King James Version

What Does Numbers 33:8 Mean?

Numbers 33:8 in the King James Version says “And they departed from before Pihahiroth, and passed through the midst of the sea into the wilderness, and went three da... — study this verse from Numbers chapter 33 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And they departed from before Pihahiroth, and passed through the midst of the sea into the wilderness, and went three days' journey in the wilderness of Etham, and pitched in Marah.

Numbers 33:8 · KJV


Context

6

And they departed from Succoth, and pitched in Etham, which is in the edge of the wilderness.

7

And they removed from Etham, and turned again unto Pihahiroth, which is before Baalzephon: and they pitched before Migdol.

8

And they departed from before Pihahiroth, and passed through the midst of the sea into the wilderness, and went three days' journey in the wilderness of Etham, and pitched in Marah.

9

And they removed from Marah, and came unto Elim: and in Elim were twelve fountains of water, and threescore and ten palm trees; and they pitched there.

10

And they removed from Elim, and encamped by the Red sea.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Passed through the midst of the sea (וַיַּעַבְרוּ בְּתוֹךְ־הַיָּם, vaya'avru b'tokh ha-yam)—The verb avar (to cross over, pass through) is the same root as Hebrew (עִבְרִי, 'Ivri, "one who crosses over"). This crossing defined Israel's identity as God's redeemed people. The dry ground through water walls (Exodus 14:21-22) typologically foreshadows baptism (1 Corinthians 10:1-2) and Christ's resurrection passage through death.

Went three days' journey in the wilderness of Etham—After the miraculous crossing, Israel marched three days without water until reaching Marah (מָרָה, "bitterness"), where undrinkable water tested their newfound faith (Exodus 15:23). This compressed summary reminds Israel that deliverance through the sea was just the beginning; wilderness testing immediately followed every miracle. Egypt was left behind, but faith refinement had just begun.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Red Sea crossing (יַם־סוּף, Yam Suph, traditionally the Gulf of Suez or Bitter Lakes region) occurred circa 1446 BC, destroying Pharaoh's pursuing army (Exodus 14:26-28). The "three days' journey" to Marah fulfilled the original request to worship in the wilderness (Exodus 3:18). This event became Israel's foundational redemption memory, celebrated annually at Passover.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the Red Sea crossing as a "baptism" (1 Cor 10:1-2) picture death to old life and resurrection to new identity?
  2. Why did God allow Israel to experience thirst and bitterness immediately after such spectacular deliverance?
  3. What does the three-day journey to Marah teach about the gap between miraculous rescue and mature trust?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וַיִּסְעוּ֙1 of 15

And they departed

H5265

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

מִפְּנֵ֣י2 of 15

from before

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

הַֽחִירֹ֔ת3 of 15

Pihahiroth

H6367

pi-ha-chiroth, a place in egypt

וַיַּֽעַבְר֥וּ4 of 15

and passed through

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

בְתוֹךְ5 of 15

the midst

H8432

a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center

הַיָּ֖ם6 of 15

of the sea

H3220

a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif

בְּמִדְבַּ֣ר7 of 15

in the wilderness

H4057

a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert

וַיֵּ֨לְכ֜וּ8 of 15
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

דֶּ֣רֶךְ9 of 15

journey

H1870

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

שְׁלֹ֤שֶׁת10 of 15

three

H7969

three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice

יָמִים֙11 of 15

days

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

בְּמִדְבַּ֣ר12 of 15

in the wilderness

H4057

a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert

אֵתָ֔ם13 of 15

of Etham

H864

etham, a place in the desert

וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ14 of 15

and pitched

H2583

properly, to incline; by implication, to decline (of the slanting rays of evening); specifically, to pitch a tent; generally to encamp (for abode or s

בְּמָרָֽה׃15 of 15

in Marah

H4785

marah, a place in the desert


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 33:8 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 33:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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