho is one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world and the first city conquered by the Israelites in Canaan (Joshua 6). Its location across from the Israelite camp signifies the imminent fulfillment of God's promise to give them the land. Jericho's fall, through divine intervention, underscores the theme of God's power and faithfulness. The city's conquest is a type of spiritual victory over sin and opposition, prefiguring Christ's ultimate victory over sin and death.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Mountains of Abarim
A mountain range east of the Jordan River, significant as a place where Moses viewed the Promised Land before his death.

2. Plains of Moab
A region located east of the Jordan River, where the Israelites camped before entering the Promised Land. It was a place of preparation and transition.

3. Jordan River
A significant geographical boundary for the Israelites, representing the border they would cross to enter the Promised Land.

4. Jericho
A fortified city in Canaan, known for its walls that fell after the Israelites marched around them, marking the beginning of their conquest of the land.

5. Israelites
The people of God, led by Moses, who were journeying from Egypt to the Promised Land, experiencing God's guidance and provision.
Teaching Points
Preparation for God's Promises
The Israelites camped on the plains of Moab, a place of preparation before entering the Promised Land. In our lives, God often prepares us in specific seasons before fulfilling His promises.

Trust in God's Timing
The journey from Egypt to the Promised Land was long and challenging. Trusting in God's timing is crucial, even when the path seems difficult or prolonged.

Faith in Action
The proximity to Jericho reminds us of the importance of faith in action. The Israelites' faith led to the miraculous fall of Jericho's walls, teaching us to act on God's instructions with confidence.

Spiritual Boundaries and Breakthroughs
The Jordan River represented a boundary to be crossed. In our spiritual journey, we encounter boundaries that require faith and obedience to experience breakthroughs.
Bible Study Questions
1. What significance do the mountains of Abarim hold in the journey of the Israelites, and how can this relate to our spiritual "mountaintop" experiences?

2. How does the Israelites' encampment on the plains of Moab illustrate the importance of preparation in our spiritual lives?

3. In what ways does the crossing of the Jordan River symbolize spiritual breakthroughs in our personal faith journey?

4. How can the account of Jericho inspire us to act in faith when facing seemingly insurmountable challenges?

5. Reflect on a time when you had to trust in God's timing. How did that experience shape your faith and understanding of His promises?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Deuteronomy 34
This chapter describes Moses viewing the Promised Land from Mount Nebo, part of the Abarim range, and his subsequent death, highlighting the culmination of his leadership.

Joshua 3-4
These chapters recount the crossing of the Jordan River by the Israelites, led by Joshua, signifying the fulfillment of God's promise to bring them into the Promised Land.

Hebrews 11:30
This verse references the fall of Jericho, connecting the faith of the Israelites to the fulfillment of God's promises.
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
Abarim, Ab'arim, Across, Camped, Departed, Encamp, Encamped, Jericho, Jordan, Journey, Journeyed, Lowlands, Moab, Mountains, Opposite, Pitched, Plains, Removed, Tents, Traveled
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Numbers 33:3-48

     7222   exodus, events of

Numbers 33:47-48

     4254   mountains

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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