And the children of Israel set forward, and pitched in the plains of Moab on this side Jordan by Jericho.

NUMBERS 22:1KJV
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Numbers 22:1 (KJV)

What does Numbers 22:1 mean?

Numbers 22:1 describes how the Israelites traveled onward and set up camp in the plains of Moab, an area located across the Jordan River from Jericho. This verse marks the Israelites’ arrival at a significant location just before they enter the land promised to them.

At this point in the story, the Israelites have finished their long journey through the wilderness and are now camped on the eastern side of the Jordan River, opposite the city of Jericho. The verse sets the scene for the events that follow, including the interactions with the Moabites and the story of Balaam, by showing that Israel is now right on the edge of Canaan, ready for the next stage in their journey.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 22:1

  • "children" (בְּנֵי, bənê): This word means "sons" or "descendants," emphasizing the collective identity of Israel as a family or nation.
  • "plains" (עֲרָבֹת, ʿărāvot): This term refers to the flat, open land near Moab, highlighting that the Israelites are not in the mountains or wilderness anymore but in a broad, settled area.
  • "side" (עֵבֶר, ʿēver): This word means "across" or "beyond," clarifying that the Israelites are on the eastern side of the Jordan River, not yet in the land of Canaan itself.

Why Numbers 22:1 matters

  • Numbers 22:1 clarifies the exact location of the Israelites, which is crucial for understanding the tension with Moab and the events that follow, especially the story of Balaam.
  • The verse shows a transition from wandering to being poised on the edge of the Promised Land, signaling a major turning point in Israel’s journey.
  • By naming Jericho, the verse connects this moment to later events in Joshua, where Jericho becomes the first city Israel will encounter after crossing the Jordan.

Where else these words appear

“Jericho” Hebrew H3405 · used in 53 verses

  • Numbers 26:3 And Moses and Eleazar the priest spake with them in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho, saying,
  • Joshua 5:10 And the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal, and kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the month at even in the plains of Jericho.
  • Joshua 18:21 Now the cities of the tribe of the children of Benjamin according to their families were Jericho, and Bethhoglah, and the valley of Keziz,

“plains” Hebrew H6160 · used in 57 verses

  • Numbers 26:3 And Moses and Eleazar the priest spake with them in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho, saying,
  • Joshua 5:10 And the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal, and kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the month at even in the plains of Jericho.
  • Psalms 68:4 Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him.

“side” Hebrew H5676 · used in 84 verses

  • Genesis 50:10 And they came to the threshingfloor of Atad, which is beyond Jordan, and there they mourned with a great and very sore lamentation: and he made a mourning for his father seven days.
  • Joshua 9:1 And it came to pass, when all the kings which were on this side Jordan, in the hills, and in the valleys, and in all the coasts of the great sea over against Lebanon, the Hittite, and the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, heard thereof;
  • 2 Samuel 10:16 And Hadarezer sent, and brought out the Syrians that were beyond the river: and they came to Helam; and Shobach the captain of the host of Hadarezer went before them.

“pitched” Hebrew H2583 · used in 135 verses

  • Genesis 26:17 And Isaac departed thence, and pitched his tent in the valley of Gerar, and dwelt there.
  • Numbers 33:11 And they removed from the Red sea, and encamped in the wilderness of Sin.
  • Judges 6:33 Then all the Midianites and the Amalekites and the children of the east were gathered together, and went over, and pitched in the valley of Jezreel.