Numbers 33:7 Comentariu

In this chapter God directs Moses, and he is to direct Israel, I. Concerning the bounds and borders of the land of Canaan (Num 34:1-15). II. Concerning the division and distribution of it to the tribes of Israel (Num 34:16, etc.).

INTRODUCTION TO NUMBERS 33 This chapter gives an account of the journeys of the people of Israel, from their first coming out of Egypt, to their arrival in the plains of Moab by Jordan, and the names of the various stations where they rested are given, Num 33:1 and they are ordered, when they passed over Jordan, to drive out the Canaanites, destroy their idols, and divide the land among their families in their several tribes, Num 33:50 or otherwise it is threatened the Canaanites should be troublesome and vexatious to them, even those that remained; and it might be expected God would do to the Israelites as he thought to do to those nations, Num 33:55.

And they removed from Etham, and turned again to Pihahiroth,.... 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 Exo 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 Zephon signifies: and they pitched before Migdol: which was either the name of a city, the same with Migdol, Jer 44:1 or it was a tower, as the word signifies, placed here on the borders of the land, for the defence of it.

Iroth [Pi-hahiroth] means “villages.” For the soul has not yet come to the city, nor is what is perfect already held, but first and for the moment some small places are taken. For progress consists in coming to great things from small ones.

Iroth is situated opposite Beelsephon [Baal-zephon] and opposite Magdalum. Beelsephon means “the ascent of the watchtower or citadel.” So the soul ascends from small things to great and is not yet placed in that watchtower but opposite the watchtower, that is, in sight of the watchtower. For it begins to watch and to look for the future hope and to contemplate the height of the progresses; little by little it grows, while it is more nourished by hope than worn out by toils.

This camp or stage is opposite Magdalum [Migdol] but not yet in Magdalum itself. For Magdalum means “grandeur.” Thus, since it has in view both the ascent of watching and the grandeur of things to come, the soul, as we have said, is fed and nourished by great hopes. It is now situated in starting places and not in perfection.

Moses delivers a prophetical blessing to the children of Israel, Deu 33:1. The introduction, Deu 33:2-5. Prophetic declarations concerning Reuben, Deu 33:6; concerning Judah, Deu 33:7; concerning Levi, Deu 33:8-11; concerning Benjamin, Deu 33:12; concerning Joseph, Deu 33:13-17; concerning Zebulun, Deu 33:18, Deu 33:19; concerning Gad, Deu 33:20, Deu 33:21; concerning Dan, Deu 33:22; concerning Naphtali, Deu 33:23; concerning Asher, Deu 33:24, Deu 33:25. The glory of the God of Jeshurun, and the glorious privileges of his true followers, Deu 33:26-29.

Pi-hahiroth - See on Exo 14:1 (note), and Exo 14:2 (note). Baal-zephon Calmet supposes to be the Clysma of the Greeks, and the Kolzum of the Arabians. Stat. 4.

TWO AND FORTY JOURNEYS OF THE ISRAELITES--FROM EGYPT TO SINAI. (Num 33:1-15) These are the journeys of the children of Israel--This chapter may be said to form the winding up of the history of the travels of the Israelites through the wilderness; for the three following chapters relate to matters connected with the occupation and division of the promised land. As several apparent discrepancies will be discovered on comparing the records here given of the journeyings from Sinai with the detailed accounts of the events narrated in the Book of Exodus and the occasional notices of places that are found in that of Deuteronomy, it is probable that this itinerary comprises a list of only the most important stations in their journeys--those where they formed prolonged encampments, and whence they dispersed their flocks and herds to pasture on the adjacent plains till the surrounding herbage was exhausted. The catalogue extends from their departure out of Egypt to their arrival on the plains of Moab. went forth . . . with their armies--that is, a vast multitude marshalled in separate companies, but regular order.

Pi-hahiroth, Baal-zephon . . . Migdol--(See on Exo 14:2).