And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children.

EXODUS 12:37KJV
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Exodus 12:37 (KJV)

What does Exodus 12:37 mean?

Exodus 12:37 says that the Israelites began their journey out of Egypt, traveling from Rameses to Succoth, and that about six hundred thousand men traveled on foot, not counting the children. This verse highlights the large number of people involved in the Exodus and marks the starting point of their departure.

In this part of Exodus, the narrative describes the actual movement of the Israelites after Pharaoh finally allowed them to leave Egypt. The verse specifically mentions men on foot, using a word that often means adult males, and notes that children were not included in this count. The place names Rameses and Succoth mark the route the Israelites took as they began their journey toward freedom.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 12:37

  • "Children" (בְּנֵי, bənê): This word refers to the descendants or sons of Israel, emphasizing the family and tribal identity of the group leaving Egypt.
  • "Men" (גֶּבֶר, gever): This term is often used for adult males, especially those able to go to war, which suggests the count is of able-bodied men, not the entire population.
  • "Foot" (רֶגֶל, regel): The phrase "on foot" points out that these people were traveling by walking, not riding animals or in carts, which underlines the hardship and scale of the journey.
  • "Beside children" (לְבַד מִטַּף, l’vad mittaf): This phrase clarifies that the number given does not include children, so the total group was much larger than the six hundred thousand men mentioned.

Why Exodus 12:37 matters

  • This verse helps clarify that the number given (six hundred thousand) only counts adult men, so the total number of Israelites leaving Egypt would have been much higher when including women and children.
  • The mention of specific locations (Rameses and Succoth) grounds the story in real geography, showing that the Exodus was a physical journey with a traceable route.
  • By emphasizing the large size of the group, the verse sets the stage for the challenges and miracles described in the rest of the Exodus story, highlighting the scale of what was happening.

Where else these words appear

“Rameses” Hebrew H7486 · used in 5 verses

  • Genesis 47:11 And Joseph placed his father and his brethren, and gave them a possession in the land of Egypt, in the best of the land, in the land of Rameses, as Pharaoh had commanded.
  • Exodus 1:11 Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses.
  • Numbers 33:3 And they departed from Rameses in the first month, on the fifteenth day of the first month; on the morrow after the passover the children of Israel went out with an high hand in the sight of all the Egyptians.

“foot” Hebrew H7273 · used in 12 verses

  • Numbers 11:21 And Moses said, The people, among whom I am, are six hundred thousand footmen; and thou hast said, I will give them flesh, that they may eat a whole month.
  • 1 Samuel 15:4 And Saul gathered the people together, and numbered them in Telaim, two hundred thousand footmen, and ten thousand men of Judah.
  • 2 Kings 13:7 Neither did he leave of the people to Jehoahaz but fifty horsemen, and ten chariots, and ten thousand footmen; for the king of Syria had destroyed them, and had made them like the dust by threshing.

“Succoth” Hebrew H5523 · used in 16 verses

  • Genesis 33:17 And Jacob journeyed to Succoth, and built him an house, and made booths for his cattle: therefore the name of the place is called Succoth.
  • Judges 8:5 And he said unto the men of Succoth, Give, I pray you, loaves of bread unto the people that follow me; for they be faint, and I am pursuing after Zebah and Zalmunna, kings of Midian.
  • Judges 8:16 And he took the elders of the city, and thorns of the wilderness and briers, and with them he taught the men of Succoth.

“children” Hebrew H2945 · used in 42 verses

  • Genesis 34:29 And all their wealth, and all their little ones, and their wives took they captive, and spoiled even all that was in the house.
  • Numbers 31:9 And the children of Israel took all the women of Midian captives, and their little ones, and took the spoil of all their cattle, and all their flocks, and all their goods.
  • Joshua 1:14 Your wives, your little ones, and your cattle, shall remain in the land which Moses gave you on this side Jordan; but ye shall pass before your brethren armed, all the mighty men of valour, and help them;