Numbers 33:38-49

How do Aaron’s death and the final camps mark the journey’s end?

Berean Standard Bible

38 At the LORD’s command, Aaron the priest climbed Mount Hor and died there on the first day of the fifth month, in the fortieth year after the Israelites had come out of the land of Egypt. 39 Aaron was 123 years old when he died on Mount Hor. 40 Now the Canaanite king of Arad, who lived in the Negev in the land of Canaan, heard that the Israelites were coming. 41 And the Israelites set out from Mount Hor and camped at Zalmonah. 42 They set out from Zalmonah and camped at Punon. 43 They set out from Punon and camped at Oboth. 44 They set out from Oboth and camped at Iye-abarim on the border of Moab. 45 They set out from Iyim and camped at Dibon-gad. 46 They set out from Dibon-gad and camped at Almon-diblathaim. 47 They set out from Almon-diblathaim and camped in the mountains of Abarim facing Nebo. 48 They set out from the mountains of Abarim and camped on the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho. 49 And there on the plains of Moab they camped by the Jordan, from Beth-jeshimoth to Abel-shittim.

What is the context?

The itinerary pauses to date Aaron’s death in the fortieth year after the departure from Egypt and gives his age as 123. It also recalls the king of Arad hearing of Israel’s approach.

The stages then lead to the plains of Moab across from Jericho, where the people camp along the Jordan. The long journey reaches the place from which the final instructions for entering the land are given.

How is this passage commonly understood?

Wesley connects the final camping area with the Peor episode. His proposed derivation of a place-name from mourning is not required by the itinerary and is not used here. The chapter supplies the final location and Aaron’s stated date without naming a certain modern mountain site.

What is our position?

We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.

Where can I study this further?

No deeper study linked yet.

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