Numbers 33:16
They set out from the Wilderness of Sinai and camped at Kibroth-hattaavah.
They set out
This phrase marks a significant transition for the Israelites. The Hebrew root for "set out" is "nasa," which means to pull up, especially the tent pegs, indicating a journey or departure. This action signifies obedience to God's command to move forward, leaving behind the familiar and stepping into the unknown. It reflects the Christian journey of faith, where believers are called to trust in God's guidance and timing.

from the Wilderness of Sinai
The Wilderness of Sinai is a place of profound spiritual significance. It was here that the Israelites received the Law, and it represents a time of divine revelation and covenant. The Hebrew word for "wilderness" is "midbar," which can also mean a place of speaking. This highlights the wilderness as a place where God speaks to His people, shaping and preparing them for future challenges. For Christians, it serves as a reminder that periods of spiritual wilderness can be times of growth and divine communication.

and camped
The act of camping, or "chanah" in Hebrew, implies a temporary dwelling, a pause in the journey. It suggests a time of rest and reflection, a necessary respite in the arduous journey of life. This mirrors the Christian life, where moments of rest are essential for spiritual renewal and preparation for what lies ahead.

at Kibroth-hattaavah
The name "Kibroth-hattaavah" translates to "graves of craving" or "graves of lust." This location is a somber reminder of the consequences of yielding to sinful desires. Historically, it is where the Israelites craved meat and were struck by a plague as a result of their disobedience and lack of faith (Numbers 11:31-34). It serves as a cautionary tale for believers about the dangers of succumbing to fleshly desires and the importance of contentment and trust in God's provision.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Wilderness of Sinai
This is the desert region where the Israelites received the Law from God through Moses. It represents a place of divine revelation and covenant.

2. Kibroth-hattaavah
This is the location where the Israelites camped after leaving the Wilderness of Sinai. The name means "Graves of Craving," referring to the event where the Israelites craved meat and God sent quail, leading to a plague due to their greed.

3. The Israelites
The chosen people of God, who were on their journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. Their journey is marked by moments of faith and rebellion.

4. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to lead His people out of Egypt and through the wilderness.

5. God's Guidance
The overarching presence and guidance of God throughout the Israelites' journey, providing direction and sustenance.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Obedience
The journey from Sinai to Kibroth-hattaavah underscores the need for obedience to God's commands. The Israelites' craving led to consequences, reminding us to align our desires with God's will.

God's Provision and Judgment
While God provides for our needs, as seen with the quail, He also disciplines us when we act out of greed or disobedience. This balance teaches us to trust in His provision and heed His warnings.

Spiritual Growth in Transition
The movement from Sinai to Kibroth-hattaavah represents a transition in the Israelites' journey. In our spiritual lives, transitions can be opportunities for growth if we remain faithful and attentive to God's guidance.

Contentment in God's Plan
The Israelites' dissatisfaction with manna and craving for meat reflect a lack of contentment. We are called to find satisfaction in God's provision and trust His plan for our lives.
Bible Study Questions
1. What lessons can we learn from the Israelites' experience at Kibroth-hattaavah about the consequences of craving what God has not provided?

2. How does the journey from the Wilderness of Sinai to Kibroth-hattaavah illustrate the importance of obedience to God's commands?

3. In what ways can we apply the principle of contentment in God's provision to our own lives, especially during times of transition?

4. How does the event at Kibroth-hattaavah connect to the broader theme of God's provision and judgment throughout the Israelites' wilderness journey?

5. Reflect on a time in your life when you experienced a "wilderness" period. How did you see God's guidance and provision during that time, and what lessons did you learn?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 19-20
These chapters describe the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai, highlighting the significance of the Wilderness of Sinai as a place of covenant and instruction.

Numbers 11:31-34
This passage details the event at Kibroth-hattaavah, where the Israelites' craving for meat led to God's provision of quail and subsequent judgment.

Deuteronomy 8:2-3
Reflects on the purpose of the wilderness journey, emphasizing reliance on God and the lessons learned through testing and provision.
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, Desert, Encamp, Encamped, Hattaavah, Journey, Journeyed, Kibroth, Kibrothhattaavah, Kibroth-hattaavah, Kib'roth-hatta'avah, Pitched, Removed, Sinai, Tents, Traveled, Waste, Wilderness
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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