Thus were the journeyings of the children of Israel according to their armies, when they set forward.

NUMBERS 10:28KJV
Know the Bible

Numbers 10:28 (KJV)

What does Numbers 10:28 mean?

Numbers 10:28 explains that the Israelites traveled in organized groups, each group moving according to its designated order as they set out on their journey. The verse highlights the structured way in which the people of Israel moved forward during their travels in the wilderness.

This verse comes as part of a larger section where Moses is leading the Israelites away from Mount Sinai after receiving God’s instructions. The people are not moving randomly; instead, they are arranged by their "armies" or divisions, showing careful planning and order as they follow God’s guidance through the desert.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 10:28

  • "journeyings" (מַסְעֵי, mas'ei): This word refers to the stages or departures of the Israelites as they traveled. It points to the idea that their movement was not a single trip, but a series of organized stages.
  • "armies" (צָבָא, tsava): While often translated as "armies," this word can also mean "divisions" or "organized groups." Here, it emphasizes the military-like structure and discipline of the traveling tribes, not just soldiers but all the people arranged in an orderly fashion.
  • "forward" (נָסַע, nasa): This verb means "to set out" or "to pull up" (as in pulling up tent pegs). It highlights the action of moving from one place to another, underlining the idea of progress and purposeful movement.

Why Numbers 10:28 matters

  • Numbers 10:28 clears up any idea that the Israelites wandered aimlessly; it stresses that their journey was organized and purposeful, following a set pattern.
  • The verse connects to the wider passage by showing how God’s instructions for order and structure were put into practice, reflecting both discipline and unity among the people.
  • This detail helps readers see that the journey through the wilderness was not chaotic, but carefully managed, which sets the stage for understanding later events in Israel’s history.

Where else these words appear

“journeyings” Hebrew H4550 · used in 11 verses

  • Genesis 13:3 And he went on his journeys from the south even to Bethel, unto the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Hai;
  • Exodus 40:38 For the cloud of the LORD was upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was on it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.
  • Numbers 10:12 And the children of Israel took their journeys out of the wilderness of Sinai; and the cloud rested in the wilderness of Paran.

“were” Hebrew H428 · used in 18 verses

  • Genesis 2:4 These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens,
  • Deuteronomy 5:3 The LORD made not this covenant with our fathers, but with us, even us, who are all of us here alive this day.
  • 1 Chronicles 23:4 Of which, twenty and four thousand were to set forward the work of the house of the LORD; and six thousand were officers and judges:

“forward” Hebrew H5265 · used in 140 verses

  • Genesis 11:2 And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there.
  • Numbers 10:22 And the standard of the camp of the children of Ephraim set forward according to their armies: and over his host was Elishama the son of Ammihud.
  • Numbers 33:32 And they removed from Benejaakan, and encamped at Horhagidgad.