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.

NUMBERS 33:3KJV
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Numbers 33:3 (KJV)

What does Numbers 33:3 mean?

Numbers 33:3 describes how the Israelites left Rameses in Egypt on the fifteenth day of the first month, the day after Passover, leaving boldly while the Egyptians watched. The verse marks the exact timing and the confident manner of their departure as a significant moment in Israel’s history.

Moses is recording the stages of Israel’s journey out of Egypt for the people of Israel, listing key stops and events. This verse highlights the start of their journey, connecting it directly to the Passover event and emphasizing that the Israelites left openly and powerfully, not in secret or fear.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 33:3

  • "departed" (נָסַע, nasaʿ): This word means to pull up (like tent pegs) and set out on a journey, picturing the Israelites beginning a new stage by leaving their settled place in Egypt.
  • "high" (רָמָה, ramah) and "hand" (יָד, yad): The phrase "with an high hand" means with uplifted hand, symbolizing confidence, strength, and even defiance. The Israelites left Egypt not as fugitives but with a sense of triumph and freedom.
  • "Rameses" (רַעְמְסֵס, Raʿmĕsēs): Naming Rameses as the starting point grounds the story in a real location, showing the historical nature of the journey.

Why Numbers 33:3 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the Exodus happened at a specific time—right after Passover—connecting Israel’s liberation to God’s deliverance in a concrete way.
  • The detail that the Israelites left "with an high hand" corrects any idea that they sneaked away; instead, they departed with visible boldness and God-given authority.
  • By naming Rameses and the exact date, the verse ties the journey to real events and places, reinforcing the historical memory for later generations.

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.
  • Exodus 12:37 And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children.

“morrow” Hebrew H4283 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 19:34 And it came to pass on the morrow, that the firstborn said unto the younger, Behold, I lay yesternight with my father: let us make him drink wine this night also; and go thou in, and lie with him, that we may preserve seed of our father.
  • Numbers 11:32 And the people stood up all that day, and all that night, and all the next day, and they gathered the quails: he that gathered least gathered ten homers: and they spread them all abroad for themselves round about the camp.
  • 1 Samuel 11:11 And it was so on the morrow, that Saul put the people in three companies; and they came into the midst of the host in the morning watch, and slew the Ammonites until the heat of the day: and it came to pass, that they which remained were scattered, so that two of them were not left together.

“passover” Hebrew H6453 · used in 46 verses

  • Exodus 12:11 And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the LORD'S passover.
  • Numbers 28:16 And in the fourteenth day of the first month is the passover of the LORD.
  • 2 Chronicles 30:18 For a multitude of the people, even many of Ephraim, and Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet did they eat the passover otherwise than it was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, The good LORD pardon every one

“departed” 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.