5684. Abronah

Lexical Summary

Abronah: Abronah

Original Word: עֶבְרֹנָה
Part of Speech: Proper Name Feminine
Transliteration: `Ebronah
Pronunciation: ahv-ro-NAH
Phonetic Spelling: (eb-raw-naw')
KJV: Ebronah
NASB: Abronah
Word Origin: [feminine of H5683 (עֶברוֹן - Ebron)]

1. Ebronah, place in the Desert

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

Ebronah

Feminine of Ebron; Ebronah, place in the Desert -- Ebronah.

see HEBREW Ebron

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from abar
Definition
a place in the desert
NASB Translation
Abronah (2).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

עַבְרֹנָה proper name, of a location a station of Israelites in wilderness, one march from Ezion-geber, on Gulf of Akaba Numbers 33:34,35 (P); ᵐ5 (Σ)εβρωνα.

Topical Lexicon

Identification and Location

Ebronah is listed as one of the stations encamped by the Israelites during their wilderness journey from Egypt toward the promised land of Canaan. The itinerary preserved in Numbers 33 situates Ebronah between the wilderness of Zin and Ezion-Geber, in proximity to the Gulf of Aqaba at the northern edge of the Red Sea. Archaeological propositions have suggested locations on both the eastern and western shores of the gulf, but the precise site remains uncertain. The name, however translated, implies a ford or passage—fitting for a locale near water that served as a staging point for the covenant people.

Biblical Context

Numbers 33:34–35 records, “They set out from Jotbathah and camped at Abronah. They set out from Abronah and camped at Ezion-Geber”. These verses form part of the inspired travel log Moses received from the LORD (Numbers 33:2). Each campsite marks divine guidance and provision, and Ebronah stands as one link in that divinely ordered chain.

Historical Significance

1. Marker of Progress: Positioned late in the wilderness itinerary, Ebronah represents the approach of Israel to the edge of Edomite territory and the final preparations for entry into Canaan.
2. Transition Point: Moving from Ebronah to the port city of Ezion-Geber brought Israel to an area associated with commerce and navigation in later Old Testament history (1 Kings 9:26). The stop at Ebronah may thus prefigure the nation’s future maritime endeavors under Solomon.
3. Witness to Covenant Faithfulness: By placing Ebronah in the record, Scripture testifies to the factual nature of Israel’s pilgrimage and underscores God’s faithfulness in guiding His people through every stage, however briefly mentioned.

Theological Emphases

• Divine Guidance: Each station, including Ebronah, was appointed by the LORD (Numbers 9:17-23), reinforcing the theme that believers are led step by step according to God’s timing.
• Pilgrim Identity: The fleeting mention of Ebronah highlights the transient nature of God’s people in the wilderness, reminding later generations that “here we do not have an enduring city” (Hebrews 13:14).
• Memory and Gratitude: Moses was commanded to record the journeys “according to the LORD’s instruction” (Numbers 33:2), showing that even seemingly insignificant stops deserve remembrance for the purpose of worship and instruction.

Lessons for Ministry Today

1. Faithful Record-Keeping: The inclusion of Ebronah challenges leaders to preserve testimonies of God’s faithfulness, knowing that small details can edify future generations.
2. Encouragement in Transition: Churches and believers often experience transitional seasons; Ebronah illustrates that God’s leading continues even in short, lesser-known stages.
3. Readiness for Future Service: Just as Israel moved from Ebronah toward a place associated with later kingdom expansion, periods of quiet preparation may precede broader avenues of ministry.

Related Biblical Themes

• The Journeys of Israel: Exodus 12:37; Numbers 33; Deuteronomy 1.
• God’s Guidance in the Wilderness: Exodus 13:21-22; Psalm 78:52-53.
• Remembrance of God’s Works: Psalm 105; 1 Corinthians 10:1-11.

Forms and Transliterations

בְּעַבְרֹנָֽה׃ בעברנה׃ מֵֽעַבְרֹנָ֑ה מעברנה bə‘aḇrōnāh bə·‘aḇ·rō·nāh beavroNah mê‘aḇrōnāh mê·‘aḇ·rō·nāh meavroNah

Englishman's Concordance

Numbers 33:34
HEB: מִיָּטְבָ֑תָה וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בְּעַבְרֹנָֽה׃
NAS: from Jotbathah and camped at Abronah.
KJV: and encamped at Ebronah.
INT: Jotbathah and camped Abronah

Numbers 33:35
HEB: וַיִּסְע֖וּ מֵֽעַבְרֹנָ֑ה וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בְּעֶצְי֥וֹן
NAS: They journeyed from Abronah and camped
KJV: And they departed from Ebronah, and encamped
INT: journeyed Abronah and camped Ezion-geber

2 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 5684
2 Occurrences

bə·‘aḇ·rō·nāh — 1 Occ.
mê·‘aḇ·rō·nāh — 1 Occ.