King James Version

What Does Numbers 33:3 Mean?

Numbers 33:3 in the King James Version says “And they departed from Rameses in the first month, on the fifteenth day of the first month; on the morrow after the pass...” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 33 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And they departed from Rameses in the first month, on the fifteenth day of the first month; on the morrow after the passover the children of Israel went out with an high hand in the sight of all the Egyptians.”

Numbers 33:3 · KJV

Context

1

These are the journeys of the children of Israel, which went forth out of the land of Egypt with their armies under the hand of Moses and Aaron.

2

And Moses wrote their goings out according to their journeys by the commandment of the LORD: and these are their journeys according to their goings out.

3

And they departed from Rameses in the first month, on the fifteenth day of the first month; on the morrow after the passover the children of Israel went out with an high hand in the sight of all the Egyptians.

4

For the Egyptians buried all their firstborn, which the LORD had smitten among them: upon their gods also the LORD executed judgments.

5

And the children of Israel removed from Rameses, and pitched in Succoth.

Read Numbers 33 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The departure from Rameses 'in the first month, on the fifteenth day of the first month' marks Passover morning, the day after the lamb was slain and eaten. The exodus began 'with an high hand' (boldly, openly, defiantly) demonstrating that God's deliverance was public and unmistakable. The phrase 'in the sight of all the Egyptians' emphasizes that this was witnessed redemption, not secret escape. The Reformed doctrine of visible, public profession of faith finds precedent here—our redemption is not private but testified before the watching world.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The fifteenth day of the first month became Israel's independence day, commemorated annually at Passover. The bold daylight departure, after 430 years of slavery, demonstrated God's power over Egypt's gods and Pharaoh's authority. The public nature of the exodus meant Egypt witnessed their defeat and Israel's vindication. No one could later claim this deliverance was hidden or ambiguous.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does public, witnessed deliverance strengthen faith and testimony?
  2. What does leaving 'with a high hand' teach about confidence in God's salvation?
  3. In what ways should Christian testimony be bold and public rather than private and hidden?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וַיִּסְע֤וּ1 of 19

“And they departed”

H5265

properly, to pull up, especially the tent-pins, i.e., start on a journey

מֵֽרַעְמְסֵס֙2 of 19

“from Rameses”

H7486

rameses or raamses, a place in egypt

לַחֹ֣דֶשׁ3 of 19

“month”

H2320

the new moon; by implication, a month

הָֽרִאשׁ֑וֹן4 of 19

“in the first”

H7223

first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)

בַּֽחֲמִשָּׁ֥ה5 of 19
H2568

five

עָשָׂ֛ר6 of 19

“on the fifteenth”

H6240

ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth

י֖וֹם7 of 19

“day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

לַחֹ֣דֶשׁ8 of 19

“month”

H2320

the new moon; by implication, a month

הָֽרִאשׁ֑וֹן9 of 19

“in the first”

H7223

first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)

מִֽמָּחֳרַ֣ת10 of 19

“on the morrow”

H4283

the morrow or (adverbially) tomorrow

הַפֶּ֗סַח11 of 19

“after the passover”

H6453

a pretermission, i.e., exemption; used only techically of the jewish passover (the festival or the victim)

יָֽצְא֤וּ12 of 19

“went out”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

בְנֵֽי13 of 19

“the children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִשְׂרָאֵל֙14 of 19

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

בְּיָ֣ד15 of 19

“hand”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

רָמָ֔ה16 of 19

“with an high”

H7311

to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)

לְעֵינֵ֖י17 of 19

“in the sight”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

כָּל18 of 19
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

מִצְרָֽיִם׃19 of 19

“of all the Egyptians”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Numbers. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Numbers 33:3 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Numbers 33:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 14:8Exodus 12:37Exodus 13:4Genesis 47:11Exodus 12:2Psalms 105:38

Places in This Verse

RamesesSettlement · Modern: Qantir · 30.80°N, 31.83°E5 verses across 3 books
View all places in Numbers 33 →

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