And they removed from Marah, and came unto Elim: and in Elim were twelve fountains of water, and threescore and ten palm trees; and they pitched there.

NUMBERS 33:9KJV
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Numbers 33:9 (KJV)

What does Numbers 33:9 mean?

Numbers 33:9 records that the Israelites left Marah and traveled to Elim, where they found twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees, and they set up camp there. This verse highlights a moment of relief and provision during the Israelites’ journey through the wilderness.

In this part of the book of Numbers, Moses is listing the stages of Israel’s journey from Egypt toward the Promised Land, speaking to the people as a record of where they traveled. Marah was a place known for its bitter water, while Elim offered abundant water and shade, making it a notable stop after hardship. The mention of twelve springs and seventy palm trees gives a concrete sense of refreshment and rest for the twelve tribes.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 33:9

  • "Elim" (אֵילִם, Elim): The name means "terebinths" or "large trees," fitting the description of a place with many palm trees and water sources. It stands in contrast to Marah, which was associated with bitterness.
  • "Twelve" (שְׁנֵים עָשָׂר, shenayim asar): This number matches the twelve tribes of Israel, suggesting that there was enough water for each tribe, emphasizing provision for the whole community.
  • "Fountains" (עֵינֹת, einot): The word literally means "springs" or "eyes" of water, indicating natural sources rather than man-made wells. This detail underscores the abundance and natural supply at Elim.

Why Numbers 33:9 matters

  • Numbers 33:9 shows a clear contrast between hardship (Marah) and provision (Elim), emphasizing that the Israelites’ journey included both struggle and relief.
  • The specific mention of twelve springs and seventy palm trees connects to the structure of Israel’s community, hinting at thoughtful provision for all tribes.
  • This verse fits into the larger narrative of Numbers 33, which carefully records each stage of the journey, helping later generations remember both the challenges and the moments of blessing along the way.

Where else these words appear

“Marah” Hebrew H4785 · used in 3 verses

  • Exodus 15:23 And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah.
  • Numbers 33:8 And they departed from before Pihahiroth, and passed through the midst of the sea into the wilderness, and went three days' journey in the wilderness of Etham, and pitched in Marah.

“Elim” Hebrew H362 · used in 4 verses

  • Exodus 15:27 And they came to Elim, where were twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters.
  • Exodus 16:1 And they took their journey from Elim, and all the congregation of the children of Israel came unto the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after their departing out of the land of Egypt.
  • Numbers 33:10 And they removed from Elim, and encamped by the Red sea.

“trees” Hebrew H8558 · used in 12 verses

  • Exodus 15:27 And they came to Elim, where were twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters.
  • Judges 1:16 And the children of the Kenite, Moses' father in law, went up out of the city of palm trees with the children of Judah into the wilderness of Judah, which lieth in the south of Arad; and they went and dwelt among the people.
  • Psalms 92:12 The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.

“ten” Hebrew H7657 · used in 90 verses

  • Genesis 4:24 If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold.
  • Numbers 7:73 His offering was one silver charger, the weight whereof was an hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering:
  • 2 Chronicles 2:2 And Solomon told out threescore and ten thousand men to bear burdens, and fourscore thousand to hew in the mountain, and three thousand and six hundred to oversee them.