Deuteronomy 32:13,14

How could there be sufficient pasture for the herds of 2 million people in a desert?

PROBLEM: The Bible informs us that the children of Israel wandered in the “desert” for 40 years (cf. Exodus 19:2; Exodus 23:31). They numbered over 600,000 adult men (Exodus 12:37; Numbers 1:1), which would be a total population of some 2 million. But, Deuteronomy 32:13-14 speaks of there being plenty of produce for them and their flocks, which seems highly improbable for this many people and flocks in a “desert.”

SOLUTION: Several things should be kept in mind. First of all, the Hebrew word “desert” does not imply the total desolation that it may connote today. It can be translated “wilderness.” There were rivers and pastures in this wilderness.

1. God provided them ample food (manna) for the entire 40 years (Exodus 16:35).

2. He also gave water “abundantly” for them and their flocks (Numbers 20:11).

3. Since they came with “a great deal of livestock” (Exodus 12:38), they would naturally have plenty of milk to drink.

5. By commerce with the surrounding nations (Midianites, Edomites, and Ishmaelites), they could obtain other needed things with the large amount of silver and gold they took from Egypt (cf. Exodus 12:35-36).