Israel’s journey

Departure after Passover

Rameses → Succoth

Summary

Israel leaves after Passover, carrying dough that has not yet risen. A mixed multitude accompanies the people. Moses carries Joseph’s bones, fulfilling the oath made to their ancestors.

Biblical references

Êxodo 12:31-42

Êxodo 13:19

Números 33:3-5

Day 15 of the first month

Cloud and fire

Succoth → Etham

Summary

God does not lead Israel through the land of the Philistines. He leads them through the wilderness toward the Red Sea, with a pillar of cloud by day and fire by night.

Biblical references

Êxodo 13:17-22

Crossing the sea

Pi-hahiroth → sea → wilderness

Summary

The people camp before Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea. Pharaoh pursues them. The LORD opens a dry passage, and the waters return over the Egyptian chariots and horsemen.

Biblical references

Êxodo 14:1-31

Números 33:7-8

The exact crossing location is uncertain.

The song of deliverance

After the crossing

Summary

Moses and Israel sing of the LORD’s victory. Miriam and the women respond with tambourines and dancing. The song recalls salvation and looks ahead to the dwelling God will prepare.

Biblical references

Êxodo 15:1-21

Bitter water at Marah

Wilderness of Shur → Marah

Summary

After three days without finding water, the people reach Marah. The water is bitter. Moses cries out and the LORD shows him a tree which makes the water sweet when thrown into it; there the people are tested.

Biblical references

Êxodo 15:22-26

Números 33:8

Three days in the wilderness after the sea

Exodus names Shur; Numbers 33:8 calls the wilderness of this march Etham. Each account’s wording is preserved.

Rest beside the waters

Elim

Summary

Israel camps beside twelve springs and seventy palm trees. Numbers then records another camp by the Red Sea before the wilderness of Sin.

Biblical references

Êxodo 15:27

Números 33:9-11

Manna, quail and Sabbath

Wilderness of Sin

Summary

When the people complain about food, the LORD gives quail and manna. Daily gathering, a double portion on the sixth day and rest on the seventh teach them to follow his instructions.

Biblical references

Êxodo 16:1-36

Day 15 of the second month after departure

Water from the rock and war with Amalek

Rephidim

Summary

Lack of water causes strife; Moses strikes the rock at Horeb and water flows. The place is called Massah and Meribah. Joshua fights Amalek while Aaron and Hur support Moses’ hands.

Biblical references

Êxodo 17:1-16

Números 33:14

Jethro’s counsel

Camp by the mountain of God

Summary

Jethro meets Moses and acknowledges the LORD’s greatness. He advises choosing capable men to judge smaller matters, leaving difficult cases to Moses.

Biblical references

Êxodo 18:1-27

Presented in the narrative position of Exodus 18; the chapter gives no exact date for this visit.

Arrival at Sinai

Wilderness of Sinai

Summary

Israel camps before the mountain. God calls the people to keep his covenant and be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. They prepare for the LORD’s appearance.

Biblical references

Êxodo 19:1-25

Third month after departure

Commandments and covenant

Sinai

Summary

The LORD proclaims the Ten Commandments and gives laws for the people’s life. The covenant is ratified with blood; Moses ascends the mountain and remains forty days and forty nights.

Biblical references

Êxodo 20:1-26

Êxodo 21:1-36

Êxodo 22:1-31

Êxodo 23:1-33

Êxodo 24:1-18

Golden calf and intercession

Sinai

Summary

While Moses is on the mountain, the people make a golden calf. Moses intercedes, breaks the tablets and confronts the sin. Judgment follows; Moses again asks forgiveness for the people.

Biblical references

Êxodo 32:1-35

Presence and covenant renewal

Sinai

Summary

Moses asks for God’s presence to accompany Israel. The LORD proclaims his name and character; new tablets are prepared and the covenant is renewed.

Biblical references

Êxodo 33:1-23

Êxodo 34:1-35

The tabernacle is erected

Sinai

Summary

The people offer materials and the craftsmen work according to the instructions received. When the tabernacle is erected, the cloud covers it and the LORD’s glory fills it; the cloud directs their departures.

Biblical references

Êxodo 35:1-35

Êxodo 36:1-38

Êxodo 39:32-43

Êxodo 40:1-38

Day 1 of the first month of year 2

Priesthood and holiness

Sinai / tent of meeting

Summary

Aaron and his sons are consecrated. Worship is inaugurated; Nadab and Abihu die after offering unauthorized fire. Leviticus develops instructions on sacrifices, purity, atonement and holy living.

Biblical references

Levítico 8:1-36

Levítico 9:1-24

Levítico 10:1-20

Levítico 16:1-34

Levítico 19:1-37

Passover in the wilderness

Sinai

Summary

Israel celebrates Passover. A question from men prevented by uncleanness leads to instructions for observance in the second month by those unable to keep the usual date.

Biblical references

Números 9:1-14

Day 14 of the first month of year 2

Numbers 9:1 records a date earlier than the census in Numbers 1:1.

Census and marching order

Sinai

Summary

The tribes are counted and arranged around the tabernacle. Levites receive transport and service duties; the cloud and trumpets govern the march.

Biblical references

Números 1:1-54

Números 2:1-34

Números 4:1-49

Números 9:15-23

Números 10:1-10

Census: day 1 of the second month of year 2

Departure from Sinai

Sinai → wilderness of Paran

Summary

The cloud rises and Israel leaves at the LORD’s command. The ark goes ahead during the three-day journey, seeking a resting place.

Biblical references

Números 10:11-36

Day 20 of the second month of year 2

Complaint and fire at Taberah

Taberah

Summary

The people complain and the LORD’s fire consumes the outskirts of the camp. Moses prays and the fire stops.

Biblical references

Números 11:1-3

Taberah is not a separate entry in Numbers 33; no identification with another camp is imposed.

Seventy elders and craving

Kibroth-hattaavah

Summary

God gives seventy elders of the Spirit resting on Moses; Eldad and Medad also prophesy. Quail arrive, but the people’s craving is followed by a plague and burials.

Biblical references

Números 11:4-35

Miriam and Aaron challenge Moses

Hazeroth

Summary

Miriam and Aaron speak against Moses. The LORD defends his servant; Miriam is struck with leprosy. Moses intercedes and the people wait seven days before leaving.

Biblical references

Números 12:1-16

The twelve spies

Paran / Kadesh → Canaan → Kadesh

Summary

Twelve men explore the land for forty days and bring back fruit. Caleb encourages entry, but the other men, except Joshua, spread a report that frightens the people.

Biblical references

Números 13:1-33

Números 14:6-9

Forty days of exploration

This is the spies’ journey, not the whole congregation’s. Numbers 33 does not explicitly identify Rithmah with Kadesh.

Refusal, sentence and defeat

Kadesh / hill country

Summary

The people want to return to Egypt. After Moses intercedes, the LORD announces that the counted generation aged twenty and older, except Joshua and Caleb, will not enter. An attempt to go up without his presence ends in defeat.

Biblical references

Números 14:1-45

Forty years in the wilderness announced

Korah and Aaron’s confirmation

Wilderness; camp not identified

Summary

Korah, Dathan and Abiram challenge the leadership. The account describes judgment through the earth, fire and a plague; Aaron intercedes with incense. Aaron’s staff blossoms as a sign of divine choice.

Biblical references

Números 16:1-50

Números 17:1-13

The narrative gives neither a date nor a specific camp for these episodes.

The years of wandering

Wilderness / region of Seir

Summary

Deuteronomy recalls the long wandering and God’s care. Thirty-eight years pass from leaving Kadesh-barnea to crossing the Zered brook, until the generation of fighting men has passed away.

Biblical references

Deuteronómio 2:1-15

Deuteronómio 8:2-4

38 years: Kadesh-barnea → Zered

This overview spans an interval extending into the following march. There are no dated accounts for every year or camp.

Miriam’s death and waters of Meribah

Wilderness of Zin / Kadesh

Summary

Miriam dies at Kadesh. With no water, Moses strikes the rock twice instead of speaking to it as commanded. God announces that Moses and Aaron will not bring the congregation into the land.

Biblical references

Números 20:1-13

First month; the verse does not state the year

Do not confuse this with water from the rock at Rephidim in Exodus 17.

Edom refuses passage

Kadesh → detour around Edom

Summary

Moses requests passage along the king’s highway and offers to pay for water used. Edom refuses and comes out with military force; Israel turns away.

Biblical references

Números 20:14-21

Aaron’s death

Mount Hor

Summary

Moses removes Aaron’s priestly garments and clothes Eleazar. Aaron dies on the mountain at Edom’s border; Israel mourns him for thirty days.

Biblical references

Números 20:22-29

Números 33:37-39

Day 1 of the fifth month of year 40

Conflict with the king of Arad

Negev / Hormah

Summary

The Canaanite king of Arad attacks Israel and takes captives. Israel makes a vow; the LORD hears and delivers the Canaanites. The place is named Hormah.

Biblical references

Números 21:1-3

The bronze serpent

Road toward the Red Sea, around Edom

Summary

The people grow impatient and speak against God and Moses. Venomous serpents cause deaths. After Moses intercedes, the LORD commands a bronze serpent to be raised; those bitten who look at it live.

Biblical references

Números 21:4-9

The text does not locate this episode at a camp called Punon.

Zered, Arnon and the song of the well

Oboth → Iye-abarim → Zered → Arnon → Beer

Summary

Israel travels east of Moab, crosses Zered and camps beyond Arnon. At Beer, the LORD calls the people together to give them water, and Israel sings. Mattanah, Nahaliel, Bamoth and the valley by Pisgah follow.

Biblical references

Números 21:10-20

Deuteronómio 2:8-24

Numbers 21 and 33 give different lists of journey points. The correspondence between some of these places is uncertain.

Victories over Sihon and Og

Jahaz / Heshbon → Bashan / Edrei

Summary

Sihon refuses passage and fights Israel; he is defeated and Israel occupies his cities. Og, king of Bashan, also comes out to battle and is defeated. This advance takes place east of the Jordan.

Biblical references

Números 21:21-35

Deuteronómio 3:1-11

Balak and Balaam

Plains of Moab; surrounding heights

Summary

Balak hires Balaam to curse Israel. The donkey and angel episode precedes the oracles: God puts blessings in Balaam’s mouth, contrary to Balak’s wishes.

Biblical references

Números 22:1-41

Números 23:1-30

Números 24:1-25

Balaam’s movements between the heights are not movements of Israel’s camp.

Baal-peor and Phinehas

Shittim

Summary

Israel becomes involved with Moabite women and the worship of Baal-peor. Judgment includes a plague. Phinehas intervenes and the plague stops; the LORD announces a covenant of peace with him.

Biblical references

Números 25:1-18

New generation and inheritance rights

Plains of Moab

Summary

A new census prepares for the land’s distribution. Zelophehad’s daughters present their case, and God recognizes their inheritance right when there are no sons; tribal rules are later clarified.

Biblical references

Números 26:1-65

Números 27:1-11

Números 36:1-13

Joshua is appointed successor

Plains of Moab

Summary

Moses asks for a leader for the congregation. At the LORD’s command, he presents Joshua before Eleazar and the people and lays his hands on him.

Biblical references

Números 27:12-23

The war against Midian

Expedition from the Moab camp

Summary

At the LORD’s command, twelve thousand men set out against Midian, accompanied by Phinehas. The chapter recounts deaths, captives, Moses’ rebuke and the division of spoils. This is a military expedition, not a new stage for the whole congregation.

Biblical references

Números 31:1-54

Inheritance east of the Jordan

Gilead and Bashan

Summary

Reuben and Gad request land for their flocks. They commit to crossing armed to help the other tribes. They and the half-tribe of Manasseh receive territories east of the Jordan.

Biblical references

Números 32:1-42

Moses recalls and teaches

Moab, beyond the Jordan

Summary

Moses reviews the journey and law, calls Israel to love the LORD, sets out blessings and curses and renews the covenant. The law is entrusted for public reading; Joshua is encouraged, and Moses teaches his song and blesses the tribes.

Biblical references

Deuteronómio 1:1-5

Deuteronómio 6:1-25

Deuteronómio 28:1-68

Deuteronómio 29:1-29

Deuteronómio 30:1-20

Deuteronómio 31:1-30

Deuteronómio 32:1-52

Deuteronómio 33:1-29

Day 1 of the eleventh month of year 40

Moses sees the land and dies

Mount Nebo / summit of Pisgah

Summary

The LORD shows Moses the land, but he does not cross into it. Moses dies in Moab at one hundred and twenty; his burial place remains unknown. Israel mourns him thirty days and Joshua takes leadership.

Biblical references

Deuteronómio 34:1-12

Joshua and the spies in Jericho

Shittim → Jericho → Shittim

Summary

God encourages Joshua to obey the law. Two spies sent from Shittim are sheltered by Rahab in Jericho; she confesses the LORD’s dominion and obtains a promise of protection for her household.

Biblical references

Josué 1:1-18

Josué 2:1-24

Crossing the Jordan

Shittim → Jordan → Gilgal

Summary

The priests carrying the ark enter the Jordan and its waters stop. The people cross on dry ground. Twelve stones taken from the river become a memorial at Gilgal so children may ask and learn what God has done.

Biblical references

Josué 3:1-17

Josué 4:1-24

Day 10 of the first month

Circumcision, Passover and the end of manna

Gilgal

Summary

The generation born in the wilderness is circumcised. Israel celebrates Passover and eats the land’s produce; manna ceases. Near Jericho, Joshua meets the commander of the LORD’s army.

Biblical references

Josué 5:1-15

Passover: day 14 of the first month

Fall of Jericho

Jericho

Summary

Israel circles the city for seven days according to the command received. The walls fall and the city is destroyed. Rahab and her family are spared according to the spies’ oath.

Biblical references

Josué 6:1-27

Achan, defeat and the capture of Ai

Ai / Valley of Achor

Summary

Achan’s transgression precedes defeat at Ai. After the sin is identified and judged, the LORD commands Joshua to advance; Israel takes the city through an ambush.

Biblical references

Josué 7:1-26

Josué 8:1-29

The law before the assembly

Mount Ebal / Mount Gerizim

Summary

Joshua builds an altar, writes a copy of the law and reads the blessings and curses before the entire assembly, including women, children and foreigners.

Biblical references

Josué 8:30-35

Treaty with the Gibeonites

Gilgal / Gibeon

Summary

The Gibeonites pretend to come from a distant land. The leaders do not consult the LORD and make a treaty. When the deception is discovered, they spare the Gibeonites because of the oath.

Biblical references

Josué 9:1-27

Relief of Gibeon and the southern campaign

Gibeon → Beth-horon → southern cities

Summary

Joshua relieves Gibeon against five kings. The account credits the LORD with victory, mentions large hailstones and the sun and moon standing still. Battles follow at Makkedah, Libnah, Lachish, Eglon, Hebron and Debir, with a return to the camp at Gilgal.

Biblical references

Josué 10:1-43

This is the course of Joshua’s military campaigns, not a list of new camps for all the people.

Northern campaign and overview

Waters of Merom / Hazor

Summary

A coalition gathers under Jabin, king of Hazor. Israel wins by the waters of Merom and Hazor is burned. Joshua wages war for a long time; the account summarizes the victories and rest from war.

Biblical references

Josué 11:1-23

Josué 12:1-24

Land distribution and Shiloh

Canaan / Gilgal / Shiloh

Summary

The inheritance is distributed among the tribes; Caleb receives Hebron. The tent of meeting is set up at Shiloh. Cities of refuge and Levitical cities are appointed. The text also lists land still to be possessed.

Biblical references

Josué 13:1-7

Josué 14:1-15

Josué 18:1-10

Josué 19:49-51

Josué 20:1-9

Josué 21:1-45

Settlement does not mean complete and final occupation of every territory; the book itself records remaining lands and populations.

Return of the eastern tribes

Shiloh → Jordan region → eastern inheritance

Summary

Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh return. An altar by the Jordan raises fears of unfaithfulness and a threat of war. Dialogue establishes that it is a witness of belonging to the LORD, not a rival sacrificial altar.

Biblical references

Josué 22:1-34

Covenant at Shechem and the end of a generation

Shechem; burials in Ephraim

Summary

Joshua urges Israel to remain faithful and gathers the people at Shechem to renew the covenant. The book ends with Joshua’s death and burial, the burial of Joseph’s bones at Shechem and Eleazar’s death.

Biblical references

Josué 23:1-16

Josué 24:1-33

This is the endpoint of this study. The period of the judges is a later stage in Israel’s history.

Rameses

Números 33:3-5

Succoth

Números 33:5

Etham

Números 33:6

Pi-hahiroth

Números 33:7-8

They camp before Migdol; the sea crossing takes place between this stage and Marah.

Marah

Números 33:8

Elim

Números 33:9

By the Red Sea

Números 33:10

This camp follows Elim; it is not the site of the earlier crossing.

Wilderness of Sin

Números 33:11

Dophkah

Números 33:12

Alush

Números 33:13

Rephidim

Números 33:14

Wilderness of Sinai

Números 33:15

Kibroth-hattaavah

Números 33:16

Hazeroth

Números 33:17

Rithmah

Números 33:18

The identification of Rithmah with Kadesh is uncertain.

Rimmon-perez

Números 33:19

Libnah

Números 33:20

Rissah

Números 33:21

Kehelathah

Números 33:22

Mount Shapher

Números 33:23

Haradah

Números 33:24

Makheloth

Números 33:25

Tahath

Números 33:26

Terah

Números 33:27

Mithcah

Números 33:28

Hashmonah

Números 33:29

Moseroth

Números 33:30

Bene-jaakan

Números 33:31

Hor-hagidgad

Números 33:32

Jotbathah

Números 33:33

Ebronah

Números 33:34

Ezion-geber

Números 33:35

Wilderness of Zin (Kadesh)

Números 33:36

Mount Hor

Números 33:37-39

Aaron dies here on day 1 of the fifth month of year 40.

Zalmonah

Números 33:41

Punon

Números 33:42

Oboth

Números 33:43

Iye-abarim (Iim)

Números 33:44-45

Iim is the form used for departure in verse 45; it is not counted as another camp.

Dibon-gad

Números 33:45

Almon-diblathaim

Números 33:46

Mountains of Abarim

Números 33:47

Plains of Moab

Números 33:48-49

By the Jordan, opposite Jericho; the camp extends from Beth-jeshimoth to Abel-shittim.

departure

cloud

cloud

sea

marah

elim

manna

rephidim

sinai

covenant

calf

renewal

tabernacle

priesthood

second-passover

census

leave-sinai

quail

miriam

edom

aaron

arnon

arnon

balaam

peor

new-census

commission

midian

east-inheritance

deuteronomy

rahab