Numbers 33:38-49

C. MT. HOR TO THE JORDAN vv. 38-49
TEXT

Numbers 33:38. And Aaron the priest went up into mount Hor at the commandment of the Lord, and died there, in the fortieth year after the children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt, in the first day of the fifth month. 39. And Aaron was a hundred and twenty and three years old when he died in mount Hor. 40. And king Arad the Canaanite, which dwelt in the south in the land of Canaan, heard of the coming of the children of Israel. 41. And they departed from mount Hor, and pitched in Zalmonah, 42. And they departed from Zalmonah, and pitched in Punon. 43. And they departed from Punon, and pitched in Oboth. 44. And they departed from Oboth, and pitched in Ije-abarim, in the border of Moab. 45. And they departed from Iim, and pitched in Dibon-gad. 46. And they removed from Dibon-gad, and encamped in Almon-diblathaim. 47. And they removed from Almon-diblathaim, and pitched in the mountains of Abarim, before Nebo. 48. And they departed from the mountains of Abarim, and pitched in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho. 49. And they pitched by Jordan, from Beth-jesimoth even unto Abel-shittim in the plains of Moab.

PARAPHRASE

Numbers 33:38. Then Aaron the priest went up to Mount Hor upon the command of the Lord, and died there, in the fortieth year after the children of Israel had come out of the land of Egypt, on the first day of the fifth month. 39. Now Aaron was one hundred twenty-three years of age when he died on Mount Hor. 40. And the Canaanite king of Arad, who lived in the Negev in the land of Canaan, learned of the coming of the children of Israel. 41. Then they journeyed from Mount Hor and camped at Zalmonah. 42. And they journeyed from Zalmonah and camped at Punon. 43. And they journeyed from Punon and camped at Oboth. 44. And they journeyed from Oboth and camped at Iyeabarim, near the border of Moab. 45. And they journeyed from Iyim and camped at Dibon-gad. 46. And they journeyed from Dibon-gad and camped at Almon-diblathaim. 47. And they journeyed from Almon-diblathaim and camped in the mountains of Abarim, before Nebo. 48. And they journeyed from the mountains of Abarim and camped in the plains of Moab near the Jordan, opposite Jericho. 49. And they camped by the Jordan, from Beth-jeshimoth as far as Abel-shittim in the plains of Moab.

COMMENTARY

The death of Aaron was a notable event in the history of Israel. Although he had not always been just what God wanted him to be, as when he participated in the affair of the golden calf (Exodus 32) and joined Miriam in seditious talk against Moses, we should see the man in his proper perspective, not remembering these incidents only, but knowing him as the spokesman for Moses before Pharaoh; as the conscientious high priest who faithfully performed his duties before a murmuring, complaining people; as the brother and intimate companion of Moses who must often have served as counselor, confidante and commiserator with the great man of God in whose shadow Aaron was required to live.

Since Aaron's death occurred in the fortieth year, it is clear that God intended for the entire time taken up by the travels, from Egypt to Canaan, to be included in the forty years specified as punishment for the rebellion at Kadesh. In actual time, one and one-half years had been taken in the period from the exodus to Kadesh, and additional time was required to march around Edom, through Moab into the Abarim, and to overcome the eastern tribes of Gilead. Three years older than Moses, he had been 83 years of age when he stood before Pharaoh (Exodus 7:7).

Arad the Canaanite is mentioned here because he had previously opposed Israel, at their coming to the southern edge of Canaan (Numbers 21:1-3), imposing a defeat upon them and taking a number of captives. He made no move against Israel in this situation, however. The people left the area soon, and all conflict was avoided.

From the scene of Aaron's death, the Israelites began their march around Edom, since the latter people had refused passage through their land (Numbers 20:14-21), coming to Zalmonah at the southeastern extremity of Edom. They then worked their way in a generally northward direction to the eastern side of Moab, removing later to the area of the Abarim and the northern plains of Moab at Abel-shittim. From this point they took their time to cross the Jordan. There can be no doubt that the Israelites made camp at many unnamed locationscamping perhaps for a few days or for extended periods of time. To reconstruct their travels completely and accurately, even if all the unnamed stations were also supplied, would be impossible. We have quite enough information, however, to show us that God's words to the people were accurately fulfilled.

QUESTIONS AND RESEARCH ITEMS

607.

Evaluate the life of Aaron as a man, as a spokesman for Moses, as a priest, and as a leader of the people, showing his strengths and weaknesses.

608.

Cite a half-dozen instances in which Aaron had stood firm for the cause and the word of the Lord.

609.

Why does the Bible tell us of the wrongdoings of Aaron?

610.

What do we conclude from the fact that Aaron died in the fortieth year? Reconstruct a chronology of the period from Egypt to Abel-shittim, showing how the forty years are accounted for in the divisions of the trip.

611.

Consult a reliable map of the area of the wandering, and trace the travels of Israel in regard to the known places where they encamped.

612.

Is it possible that we are not given the names of every location where the Israelites stopped during their journeys?

613.

If there are omissions in this list, how much would we be helped if the list were complete?