Numbers 33:7

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Numbers 33:7 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And they journeyed from Etham, and turned back unto Pihahiroth, which is before Baal-zephon: and they encamped before Migdol.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And they journeyed from Etham, and turned back unto Pihahiroth, which is before Baal-zephon: and they encamped before Migdol.
Numbers 33:7 — American Standard Version

Context — Numbers 33

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
7And they journeyed from Etham, and turned back unto Pihahiroth, which is before Baal-zephon: and they encamped before Migdol.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And they removed from Etham, and turned again to Pihahiroth, etc.] Which was sixteen miles from Etham. This turning, Aben Ezra says, respects the cloud, or Israel; and indeed it may respect both, for, as the cloud turned, Israel turned, being directed by it; and this does not mean that they had been at Pihahiroth before, and now returned to it again; but that they by direction turned out of the straight way in which they were to go to Pihahiroth; for the word “again” may as well, or better, be left out, (see Gill on “<021402>Exodus 14:2”): which is before Baalzephon; the name of an idol, as the Targums of Jonathan and Jerusalem, supposed to be placed here, to watch and guard the passage, as…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Pi-hahiroth, Baal-zephon . . . Migdol--(See on Exo 14:2).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“This list was written out by Moses at God’s command Numbers 33:2, doubtless as a memorial of God’s providential care for His people throughout this long and trying period. Numbers 33:3-6. For these places, see the marginal reference. Numbers 33:8 Pi-hahiroth - Hebrew “Hahiroth,” but perhaps only by an error of transcription. However, the omitted “pi” is only a common Egyptian prefix. Wilderness of Etham - i. e., that part of the great wilderness of Shur which adjoined Etham; compare Exodus 15:22 note. The list of stations up to that at Sinai agrees with the narrative of Exodus except that we have here mentioned Numbers 33:10 an encampment by the Red Sea, and two others, Dophkah and Alush…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“they removed: Num 33:8; Exo 14:2, Exo 14:9 Baalzephon: Calmet supposes this to be the Clysma of the Greeks, and the Kolzum of the Arabians. His learned Editor thinks the true situation of Baal-zephon was some miles more northerly than the present Suez. Numbers 33:8”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification