King James Version

What Does Numbers 33:9 Mean?

Numbers 33:9 in the King James Version says “And they removed from Marah, and came unto Elim: and in Elim were twelve fountains of water, and threescore and ten palm...” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 33 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Numbers 33:9 · KJV

Context

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.

11

And they removed from the Red sea, and encamped in the wilderness of Sin.

Read Numbers 33 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
From Bitterness to Abundance

This verse records Israel's movement from Marah to Elim during the wilderness wanderings—a journey from bitter disappointment to abundant provision. The name Marah (marah, מָרָה) means "bitter," commemorating the bitter waters Israel encountered there (Exodus 15:23). The Lord miraculously sweetened those waters, providing a crucial lesson about His power to transform hardship into blessing.

Elim presents a dramatic contrast: twelve fountains (shtem esreh ayanot mayim, שְׁתֵּים עֶשְׂרֵה עֵינֹת מַיִם) and seventy palm trees (shivim temarim, שִׁבְעִים תְּמָרִים). The number twelve may correspond to Israel's twelve tribes, suggesting abundant provision for all God's people. Seventy, often representing completeness or fullness in Scripture, indicates comprehensive blessing. Fountains (not mere wells) suggest continuously flowing, fresh water—a precious commodity in the Sinai wilderness. Palm trees provided shade, dates for food, and evidence of sustained water sources.

The phrase "they pitched there" (vayachanu-sham) indicates an encampment—time to rest after testing. This pattern of trial followed by provision characterizes Israel's wilderness experience and prefigures the believer's journey: after Marah's bitter trials come Elim's sweet refreshment. God doesn't merely sustain His people through difficulty but leads them to places of abundant rest and provision.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Wilderness Journey's Early Stages

Numbers 33 provides a comprehensive itinerary of Israel's forty-year wilderness journey from Egypt to Canaan's border. Verses 8-9 record events occurring shortly after the Red Sea crossing (Exodus 15), making this one of the journey's earliest stages. Israel had just witnessed God's miraculous deliverance from Egypt and the drowning of Pharaoh's army, yet within days they encountered bitter water at Marah, prompting complaints against Moses.

Elim's location remains uncertain, though traditionally identified with Wadi Gharandel in the Sinai Peninsula, about 63 miles from the Red Sea crossing site. This wadi contains springs and tamarisk trees (possibly the "palm trees" of the text). The encampment at Elim allowed Israel to recover from Marah's disappointment and prepare for the next stage toward Mount Sinai.

This geographical and spiritual pattern—testing at Marah, rest at Elim—taught Israel to trust God's provision. Each stage of wilderness wandering prepared them for Canaan's conquest and occupation. The detailed record in Numbers 33 served later generations as both historical record and spiritual instruction: God guides His people through wilderness seasons, providing both trials that test faith and rests that restore strength.

Reflection Questions

  1. What spiritual significance do you see in God leading Israel from bitter waters (Marah) to abundant provision (Elim)?
  2. How do the twelve fountains and seventy palm trees symbolize God's comprehensive provision for His people?
  3. What does the pattern of trial-then-rest teach us about God's purposes in our difficult seasons?
  4. How should the memory of God's past provision (like Elim) sustain us during present trials (like Marah)?
  5. In what ways does Israel's wilderness journey prefigure the Christian life between conversion and heaven?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
וַיִּסְעוּ֙1 of 13

“And they removed”

H5265

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

מִמָּרָ֔ה2 of 13

“from Marah”

H4785

marah, a place in the desert

וַיָּבֹ֖אוּ3 of 13

“and came”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

וּ֠בְאֵילִם4 of 13

“and in Elim”

H362

elim, a place in the desert

וּ֠בְאֵילִם5 of 13

“and in Elim”

H362

elim, a place in the desert

שְׁתֵּ֣ים6 of 13

“were twelve”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

עֶשְׂרֵ֞ה7 of 13
H6240

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

עֵינֹ֥ת8 of 13

“fountains”

H5869

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

מַ֛יִם9 of 13

“of water”

H4325

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

וְשִׁבְעִ֥ים10 of 13

“and threescore and ten”

H7657

seventy

תְּמָרִ֖ים11 of 13

“palm trees”

H8558

a palm tree

וַיַּֽחֲנוּ12 of 13

“and they 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

שָֽׁם׃13 of 13
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

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 33:9 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 33:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 15:27

Places in This Verse

ElimSettlement · Modern: Wadi Gharandal · 29.25°N, 32.92°E4 verses across 2 books
MarahSpring · Modern: Ain Hawarah · 29.35°N, 32.94°E5 verses across 2 books
View all places in Numbers 33 →

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