1
אֵ֜לֶּה מַסְעֵ֣י בְנֵֽי יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל אֲשֶׁ֥ר יָצְא֛וּ מֵאֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרַ֖יִם לְצִבְאֹתָ֑ם בְּיַד מֹשֶׁ֖ה וְאַהֲרֹֽן
These are the journeys of the Israelites, who went out from the land of Egypt by their hosts, under the hand of Moses and Aaron.
Asyndetic title-sentence (אֵלֶּה, 'these are') opening the itinerary as a discrete literary unit, distinct from the surrounding narrative; it names the list's subject (journeys) and its leaders before the list itself begins in v. 3.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
אֵ֜לֶּהThesedemonstrative pron. c pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Subject (resumptive demonstrative, fronted as title)אֵלֶּה (H428) 'these', plural demonstrative from זֶה; fronted as the heading-word of the itinerary, echoed in the chapter's closing summary formula (v. 2).
מַסְעֵ֣יthe journeys ofN m pl construct · מַסָּע (H4550)Predicate nominative, head of construct chainמַסָּע (H4550) 'journey, stage of a march', from נָסַע 'to pull up tent-pegs, set out'; the chapter's title-word, naming each departure-to-encampment unit of the itinerary.
בְנֵֽיthe sons ofN m pl construct · בֵּן (H1121)Construct chain (genitival, 'sons of Israel')בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; construct plural in the standing collective phrase בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, 'the Israelites'.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive complement of construct chainיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478), the covenant name of Jacob's people; here the nation as a whole, whose journeys this chapter catalogues.
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhorelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing restrictive clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834), the all-purpose relative particle 'who, which, that'; here introduces the relative clause modifying בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל.
יָצְא֛וּwent outQal perfect 3cp · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: the completed exodus-departure viewed as a wholeיָצָא (H3318) 'to go out, come out'; here of the exodus from Egypt, the itinerary's originating event.
מֵאֶ֥רֶץfrom the land ofprep מִן + N c sg construct · אֶרֶץ (H776)Source prepositional phraseאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land, earth'; construct with מִצְרַיִם, 'the land of Egypt', the starting point of the whole itinerary.
מִצְרַ֖יִםEgyptproper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitive complement of construct chainמִצְרַיִם (H4714), Egypt, dual/plural in form (perhaps reflecting Upper and Lower Egypt); the land of bondage the itinerary departs from.
לְצִבְאֹתָ֑םby their hosts/companiesprep לְ + N c pl construct + 3mp suffix · צָבָא (H6635)Adverbial/manner prepositional phraseצָבָא (H6635) 'host, army, company'; here of Israel's tribal military organization, echoing the census-taking of Numbers 1-2 as they march out in order.
בְּיַדby the hand ofprep בְּ + N c sg construct · יָד (H3027)Adverbial prepositional phrase (agency)יָד (H3027) 'hand'; idiomatic for agency/leadership, 'under the direction of' Moses and Aaron.
מֹשֶׁ֖הMosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Genitive complement (object of prep. phrase)מֹשֶׁה (H4872), Israel's lawgiver and leader of the exodus generation; named as guide of the whole itinerary and its author (v. 2).
וְאַהֲרֹֽןand Aaronconj וְ + proper noun · אַהֲרֹן (H175)Coordinate genitive complementאַהֲרֹן (H175), Moses' brother and Israel's first high priest; paired with Moses as co-leader, and whose death at Hor is the itinerary's own narrative climax (vv. 38-39).
2
וַיִּכְתֹּ֨ב מֹשֶׁ֜ה אֶת מוֹצָאֵיהֶ֛ם לְמַסְעֵיהֶ֖ם עַל פִּ֣י יְהוָ֑ה וְאֵ֥לֶּה מַסְעֵיהֶ֖ם לְמוֹצָאֵיהֶֽם
And Moses wrote down their departures, stage by stage, at the command of YHWH; and these are their journeys by their departures.
A rare narratorial aside naming Moses as the writer of this very list, done at the command of YHWH -- one of the Torah's few explicit notices of Mosaic writing. The repetition 'their journeys by their departures' forms an inclusio with v. 1, closing the heading before the list proper begins in v. 3.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וַיִּכְתֹּ֨בand he wroteconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · כָּתַב (H3789)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative-advancing act, singled out as noteworthyכָּתַב (H3789) 'to write'; one of the Torah's rare explicit notices of Mosaic authorship -- Moses himself records this very itinerary, at YHWH's command.
מֹשֶׁ֜הMosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subjectמֹשֶׁה (H4872); named here as the writer of the itinerary, underscoring the list's Mosaic, and thus authoritative Torah, origin.
אֶת[obj]object marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking the definite direct object מוֹצָאֵיהֶם; untranslated in English.
מוֹצָאֵיהֶ֛םtheir departuresN m pl construct + 3mp suffix · מוֹצָא (H4161)Direct objectמוֹצָא (H4161) 'going out, departure, place of exit', from יָצָא; here plural, 'their goings-out', the stage-by-stage counterpart to מַסָּע 'journey'.
לְמַסְעֵיהֶ֖םby their journeysprep לְ + N m pl construct + 3mp suffix · מַסָּע (H4550)Adverbial prepositional phrase (norm/standard: 'stage by stage')מַסָּע (H4550) 'journey, stage'; paired with מוֹצָאִים 'departures' in a hendiadys-like doublet describing the meticulous, stage-by-stage record Moses kept.
עַלaccording topreposition · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase governing פִּי יְהוָהעַל (H5921) 'upon, according to'; with פֶּה 'mouth' forms the idiom עַל־פִּי, 'at the command of, according to the word of'.
פִּ֣יthe mouth ofN m sg construct · פֶּה (H6310)Object of preposition עַל (idiom)פֶּה (H6310) 'mouth'; in the fixed idiom עַל־פִּי, 'at the command/word of', here of YHWH's authorizing word behind Moses' written record.
יְהוָ֑הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive complement of construct chainיְהוָה (H3068), Israel's covenant God, whose 'mouth' (command) authorizes and stands behind Moses' written itinerary.
וְאֵ֥לֶּהand theseconj וְ + demonstrative pron. c pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Subject (resumptive demonstrative, closing the heading)אֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; echoes v. 1's opening word, forming an inclusio that formally closes the introduction before the list of stations begins.
מַסְעֵיהֶ֖םtheir journeysN m pl construct + 3mp suffix · מַסָּע (H4550)Predicate nominativeמַסָּע (H4550) 'journey, stage'; repeated from v. 1's title-word, now with pronominal suffix, framing the list to follow.
לְמוֹצָאֵיהֶֽםby their departuresprep לְ + N m pl construct + 3mp suffix · מוֹצָא (H4161)Adverbial prepositional phrase, closing the chiastic doublet with v. 2aמוֹצָא (H4161) 'departure, going out'; closes the chiasm 'departures...journeys // journeys...departures' framing Moses' written record.
3
וַיִּסְע֤וּ מֵֽרַעְמְסֵס֙ בַּחֹ֣דֶשׁ הָֽרִאשׁ֔וֹן בַּחֲמִשָּׁ֥ה עָשָׂ֛ר י֖וֹם לַחֹ֣דֶשׁ הָרִאשׁ֑וֹן מִֽמָּחֳרַ֣ת הַפֶּ֗סַח יָצְא֤וּ בְנֵֽי יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ בְּיָ֣ד רָמָ֔ה לְעֵינֵ֖י כָּל מִצְרָֽיִם
They set out from Rameses in the first month, on the fifteenth day of the first month; on the morrow after the Passover the Israelites went out with a high hand, in the sight of all the Egyptians,
The itinerary proper opens here, dating the departure precisely (15 Nisan, the day after Passover) and recasting the exodus in the language of Exod. 12-14: 'with a high hand' and 'in the sight of all Egypt' underline that Israel left not by stealth but in open, God-given triumph.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
וַיִּסְע֤וּand they set outconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · נָסַע (H5265)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: departure)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance -- the first departure of the itinerary chainנָסַע (H5265) 'to pull up tent-pegs, set out, journey'; the chain's departure-verb, paired with חָנָה 'encamp' to structure the itinerary's forty-two stages.
מֵֽרַעְמְסֵס֙from Ramesesprep מִן + proper noun · רַעְמְסֵס (H7486)Source prepositional phrase (place of departure)רַעְמְסֵס (H7486), Rameses, the store-city of Exod. 1:11 and Israel's mustering-point (Exod. 12:37); station 1 of the itinerary, the launch of the whole march.
בַּחֹ֣דֶשׁin the monthprep בְּ + art + N m sg absolute · חֹדֶשׁ (H2320)Temporal prepositional phraseחֹדֶשׁ (H2320) 'month, new moon'; dates the exodus departure precisely, anchoring the itinerary in Israel's sacred calendar.
הָֽרִאשׁ֔וֹןthe firstart + ordinal adj., m sg absolute · רִאשׁוֹן (H7223)Attributive adjective modifying חֹדֶשׁרִאשׁוֹן (H7223) 'first', from רֹאשׁ 'head'; the first month, Abib/Nisan, the month of the exodus and of Passover.
בַּחֲמִשָּׁ֥הon the fifthprep בְּ + cardinal number, m sg absolute · חָמֵשׁ (H2568)Temporal prepositional phrase (date)חָמֵשׁ (H2568) 'five'; combined with עָשָׂר to form 'fifteen', the date of departure -- the day after Passover (14th) and the start of Unleavened Bread.
עָשָׂ֛ר-teen (ten)cardinal number, m sg absolute · עָשָׂר (H6240)Second element of compound numeral 'fifteen'עָשָׂר (H6240) 'ten' (in teens construction); with חֲמִשָּׁה forms 'fifteen', the 15th of Nisan.
י֖וֹםdayN m sg absolute · יוֹם (H3117)Adverbial accusative of timeיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; completing the date formula, 'the fifteenth day'.
לַחֹ֣דֶשׁof the monthprep לְ + art + N m sg absolute · חֹדֶשׁ (H2320)Genitive-equivalent prepositional phrase (partitive/reference)חֹדֶשׁ (H2320) repeated for clarity: 'the fifteenth day of the month' -- Hebrew's typical way of re-stating the reference noun in a date formula.
הָרִאשׁ֑וֹןthe firstart + ordinal adj., m sg absolute · רִאשׁוֹן (H7223)Attributive adjective modifying חֹדֶשׁ (repeated)רִאשׁוֹן (H7223) repeated from earlier in the verse, closing the date formula: 'the first month'.
מִֽמָּחֳרַ֣תfrom the morrow ofprep מִן + N f sg construct · מָחֳרָת (H4283)Temporal prepositional phraseמָחֳרָת (H4283) 'the next day, morrow'; 'on the morrow after Passover' pinpoints the exodus departure to the 15th of Nisan, per Exod. 12:51.
הַפֶּ֗סַחthe Passoverart + N m sg absolute · פֶּסַח (H6453)Genitive complement of construct chainפֶּסַח (H6453) 'Passover', from פָּסַח 'to pass over'; the meal of Exod. 12 whose night preceded this departure -- the itinerary begins where the exodus story leaves off.
יָצְא֤וּwent outQal perfect 3cp · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb (main clause, resuming the main narrative line)→ Perfective: the decisive, completed act of exodusיָצָא (H3318) 'to go out'; the exodus itself, now dated and described as done 'with a high hand' -- open, victorious departure, not flight.
בְנֵֽיthe sons ofN m pl construct · בֵּן (H1121)Construct chain (genitival, subject)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; construct with יִשְׂרָאֵל, 'the Israelites', subject of יָצְאוּ.
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙Israelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive complement of construct chainיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); the covenant nation, subject of the exodus departure.
בְּיָ֣דwith a handprep בְּ + N c sg absolute · יָד (H3027)Adverbial prepositional phrase (manner)יָד (H3027) 'hand'; construed with רָמָה, 'a high/uplifted hand' -- an idiom for open, defiant, triumphant departure (cf. Exod. 14:8), not secretive escape.
רָמָ֔הhigh, upliftedQal active participle, f sg absolute (attributive) · רוּם (H7311)Attributive participle modifying יָד→ Participle: a standing, characterizing state -- the hand held triumphantly aloftרוּם (H7311) 'to be high, exalted'; here as an adjectival participle, 'high hand' -- the signature phrase for Israel's open, unafraid exodus, later echoed of divine deliverance generally.
לְעֵינֵ֖יbefore the eyes ofprep לְ + N c dual construct · עַיִן (H5869)Adverbial prepositional phrase (manner, publicity)עַיִן (H5869) 'eye', dual 'eyes'; 'before the eyes of' stresses that the departure was public and undeniable, witnessed by the very people it defeated.
כָּלallN m sg construct · כֹּל (H3605)Construct modifier of מִצְרַיִםכֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; 'all Egypt' -- the totality of the defeated nation as witness.
מִצְרָֽיִםEgypt/the Egyptiansproper noun (gentilic use) · מִצְרַיִם (H4713)Genitive complement of construct chainמִצְרַיִם (H4713), here standing for the Egyptian people as onlookers -- the very nation whose firstborn had just died (v. 4) watches Israel march out unopposed.
4
וּמִצְרַ֣יִם מְקַבְּרִ֗ים אֵת֩ אֲשֶׁ֨ר הִכָּ֧ה יְהוָ֛ה בָּהֶ֖ם כָּל בְּכ֑וֹר וּבֵאלֹ֣הֵיהֶ֔ם עָשָׂ֥ה יְהוָ֖ה שְׁפָטִֽים
while the Egyptians were burying all their firstborn, whom YHWH had struck down among them -- on their gods also YHWH had executed judgments.
A circumstantial parenthesis explaining why Egypt let Israel go unopposed: they were burying their dead firstborn (Exod. 12:29-30) while Israel marched out triumphant. The closing clause names the plagues as judgments 'on their gods' -- each plague a verdict against a specific Egyptian deity.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וּמִצְרַ֣יִםwhile the Egyptiansconj וְ + proper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4713)Subject of circumstantial clauseמִצְרַיִם (H4713); subject of the circumstantial clause explaining Egypt's paralysis while Israel departed unhindered.
מְקַבְּרִ֗יםwere buryingPiel active participle, m pl absolute · קָבַר (H6912)Predicate participle (circumstantial, ongoing background action)→ Participle: durative background action, simultaneous with Israel's departureקָבַר (H6912) 'to bury'; Piel here of the mass, urgent burials of Exod. 12:30 -- the grim backdrop against which Israel marches out unopposed.
אֵת֩[obj]object marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking the relative clause אֲשֶׁר הִכָּה יְהוָה as the definite object of 'burying' (i.e., 'those whom YHWH struck').
אֲשֶׁ֨רwhomrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing restrictive clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces 'whom YHWH struck', identifying the firstborn as YHWH's own judicial act, not accident.
הִכָּ֧הhad struckHiphil perfect 3ms · נָכָה (H5221)Predicate verb of relative clause→ Perfective: the completed, decisive act of judgment (the tenth plague)נָכָה (H5221) 'to strike, smite'; Hiphil regularly of fatal blows -- here the death of Egypt's firstborn, YHWH's climactic plague.
יְהוָ֛הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068); the striking of the firstborn is YHWH's own direct act, not a plague of nature.
בָּהֶ֖םamong themprep בְּ + 3mp suffixAdverbial prepositional phrase (location/sphere)Preposition בְּ 'in, among' with pronominal suffix; 'among them [the Egyptians]', locating the stroke within the whole nation.
כָּלeveryN m sg construct · כֹּל (H3605)Construct modifier of בְּכוֹרכֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; 'every firstborn', stressing the completeness of the plague's toll across Egypt.
בְּכ֑וֹרfirstbornN m sg absolute · בְּכוֹר (H1060)Direct object (via אֵת/relative clause)בְּכוֹר (H1060) 'firstborn'; object of YHWH's climactic tenth plague (Exod. 12:29), the price Egypt paid for holding Israel, YHWH's own firstborn (Exod. 4:22-23).
וּבֵאלֹ֣הֵיהֶ֔םand on their godsconj וְ + prep בְּ + N m pl construct + 3mp suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Adverbial prepositional phrase (sphere of judgment)אֱלֹהִים (H430) here 'gods' (plural, of Egypt's pantheon); each plague is elsewhere read as a targeted verdict on a specific Egyptian deity (cf. Exod. 12:12) -- the exodus as a contest of gods.
עָשָׂ֥הhad executedQal perfect 3ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: the completed, sovereign act of judgmentעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make'; with שְׁפָטִים, 'to execute judgments' -- a fixed formula (cf. Exod. 12:12) for YHWH's courtroom verdict against Egypt's gods.
יְהוָ֖הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068), repeated for emphasis: it is YHWH, not chance, who judges Egypt's gods.
שְׁפָטִֽיםjudgmentsN m pl absolute · שֶׁפֶט (H8201)Direct objectשֶׁפֶט (H8201) 'judgment, act of judgment'; plural, echoing Exod. 12:12's promise that YHWH would execute judgments 'on all the gods of Egypt' -- fulfilled and recalled here.
5
וַיִּסְע֥וּ בְנֵֽי יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל מֵרַעְמְסֵ֑ס וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בְּסֻכֹּֽת
The Israelites set out from Rameses and camped at Succoth.
The first station-notice of the itinerary chain proper, repeating the departure/encampment verb pair (נסע/חנה) that structures the rest of the chapter; Rameses and Succoth restate the launch point of Exod. 12:37 as the list itself begins.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
וַיִּסְע֥וּand they set outconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · נָסַע (H5265)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: departure)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance -- stage 2 of the itinerary chainנָסַע (H5265) 'to pull up tent-pegs, set out, journey'; the chain's departure-verb, paired with חָנָה 'encamp' to structure the itinerary's forty-two stages.
בְנֵֽיthe sons ofN m pl construct · בֵּן (H1121)Construct chain (genitival, subject)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; construct with יִשְׂרָאֵל, the subject named explicitly here at the head of the list (thereafter left implicit through the chain).
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive complement of construct chainיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); named as subject of the itinerary's first departure, the entire nation on the move.
מֵרַעְמְסֵ֑סfrom Ramesesprep מִן + proper noun · רַעְמְסֵס (H7486)Source prepositional phrase (place of departure)רַעְמְסֵס (H7486), Rameses; station 1, restated here as the itinerary's list proper begins (cf. v. 3).
וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּand they encampedconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · חָנָה (H2583)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: encampment)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance -- each encampment closes a stageחָנָה (H2583) 'to encamp, pitch camp'; paired with נָסַע as the itinerary's structuring verb-pair, marking Israel's forty-two halting-places.
בְּסֻכֹּֽתat Succothprep בְּ + proper noun · סֻכּוֹת (H5523)Locative prepositional phrase (place of encampment)סֻכּוֹת (H5523) 'booths, shelters'; station 2, Israel's first encampment after Rameses (Exod. 12:37), likely named for temporary shelters built there.
6
וַיִּסְע֖וּ מִסֻּכֹּ֑ת וַיַּחֲנ֣וּ בְאֵתָ֔ם אֲשֶׁ֖ר בִּקְצֵ֥ה הַמִּדְבָּֽר
They set out from Succoth and camped at Etham, which is at the edge of the wilderness.
Etham 'at the edge of the wilderness' marks Israel's last contact with cultivated land before the sea-crossing narrated in the next verse.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
וַיִּסְע֖וּand they set outconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · נָסַע (H5265)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: departure)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance -- stage 3 of the itinerary chainנָסַע (H5265) 'to pull up tent-pegs, set out, journey'; the chain's departure-verb, paired with חָנָה 'encamp' throughout the itinerary.
מִסֻּכֹּ֑תfrom Succothprep מִן + proper noun · סֻכּוֹת (H5523)Source prepositional phrase (place of departure)סֻכּוֹת (H5523) 'booths'; station 2, departure point for the next stage into the wilderness edge.
וַיַּחֲנ֣וּand they encampedconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · חָנָה (H2583)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: encampment)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance -- each encampment closes a stageחָנָה (H2583) 'to encamp'; paired with נָסַע as the itinerary's structuring verb-pair.
בְאֵתָ֔םat Ethamprep בְּ + proper noun · אֵתָם (H864)Locative prepositional phrase (place of encampment)אֵתָם (H864), Etham; station 3, at the edge of the wilderness (cf. Exod. 13:20), the last stop before turning back toward the sea (v. 7).
אֲשֶׁ֖רwhichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing descriptive clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the geographic gloss 'which is at the edge of the wilderness', locating Etham for the reader.
בִּקְצֵ֥הat the edge ofprep בְּ + N c sg construct · קָצֶה (H7097)Locative prepositional phraseקָצֶה (H7097) 'edge, end, extremity'; Etham sits at the wilderness's edge, the threshold between settled Egypt and open desert.
הַמִּדְבָּֽרthe wildernessart + N m sg absolute · מִדְבָּר (H4057)Genitive complement of construct chainמִדְבָּר (H4057) 'wilderness, desert'; the vast untamed terrain Israel now enters, setting for nearly the whole itinerary.
7
וַיִּסְעוּ֙ מֵֽאֵתָ֔ם וַיָּ֨שָׁב֙ עַל פִּ֣י הַחִירֹ֔ת אֲשֶׁ֥ר עַל פְּנֵ֖י בַּ֣עַל צְפ֑וֹן וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ לִפְנֵ֥י מִגְדֹּֽל
They set out from Etham and turned back to Pi-hahiroth, which faces Baal-zephon, and camped before Migdol.
The march 'turns back' upon Pi-hahiroth, the deliberate reversal (cf. Exod. 14:2) that trapped Israel against the sea and set the stage for the crossing -- the only station in the chain whose route is described as changing direction.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וַיִּסְעוּ֙and they set outconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · נָסַע (H5265)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: departure)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance -- stage 4 of the itinerary chainנָסַע (H5265) 'to pull up tent-pegs, set out, journey'; paired with חָנָה throughout the itinerary.
מֵֽאֵתָ֔םfrom Ethamprep מִן + proper noun · אֵתָם (H864)Source prepositional phrase (place of departure)אֵתָם (H864); station 3, departure point as the march turns back toward the sea.
וַיָּ֨שָׁב֙and it turned backconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · שׁוּב (H7725)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (route description)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative-advancing act, describing a change of directionשׁוּב (H7725) 'to turn, return'; the march 'turned back' upon Pi-hahiroth -- a deliberate reversal that trapped Israel against the sea, setting up the Exodus 14 crossing.
עַלuponpreposition · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'upon, toward'; governing פִּי הַחִירֹת, the destination the march turned toward.
פִּ֣יPi-proper noun (construct element) · פִּי הַחִירֹת (H6367)Object of preposition עַל (first element of place-name)פִּי הַחִירֹת (H6367) 'Pi-hahiroth', 'mouth of the gorges/caverns'; the site by the sea where Pharaoh's army overtook Israel (Exod. 14:2, 9).
הַחִירֹ֔תhahirothproper noun (construct element) · פִּי הַחִירֹת (H6367)Object of preposition עַל (second element of place-name)הַחִירֹת, second half of the place-name Pi-hahiroth; station 4, scene of Israel's trapped-yet-delivered crossing of the sea.
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing descriptive clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the geographic clarification locating Pi-hahiroth relative to Baal-zephon and Migdol.
עַלbeforepreposition · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phrase (with פְּנֵי, 'facing')עַל (H5921) with פָּנִים forms 'facing, in front of' -- Pi-hahiroth's position relative to Baal-zephon.
פְּנֵ֖יthe face ofN c pl construct · פָּנִים (H6440)Object of preposition עַל (idiom 'facing')פָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; with עַל, 'facing, opposite' Baal-zephon.
בַּ֣עַלBaal-proper noun (construct element) · בַּעַל צְפוֹן (H1189)Object of preposition עַל פְּנֵי (first element of place-name)בַּעַל צְפוֹן (H1189) 'Baal-zephon', a Canaanite/Egyptian coastal shrine to the storm-god Baal, ironically the landmark by which YHWH trapped and then delivered Israel through the sea.
צְפ֑וֹןzephonproper noun (construct element) · בַּעַל צְפוֹן (H1189)Object of preposition עַל פְּנֵי (second element of place-name)צְפוֹן, second half of Baal-zephon, 'lord of the north/hiding-place'; landmark opposite the Israelite camp before the sea crossing.
וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּand they encampedconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · חָנָה (H2583)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: encampment)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance -- each encampment closes a stageחָנָה (H2583) 'to encamp'; here before Migdol, poised at the sea's edge for the Exodus 14 deliverance.
לִפְנֵ֥יbeforeprep לְ + N c pl construct · פָּנִים (H6440)Locative prepositional phrase ('in front of')פָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; with לְ, 'in front of, before' Migdol.
מִגְדֹּֽלMigdolproper noun · מִגְדֹּל (H4024)Object of preposition לִפְנֵימִגְדֹּל (H4024) 'tower, fortress'; a garrison-point marking the eastern edge of Egypt near the sea-crossing site (cf. Exod. 14:2).
8
וַיִּסְעוּ֙ מִפְּנֵ֣י הַֽחִירֹ֔ת וַיַּֽעַבְר֥וּ בְתוֹךְ הַיָּ֖ם הַמִּדְבָּ֑רָה וַיֵּ֨לְכ֜וּ דֶּ֣רֶךְ שְׁלֹ֤שֶׁת יָמִים֙ בְּמִדְבַּ֣ר אֵתָ֔ם וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בְּמָרָֽה
They set out from Hahiroth and passed through the midst of the sea into the wilderness, and went a three-days' journey in the wilderness of Etham, and camped at Marah.
A single verse compresses three major movements -- the sea-crossing itself, a three-day waterless trek, and arrival at Marah's bitter water -- the itinerary's terse habit of summarizing entire narrative chapters (Exod. 14-15) in a clause.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וַיִּסְעוּ֙and they set outconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · נָסַע (H5265)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: departure)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance -- stage 5נָסַע (H5265) 'to set out, journey'; paired with חָנָה throughout the itinerary.
מִפְּנֵ֣יfrom beforeprep מִן + N c pl construct · פָּנִים (H6440)Source prepositional phraseפָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; 'from before Hahiroth' -- departing the sea-crossing site after the Egyptian army's destruction.
הַֽחִירֹ֔תHahirothart + proper noun · הַחִירֹת (H6367)Genitive complement of construct chainהַחִירֹת (H6367); station 4, restated as the departure point for the crossing itself.
וַיַּֽעַבְר֥וּand they passed throughconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · עָבַר (H5674)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main event of this stage)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance -- the miraculous crossing itselfעָבַר (H5674) 'to pass over, cross'; here of the sea-crossing of Exod. 14 -- the itinerary's terse summary of Israel's defining deliverance.
בְתוֹךְthrough the midst ofprep בְּ + N m sg construct · תָּוֶךְ (H8432)Locative prepositional phraseתָּוֶךְ (H8432) 'midst, middle'; 'through the midst of the sea' -- the itinerary's plain-prose echo of Exodus 14's parted waters.
הַיָּ֖םthe seaart + N m sg absolute · יָם (H3220)Genitive complement of construct chainיָם (H3220) 'sea'; here the Red/Reed Sea (יַם סוּף, named explicitly in v. 10-11), site of Egypt's destruction and Israel's deliverance.
הַמִּדְבָּ֑רָהinto the wildernessart + N m sg absolute + directional ה suffix · מִדְבָּר (H4057)Adverbial accusative of directionמִדְבָּר (H4057) with directional heh, 'toward/into the wilderness'; the crossing delivers Israel out of Egypt's reach into open desert.
וַיֵּ֨לְכ֜וּand they wentconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · הָלַךְ (H3212)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance -- a three-day trek without water (cf. Exod. 15:22)הָלַךְ (H3212) 'to go, walk'; the harsh three-day march into the wilderness of Shur/Etham that precipitated the water-crisis at Marah.
דֶּ֣רֶךְa journey ofN c sg construct · דֶּרֶךְ (H1870)Adverbial accusative of extent (distance/duration)דֶּרֶךְ (H1870) 'way, road'; idiomatically 'a journey of [three days]', measuring distance by travel-time.
שְׁלֹ֤שֶׁתthreecardinal number, m sg construct · שָׁלוֹשׁ (H7969)Construct modifier of יָמִיםשָׁלוֹשׁ (H7969) 'three'; three waterless days (Exod. 15:22), the itinerary's own note of the ordeal behind the Marah crisis.
יָמִים֙daysN m pl absolute · יוֹם (H3117)Genitive complement of construct chainיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; completing 'a three-days' journey'.
בְּמִדְבַּ֣רin the wilderness ofprep בְּ + N m sg construct · מִדְבָּר (H4057)Locative prepositional phraseמִדְבָּר (H4057); 'the wilderness of Etham', the desolate stretch crossed before reaching Marah.
אֵתָ֔םEthamproper noun · אֵתָם (H864)Genitive complement of construct chainאֵתָם (H864); the wilderness bearing Etham's name, source of the harsh three-day trek.
וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּand they encampedconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · חָנָה (H2583)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: encampment)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance -- relief after the waterless trekחָנָה (H2583) 'to encamp'; arrival at Marah's (bitter, then sweetened) water ends the three-day ordeal.
בְּמָרָֽהat Marahprep בְּ + proper noun · מָרָה (H4785)Locative prepositional phrase (place of encampment)מָרָה (H4785) 'bitterness', from מַר 'bitter'; station 6, where the undrinkable water was sweetened by a tree at YHWH's word (Exod. 15:23-25) -- Israel's first wilderness test.
9
וַיִּסְעוּ֙ מִמָּרָ֔ה וַיָּבֹ֖אוּ אֵילִ֑מָה וּ֠בְאֵילִם שְׁתֵּ֣ים עֶשְׂרֵ֞ה עֵינֹ֥ת מַ֛יִם וְשִׁבְעִ֥ים תְּמָרִ֖ים וַיַּחֲנוּ שָֽׁם
They set out from Marah and came to Elim; at Elim there were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees, and they camped there.
Elim's oasis receives the chain's only extended description (twelve springs, seventy palms), a deliberate contrast with Marah's bitterness in the previous verse.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וַיִּסְעוּ֙and they set outconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · נָסַע (H5265)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: departure)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance -- stage 6נָסַע (H5265) 'to set out'; paired with בוא/חנה throughout the itinerary.
מִמָּרָ֔הfrom Marahprep מִן + proper noun · מָרָה (H4785)Source prepositional phrase (place of departure)מָרָה (H4785) 'bitterness'; station 6, departure toward the refreshment of Elim.
וַיָּבֹ֖אוּand they cameconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · בּוֹא (H935)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (arrival, in place of the usual חנה)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance -- arrival at a place of reliefבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, arrive'; used here instead of the formula's usual חָנָה, perhaps to highlight Elim's welcome abundance after Marah's trial.
אֵילִ֑מָהto Elimproper noun + directional ה suffix · אֵילִם (H362)Adverbial accusative of direction (place of arrival)אֵילִם (H362) 'terebinths/rams'; station 7, an oasis of twelve springs and seventy palms (v. 9b) -- a lush counterpoint to Marah's bitterness.
וּ֠בְאֵילִםand at Elimconj וְ + prep בְּ + proper noun · אֵילִם (H362)Locative prepositional phrase, resumed for the description clauseאֵילִם (H362); resumed to introduce the parenthetical description of its springs and palms.
שְׁתֵּ֣יםtwelve (two-)cardinal number, f dual absolute · שְׁתַּיִם (H8147)First element of compound numeral 'twelve', modifying עֵינֹתשְׁתַּיִם (H8147) 'two'; with עֶשְׂרֵה forms 'twelve' -- twelve springs, often read as matching Israel's twelve tribes.
עֶשְׂרֵ֞ה-teen (ten)cardinal number, f sg absolute · עֶשְׂרֵה (H6240)Second element of compound numeral 'twelve'עֶשְׂרֵה (H6240) 'ten' (fem. teens form); completing 'twelve springs of water'.
עֵינֹ֥תsprings ofN c pl construct · עַיִן (H5869)Subject (construct chain, of implied clause)עַיִן (H5869) 'eye', here 'spring' (a common metaphorical extension); twelve springs at Elim, a picture of providential abundance.
מַ֛יִםof waterN m pl absolute · מַיִם (H4325)Genitive complement of construct chainמַיִם (H4325) 'water'; the springs' contents -- sweet, abundant water, a deliberate contrast with Marah's bitterness two verses earlier.
וְשִׁבְעִ֥יםand seventyconj וְ + cardinal number, c pl absolute · שִׁבְעִים (H7657)Numeral modifying תְּמָרִיםשִׁבְעִים (H7657) 'seventy'; often linked symbolically to the seventy elders/nations, though the text itself makes no such claim explicit.
תְּמָרִ֖יםpalm treesN m pl absolute · תָּמָר (H8558)Subject (construct chain continuation)תָּמָר (H8558) 'date-palm'; seventy palms alongside the twelve springs -- Elim's oasis abundance, a memorable rest-stop in Israel's collective memory.
וַיַּחֲנוּand they encampedconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · חָנָה (H2583)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: encampment)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance, resuming the standard formulaחָנָה (H2583) 'to encamp'; Israel rests at Elim's oasis, resuming the chain-verb after the descriptive digression.
שָֽׁםthereadverb · שָׁם (H8033)Adverbial complement of locationשָׁם (H8033) 'there'; refers back to Elim, closing the stage.
10
וַיִּסְע֖וּ מֵאֵילִ֑ם וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ עַל יַם סֽוּף
They set out from Elim and camped by the Red Sea.
The Red Sea encampment is otherwise unattested as a distinct station elsewhere in the Torah, apparently a stopover between Elim and the wilderness of Sin.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
וַיִּסְע֖וּand they set outconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · נָסַע (H5265)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: departure)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance -- stage 7נָסַע (H5265) 'to set out'; paired with חָנָה throughout.
מֵאֵילִ֑םfrom Elimprep מִן + proper noun · אֵילִם (H362)Source prepositional phrase (place of departure)אֵילִם (H362); station 7, departure from the oasis toward the Red Sea shore.
וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּand they encampedconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · חָנָה (H2583)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: encampment)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceחָנָה (H2583) 'to encamp'; here by the Red Sea itself, otherwise unnamed as a distinct station elsewhere in the Torah.
עַלbypreposition · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'upon, by'; 'by the Red Sea', station 8's location.
יַםthe sea ofN m sg construct · יָם (H3220)Construct chain (place-name)יָם (H3220) 'sea'; construct with סוּף, 'Sea of Reeds' -- the Hebrew name for what is traditionally called the Red Sea.
סֽוּףof reedsN m sg absolute · סוּף (H5488)Genitive complement of construct chainסוּף (H5488) 'reed(s), rushes'; יַם־סוּף, 'Sea of Reeds', the traditional Red Sea crossing-point of Exodus 14-15.
11
וַיִּסְע֖וּ מִיַּם ס֑וּף וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בְּמִדְבַּר סִֽין
They set out from the Red Sea and camped in the wilderness of Sin.
Arrival in the wilderness of Sin sets the stage for the manna and quail narrative of Exod. 16, though the itinerary itself passes over that content in silence.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
וַיִּסְע֖וּand they set outconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · נָסַע (H5265)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: departure)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance -- stage 8נָסַע (H5265) 'to set out'; paired with חָנָה throughout.
מִיַּםfrom the sea ofprep מִן + N m sg construct · יָם (H3220)Source prepositional phrase, construct chainיָם (H3220); 'from the Sea of Reeds', departure from the crossing-site into the Wilderness of Sin.
ס֑וּףof reedsN m sg absolute · סוּף (H5488)Genitive complement of construct chainסוּף (H5488) 'reeds'; completing 'Sea of Reeds'.
וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּand they encampedconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · חָנָה (H2583)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: encampment)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceחָנָה (H2583) 'to encamp'; here in the wilderness of Sin, setting for the manna and quail (Exod. 16).
בְּמִדְבַּרin the wilderness ofprep בְּ + N m sg construct · מִדְבָּר (H4057)Locative prepositional phraseמִדְבָּר (H4057) construct with סִין; the wilderness of Sin, station 9.
סִֽיןSinproper noun · סִין (H5512)Genitive complement of construct chainסִין (H5512), the wilderness of Sin (unrelated to Mount Sinai despite similar English spelling); setting of Israel's hunger and the manna/quail provision (Exod. 16).
12
וַיִּסְע֖וּ מִמִּדְבַּר סִ֑ין וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בְּדָפְקָֽה
They set out from the wilderness of Sin and camped at Dophkah.
Dophkah is otherwise unattested in the Hebrew Bible, one of several stations in this stretch whose location cannot be recovered.
Word-by-word analysis· 5 words
וַיִּסְע֖וּand they set outconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · נָסַע (H5265)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: departure)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance -- stage 9נָסַע (H5265) 'to set out'; paired with חָנָה throughout.
מִמִּדְבַּרfrom the wilderness ofprep מִן + N m sg construct · מִדְבָּר (H4057)Source prepositional phraseמִדְבָּר (H4057) construct with סִין; departure from the wilderness of Sin toward Dophkah.
סִ֑יןSinproper noun · סִין (H5512)Genitive complement of construct chainסִין (H5512); station 9, restated as the departure-point.
וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּand they encampedconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · חָנָה (H2583)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: encampment)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceחָנָה (H2583) 'to encamp'; at Dophkah, otherwise unattested elsewhere in Scripture.
בְּדָפְקָֽהat Dophkahprep בְּ + proper noun · דָּפְקָה (H1850)Locative prepositional phrase (place of encampment)דָּפְקָה (H1850), Dophkah, perhaps 'knocking' (mining?); station 10, otherwise unattested in the Bible -- one of the itinerary's unrecoverable place-names.
13
וַיִּסְע֖וּ מִדָּפְקָ֑ה וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בְּאָלֽוּשׁ
They set out from Dophkah and camped at Alush.
Alush, like Dophkah, is otherwise unattested -- the itinerary's plainest stretch of unrecoverable geography.
Word-by-word analysis· 4 words
וַיִּסְע֖וּand they set outconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · נָסַע (H5265)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: departure)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance -- stage 10נָסַע (H5265) 'to set out'; paired with חָנָה throughout.
מִדָּפְקָ֑הfrom Dophkahprep מִן + proper noun · דָּפְקָה (H1850)Source prepositional phrase (place of departure)דָּפְקָה (H1850); station 10, departure point.
וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּand they encampedconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · חָנָה (H2583)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: encampment)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceחָנָה (H2583) 'to encamp'; at Alush, otherwise unattested elsewhere in Scripture.
בְּאָלֽוּשׁat Alushprep בְּ + proper noun · אָלוּשׁ (H442)Locative prepositional phrase (place of encampment)אָלוּשׁ (H442), Alush; station 11, otherwise unattested in the Bible -- another of the itinerary's unrecoverable toponyms.
14
וַיִּסְע֖וּ מֵאָל֑וּשׁ וַֽיַּחֲנוּ֙ בִּרְפִידִ֔ם וְלֹא הָ֨יָה שָׁ֥ם מַ֛יִם לָעָ֖ם לִשְׁתּֽוֹת
They set out from Alush and camped at Rephidim, where there was no water for the people to drink.
The itinerary appends its own explanatory gloss -- 'there was no water for the people to drink' -- summarizing the crisis and battle narrated at length in Exod. 17.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וַיִּסְע֖וּand they set outconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · נָסַע (H5265)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: departure)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance -- stage 11נָסַע (H5265) 'to set out'; paired with חָנָה throughout.
מֵאָל֑וּשׁfrom Alushprep מִן + proper noun · אָלוּשׁ (H442)Source prepositional phrase (place of departure)אָלוּשׁ (H442); station 11, departure toward Rephidim's water crisis.
וַֽיַּחֲנוּ֙and they encampedconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · חָנָה (H2583)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: encampment)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceחָנָה (H2583) 'to encamp'; at Rephidim, site of the water-from-the-rock crisis and the battle with Amalek (Exod. 17).
בִּרְפִידִ֔םat Rephidimprep בְּ + proper noun · רְפִידִים (H7508)Locative prepositional phrase (place of encampment)רְפִידִים (H7508) perhaps 'resting-places' or 'supports'; station 12, where Moses struck the rock for water and Israel fought Amalek (Exod. 17) -- the itinerary's own explanatory note follows.
וְלֹאand notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation of the following verb הָיָהלֹא (H3808); negates 'there was water', explaining the crisis behind Exod. 17:1-7.
הָ֨יָהwasQal perfect 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause, negated)→ Perfective: a stated fact/circumstance -- the absence of waterהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; negated, 'there was no water', the itinerary's laconic gloss on the Rephidim crisis of Exod. 17.
שָׁ֥םthereadverb · שָׁם (H8033)Adverbial complement of locationשָׁם (H8033) 'there'; at Rephidim.
מַ֛יִםwaterN m pl absolute · מַיִם (H4325)Subject of הָיָהמַיִם (H4325) 'water'; its absence at Rephidim precipitated both the people's complaint and the miracle from the rock.
לָעָ֖םfor the peopleprep לְ + art + N m sg absolute · עַם (H5971)Adverbial prepositional phrase (beneficiary)עַם (H5971) 'people'; for whom water was lacking -- the whole congregation, not a select few.
לִשְׁתּֽוֹתto drinkprep לְ + Qal infinitive construct · שָׁתָה (H8354)Purpose infinitive complementing מַיִם→ Infinitive construct: purpose/result -- water lacking for the specific need of drinkingשָׁתָה (H8354) 'to drink'; 'no water for the people to drink' -- the itinerary's spare summary of the near-crisis at Rephidim.
15
וַיִּסְע֖וּ מֵרְפִידִ֑ם וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בְּמִדְבַּ֥ר סִינָֽי
They set out from Rephidim and camped in the wilderness of Sinai.
Arrival at Sinai is passed over in a single clause, remarkable given that nearly a year and eleven chapters of Exodus-Numbers (covenant, tabernacle, law) transpire there before the next departure (v. 16).
Word-by-word analysis· 5 words
וַיִּסְע֖וּand they set outconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · נָסַע (H5265)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: departure)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance -- stage 12, toward Sinaiנָסַע (H5265) 'to set out'; paired with חָנָה throughout.
מֵרְפִידִ֑םfrom Rephidimprep מִן + proper noun · רְפִידִים (H7508)Source prepositional phrase (place of departure)רְפִידִים (H7508); station 12, the final stop before the mountain of revelation.
וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּand they encampedconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · חָנָה (H2583)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: encampment)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance -- the great, nearly year-long halt at Sinaiחָנָה (H2583) 'to encamp'; Israel's longest single encampment, site of the covenant, law, and tabernacle (Exod. 19 - Num. 10), yet compressed here into a single verse.
בְּמִדְבַּ֥רin the wilderness ofprep בְּ + N m sg construct · מִדְבָּר (H4057)Locative prepositional phraseמִדְבָּר (H4057) construct with סִינַי; the wilderness surrounding the mountain of revelation.
סִינָֽיSinaiproper noun · סִינַי (H5514)Genitive complement of construct chainסִינַי (H5514), Sinai; station 13, the covenant mountain where Israel received the law and built the tabernacle -- theologically the itinerary's most significant halt, yet passed over here in a single terse notice.
16
וַיִּסְע֖וּ מִמִּדְבַּ֣ר סִינָ֑י וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בְּקִבְרֹ֥ת הַֽתַּאֲוָֽה
They set out from the wilderness of Sinai and camped at Kibroth-hattaavah.
Departure from Sinai after the long covenant-making sojourn leads directly to judgment: Kibroth-hattaavah, 'graves of craving,' recalls the plague following the people's demand for meat (Num. 11).
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
וַיִּסְע֖וּand they set outconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · נָסַע (H5265)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: departure)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance -- stage 13, leaving Sinai after nearly a yearנָסַע (H5265) 'to set out'; paired with חָנָה throughout; this departure marks the resumption of the march recorded in Num. 10:11-12.
מִמִּדְבַּ֣רfrom the wilderness ofprep מִן + N m sg construct · מִדְבָּר (H4057)Source prepositional phraseמִדְבָּר (H4057) construct with סִינַי; departure from the covenant mountain into the wilderness proper.
סִינָ֑יSinaiproper noun · סִינַי (H5514)Genitive complement of construct chainסִינַי (H5514); station 13, departure point after the long covenant-making halt.
וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּand they encampedconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · חָנָה (H2583)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: encampment)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance -- the grim aftermath of the craving/quail episodeחָנָה (H2583) 'to encamp'; at Kibroth-hattaavah, scene of the fire-and-plague judgment on the people's craving (Num. 11:31-34).
בְּקִבְרֹ֥תat Kibroth-prep בְּ + proper noun (construct element) · קִבְרוֹת הַתַּאֲוָה (H6914)Locative prepositional phrase (first element of place-name)קִבְרוֹת (H6914) 'graves of', from קֶבֶר; first half of Kibroth-hattaavah, 'graves of craving' (Num. 11:34) -- named for the plague that struck those who craved meat.
הַֽתַּאֲוָֽהhattaavahproper noun (construct element) · קִבְרוֹת הַתַּאֲוָה (H6914)Genitive complement (second element of place-name)הַתַּאֲוָה 'of craving', from אָוָה 'to desire, crave'; station 14, one of the itinerary's few stations named for a specific judgment narrative.
17
וַיִּסְע֖וּ מִקִּבְרֹ֣ת הַֽתַּאֲוָ֑ה וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בַּחֲצֵרֹֽת
They set out from Kibroth-hattaavah and camped at Hazeroth.
Hazeroth is the scene of Miriam and Aaron's challenge to Moses' unique authority and Miriam's resulting affliction (Num. 12).
Word-by-word analysis· 5 words
וַיִּסְע֖וּand they set outconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · נָסַע (H5265)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: departure)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance -- stage 14נָסַע (H5265) 'to set out'; paired with חָנָה throughout.
מִקִּבְרֹ֣תfrom Kibroth-prep מִן + proper noun (construct element) · קִבְרוֹת הַתַּאֲוָה (H6914)Source prepositional phrase (first element of place-name)קִבְרוֹת (H6914) 'graves of'; station 14, departure from the site of judgment.
הַֽתַּאֲוָ֑הhattaavahproper noun (construct element) · קִבְרוֹת הַתַּאֲוָה (H6914)Genitive complement (second element of place-name)הַתַּאֲוָה 'of craving'; station 14, restated as the departure-point.
וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּand they encampedconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · חָנָה (H2583)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: encampment)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceחָנָה (H2583) 'to encamp'; at Hazeroth, scene of Miriam and Aaron's challenge to Moses' unique prophetic authority (Num. 12).
בַּחֲצֵרֹֽתat Hazerothprep בְּ + proper noun · חֲצֵרוֹת (H2698)Locative prepositional phrase (place of encampment)חֲצֵרוֹת (H2698) 'enclosures, settlements'; station 15, where Miriam was struck with a skin disease for opposing Moses (Num. 12) -- named again in v. 18 upon departure.
18
וַיִּסְע֖וּ מֵחֲצֵרֹ֑ת וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בְּרִתְמָֽה
They set out from Hazeroth and camped at Rithmah.
Rithmah opens a long stretch of stations (through v. 36) with no narrative counterpart elsewhere in the Torah, corresponding to the unnarrated years of wandering after the failed conquest attempt (Num. 14).
Word-by-word analysis· 4 words
וַיִּסְע֖וּand they set outconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · נָסַע (H5265)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: departure)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance -- stage 15נָסַע (H5265) 'to set out'; paired with חָנָה throughout.
מֵחֲצֵרֹ֑תfrom Hazerothprep מִן + proper noun · חֲצֵרוֹת (H2698)Source prepositional phrase (place of departure)חֲצֵרוֹת (H2698); station 15, departure toward Kadesh's vicinity per Deut. 1:19 (which telescopes this stretch).
וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּand they encampedconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · חָנָה (H2583)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: encampment)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceחָנָה (H2583) 'to encamp'; at Rithmah, first of a long series of otherwise-unnarrated stations.
בְּרִתְמָֽהat Rithmahprep בְּ + proper noun · רִתְמָה (H7575)Locative prepositional phrase (place of encampment)רִתְמָה (H7575), from רֹתֶם 'broom bush/juniper'; station 16, possibly near Kadesh, though otherwise unattested in Scripture.
19
וַיִּסְע֖וּ מֵרִתְמָ֑ה וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בְּרִמֹּ֥ן פָּֽרֶץ
They set out from Rithmah and camped at Rimmon-perez.
Rimmon-perez, 'pomegranate of the breach,' is otherwise unattested -- one of the itinerary's many unrecoverable toponyms from the long wilderness years.
Word-by-word analysis· 5 words
וַיִּסְע֖וּand they set outconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · נָסַע (H5265)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: departure)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance -- stage 16נָסַע (H5265) 'to set out'; paired with חָנָה throughout.
מֵרִתְמָ֑הfrom Rithmahprep מִן + proper noun · רִתְמָה (H7575)Source prepositional phrase (place of departure)רִתְמָה (H7575); station 16, departure point.
וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּand they encampedconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · חָנָה (H2583)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: encampment)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceחָנָה (H2583) 'to encamp'; at Rimmon-perez, unattested elsewhere in Scripture.
בְּרִמֹּ֥ןat Rimmon-prep בְּ + proper noun (construct element) · רִמּוֹן פֶּרֶץ (H7428)Locative prepositional phrase (first element of place-name)רִמּוֹן (H7428) 'pomegranate'; first half of Rimmon-perez, station 17, otherwise unattested in Scripture.
פָּֽרֶץperezproper noun (construct element) · רִמּוֹן פֶּרֶץ (H7428)Genitive complement (second element of place-name)פֶּרֶץ 'breach, bursting-forth'; second half of Rimmon-perez, station 17.
20
וַיִּסְע֖וּ מֵרִמֹּ֣ן פָּ֑רֶץ וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בְּלִבְנָֽה
They set out from Rimmon-perez and camped at Libnah.
Libnah shares its name with a later Judean town (Josh. 10:29) but is a distinct wilderness station, unattested elsewhere.
Word-by-word analysis· 5 words
וַיִּסְע֖וּand they set outconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · נָסַע (H5265)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: departure)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance -- stage 17נָסַע (H5265) 'to set out'; paired with חָנָה throughout.
מֵרִמֹּ֣ןfrom Rimmon-prep מִן + proper noun (construct element) · רִמּוֹן פֶּרֶץ (H7428)Source prepositional phrase (first element of place-name)רִמּוֹן (H7428) 'pomegranate'; station 17, departure point.
פָּ֑רֶץperezproper noun (construct element) · רִמּוֹן פֶּרֶץ (H7428)Genitive complement (second element of place-name)פֶּרֶץ 'breach'; station 17, restated at departure.
וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּand they encampedconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · חָנָה (H2583)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: encampment)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceחָנָה (H2583) 'to encamp'; at Libnah, unattested elsewhere as a wilderness station (distinct from the Judean town of the same name).
בְּלִבְנָֽהat Libnahprep בְּ + proper noun · לִבְנָה (H3841)Locative prepositional phrase (place of encampment)לִבְנָה (H3841), from לָבָן 'white'; station 18, name shared with (but distinct from) a Judean town later conquered by Joshua.
21
וַיִּסְע֖וּ מִלִּבְנָ֑ה וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בְּרִסָּֽה
They set out from Libnah and camped at Rissah.
Rissah, like several stations in this stretch, is otherwise unattested in the Bible; the chain's relentless formula here carries the reader through years the narrative itself never describes.
Word-by-word analysis· 4 words
וַיִּסְע֖וּand they set outconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · נָסַע (H5265)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: departure)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance -- stage 18 of the itinerary chainנָסַע (H5265) 'to set out'; paired with חָנָה throughout the itinerary.
מִלִּבְנָ֑הfrom Libnahprep מִן + proper noun · לִבְנָה (H3841)Source prepositional phrase (place of departure)לִבְנָה (H3841); station 18, departure point.
וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּand they encampedconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · חָנָה (H2583)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: encampment)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceחָנָה (H2583) 'to encamp'; at Rissah, otherwise unattested elsewhere in Scripture.
בְּרִסָּֽהat Rissahprep בְּ + proper noun · רִסָּה (H7446)Locative prepositional phrase (place of encampment)רִסָּה (H7446), perhaps 'ruin, dew-drop'; station 19, otherwise unattested in the Bible -- one of the itinerary's unrecoverable toponyms.
22
וַיִּסְע֖וּ מֵרִסָּ֑ה וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בִּקְהֵלָֽתָה
They set out from Rissah and camped at Kehelathah.
Kehelathah, 'assembly,' is otherwise unattested -- one of many small stations passed over without comment in the wider Torah narrative.
Word-by-word analysis· 4 words
וַיִּסְע֖וּand they set outconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · נָסַע (H5265)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: departure)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance -- stage 19 of the itinerary chainנָסַע (H5265) 'to set out'; paired with חָנָה throughout the itinerary.
מֵרִסָּ֑הfrom Rissahprep מִן + proper noun · רִסָּה (H7446)Source prepositional phrase (place of departure)רִסָּה (H7446); station 19, departure point.
וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּand they encampedconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · חָנָה (H2583)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: encampment)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceחָנָה (H2583) 'to encamp'; at Kehelathah, otherwise unattested elsewhere in Scripture.
בִּקְהֵלָֽתָהat Kehelathahprep בְּ + proper noun · קְהֵלָתָה (H6954)Locative prepositional phrase (place of encampment)קְהֵלָתָה (H6954), perhaps 'assembly'; station 20, otherwise unattested in the Bible.
23
וַיִּסְע֖וּ מִקְּהֵלָ֑תָה וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בְּהַר שָֽׁפֶר
They set out from Kehelathah and camped at Mount Shepher.
Mount Shepher is otherwise unattested; its location, like most of this stretch, cannot be recovered from other biblical evidence.
Word-by-word analysis· 5 words
וַיִּסְע֖וּand they set outconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · נָסַע (H5265)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: departure)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance -- stage 20 of the itinerary chainנָסַע (H5265) 'to set out'; paired with חָנָה throughout the itinerary.
מִקְּהֵלָ֑תָהfrom Kehelathahprep מִן + proper noun · קְהֵלָתָה (H6954)Source prepositional phrase (place of departure)קְהֵלָתָה (H6954); station 20, departure point.
וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּand they encampedconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · חָנָה (H2583)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: encampment)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceחָנָה (H2583) 'to encamp'; at Mount Shepher, otherwise unattested elsewhere in Scripture.
בְּהַרat Mountprep בְּ + N m sg construct · הַר (H2022)Locative prepositional phrase (first element of place-name)הַר (H2022) 'mountain'; construct with שֶׁפֶר, 'Mount Shepher'.
שָֽׁפֶרShepherproper noun · שֶׁפֶר (H8234)Genitive complement of construct chain (place of encampment)שֶׁפֶר (H8234), perhaps 'beauty'; station 21, otherwise unattested in Scripture.
24
וַיִּסְע֖וּ מֵֽהַר שָׁ֑פֶר וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בַּחֲרָדָֽה
They set out from Mount Shepher and camped at Haradah.
Haradah, 'fear, trembling,' is otherwise unattested -- its evocative name has invited speculation but no independent confirmation.
Word-by-word analysis· 5 words
וַיִּסְע֖וּand they set outconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · נָסַע (H5265)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: departure)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance -- stage 21 of the itinerary chainנָסַע (H5265) 'to set out'; paired with חָנָה throughout the itinerary.
מֵֽהַרfrom Mountprep מִן + N m sg construct · הַר (H2022)Source prepositional phrase (first element of place-name)הַר (H2022); construct with שֶׁפֶר, station 21's departure point.
שָׁ֑פֶרShepherproper noun · שֶׁפֶר (H8234)Genitive complement of construct chain (place of departure)שֶׁפֶר (H8234); station 21, restated at departure.
וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּand they encampedconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · חָנָה (H2583)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: encampment)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceחָנָה (H2583) 'to encamp'; at Haradah, otherwise unattested elsewhere in Scripture.
בַּחֲרָדָֽהat Haradahprep בְּ + proper noun · חֲרָדָה (H2732)Locative prepositional phrase (place of encampment)חֲרָדָה (H2732) 'fear, trembling'; station 22, otherwise unattested in the Bible.
25
וַיִּסְע֖וּ מֵחֲרָדָ֑ה וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בְּמַקְהֵלֹֽת
They set out from Haradah and camped at Makheloth.
Makheloth, 'assemblies,' is otherwise unattested in Scripture.
Word-by-word analysis· 4 words
וַיִּסְע֖וּand they set outconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · נָסַע (H5265)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: departure)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance -- stage 22 of the itinerary chainנָסַע (H5265) 'to set out'; paired with חָנָה throughout the itinerary.
מֵחֲרָדָ֑הfrom Haradahprep מִן + proper noun · חֲרָדָה (H2732)Source prepositional phrase (place of departure)חֲרָדָה (H2732); station 22, departure point.
וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּand they encampedconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · חָנָה (H2583)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: encampment)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceחָנָה (H2583) 'to encamp'; at Makheloth, otherwise unattested elsewhere in Scripture.
בְּמַקְהֵלֹֽתat Makhelothprep בְּ + proper noun · מַקְהֵלֹת (H4722)Locative prepositional phrase (place of encampment)מַקְהֵלֹת (H4722) 'assemblies'; station 23, otherwise unattested in the Bible.
26
וַיִּסְע֖וּ מִמַּקְהֵלֹ֑ת וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בְּתָֽחַת
They set out from Makheloth and camped at Tahath.
Tahath is otherwise unattested as a place; the name recurs elsewhere in the Bible only as a personal name.
Word-by-word analysis· 4 words
וַיִּסְע֖וּand they set outconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · נָסַע (H5265)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: departure)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance -- stage 23 of the itinerary chainנָסַע (H5265) 'to set out'; paired with חָנָה throughout the itinerary.
מִמַּקְהֵלֹ֑תfrom Makhelothprep מִן + proper noun · מַקְהֵלֹת (H4722)Source prepositional phrase (place of departure)מַקְהֵלֹת (H4722); station 23, departure point.
וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּand they encampedconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · חָנָה (H2583)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: encampment)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceחָנָה (H2583) 'to encamp'; at Tahath, otherwise unattested elsewhere in Scripture.
בְּתָֽחַתat Tahathprep בְּ + proper noun · תַּחַת (H8480)Locative prepositional phrase (place of encampment)תַּחַת (H8480) 'lowland, below'; station 24, otherwise unattested in the Bible.
27
וַיִּסְע֖וּ מִתָּ֑חַת וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בְּתָֽרַח
They set out from Tahath and camped at Terah.
Terah, otherwise unattested as a place, happens to share its name with Abraham's father (Gen. 11:24-32) -- almost certainly coincidental.
Word-by-word analysis· 4 words
וַיִּסְע֖וּand they set outconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · נָסַע (H5265)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: departure)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance -- stage 24 of the itinerary chainנָסַע (H5265) 'to set out'; paired with חָנָה throughout the itinerary.
מִתָּ֑חַתfrom Tahathprep מִן + proper noun · תַּחַת (H8480)Source prepositional phrase (place of departure)תַּחַת (H8480); station 24, departure point.
וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּand they encampedconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · חָנָה (H2583)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: encampment)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceחָנָה (H2583) 'to encamp'; at Terah, otherwise unattested elsewhere in Scripture.
בְּתָֽרַחat Terahprep בְּ + proper noun · תֶּרַח (H8646)Locative prepositional phrase (place of encampment)תֶּרַח (H8646); station 25, otherwise unattested in the Bible (distinct from the patriarch Terah, Abraham's father).
28
וַיִּסְע֖וּ מִתָּ֑רַח וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בְּמִתְקָֽה
They set out from Terah and camped at Mithkah.
Mithkah, 'sweetness,' is otherwise unattested, perhaps ironically named after a source of good water.
Word-by-word analysis· 4 words
וַיִּסְע֖וּand they set outconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · נָסַע (H5265)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: departure)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance -- stage 25 of the itinerary chainנָסַע (H5265) 'to set out'; paired with חָנָה throughout the itinerary.
מִתָּ֑רַחfrom Terahprep מִן + proper noun · תֶּרַח (H8646)Source prepositional phrase (place of departure)תֶּרַח (H8646); station 25, departure point.
וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּand they encampedconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · חָנָה (H2583)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: encampment)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceחָנָה (H2583) 'to encamp'; at Mithkah, otherwise unattested elsewhere in Scripture.
בְּמִתְקָֽהat Mithkahprep בְּ + proper noun · מִתְקָה (H4989)Locative prepositional phrase (place of encampment)מִתְקָה (H4989) 'sweetness'; station 26, otherwise unattested in the Bible.
29
וַיִּסְע֖וּ מִמִּתְקָ֑ה וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בְּחַשְׁמֹנָֽה
They set out from Mithkah and camped at Hashmonah.
Hashmonah is otherwise unattested; its root may relate to a word for 'fertile ground,' though the connection is uncertain.
Word-by-word analysis· 4 words
וַיִּסְע֖וּand they set outconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · נָסַע (H5265)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: departure)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance -- stage 26 of the itinerary chainנָסַע (H5265) 'to set out'; paired with חָנָה throughout the itinerary.
מִמִּתְקָ֑הfrom Mithkahprep מִן + proper noun · מִתְקָה (H4989)Source prepositional phrase (place of departure)מִתְקָה (H4989); station 26, departure point.
וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּand they encampedconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · חָנָה (H2583)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: encampment)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceחָנָה (H2583) 'to encamp'; at Hashmonah, otherwise unattested elsewhere in Scripture.
בְּחַשְׁמֹנָֽהat Hashmonahprep בְּ + proper noun · חַשְׁמֹנָה (H2832)Locative prepositional phrase (place of encampment)חַשְׁמֹנָה (H2832), perhaps 'fertile ground'; station 27, otherwise unattested in the Bible.
30
וַיִּסְע֖וּ מֵֽחַשְׁמֹנָ֑ה וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בְּמֹסֵרֽוֹת
They set out from Hashmonah and camped at Moseroth.
Moseroth introduces one of the itinerary's genuine textual/chronological cruxes: Deut. 10:6 places Aaron's death and burial at (the singular) Moserah, in apparent tension with this chapter's own dating of his death at Mount Hor (vv. 38-39), well after Moseroth in the sequence.
Word-by-word analysis· 4 words
וַיִּסְע֖וּand they set outconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · נָסַע (H5265)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: departure)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance -- stage 27 of the itinerary chainנָסַע (H5265) 'to set out'; paired with חָנָה throughout the itinerary.
מֵֽחַשְׁמֹנָ֑הfrom Hashmonahprep מִן + proper noun · חַשְׁמֹנָה (H2832)Source prepositional phrase (place of departure)חַשְׁמֹנָה (H2832); station 27, departure point.
וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּand they encampedconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · חָנָה (H2583)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: encampment)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceחָנָה (H2583) 'to encamp'; at Moseroth, station 28.
בְּמֹסֵרֽוֹתat Moserothprep בְּ + proper noun · מֹסֵרוֹת (H4149)Locative prepositional phrase (place of encampment)מֹסֵרוֹת (H4149) 'bonds, chastisements'; station 28. The plural here corresponds to singular Moserah in Deut. 10:6, where Aaron's death and burial are placed -- a notable chronological/geographic tension with this chapter's own placement of Aaron's death at Mount Hor (vv. 38-39), since here Moseroth is merely one stage among forty-two, well removed from Hor.
31
וַיִּסְע֖וּ מִמֹּסֵר֑וֹת וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בִּבְנֵ֥י יַעֲקָֽן
They set out from Moseroth and camped at Bene-jaakan.
Bene-jaakan, 'sons of Jaakan,' links this station to the Edomite/Horite genealogies of Gen. 36:27 and 1 Chr. 1:42, suggesting the itinerary now moves through territory adjoining Seir.
Word-by-word analysis· 5 words
וַיִּסְע֖וּand they set outconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · נָסַע (H5265)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: departure)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance -- stage 28 of the itinerary chainנָסַע (H5265) 'to set out'; paired with חָנָה throughout the itinerary.
מִמֹּסֵר֑וֹתfrom Moserothprep מִן + proper noun · מֹסֵרוֹת (H4149)Source prepositional phrase (place of departure)מֹסֵרוֹת (H4149); station 28, departure point.
וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּand they encampedconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · חָנָה (H2583)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: encampment)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceחָנָה (H2583) 'to encamp'; at Bene-jaakan, station 29.
בִּבְנֵ֥יat Bene-prep בְּ + proper noun (construct element) · בְּנֵי יַעֲקָן (H1142)Locative prepositional phrase (first element of place-name)בְּנֵי (H1142) 'sons of'; first half of Bene-jaakan.
יַעֲקָֽןjaakanproper noun (construct element) · בְּנֵי יַעֲקָן (H1142)Genitive complement (second element of place-name)יַעֲקָן, 'Jaakan'; second half of Bene-jaakan, station 29. Jaakan appears in the genealogies of Seir/Edom (1 Chr. 1:42, as Aqan), suggesting a clan-named encampment near Edomite territory.
32
וַיִּסְע֖וּ מִבְּנֵ֣י יַעֲקָ֑ן וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בְּחֹ֥ר הַגִּדְגָּֽד
They set out from Bene-jaakan and camped at Hor-haggidgad.
Hor-haggidgad appears as Gudgodah in Deut. 10:7, a minor spelling variant between the two itinerary traditions.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
וַיִּסְע֖וּand they set outconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · נָסַע (H5265)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: departure)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance -- stage 29 of the itinerary chainנָסַע (H5265) 'to set out'; paired with חָנָה throughout the itinerary.
מִבְּנֵ֣יfrom Bene-prep מִן + proper noun (construct element) · בְּנֵי יַעֲקָן (H1142)Source prepositional phrase (first element of place-name)בְּנֵי (H1142) 'sons of'; station 29, departure point.
יַעֲקָ֑ןjaakanproper noun (construct element) · בְּנֵי יַעֲקָן (H1142)Genitive complement (second element of place-name)יַעֲקָן; station 29, restated at departure.
וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּand they encampedconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · חָנָה (H2583)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: encampment)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceחָנָה (H2583) 'to encamp'; at Hor-haggidgad, station 30.
בְּחֹ֥רat Hor-prep בְּ + proper noun (construct element) · חֹר הַגִּדְגָּד (H2735)Locative prepositional phrase (first element of place-name)חֹר (H2735) 'hole, cave'; first half of Hor-haggidgad.
הַגִּדְגָּֽדhaggidgadproper noun (construct element) · חֹר הַגִּדְגָּד (H2735)Genitive complement (second element of place-name)הַגִּדְגָּד 'of the crevice/cleft'; station 30, called Gudgodah in Deut. 10:7 -- one of the itinerary's minor orthographic variants against the parallel Deuteronomy notice.
33
וַיִּסְע֖וּ מֵחֹ֣ר הַגִּדְגָּ֑ד וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בְּיָטְבָֽתָה
They set out from Hor-haggidgad and camped at Jotbathah.
Jotbathah receives an added note in Deut. 10:7 -- 'a land of streams of water' -- one of the few stations elaborated upon outside this chapter.
Word-by-word analysis· 5 words
וַיִּסְע֖וּand they set outconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · נָסַע (H5265)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: departure)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance -- stage 30 of the itinerary chainנָסַע (H5265) 'to set out'; paired with חָנָה throughout the itinerary.
מֵחֹ֣רfrom Hor-prep מִן + proper noun (construct element) · חֹר הַגִּדְגָּד (H2735)Source prepositional phrase (first element of place-name)חֹר (H2735); station 30, departure point.
הַגִּדְגָּ֑דhaggidgadproper noun (construct element) · חֹר הַגִּדְגָּד (H2735)Genitive complement (second element of place-name)הַגִּדְגָּד; station 30, restated at departure.
וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּand they encampedconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · חָנָה (H2583)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: encampment)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceחָנָה (H2583) 'to encamp'; at Jotbathah, station 31.
בְּיָטְבָֽתָהat Jotbathahprep בְּ + proper noun · יָטְבָתָה (H3193)Locative prepositional phrase (place of encampment)יָטְבָתָה (H3193) 'goodness, pleasantness'; station 31, described in Deut. 10:7 as 'a land of streams of water' -- one of the few stations with an added geographic note elsewhere in the Torah.
34
וַיִּסְע֖וּ מִיָּטְבָ֑תָה וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בְּעַבְרֹנָֽה
They set out from Jotbathah and camped at Abronah.
Abronah, from a root meaning 'to cross over,' is otherwise unattested.
Word-by-word analysis· 4 words
וַיִּסְע֖וּand they set outconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · נָסַע (H5265)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: departure)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance -- stage 31 of the itinerary chainנָסַע (H5265) 'to set out'; paired with חָנָה throughout the itinerary.
מִיָּטְבָ֑תָהfrom Jotbathahprep מִן + proper noun · יָטְבָתָה (H3193)Source prepositional phrase (place of departure)יָטְבָתָה (H3193); station 31, departure point.
וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּand they encampedconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · חָנָה (H2583)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: encampment)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceחָנָה (H2583) 'to encamp'; at Abronah, station 32.
בְּעַבְרֹנָֽהat Abronahprep בְּ + proper noun · עַבְרֹנָה (H5684)Locative prepositional phrase (place of encampment)עַבְרֹנָה (H5684), from עָבַר 'to cross over'; station 32, otherwise unattested in the Bible.
35
וַיִּסְע֖וּ מֵֽעַבְרֹנָ֑ה וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בְּעֶצְי֥וֹן גָּֽבֶר
They set out from Abronah and camped at Ezion-geber.
Ezion-geber, a real and well-attested port on the Gulf of Aqaba (later fortified under Solomon, 1 Kgs 9:26), marks the itinerary's southeasternmost reach before the turn toward Kadesh.
Word-by-word analysis· 5 words
וַיִּסְע֖וּand they set outconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · נָסַע (H5265)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: departure)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance -- stage 32 of the itinerary chainנָסַע (H5265) 'to set out'; paired with חָנָה throughout the itinerary.
מֵֽעַבְרֹנָ֑הfrom Abronahprep מִן + proper noun · עַבְרֹנָה (H5684)Source prepositional phrase (place of departure)עַבְרֹנָה (H5684); station 32, departure point.
וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּand they encampedconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · חָנָה (H2583)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: encampment)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceחָנָה (H2583) 'to encamp'; at Ezion-geber, station 33.
בְּעֶצְי֥וֹןat Ezion-prep בְּ + proper noun (construct element) · עֶצְיוֹן גֶּבֶר (H6100)Locative prepositional phrase (first element of place-name)עֶצְיוֹן (H6100) 'backbone, spine'; first half of Ezion-geber.
גָּֽבֶרgeberproper noun (construct element) · עֶצְיוֹן גֶּבֶר (H6100)Genitive complement (second element of place-name)גֶּבֶר 'man, strong one'; Ezion-geber, station 33, a port on the Gulf of Aqaba later fortified by Solomon (1 Kgs 9:26) -- the itinerary's southeasternmost point before the turn north to Kadesh.
36
וַיִּסְע֖וּ מֵעֶצְי֣וֹן גָּ֑בֶר וַיַּחֲנ֥וּ בְמִדְבַּר צִ֖ן הִ֥וא קָדֵֽשׁ
They set out from Ezion-geber and camped in the wilderness of Zin, that is, Kadesh.
The identification of the wilderness of Zin with Kadesh is explicit here, naming Israel's most consequential single halting-place -- base camp for nearly forty years and the site of the spies' mission, Miriam's death, and the sin at Meribah (Num. 20).
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
וַיִּסְע֖וּand they set outconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · נָסַע (H5265)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: departure)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance -- stage 33 of the itinerary chainנָסַע (H5265) 'to set out'; paired with חָנָה throughout the itinerary.
מֵעֶצְי֣וֹןfrom Ezion-prep מִן + proper noun (construct element) · עֶצְיוֹן גֶּבֶר (H6100)Source prepositional phrase (first element of place-name)עֶצְיוֹן (H6100); station 33, departure point.
גָּ֑בֶרgeberproper noun (construct element) · עֶצְיוֹן גֶּבֶר (H6100)Genitive complement (second element of place-name)גֶּבֶר; station 33, restated at departure.
וַיַּחֲנ֥וּand they encampedconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · חָנָה (H2583)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: encampment)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance -- arrival at Israel's most consequential single halt outside Sinaiחָנָה (H2583) 'to encamp'; in the wilderness of Zin, identified as Kadesh -- station 34.
בְמִדְבַּרin the wilderness ofprep בְּ + N m sg construct · מִדְבָּר (H4057)Locative prepositional phraseמִדְבָּר (H4057); construct with צִן, embracing Kadesh -- distinct from the wilderness of Sin (v. 11) despite similar English transliteration.
צִ֖ןZinproper noun · צִן (H6790)Genitive complement of construct chainצִן (H6790); the wilderness tract in whose bounds Kadesh lay, on Canaan's southern frontier (cf. Num. 20:1; 13:21).
הִ֥ואthat isindependent pronoun 3fs · הִיא (H1931)Resumptive/identifying pronoun (apposition)הִיא (H1931) 'she, it'; identifying pronoun glossing the wilderness of Zin AS Kadesh -- station 34, Israel's most strategically important halt: base for nearly forty years, and the site of the spies' report, Miriam's death, and Moses' and Aaron's own disqualifying sin at the waters of Meribah (Num. 20).
קָדֵֽשׁKadeshproper noun · קָדֵשׁ (H6946)Predicate nominative (identification)קָדֵשׁ (H6946) 'holy place'; identified here with the wilderness of Zin. Israel's longest single halting-point outside Sinai, functionally the nation's base camp through nearly the whole forty years, though this itinerary -- true to its genre -- gives it no more space than any other station.
37
וַיִּסְע֖וּ מִקָּדֵ֑שׁ וַֽיַּחֲנוּ֙ בְּהֹ֣ר הָהָ֔ר בִּקְצֵ֖ה אֶ֥רֶץ אֱדֽוֹם
They set out from Kadesh and camped at Mount Hor, on the edge of the land of Edom.
Departure from Kadesh to Mount Hor, precisely located on Edom's border, sets the stage for the itinerary's central narrative event: Aaron's death, recounted in the next two verses.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
וַיִּסְע֖וּand they set outconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · נָסַע (H5265)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: departure)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance -- stage 34 of the itinerary chainנָסַע (H5265) 'to set out'; paired with חָנָה throughout the itinerary.
מִקָּדֵ֑שׁfrom Kadeshprep מִן + proper noun · קָדֵשׁ (H6946)Source prepositional phrase (place of departure)קָדֵשׁ (H6946); station 34, departure point after the long sojourn there.
וַֽיַּחֲנוּ֙and they encampedconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · חָנָה (H2583)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: encampment)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance -- arrival at the site of Aaron's deathחָנָה (H2583) 'to encamp'; at Mount Hor, station 35, on Edom's border.
בְּהֹ֣רat Horprep בְּ + proper noun (construct element) · הֹר הָהָר (H2023)Locative prepositional phrase (first element of place-name)הֹר (H2023); first half of הֹר הָהָר, 'Hor, the Mountain'.
הָהָ֔רthe mountainart + N m sg absolute (construct element) · הַר (H2022)Genitive complement (second element of place-name)הַר (H2022) 'mountain'; completing הֹר הָהָר, 'Hor, the Mountain' -- a name built from הֹר (perhaps Hurrian/Horite in origin, itself meaning 'mountain') doubled with the generic Hebrew term. Station 35, traditionally located on the Edom-Israel border (Jebel Nebi Harun near Petra, though the identification is debated), the site of Aaron's death (vv. 38-39).
בִּקְצֵ֖הat the edge ofprep בְּ + N c sg construct · קָצֶה (H7097)Locative prepositional phraseקָצֶה (H7097) 'edge, end'; Mount Hor sits at Edom's very border, echoing v. 6's description of Etham.
אֶ֥רֶץthe land ofN c sg construct · אֶרֶץ (H776)Genitive complement of construct chainאֶרֶץ (H776); construct with אֱדוֹם, locating Mount Hor precisely.
אֱדֽוֹםEdomproper noun · אֱדוֹם (H123)Genitive complement of construct chainאֱדוֹם (H123); Esau's territory southeast of the Dead Sea. Mount Hor's location on Edom's border sets up the diplomatic refusal narrated in Num. 20:14-21, immediately preceding Aaron's death in the base narrative.
38
וַיַּעַל֩ אַהֲרֹ֨ן הַכֹּהֵ֜ן אֶל הֹ֥ר הָהָ֛ר עַל פִּ֥י יְהוָ֖ה וַיָּ֣מָת שָׁ֑ם בִּשְׁנַ֣ת הָֽאַרְבָּעִ֗ים לְצֵ֤את בְּנֵֽי יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ מֵאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַ֔יִם בַּחֹ֥דֶשׁ הַחֲמִישִׁ֖י בְּאֶחָ֥ד לַחֹֽדֶשׁ
Aaron the priest went up Mount Hor at the command of YHWH and died there, in the fortieth year after the Israelites had come out of the land of Egypt, in the fifth month, on the first day of the month.
The itinerary's second and final narrative digression: Aaron's ascent and death are dated with unmatched precision (fortieth year, fifth month, first day) -- the Torah's only exactly dated death, framed explicitly as obedience to YHWH's command.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
וַיַּעַל֩and he went upconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · עָלָה (H5927)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance -- the itinerary's second and final narrative digression from the bare formulaעָלָה (H5927) 'to go up, ascend'; Aaron's final act, climbing Hor to die -- echoing Moses' own later ascent of Nebo (Deut. 34). The Torah's two great leaders each die on a mountain, in sight of but excluded from the land.
אַהֲרֹ֨ןAaronproper noun · אַהֲרֹן (H175)Subjectאַהֲרֹן (H175); Israel's first high priest, Moses' brother and spokesman. His death here is the itinerary's structural and theological climax.
הַכֹּהֵ֜ןthe priestart + N m sg absolute · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Apposition to אַהֲרֹן (title)כֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'; Aaron's priestly office is named precisely at his death, underscoring what is lost -- Israel's founding high priest.
אֶלtopreposition · אֶל (H413)Locative prepositional phrase (destination)אֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; governing הֹר הָהָר, Aaron's destination and deathplace.
הֹ֥רHorproper noun (construct element) · הֹר הָהָר (H2023)Object of preposition אֶל (first element of place-name)הֹר (H2023); first half of הֹר הָהָר, station 35 (v. 37), now the site of Aaron's death.
הָהָ֛רthe mountainart + N m sg absolute (construct element) · הַר (H2022)Genitive complement (second element of place-name)הַר (H2022) 'mountain'; completing 'Mount Hor', restated from v. 37 as the death-site.
עַלatpreposition · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase governing פִּי יְהוָה (idiom)עַל (H5921); with פֶּה forms the idiom עַל־פִּי, 'at the command of' -- Aaron's death, like Moses' writing in v. 2, is framed as obedient to YHWH's own word.
פִּ֥יthe mouth ofN m sg construct · פֶּה (H6310)Object of preposition עַל (idiom)פֶּה (H6310) 'mouth'; idiom 'at the command of YHWH' -- Aaron's death is neither accident nor mere biology but a commanded event (cf. Num. 20:24-26).
יְהוָ֖הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive complement of construct chainיְהוָה (H3068); the God whose command both sends Aaron up the mountain and ends his life there.
וַיָּ֣מָתand he diedconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · מוּת (H4191)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance -- the terse, unadorned notice of deathמוּת (H4191) 'to die'; the itinerary's plainest verb for its most significant event -- no eulogy, only the bare fact, dated precisely in what follows.
שָׁ֑םthereadverb · שָׁם (H8033)Adverbial complement of locationשָׁם (H8033) 'there'; on the mountain itself, not in the camp below.
בִּשְׁנַ֣תin the year ofprep בְּ + N f sg construct · שָׁנָה (H8141)Temporal prepositional phraseשָׁנָה (H8141) 'year'; opens the precise dating formula that follows -- the Torah's only exactly dated death notice.
הָֽאַרְבָּעִ֗יםthe fortiethart + cardinal number, c pl absolute · אַרְבָּעִים (H705)Genitive complement of construct chain (ordinal use of cardinal)אַרְבָּעִים (H705) 'forty'; the fortieth year of the wilderness wandering, placing Aaron's death near the very end of the forty years decreed in Num. 14:33-34.
לְצֵ֤אתsince the going out ofprep לְ + Qal infinitive construct · יָצָא (H3318)Temporal infinitive construct (reckoning point)→ Infinitive construct: reckoning the date from a fixed past eventיָצָא (H3318) 'to go out'; the dating is reckoned from the exodus itself, tying Aaron's death back to the itinerary's own starting point (v. 3).
בְּנֵֽיthe sons ofN m pl construct · בֵּן (H1121)Construct chain (genitival, subject of infinitive)בֵּן (H1121); construct with יִשְׂרָאֵל, subject of the reckoning-clause.
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙Israelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive complement of construct chainיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); the nation whose exodus (v. 3) is the itinerary's fixed reference-point for dating.
מֵאֶ֣רֶץfrom the land ofprep מִן + N c sg construct · אֶרֶץ (H776)Source prepositional phraseאֶרֶץ (H776); construct with מִצְרַיִם, echoing the itinerary's own opening phrase (v. 1).
מִצְרַ֔יִםEgyptproper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitive complement of construct chainמִצְרַיִם (H4714); Egypt, the itinerary's starting point, now the fixed anchor for Aaron's death-date nearly forty years later.
בַּחֹ֥דֶשׁin the monthprep בְּ + art + N m sg absolute · חֹדֶשׁ (H2320)Temporal prepositional phraseחֹדֶשׁ (H2320) 'month'; continuing the precise date formula.
הַחֲמִישִׁ֖יthe fifthart + ordinal adj., m sg absolute · חֲמִישִׁי (H2549)Attributive adjective modifying חֹדֶשׁחֲמִישִׁי (H2549) 'fifth'; the fifth month (Ab), the month of Aaron's death, later also the traditional month of the Temple's destruction -- though the itinerary itself draws no such connection.
בְּאֶחָ֥דon the firstprep בְּ + cardinal number, m sg absolute · אֶחָד (H259)Temporal prepositional phrase (date)אֶחָד (H259) 'one, first'; the first day of the fifth month -- the single most precisely dated death in the entire Hebrew Bible.
לַחֹֽדֶשׁof the monthprep לְ + art + N m sg absolute · חֹדֶשׁ (H2320)Genitive-equivalent prepositional phrase (reference)חֹדֶשׁ (H2320) repeated to close the date formula, exactly mirroring the dating pattern of v. 3's exodus departure.
39
וְאַהֲרֹ֔ן בֶּן שָׁלֹ֧שׁ וְעֶשְׂרִ֛ים וּמְאַ֖ת שָׁנָ֑ה בְּמֹת֖וֹ בְּהֹ֥ר הָהָֽר
And Aaron was a hundred and twenty-three years old when he died on Mount Hor.
A rare, almost obituary-like supplement giving Aaron's age (123 years) at death, tallying with the itinerary's own dating in v. 38 and inviting comparison with Moses' age of 120 at his own death (Deut. 34:7).
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
וְאַהֲרֹ֔ןand Aaronconj וְ + proper noun · אַהֲרֹן (H175)Subject (resumptive, new sentence)אַהֲרֹן (H175); resumed as subject to supply his age -- an unusual, almost obituary-like notice for the itinerary's genre.
בֶּןa son of / agedN m sg construct · בֵּן (H1121)Predicate nominative (idiom of age)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; idiomatic 'son of [number] years' = 'aged [number]', the standard Hebrew age-formula.
שָׁלֹ֧שׁthreecardinal number, f sg absolute · שָׁלוֹשׁ (H7969)Numeral in construct chain (age formula)שָׁלוֹשׁ (H7969) 'three'; first element of 'a hundred twenty-three'.
וְעֶשְׂרִ֛יםand twentyconj וְ + cardinal number, c pl absolute · עֶשְׂרִים (H6242)Numeral in construct chainעֶשְׂרִים (H6242) 'twenty'; with שָׁלוֹשׁ, 'twenty-three'.
וּמְאַ֖תand a hundred ofconj וְ + N c sg construct · מֵאָה (H3967)Construct chain (numeral)מֵאָה (H3967) 'hundred'; completing 'a hundred and twenty-three years' -- Aaron's age at death, three years older than Moses would be at his own death (Deut. 34:7, 'a hundred and twenty').
שָׁנָ֑הyearsN f sg absolute · שָׁנָה (H8141)Genitive complement of construct chainשָׁנָה (H8141) 'year'; completing the age formula.
בְּמֹת֖וֹat his deathprep בְּ + Qal infinitive construct + 3ms suffix · מוּת (H4191)Temporal infinitive construct→ Infinitive construct: circumstantial/temporal, 'when he died'מוּת (H4191) 'to die'; infinitive construct with suffix, 'at his dying' -- pinpointing when Aaron reached this age.
בְּהֹ֥רon Horprep בְּ + proper noun (construct element) · הֹר הָהָר (H2023)Locative prepositional phrase (first element of place-name)הֹר (H2023); station 35, restated as the site of Aaron's death and age-notice.
הָהָֽרthe mountainart + N m sg absolute (construct element) · הַר (H2022)Genitive complement (second element of place-name)הַר (H2022); completing 'Mount Hor', closing the notice of Aaron's death and age -- the itinerary's most personal, non-formulaic moment.
40
וַיִּשְׁמַ֗ע הַֽכְּנַעֲנִי֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ עֲרָ֔ד וְהֽוּא יֹשֵׁ֥ב בַּנֶּ֖גֶב בְּאֶ֣רֶץ כְּנָ֑עַן בְּבֹ֖א בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל
And the Canaanite king of Arad, who lived in the Negev in the land of Canaan, heard of the coming of the Israelites.
A brief historical aside recalling the king of Arad's alarm at Israel's approach (cf. Num. 21:1-3), inserted here to mark the transition from the wilderness years into contested, inhabited territory on Canaan's southern frontier.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וַיִּשְׁמַ֗עand he heardconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · שָׁמַע (H8085)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance -- a brief aside recalling Num. 21:1-3שָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear'; the Canaanite king's report of Israel's approach, briefly noted here though narrated more fully (with its battle and vow) in Num. 21:1-3.
הַֽכְּנַעֲנִי֙the Canaaniteart + gentilic noun, m sg absolute · כְּנַעֲנִי (H3669)Subject (apposition to 'king of Arad')כְּנַעֲנִי (H3669) 'Canaanite'; identifies the king of Arad's ethnicity/political affiliation.
מֶ֣לֶךְthe king ofN m sg construct · מֶלֶךְ (H4428)Subject, construct chainמֶלֶךְ (H4428) 'king'; construct with עֲרָד, subject of וַיִּשְׁמַע.
עֲרָ֔דAradproper noun · עֲרָד (H6166)Genitive complement of construct chainעֲרָד (H6166), a Canaanite city in the Negev (identified with Tel Arad); its king's opposition to Israel is narrated in Num. 21:1-3 as a victory, later commemorated in the name Hormah.
וְהֽוּאand heconj וְ + independent pronoun 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject (resumptive, circumstantial clause)הוּא (H1931) 'he'; resumptive pronoun opening a circumstantial clause describing the king's location.
יֹשֵׁ֥בwas dwellingQal active participle, m sg absolute · יָשַׁב (H3427)Predicate participle (circumstantial)→ Participle: ongoing state, 'was dwelling/settled'יָשַׁב (H3427) 'to sit, dwell'; describes the king's settled position in the Negev, watching Israel's approach.
בַּנֶּ֖גֶבin the Negevprep בְּ + art + N m sg absolute · נֶגֶב (H5045)Locative prepositional phraseנֶגֶב (H5045) 'south, Negev'; the arid southern region of Canaan bordering the wilderness of Zin.
בְּאֶ֣רֶץin the land ofprep בְּ + N c sg construct · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phraseאֶרֶץ (H776); construct with כְּנַעַן, further locating the king's territory.
כְּנָ֑עַןCanaanproper noun · כְּנַעַן (H3667)Genitive complement of construct chainכְּנַעַן (H3667); the land promised to Israel, whose southern frontier the itinerary now approaches.
בְּבֹ֖אat the coming ofprep בְּ + Qal infinitive construct · בּוֹא (H935)Temporal infinitive construct→ Infinitive construct: temporal, 'when...came'בּוֹא (H935) 'to come'; the infinitive marks the moment the king's fear was triggered -- Israel's approach itself.
בְּנֵ֥יthe sons ofN m pl construct · בֵּן (H1121)Construct chain (subject of infinitive)בֵּן (H1121); construct with יִשְׂרָאֵל, subject of the temporal clause.
יִשְׂרָאֵֽלIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive complement of construct chainיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); Israel's advance toward Canaan itself provokes the first recorded Canaanite response -- a brief foreshadowing note before the itinerary resumes its formula in v. 41.
41
וַיִּסְע֖וּ מֵהֹ֣ר הָהָ֑ר וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בְּצַלְמֹנָֽה
They set out from Mount Hor and camped at Zalmonah.
The itinerary resumes its bare chain-formula after two consecutive narrative digressions (Aaron's death, the king of Arad), departing from the very mountain where Aaron died.
Word-by-word analysis· 5 words
וַיִּסְע֖וּand they set outconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · נָסַע (H5265)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: departure)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance -- stage 35, resuming the formula after the itinerary's two narrative digressions (vv. 38-40)נָסַע (H5265) 'to set out'; paired with חָנָה throughout the itinerary.
מֵהֹ֣רfrom Horprep מִן + proper noun (construct element) · הֹר הָהָר (H2023)Source prepositional phrase (first element of place-name)הֹר (H2023); station 35, departure point after Aaron's death.
הָהָ֑רthe mountainart + N m sg absolute (construct element) · הַר (H2022)Genitive complement (second element of place-name)הַר (H2022); completing 'Mount Hor', restated as the march resumes.
וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּand they encampedconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · חָנָה (H2583)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: encampment)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceחָנָה (H2583) 'to encamp'; at Zalmonah, station 36.
בְּצַלְמֹנָֽהat Zalmonahprep בְּ + proper noun · צַלְמֹנָה (H6758)Locative prepositional phrase (place of encampment)צַלְמֹנָה (H6758), perhaps 'shadowy, dark'; station 36, otherwise unattested -- possibly near the site of the bronze-serpent episode (Num. 21:4-9), which this stretch of itinerary passes through without narrating.
42
וַיִּסְע֖וּ מִצַּלְמֹנָ֑ה וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בְּפוּנֹֽן
They set out from Zalmonah and camped at Punon.
Punon, identified with the copper-mining site of Feinan, situates this stretch of the march in the mineral-rich Arabah, near where the bronze-serpent episode of Num. 21:4-9 is set.
Word-by-word analysis· 4 words
וַיִּסְע֖וּand they set outconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · נָסַע (H5265)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: departure)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance -- stage 36 of the itinerary chainנָסַע (H5265) 'to set out'; paired with חָנָה throughout the itinerary.
מִצַּלְמֹנָ֑הfrom Zalmonahprep מִן + proper noun · צַלְמֹנָה (H6758)Source prepositional phrase (place of departure)צַלְמֹנָה (H6758); station 36, departure point.
וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּand they encampedconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · חָנָה (H2583)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: encampment)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceחָנָה (H2583) 'to encamp'; at Punon, station 37.
בְּפוּנֹֽןat Punonprep בְּ + proper noun · פּוּנֹן (H6325)Locative prepositional phrase (place of encampment)פּוּנֹן (H6325), identified with Feinan in the Arabah, an ancient copper-mining site; station 37.
43
וַיִּסְע֖וּ מִפּוּנֹ֑ן וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בְּאֹבֹֽת
They set out from Punon and camped at Oboth.
Oboth, named again in Num. 21:10, marks the itinerary's re-entry into territory covered by that chapter's own (much briefer) station-list.
Word-by-word analysis· 4 words
וַיִּסְע֖וּand they set outconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · נָסַע (H5265)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: departure)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance -- stage 37 of the itinerary chainנָסַע (H5265) 'to set out'; paired with חָנָה throughout the itinerary.
מִפּוּנֹ֑ןfrom Punonprep מִן + proper noun · פּוּנֹן (H6325)Source prepositional phrase (place of departure)פּוּנֹן (H6325); station 37, departure point.
וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּand they encampedconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · חָנָה (H2583)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: encampment)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceחָנָה (H2583) 'to encamp'; at Oboth, station 38.
בְּאֹבֹֽתat Obothprep בְּ + proper noun · אֹבֹת (H88)Locative prepositional phrase (place of encampment)אֹבֹת (H88) 'skin-bottles', or possibly related to necromancy (אוֹב, 'medium'); station 38, also named in Num. 21:10.
44
וַיִּסְע֖וּ מֵאֹבֹ֑ת וַֽיַּחֲנ֛וּ בְּעִיֵּ֥י הָעֲבָרִ֖ים בִּגְב֥וּל מוֹאָֽב
They set out from Oboth and camped at Iye-abarim, on the border of Moab.
Iye-abarim, on Moab's border, is the itinerary's first explicit notice of arrival in the region where the chapter's own narrative present (the plains of Moab) will be located.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
וַיִּסְע֖וּand they set outconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · נָסַע (H5265)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: departure)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance -- stage 38 of the itinerary chainנָסַע (H5265) 'to set out'; paired with חָנָה throughout the itinerary.
מֵאֹבֹ֑תfrom Obothprep מִן + proper noun · אֹבֹת (H88)Source prepositional phrase (place of departure)אֹבֹת (H88); station 38, departure point.
וַֽיַּחֲנ֛וּand they encampedconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · חָנָה (H2583)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: encampment)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceחָנָה (H2583) 'to encamp'; at Iye-abarim, station 39, on Moab's border.
בְּעִיֵּ֥יat Iye-prep בְּ + proper noun (construct element) · עִיֵּי הָעֲבָרִים (H5863)Locative prepositional phrase (first element of place-name)עִיִּים (H5863) 'ruins'; first half of Iye-abarim.
הָעֲבָרִ֖יםthe Abarimproper noun (construct element) · עִיֵּי הָעֲבָרִים (H5863)Genitive complement (second element of place-name)הָעֲבָרִים 'the regions/fords beyond'; Iye-abarim, station 39, named again in Num. 21:11.
בִּגְב֥וּלon the border ofprep בְּ + N m sg construct · גְּבוּל (H1366)Locative prepositional phraseגְּבוּל (H1366) 'border, territory'; construct with מוֹאָב, marking Israel's approach to Moabite land.
מוֹאָֽבMoabproper noun · מוֹאָב (H4124)Genitive complement of construct chainמוֹאָב (H4124); Lot's descendants east of the Dead Sea. The itinerary now enters Moabite territory, the setting for the chapter's final movements and much of the rest of Numbers.
45
וַיִּסְע֖וּ מֵעִיִּ֑ים וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בְּדִיבֹ֥ן גָּֽד
They set out from Iyim and camped at Dibon-gad.
The shortened form 'Iyim' economizes the fuller name of the previous verse, a minor stylistic variation typical of the chain's compression.
Word-by-word analysis· 5 words
וַיִּסְע֖וּand they set outconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · נָסַע (H5265)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: departure)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance -- stage 39 of the itinerary chainנָסַע (H5265) 'to set out'; paired with חָנָה throughout the itinerary.
מֵעִיִּ֑יםfrom Iyimprep מִן + proper noun · עִיִּים (H5864)Source prepositional phrase (place of departure)עִיִּים (H5864), a shortened form of Iye-abarim (v. 44); station 39, departure point.
וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּand they encampedconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · חָנָה (H2583)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: encampment)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceחָנָה (H2583) 'to encamp'; at Dibon-gad, station 40.
בְּדִיבֹ֥ןat Dibon-prep בְּ + proper noun (construct element) · דִּיבוֹן גָּד (H1769)Locative prepositional phrase (first element of place-name)דִּיבוֹן (H1769); first half of Dibon-gad.
גָּֽדgadproper noun (construct element) · דִּיבוֹן גָּד (H1769)Genitive complement (second element of place-name)גָּד, 'Gad's Dibon'; station 40, a Moabite/Gadite border town (cf. Num. 32:34), distinguished by its tribal name from other places called Dibon.
46
וַיִּסְע֖וּ מִדִּיבֹ֣ן גָּ֑ד וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בְּעַלְמֹ֥ן דִּבְלָתָֽיְמָה
They set out from Dibon-gad and camped at Almon-diblathaim.
Dibon-gad, a Gadite/Reubenite border town (cf. Num. 32:34), signals Israel's approach to territory it will itself later settle.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
וַיִּסְע֖וּand they set outconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · נָסַע (H5265)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: departure)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance -- stage 40 of the itinerary chainנָסַע (H5265) 'to set out'; paired with חָנָה throughout the itinerary.
מִדִּיבֹ֣ןfrom Dibon-prep מִן + proper noun (construct element) · דִּיבוֹן גָּד (H1769)Source prepositional phrase (first element of place-name)דִּיבוֹן (H1769); station 40, departure point.
גָּ֑דgadproper noun (construct element) · דִּיבוֹן גָּד (H1769)Genitive complement (second element of place-name)גָּד; station 40, restated at departure.
וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּand they encampedconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · חָנָה (H2583)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: encampment)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceחָנָה (H2583) 'to encamp'; at Almon-diblathaim, station 41.
בְּעַלְמֹ֥ןat Almon-prep בְּ + proper noun (construct element) · עַלְמֹן דִּבְלָתָיְמָה (H5963)Locative prepositional phrase (first element of place-name)עַלְמֹן (H5963); first half of Almon-diblathaim.
דִּבְלָתָֽיְמָהdiblathaimahproper noun (construct + directional suffix) · עַלְמֹן דִּבְלָתָיְמָה (H5963)Genitive complement (second element of place-name)דִּבְלָתָיְמָה, 'the two Diblahs', perhaps a dual place-name; station 41, likely identical to Beth-diblathaim of Jer. 48:22 and Almon of Josh. 21:18 (a Levitical town) -- one of the itinerary's more identifiable late stations.
47
וַיִּסְע֖וּ מֵעַלְמֹ֣ן דִּבְלָתָ֑יְמָה וַֽיַּחֲנ֛וּ בְּהָרֵ֥י הָעֲבָרִ֖ים לִפְנֵ֥י נְבֽוֹ
They set out from Almon-diblathaim and camped in the mountains of Abarim, before Nebo.
The mountains of Abarim 'before Nebo' anticipate Moses' own death from that very peak (Deut. 34:1), quietly pairing Aaron's and Moses' ends within this one itinerary.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
וַיִּסְע֖וּand they set outconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · נָסַע (H5265)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: departure)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance -- stage 41 of the itinerary chainנָסַע (H5265) 'to set out'; paired with חָנָה throughout the itinerary.
מֵעַלְמֹ֣ןfrom Almon-prep מִן + proper noun (construct element) · עַלְמֹן דִּבְלָתָיְמָה (H5963)Source prepositional phrase (first element of place-name)עַלְמֹן (H5963); station 41, departure point.
דִּבְלָתָ֑יְמָהdiblathaimahproper noun (construct + directional suffix) · עַלְמֹן דִּבְלָתָיְמָה (H5963)Genitive complement (second element of place-name)דִּבְלָתָיְמָה; station 41, restated at departure.
וַֽיַּחֲנ֛וּand they encampedconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · חָנָה (H2583)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: encampment)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance -- the itinerary's final wilderness haltחָנָה (H2583) 'to encamp'; in the mountains of Abarim, station 42, before Nebo.
בְּהָרֵ֥יin the mountains ofprep בְּ + N m pl construct · הַר (H2022)Locative prepositional phraseהַר (H2022); construct plural with הָעֲבָרִים.
הָעֲבָרִ֖יםAbarimart + proper noun · עֲבָרִים (H5682)Genitive complement of construct chainהָעֲבָרִים (H5682) 'the regions beyond'; the mountain range east of the Jordan/Dead Sea including Nebo and Pisgah -- station 42, the itinerary's final wilderness halt before descending to the plains of Moab.
לִפְנֵ֥יbeforeprep לְ + N c pl construct · פָּנִים (H6440)Locative prepositional phrase ('in front of')פָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; 'before Nebo', the mountain from which Moses will later view the land.
נְבֽוֹNeboproper noun · נְבוֹ (H5015)Object of preposition לִפְנֵינְבוֹ (H5015); the peak in the Abarim range from which Moses will view the promised land and die (Deut. 34:1). Its mention here, in Aaron's own itinerary, quietly anticipates Moses' parallel end.
48
וַיִּסְע֖וּ מֵהָרֵ֣י הָעֲבָרִ֑ים וַֽיַּחֲנוּ֙ בְּעַֽרְבֹ֣ת מוֹאָ֔ב עַ֖ל יַרְדֵּ֥ן יְרֵחֽוֹ
They set out from the mountains of Abarim and camped in the plains of Moab, by the Jordan at Jericho.
The forty-second and final journey of the itinerary proper arrives at the plains of Moab by the Jordan opposite Jericho -- the chapter's true destination and the narrative present of the rest of the book of Numbers.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
וַיִּסְע֖וּand they set outconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · נָסַע (H5265)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: departure)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance -- the forty-second and final stage of the itinerary chainנָסַע (H5265) 'to set out'; paired with חָנָה throughout the itinerary.
מֵהָרֵ֣יfrom the mountains ofprep מִן + N m pl construct · הַר (H2022)Source prepositional phraseהַר (H2022); construct plural, departure from station 42.
הָעֲבָרִ֑יםAbarimart + proper noun · עֲבָרִים (H5682)Genitive complement of construct chainהָעֲבָרִים; station 42, restated at departure.
וַֽיַּחֲנוּ֙and they encampedconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · חָנָה (H2583)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (itinerary chain-verb: encampment)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance -- the itinerary's terminus, the camp from which the rest of Numbers (chs. 22-36) and the conquest narrative proceedחָנָה (H2583) 'to encamp'; on the plains of Moab, the itinerary's final station.
בְּעַֽרְבֹ֣תin the plains ofprep בְּ + N c pl construct · עֲרָבָה (H6160)Locative prepositional phraseעֲרָבָה (H6160) 'steppe, desert-plain'; construct with מוֹאָב.
מוֹאָ֔בMoabproper noun · מוֹאָב (H4124)Genitive complement of construct chainמוֹאָב (H4124); the steppe east of the Jordan opposite Jericho -- the itinerary's final station and the narrative present of the book of Numbers from ch. 22 onward: Balaam, the second census, and the laws of chs. 27-36 all unfold from this one camp.
עַ֖לbypreposition · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'by, upon'; governing יַרְדֵּן יְרֵחוֹ, the camp's precise frontage.
יַרְדֵּ֥ןthe Jordan ofN m sg construct · יַרְדֵּן (H3383)Object of preposition עַל, construct chainיַרְדֵּן (H3383); the river Israel must cross to enter the land, construct with יְרֵחוֹ.
יְרֵחֽוֹJerichoproper noun · יְרֵחוֹ (H3405)Genitive complement of construct chainיְרֵחוֹ (H3405); 'the Jordan of Jericho' -- the itinerary's precise geographic terminus, directly across from the first city Israel will conquer (Josh. 6).
49
וַיַּחֲנ֤וּ עַל הַיַּרְדֵּן֙ מִבֵּ֣ית הַיְשִׁמֹ֔ת עַ֖ד אָבֵ֣ל הַשִּׁטִּ֑ים בְּעַֽרְבֹ֖ת מוֹאָֽב
And they camped by the Jordan, from Beth-jeshimoth as far as Abel-shittim, in the plains of Moab.
An explanatory expansion of v. 48's single encampment notice, specifying its full extent along the Jordan from Beth-jeshimoth to Abel-shittim (site of the apostasy narrated in Num. 25) -- underscoring how vast and settled this final camp was.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וַיַּחֲנ֤וּand they encampedconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · חָנָה (H2583)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (summary restatement)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance -- restating and expanding the single camp of v. 48 into its full geographic extentחָנָה (H2583); restates the final encampment to specify its full territorial spread along the Jordan.
עַלbypreposition · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'by, upon'; governing הַיַּרְדֵּן, the camp's eastern boundary marker.
הַיַּרְדֵּן֙the Jordanart + proper noun · יַרְדֵּן (H3383)Object of preposition עַליַרְדֵּן (H3383); the river forming the camp's frontage, soon to be crossed (Josh. 3).
מִבֵּ֣יתfrom Beth-prep מִן + proper noun (construct element) · בֵּית הַיְשִׁמֹת (H1020)Source prepositional phrase (first element of place-name, marking one extreme of the camp)בֵּית (H1020) 'house of'; first half of Beth-jeshimoth, marking the camp's limit near the Dead Sea.
הַיְשִׁמֹ֔תjeshimothproper noun (construct element) · בֵּית הַיְשִׁמֹת (H1020)Genitive complement (second element of place-name)הַיְשִׁמֹת 'the wastelands/desolations'; Beth-jeshimoth, a town near the Dead Sea's northeast shore marking one boundary of Israel's sprawling final camp.
עַ֖דtopreposition · עַד (H5704)Locative prepositional phrase (terminus)עַד (H5704) 'as far as, until'; marking the camp's other extreme.
אָבֵ֣לAbel-proper noun (construct element) · אָבֵל הַשִּׁטִּים (H63)Object of preposition עַד (first element of place-name)אָבֵל (H63) 'meadow, brook'; first half of Abel-shittim.
הַשִּׁטִּ֑יםshittimproper noun (construct element) · אָבֵל הַשִּׁטִּים (H63)Genitive complement (second element of place-name)שִׁטִּים 'acacias'; Abel-shittim, often simply 'Shittim' (Num. 25:1), the site of Israel's apostasy with Moabite women and Baal-peor -- the camp's southern extent, and the setting for much of the rest of Numbers.
בְּעַֽרְבֹ֖תin the plains ofprep בְּ + N c pl construct · עֲרָבָה (H6160)Locative prepositional phrase (summary)עֲרָבָה (H6160); repeating v. 48's designation, framing the whole Beth-jeshimoth-to-Abel-shittim span as one camp on 'the plains of Moab'.
מוֹאָֽבMoabproper noun · מוֹאָב (H4124)Genitive complement of construct chainמוֹאָב (H4124); closing the itinerary proper -- Israel's camp stretches the length of the plains of Moab, poised at last on the threshold of the promised land.
50
וַיְדַבֵּ֧ר יְהוָ֛ה אֶל מֹשֶׁ֖ה בְּעַֽרְבֹ֣ת מוֹאָ֑ב עַל יַרְדֵּ֥ן יְרֵח֖וֹ לֵאמֹֽר
And YHWH spoke to Moses in the plains of Moab, by the Jordan at Jericho, saying:
A formulaic transition ('YHWH spoke to Moses...saying') marks the itinerary's shift from historical record to legal charge, the pattern that introduces divine legislation throughout the Pentateuch.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וַיְדַבֵּ֧רand he spokeconj וְ + Piel wayyiqtol 3ms · דָּבַר (H1696)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause, introducing new divine speech)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance -- opening the chapter's closing legal chargeדָּבַר (H1696) 'to speak'; the standard formula introducing divine legislation, marking the itinerary's transition from historical record (vv. 1-49) to legal charge (vv. 50-56).
יְהוָ֛הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068); speaks directly, giving the closing charge divine, not merely Mosaic, authority.
אֶלtopreposition · אֶל (H413)Locative prepositional phrase (addressee)אֶל (H413) 'to'; governing מֹשֶׁה, the addressee of the coming instructions.
מֹשֶׁ֖הMosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Object of preposition אֶלמֹשֶׁה (H4872); the itinerary's author (v. 2) now receives new instruction for the people poised to enter the land he himself will not enter.
בְּעַֽרְבֹ֣תin the plains ofprep בְּ + N c pl construct · עֲרָבָה (H6160)Locative/temporal prepositional phraseעֲרָבָה (H6160); the speech's setting, the itinerary's final camp (vv. 48-49).
מוֹאָ֑בMoabproper noun · מוֹאָב (H4124)Genitive complement of construct chainמוֹאָב (H4124); repeated to firmly locate this speech at the itinerary's terminus.
עַלbypreposition · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921); further specifying the camp's location, echoing v. 48.
יַרְדֵּ֥ןthe Jordan ofN m sg construct · יַרְדֵּן (H3383)Construct chain (place-name)יַרְדֵּן (H3383); construct with יְרֵחוֹ, repeating the precise geographic marker of v. 48.
יְרֵח֖וֹJerichoproper noun · יְרֵחוֹ (H3405)Genitive complement of construct chainיְרֵחוֹ (H3405); Jericho, the first Canaanite city Israel will face, named here as the geographic anchor for YHWH's final instructions.
לֵאמֹֽרsayingprep לְ + Qal infinitive construct · אָמַר (H559)Infinitive construct introducing direct speech→ Infinitive construct: formulaic, introducing the quoted divine speechאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the standard formula opening direct divine discourse, here launching the chapter's closing legal charge (vv. 51-56).
51
דַּבֵּר֙ אֶל בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וְאָמַרְתָּ֖ אֲלֵהֶ֑ם כִּ֥י אַתֶּ֛ם עֹבְרִ֥ים אֶת הַיַּרְדֵּ֖ן אֶל אֶ֥רֶץ כְּנָֽעַן
Speak to the Israelites and say to them: When you cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan,
Direct divine speech begins, addressed through Moses to the whole nation: the imminent Jordan crossing is stated as settled fact ('you are crossing'), not contingent possibility.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
דַּבֵּר֙SpeakPiel imperative 2ms · דָּבַר (H1696)Predicate verb (imperative, main clause)→ Volitional: a direct command to relay YHWH's wordsדָּבַר (H1696) 'to speak'; imperative opening YHWH's charge to Moses to relay to the people.
אֶלtopreposition · אֶל (H413)Locative prepositional phrase (addressee)אֶל (H413); governing בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, the intended recipients of the charge.
בְּנֵ֣יthe sons ofN m pl construct · בֵּן (H1121)Construct chain (genitival)בֵּן (H1121); construct with יִשְׂרָאֵל.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive complement of construct chainיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); the whole nation addressed directly through Moses.
וְאָמַרְתָּ֖and you shall sayconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms · אָמַר (H559)Weqatal continuing the imperative sequence→ Weqatal: continuing volitional force, 'and you are to say'אָמַר (H559) 'to say'; weqatal continuing the command chain begun with דַּבֵּר.
אֲלֵהֶ֑םto themprep אֶל + 3mp suffix · אֶל (H413)Adverbial prepositional phrase (addressee)אֶל (H413) with suffix, 'to them' -- the Israelites as recipients.
כִּ֥יthatconjunction · כִּי (H3588)Subordinating conjunction introducing content clauseכִּי (H3588); introduces the content of what Moses is to say -- the coming Jordan crossing and its consequences.
אַתֶּ֛םyouindependent pronoun 2mp · אַתֶּם (H859)Subject (emphatic, of participial clause)אַתֶּם (H859) 'you' (pl.); emphatic subject pronoun, stressing that IT IS THEY, not Moses, who will cross.
עֹבְרִ֥יםare crossingQal active participle, m pl absolute · עָבַר (H5674)Predicate participle (imminent/durative future)→ Participle: imminent, near-certain future action -- 'you are about to cross'עָבַר (H5674) 'to cross over'; participle for imminent action, the same verb used of the sea-crossing (v. 8) -- Israel's story bracketed by two crossings.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), marking הַיַּרְדֵּן as the definite direct object of עֹבְרִים.
הַיַּרְדֵּ֖ןthe Jordanart + proper noun · יַרְדֵּן (H3383)Direct objectיַרְדֵּן (H3383); the river Israel is about to cross into the land itself.
אֶלintopreposition · אֶל (H413)Locative prepositional phrase (destination)אֶל (H413); governing אֶרֶץ כְּנָעַן, the crossing's destination.
אֶ֥רֶץthe land ofN c sg construct · אֶרֶץ (H776)Object of preposition אֶל, construct chainאֶרֶץ (H776); construct with כְּנָעַן, the promised destination.
כְּנָֽעַןCanaanproper noun · כְּנַעַן (H3667)Genitive complement of construct chainכְּנַעַן (H3667); the land promised to the patriarchs, now imminently within reach.
52
וְה֨וֹרַשְׁתֶּ֜ם אֶת כָּל יֹשְׁבֵ֤י הָאָ֨רֶץ֙ מִפְּנֵיכֶ֔ם וְאִ֨בַּדְתֶּ֔ם אֵ֖ת כָּל מַשְׂכִּיֹּתָ֑ם וְאֵ֨ת כָּל צַלְמֵ֤י מַסֵּֽכֹתָם֙ תְּאַבֵּ֔דוּ וְאֵ֥ת כָּל בָּמֹתָ֖ם תַּשְׁמִֽידוּ
you shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, and destroy all their figured stones, and destroy all their molten images, and demolish all their high places.
The first substantive command: total dispossession of Canaan's inhabitants and destruction of every form of idolatrous cult object -- carved stones, molten images, and high places -- each named and each targeted with its own verb of destruction.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
וְה֨וֹרַשְׁתֶּ֜םand you shall dispossessconj וְ + Hiphil weqatal 2mp · יָרַשׁ (H3423)Weqatal continuing the command sequence (main charge)→ Weqatal: volitional/command force, continuing the imperative chain -- 'you must drive out'יָרַשׁ (H3423) 'to possess, inherit'; Hiphil 'to dispossess, drive out'; the first of the chapter's closing commands, demanding the forcible removal of Canaan's inhabitants.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking כָּל יֹשְׁבֵי הָאָרֶץ as the object of dispossession.
כָּלallN m sg construct · כֹּל (H3605)Construct modifierכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; total, comprehensive dispossession is commanded, no partial conquest permitted.
יֹשְׁבֵ֤יthe inhabitants ofQal active participle, m pl construct · יָשַׁב (H3427)Substantival participle, construct chain→ Participle: substantized, 'those dwelling/inhabitants'יָשַׁב (H3427) 'to dwell'; substantival participle, 'those who dwell [in the land]' -- Canaan's current occupants.
הָאָ֨רֶץ֙the landart + N c sg absolute · אֶרֶץ (H776)Genitive complement of construct chainאֶרֶץ (H776); the land of Canaan, referred to simply as 'the land' throughout this closing charge.
מִפְּנֵיכֶ֔םfrom before youprep מִן + N c pl construct + 2mp suffix · פָּנִים (H6440)Adverbial prepositional phrase (source/agency)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; 'from before you/your presence' -- Israel itself is the agent driving out the nations.
וְאִ֨בַּדְתֶּ֔םand you shall destroyconj וְ + Piel weqatal 2mp · אָבַד (H6)Weqatal continuing the command sequence→ Weqatal: volitional/command force -- total destruction commandedאָבַד (H6) 'to perish'; Piel 'to destroy, cause to perish'; the second command, aimed specifically at religious objects rather than people.
אֵ֖ת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking כָּל מַשְׂכִּיֹּתָם as the object of destruction.
כָּלallN m sg construct · כֹּל (H3605)Construct modifierכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; comprehensive destruction of every carved image, none spared.
מַשְׂכִּיֹּתָ֑םtheir figured stonesN f pl construct + 3mp suffix · מַשְׂכִּית (H4906)Direct object (via אֵת)מַשְׂכִּית (H4906) 'figured/carved stone, image', from שָׂכָה 'to see, look at' -- decorated cult-stones or reliefs, likely including Canaanite religious iconography; one of the chapter's most concrete demands, echoed in Lev. 26:1.
וְאֵ֨תand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object markerאֵת (H853) marking the next object, כָּל צַלְמֵי מַסֵּכֹתָם, in the list of things to destroy.
כָּלallN m sg construct · כֹּל (H3605)Construct modifierכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; again total, no exception.
צַלְמֵ֤יthe images ofN m pl construct · צֶלֶם (H6754)Construct chain (object)צֶלֶם (H6754) 'image, likeness'; construct with מַסֵּכֹתָם, 'their molten images' -- cast-metal idols.
מַסֵּֽכֹתָם֙their molten imagesN f pl construct + 3mp suffix · מַסֵּכָה (H4541)Genitive complement of construct chainמַסֵּכָה (H4541) 'molten/cast image', from נָסַךְ 'to pour out, cast'; metal idols, condemned alongside the carved מַשְׂכִּית stones -- the golden calf (Exod. 32:4) used this same word.
תְּאַבֵּ֔דוּyou shall destroyPiel imperfect 2mp · אָבַד (H6)Predicate verb (yiqtol continuing the command)→ Yiqtol: imperfective/modal, continuing volitional command forceאָבַד (H6); repeated verb, 'you shall destroy [them]' -- restating the command specifically for the molten images.
וְאֵ֥תand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object markerאֵת (H853) marking the third object of destruction, כָּל בָּמֹתָם, 'all their high places'.
כָּלallN m sg construct · כֹּל (H3605)Construct modifierכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; the third and final comprehensive object of the destruction-commands.
בָּמֹתָ֖םtheir high placesN f pl construct + 3mp suffix · בָּמָה (H1116)Direct object (via אֵת)בָּמָה (H1116) 'high place'; open-air cultic platforms/shrines, a recurring target of reform throughout the Deuteronomistic history (2 Kgs 18:4; 23:5-20) -- their destruction commanded here at the very outset.
תַּשְׁמִֽידוּyou shall destroyHiphil imperfect 2mp · שָׁמַד (H8045)Predicate verb (yiqtol continuing the command)→ Yiqtol: imperfective/modal, volitional command forceשָׁמַד (H8045) 'to destroy, exterminate'; Hiphil, the strongest of the three destruction-verbs in this verse, reserved for the high places -- Israel's worship is to have no rival infrastructure left standing.
53
וְהוֹרַשְׁתֶּ֥ם אֶת הָאָ֖רֶץ וִֽישַׁבְתֶּם בָּ֑הּ כִּ֥י לָכֶ֛ם נָתַ֥תִּי אֶת הָאָ֖רֶץ לָרֶ֥שֶׁת אֹתָֽהּ
And you shall take possession of the land and settle in it, for I have given you the land to possess it.
Possession is paired with actual settlement ('dwell in it'), grounded in YHWH's own prior, already-completed gift of the land -- conquest actualizes a decree already made, not a new acquisition.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וְהוֹרַשְׁתֶּ֥םand you shall take possession ofconj וְ + Hiphil weqatal 2mp · יָרַשׁ (H3423)Weqatal continuing the command sequence→ Weqatal: volitional/command force -- note the same root as v. 52's 'dispossess', now used positively of Israel's own possessionיָרַשׁ (H3423); here Hiphil in its positive sense, 'take possession of' -- the same verb used of dispossessing the nations (v. 52) now describes Israel inheriting what is vacated.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking הָאָרֶץ as the object of possession.
הָאָ֖רֶץthe landart + N c sg absolute · אֶרֶץ (H776)Direct objectאֶרֶץ (H776); the land of Canaan, object of both possession and, in the next clause, settlement.
וִֽישַׁבְתֶּםand you shall dwellconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2mp · יָשַׁב (H3427)Weqatal continuing the command sequence→ Weqatal: volitional/command force -- possession is to issue in settled dwelling, not mere conquestיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to dwell, sit'; possession is not enough -- Israel must actually settle and inhabit the land.
בָּ֑הּin itprep בְּ + 3fs suffixAdverbial prepositional phrase (location)Preposition בְּ with 3fs suffix referring to הָאָרֶץ ('the land', grammatically feminine).
כִּ֥יforconjunction · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing ground/reasonכִּי (H3588) 'for, because'; introduces the theological ground of the command -- YHWH's own prior gift of the land.
לָכֶ֛םto youprep לְ + 2mp suffixAdverbial prepositional phrase (indirect object, fronted for emphasis)Preposition לְ with 2mp suffix, fronted for emphasis: 'to YOU I have given the land' -- underscoring Israel as the specific recipient.
נָתַ֥תִּיI have givenQal perfect 1cs · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (main clause, divine first-person)→ Perfective: a completed, settled act -- the gift of the land is already accomplished in YHWH's decree, prior to Israel's conquest of itנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; perfect tense stresses that the land is ALREADY given by divine decree -- conquest merely actualizes a prior gift, not a new acquisition.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking הָאָרֶץ as the object of YHWH's gift.
הָאָ֖רֶץthe landart + N c sg absolute · אֶרֶץ (H776)Direct objectאֶרֶץ (H776); repeated a third time in two verses, hammering home the land as the charge's central concern.
לָרֶ֥שֶׁתto possessprep לְ + Qal infinitive construct · יָרַשׁ (H3423)Purpose infinitive construct→ Infinitive construct: purpose, 'in order to possess'יָרַשׁ (H3423); infinitive of purpose, restating why the land was given -- for Israel to possess it.
אֹתָֽהּitobj marker + 3fs suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct object of infinitive (resumptive)אֵת (H853) with suffix, resuming הָאָרֶץ as the object of 'to possess'.
54
וְהִתְנַחַלְתֶּם֩ אֶת הָאָ֨רֶץ בְּגוֹרָ֜ל לְמִשְׁפְּחֹֽתֵיכֶ֗ם לָרַ֞ב תַּרְבּ֤וּ אֶת נַחֲלָתוֹ֙ וְלַמְעַט֙ תַּמְעִ֣יט אֶת נַחֲלָת֔וֹ אֶל֩ אֲשֶׁר יֵ֨צֵא ל֥וֹ שָׁ֛מָּה הַגּוֹרָ֖ל ל֣וֹ יִהְיֶ֑ה לְמַטּ֥וֹת אֲבֹתֵיכֶ֖ם תִּתְנֶחָֽלוּ
And you shall apportion the land by lot according to your clans -- to the larger you shall give a larger inheritance, and to the smaller a smaller inheritance; wherever the lot falls for anyone, that shall be his; you shall inherit according to your ancestral tribes.
The land is to be divided by sacred lot, proportioned by clan population size (more to the larger, less to the smaller) within the framework of ancestral tribes -- an inclusio (וְהִתְנַחַלְתֶּם...תִּתְנֶחָלוּ) frames the whole instruction.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
וְהִתְנַחַלְתֶּם֩and you shall apportion as inheritanceconj וְ + Hitpael weqatal 2mp · נָחַל (H5157)Weqatal continuing the command sequence→ Weqatal: volitional/command force, reflexive-Hitpael, 'take for yourselves as inheritance'נָחַל (H5157) 'to inherit, take possession'; Hitpael reflexive, 'apportion to yourselves as an inheritance' -- the land becomes each clan's נַחֲלָה, inheritance, a term saturated with covenantal permanence.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking הָאָרֶץ as the object of the apportioning.
הָאָ֨רֶץthe landart + N c sg absolute · אֶרֶץ (H776)Direct objectאֶרֶץ (H776); the object now to be divided among the tribes.
בְּגוֹרָ֜לby lotprep בְּ + N m sg absolute · גּוֹרָל (H1486)Adverbial prepositional phrase (means)גּוֹרָל (H1486) 'lot'; sacred lottery as the mechanism of land-division, removing human favoritism -- elaborated further in Num. 26:55-56 and Josh. 14-19.
לְמִשְׁפְּחֹֽתֵיכֶ֗םaccording to your clansprep לְ + N f pl construct + 2mp suffix · מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940)Adverbial prepositional phrase (norm/standard)מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940) 'clan, family'; the lot operates at the level of the mishpachah, the sub-tribal kinship unit, ensuring equitable distribution below the tribe itself.
לָרַ֞בto the manyprep לְ + art + adj., m sg absolute · רַב (H7227)Adverbial prepositional phrase (dative of reference)רַב (H7227) 'much, many'; 'to the larger [clan]' -- larger population groups receive a proportionally larger inheritance, per Num. 26:54.
תַּרְבּ֤וּyou shall enlargeHiphil imperfect 2mp · רָבָה (H7235)Predicate verb (yiqtol continuing the command)→ Yiqtol: imperfective/modal, volitional command forceרָבָה (H7235) 'to be much/many'; Hiphil 'to enlarge, increase' -- the larger clan's allotted share is to be proportionally increased.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking נַחֲלָתוֹ as the object of enlarging.
נַחֲלָתוֹ֙its inheritanceN f sg construct + 3ms suffix · נַחֲלָה (H5159)Direct objectנַחֲלָה (H5159) 'inheritance, possession'; the same root as הִתְנַחַלְתֶּם, the allotted portion belonging to the larger clan.
וְלַמְעַט֙and to the fewconj וְ + prep לְ + art + adj., m sg absolute · מְעַט (H4592)Adverbial prepositional phrase (dative of reference)מְעַט (H4592) 'little, few'; the counterpart to רַב -- smaller clans receive a proportionally smaller allotment, the same principle applied in reverse.
תַּמְעִ֣יטyou shall diminishHiphil imperfect 2ms · מָעַט (H4591)Predicate verb (yiqtol continuing the command)→ Yiqtol: imperfective/modal, volitional command forceמָעַט (H4591) 'to be small/few'; Hiphil 'to diminish, decrease' -- the smaller clan's portion is proportionally reduced, ensuring per-capita equity rather than flat equal division.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking נַחֲלָתוֹ as the object of diminishing.
נַחֲלָת֔וֹits inheritanceN f sg construct + 3ms suffix · נַחֲלָה (H5159)Direct objectנַחֲלָה (H5159); repeated, closing the proportional-allotment principle (cf. Num. 26:54).
אֶל֩topreposition · אֶל (H413)Locative prepositional phrase (destination)אֶל (H413); introducing the relative clause specifying where each lot falls.
אֲשֶׁרwhereverrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing locative clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834); 'to [the place] which' -- introducing the clause about the lot's outcome.
יֵ֨צֵאcomes outQal imperfect 3ms · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb of relative clause→ Yiqtol: iterative/general, describing the lot's outcome each time it is castיָצָא (H3318) 'to go out, come forth'; idiomatic of a lot 'coming out/falling' to a particular party -- the same verb used of the exodus (v. 3) now describes the lot's impartial verdict.
ל֥וֹfor himprep לְ + 3ms suffixAdverbial prepositional phrase (beneficiary)Preposition לְ with 3ms suffix, 'for him/it' -- the party to whom the lot falls.
שָׁ֛מָּהthereadverb + directional ה suffix · שָׁם (H8033)Adverbial complement of location (with directional heh)שָׁם (H8033) 'there', with directional heh, 'to that place' -- wherever the lot indicates.
הַגּוֹרָ֖לthe lotart + N m sg absolute · גּוֹרָל (H1486)Subjectגּוֹרָל (H1486); subject of the clause, 'the lot' whose fall determines each clan's specific territory.
ל֣וֹto himprep לְ + 3ms suffixAdverbial prepositional phrase (possession/assignment)Preposition לְ with 3ms suffix, 'to him it shall belong' -- confirming the lot's outcome as binding.
יִהְיֶ֑הshall beQal imperfect 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: modal/future, 'it shall be' -- a binding future dispositionהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; the lot's assignment is declared permanently binding.
לְמַטּ֥וֹתaccording to the tribes ofprep לְ + N m pl construct · מַטֶּה (H4294)Adverbial prepositional phrase (norm/standard)מַטֶּה (H4294) 'staff, tribe'; the larger tribal unit within which the clan-by-clan lottery (v. 54a) operates -- tribe, then clan, is the two-tier structure of the whole allotment system.
אֲבֹתֵיכֶ֖םof your fathersN m pl construct + 2mp suffix · אָב (H1)Genitive complement of construct chainאָב (H1) 'father'; 'tribes of your fathers' -- ancestral tribal identity, not new administrative units, structures the whole division.
תִּתְנֶחָֽלוּyou shall receive as inheritanceHitpael imperfect 2mp · נָחַל (H5157)Predicate verb (yiqtol, main clause, closing the paragraph)→ Yiqtol: modal/future, reflexive-Hitpael, closing and restating v. 54's opening verb as an inclusioנָחַל (H5157); Hitpael, echoing וְהִתְנַחַלְתֶּם at the verse's start -- an inclusio framing the whole allotment instruction.
55
וְאִם לֹ֨א תוֹרִ֜ישׁוּ אֶת יֹשְׁבֵ֣י הָאָרֶץ֮ מִפְּנֵיכֶם֒ וְהָיָה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר תּוֹתִ֣ירוּ מֵהֶ֔ם לְשִׂכִּים֙ בְּעֵ֣ינֵיכֶ֔ם וְלִצְנִינִ֖ם בְּצִדֵּיכֶ֑ם וְצָרֲר֣וּ אֶתְכֶ֔ם עַל הָאָ֕רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֥ר אַתֶּ֖ם יֹשְׁבִ֥ים בָּֽהּ
But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then those you let remain shall become barbs in your eyes and thorns in your sides, and they shall harass you in the land in which you dwell.
A protasis-apodosis warning balances the preceding commands: incomplete dispossession will turn the remaining inhabitants into 'barbs in your eyes and thorns in your sides,' active harassers rather than passive residents.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
וְאִםand ifconj וְ + conjunction · אִם (H518)Conditional conjunction introducing protasisאִם (H518) 'if'; introduces the chapter's closing warning, a conditional threat balancing the preceding commands.
לֹ֨אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation of תוֹרִישׁוּלֹא (H3808); negates the verb of dispossession, framing the protasis: 'if you do NOT drive out...'
תוֹרִ֜ישׁוּyou drive outHiphil imperfect 2mp · יָרַשׁ (H3423)Predicate verb of conditional protasis→ Yiqtol: modal, hypothetical/conditional actionיָרַשׁ (H3423); the same dispossession-verb as v. 52, now in a hypothetical failure-scenario.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking יֹשְׁבֵי הָאָרֶץ as the object.
יֹשְׁבֵ֣יthe inhabitants ofQal active participle, m pl construct · יָשַׁב (H3427)Substantival participle, construct chain→ Participle: substantized, 'those dwelling'יָשַׁב (H3427); repeated from v. 52, 'the land's inhabitants' left undispossessed.
הָאָרֶץ֮the landart + N c sg absolute · אֶרֶץ (H776)Genitive complement of construct chainאֶרֶץ (H776); the land whose current occupants are now the subject of the warning.
מִפְּנֵיכֶם֒from before youprep מִן + N c pl construct + 2mp suffix · פָּנִים (H6440)Adverbial prepositional phraseפָּנִים (H6440); repeated from v. 52, 'from your presence' -- the same phrase now framing failure rather than success.
וְהָיָה֙then it shall beconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Weqatal introducing the apodosis (consequence clause)→ Weqatal: consequential/future, marking the conditional's result clauseהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, happen'; formulaic opening of the apodosis, 'and it will come about that...'
אֲשֶׁ֣רthose whomrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing substantival clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the group in view -- whichever inhabitants Israel fails to remove.
תּוֹתִ֣ירוּyou leave remainingHiphil imperfect 2mp · יָתַר (H3498)Predicate verb of relative clause→ Yiqtol: modal, hypotheticalיָתַר (H3498) 'to remain, be left over'; Hiphil 'cause to remain, leave' -- those spared through Israel's incomplete obedience.
מֵהֶ֔םof themprep מִן + 3mp suffixAdverbial prepositional phrase (partitive)Preposition מִן with 3mp suffix, partitive 'some of them' -- the remnant left unconquered.
לְשִׂכִּים֙as barbsprep לְ + N m pl absolute · שֵׂךְ (H7899)Predicate complement (result)שֵׂךְ (H7899) 'thorn, barb, splinter'; the vivid image opening the warning -- unremoved inhabitants become a piercing irritant, not a passive presence.
בְּעֵ֣ינֵיכֶ֔םin your eyesprep בְּ + N c dual construct + 2mp suffix · עַיִן (H5869)Adverbial prepositional phrase (locus of affliction)עַיִן (H5869) 'eye'; 'barbs in your eyes' -- a piercing, ever-present irritation to sight itself.
וְלִצְנִינִ֖םand as thornsconj וְ + prep לְ + N m pl absolute · צָנִין (H6796)Predicate complement (result), coordinate with לְשִׂכִּיםצָנִין (H6796) 'thorn, prickle'; paired with שֵׂךְ in a vivid doublet -- the same image echoed in Josh. 23:13's warning.
בְּצִדֵּיכֶ֑םin your sidesprep בְּ + N m pl construct + 2mp suffix · צַד (H6654)Adverbial prepositional phrase (locus of affliction)צַד (H6654) 'side, flank'; thorns piercing the body itself -- the unremoved nations become a constant physical and military harassment.
וְצָרֲר֣וּand they shall harassconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp · צָרַר (H6887)Weqatal continuing the apodosis→ Weqatal: consequential/future, describing the ongoing result of incomplete conquestצָרַר (H6887) 'to bind, be hostile to, harass'; the same root as צַר/צָרָה 'distress' -- the spared nations become active adversaries, not merely passive irritants.
אֶתְכֶ֔םyouobj marker + 2mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct objectאֵת (H853) with suffix, Israel itself as the object of the nations' harassment -- the warning's ultimate point.
עַלinpreposition · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'upon, in'; governing הָאָרֶץ, the very land Israel was to inherit becoming instead the site of its harassment.
הָאָ֕רֶץthe landart + N c sg absolute · אֶרֶץ (H776)Object of preposition עַלאֶרֶץ (H776); the land, bitterly ironic here -- the very inheritance becomes the theater of Israel's affliction if the command is disobeyed.
אֲשֶׁ֥רin whichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing descriptive clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the closing relative clause identifying the land as Israel's own dwelling-place.
אַתֶּ֖םyouindependent pronoun 2mp · אַתֶּם (H859)Subject of relative clauseאַתֶּם (H859); emphatic subject, 'you yourselves are dwelling [there]'.
יֹשְׁבִ֥יםare dwellingQal active participle, m pl absolute · יָשַׁב (H3427)Predicate participle→ Participle: durative/ongoing stateיָשַׁב (H3427); the very verb used of the Canaanites' occupation (v. 52) now describes Israel's own future dwelling -- if disobedient, Israel's dwelling will be contested by those it failed to remove.
בָּֽהּin itprep בְּ + 3fs suffixAdverbial prepositional phrase (location)Preposition בְּ with 3fs suffix, referring to הָאָרֶץ -- closing the warning where it began, with the land itself.
56
וְהָיָ֗ה כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר דִּמִּ֛יתִי לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת לָהֶ֖ם אֶֽעֱשֶׂ֥ה לָכֶֽם
And it shall be that what I planned to do to them, I will do to you.
The chapter's final and starkest warning: the very judgment YHWH purposed for the Canaanite nations will instead fall on Israel itself if the commands are ignored -- ending not in triumph but in solemn conditional threat.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
וְהָיָ֗הand it shall beconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Weqatal introducing the final consequence clause→ Weqatal: consequential/future, the chapter's climactic closing formulaהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, happen'; opens the chapter's final, most severe warning -- the reversal of Israel's own fate.
כַּאֲשֶׁ֥רjust asprep כְּ + relative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Comparative conjunction introducing the standard of comparisonאֲשֶׁר (H834) with prefixed כְּ, 'just as, according to as' -- introducing the ominous comparison to come.
דִּמִּ֛יתִיI plannedPiel perfect 1cs · דָּמָה (H1819)Predicate verb of comparative clause→ Perfective: a settled divine intention -- YHWH's own resolve regarding the nationsדָּמָה (H1819) 'to think, plan, intend' (distinct from the homonym 'to be like'); YHWH's own settled plan/purpose for the Canaanite nations -- their dispossession and destruction (implicitly, per vv. 52-53).
לַעֲשׂ֥וֹתto doprep לְ + Qal infinitive construct · עָשָׂה (H6213)Complementary infinitive construct→ Infinitive construct: complementing דִּמִּיתִי, specifying the content of the planעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make'; infinitive completing 'I planned to do' -- the intended action.
לָהֶ֖םto themprep לְ + 3mp suffixAdverbial prepositional phrase (indirect object)Preposition לְ with 3mp suffix, referring to the Canaanite nations -- YHWH's original judgment-plan for them.
אֶֽעֱשֶׂ֥הI will doQal imperfect 1cs · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb of main/apodosis clause→ Yiqtol: future/threatened divine action -- the chapter's final, chilling warningעָשָׂה (H6213); repeated from the infinitive above -- YHWH threatens to redirect the very judgment planned for Canaan onto disobedient Israel itself, the chapter's starkest closing note.
לָכֶֽםto youprep לְ + 2mp suffixAdverbial prepositional phrase (indirect object)Preposition לְ with 2mp suffix, 'to you' -- Israel now cast in the very role once occupied by the nations marked for judgment, closing the chapter on a note of solemn warning rather than triumph.