Numbers 33:29 — Word Study
WLCוַיִּסְע֖וּ מִמִּתְקָ֑ה וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בְּחַשְׁמֹנָֽה׃
BSAThey set outnâçaʻ▸ [journeyed, traveled, departed] from MithkahMithqâh [a place of sweetness] and campedchânâh▸ [pitched, encamped, set up their tents] at HashmonahChashmônâh [a place of fatness, abundance]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וַיִּסְע֖וּ | and they set out | Verb, Qal, sequential imperfect third person masculine plural |
| מִמִּתְקָ֑ה | from Mithcah | Preposition, noun proper |
| וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ | and they encamped | Verb, Qal, sequential imperfect third person masculine plural |
| בְּחַשְׁמֹנָֽה׃ | at Hashmoneh | Preposition, noun proper |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | They set out from Mithkah and camped at Hashmonah. |
| KJV | And they went from Mithcah, and pitched in Hashmonah. |
| ASV | And they journeyed from Mithkah, and encamped in Hashmonah. |
| YLT | And they journey from Mithcah, and encamp in Hashmonah; |
| WEB | They traveled from Mithkah, and encamped in Hashmonah. |
| BBE | And they went on from Mithkah, and put up their tents in Hashmonah. |
The translations agree here, conveying the same core meaning without notable differences.
The structure of the verse consists of two main clauses connected by 'and,' each detailing the actions of setting out and camping.
4 commentators on this verse
Jamieson, Trapp, AdamClarke, Whedon & more — read them ›
clause
verbנָסַע
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Numbers 33:29
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Wilderness Itinerarygenerated
Numbers 33:29 is part of a longer passage that details the travels of the Israelites as they journeyed through the wilderness. This section lists various locations where they camped, illustrating their movements and experiences during this significant period in their history. Each location has its own meaning and significance, contributing to the overall narrative of their journey towards the Promised Land.
Cross References
The Key Word — וַיִּסְע֖וּ, vai.yis.'Ugenerated
The verb נָסַע (naca`) means to set out or start a journey. It is used here in the sequential imperfect tense, indicating ongoing action by the Israelites as they depart from one location and move to another. This word captures the essence of their travels, emphasizing the physical movement involved in their journey.
The root of this verb relates to pulling out or removing, which is fitting as the Israelites were literally pulling up their stakes and moving onward. The choice of this verb highlights the dynamic nature of their experience in the wilderness.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The translations agree here, all rendering the Hebrew words consistently.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main action of the verse is governed by two finite verbs: וַיִּסְע֖וּ (and they set out) and וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ (and they encamped). The structure reflects a sequence of actions, indicating that the Israelites first set out from one location and then established camp at another.
The verbs are followed by prepositional phrases indicating the locations involved: מִמִּתְקָ֑ה (from Mithkah) and בְּחַשְׁמֹנָֽה (at Hashmonah). This structure emphasizes the movement and transition from one place to another.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint uses the Greek word ἀπῆραν to translate וַיִּסְע֖וּ, which means 'they set out.' This choice reflects a direct correspondence to the Hebrew meaning of departing or beginning a journey.
This translation maintains the sense of movement inherent in the Hebrew text, showing a consistent understanding of the action of the Israelites.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Numbers 33:29 tells us that the Israelites journeyed from a place called Mithkah, which means sweetness, and then camped at Hashmonah, a place that signifies fatness or abundance. This is part of their travels through the wilderness as they moved toward the Promised Land.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Mithkah means sweetness, indicating a pleasant place where the Israelites camped.
Hashmonah means fatness or abundance, suggesting a fruitful location for the Israelites during their journey.
The journey represents the Israelites' transition from slavery in Egypt to freedom and the eventual promise of a land flowing with milk and honey.
This verse is part of a detailed itinerary that outlines the various locations where the Israelites camped, providing context for their experiences in the wilderness.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What does the journey from Mithkah to Hashmonah teach us about the importance of moving forward in our own lives?
- How can the meanings of these locations inspire us in our spiritual journey?
- In what ways can we recognize the 'sweetness' and 'abundance' in our own lives as we travel through challenges?
- How does understanding the context of the Israelites' journey enhance our reading of this passage?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Origen of Alexandria comments on the significance of Hashmonah, interpreting its meaning as strength and endurance, which reflects the Israelites' journey.
From there they come to Asenna [Hashmonah], which is said to mean “bone” or “bones.” By this it is doubtless strength and the firmness of endurance that is revealed.Early Church Fathers on Numbers 33 →
Commentators on this verse — 4 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Numbers 33:29 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryAnd they removed from the desert of Sinai, and pitched at Kibroth-hatta'avah. Kibroth-hattaavah - the graves of lust .
Read Robert Jamieson on Numbers 33 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsNumbers 33:29 And they went from Mithcah, and pitched in Hashmonah.Ver. 29. From Mitheah.] Which signifies sweetness. And pitched in Chasmonah.] Which signifies swiftness. We must also, when we have tasted of God’ s sweetness, use all possible swiftness in the ways of holiness; as Jacob, when he had seen visions of God at Bethel, "lifted up his feet," and went on his way lustily, like a generous horse after a bait, or a giant after his wine. "The joy of the Lord is your strength."
Read John Trapp on Numbers 33 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleSTAT. XXV. Verse 29. HASHMONAH.] Supposed by some to be the same as Azmon, Numbers 34:4.
Read AdamClarke on Numbers 33 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the BibleTHE OF THE , Numbers 33:1-49.Having reached the Land of Promise, and taken possession of its eastern portion, it is proper that the history of the desert wandering should close with a list of
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Numbers 33 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
They set out from Mithkah and camped at Hashmonah.
They traveled from Mithkah, and encamped in Hashmonah.
They set out from Mithkah and camped at Hashmonah.
They traveled from Mithcah and camped in Hashmonah.
Tyndale line
And they went from Mithcah, and pitched in Hashmonah.
And they journeyed from Mithkah, and encamped in Hashmonah.
And they journeyed from Mithkah, and pitched in Hashmonah.
And they went from Mithcah, and encamped in Hashmonah.
And they went from Mithkah, and pitched in Hashmonah.
Strictly literal
And they removed from Mithcah, and encamped in Hashmonah.
And they journey from Mithcah, and encamp in Hashmonah;
And they journey from Mithcah and encamp in Hashmonah.
And they removed from Mithkah, and encamped in Chashmonah.
They set out from Mithkah and camped at Hashmonah.
From the Latin
And removing from Methca, they camped in Hesmona.
Simplified
They moved on from Mithkah and set up camp at Hashmonah.
And they went on from Mithkah, and put up their tents in Hashmonah.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text is supported by the Septuagint, which matches all four words. The Samaritan Pentateuch has one word that differs, using חשׁמונה (Hashmonah) instead of the Masoretic חַשְׁמֹנָה. The Dead Sea Scrolls show no variations in wording but are largely supplied by an editor, indicating that the original text was likely similar.
וַיִּסְע֖וּ מִמִּתְקָ֑ה וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בְּחַשְׁמֹנָֽה׃
4 of the 4 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
ויסעו ממתקה ויחנו בחשׁמונה
1 word differs from the Masoretic Text: חשׁמונה (Hashmonah)
[ויסעו] [ממתקה] [ויחנו] [בחשמנה]
nothing on the leather here — 4 supplied entire by an editor.
[ויסעו] [ממתקה] [ויחנו] [בחשמונה]
nothing on the leather here — 4 supplied entire by an editor.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Numbers 33:29
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
נָסַע (naca`) means to pull out or up, particularly in the context of setting out on a journey. It encompasses actions like departing, marching, and removing, with nuances related to both physical movement and the wind. The word can also imply causing someone or something to set out or be led away.
נָסַע 147 vb. pull out or up, set out, journey
Qal 137
pull out or up
hence (from pulling up tent-pegs),
set out
depart
journey, march (by stages)
of wind
Niph. be pulled up, removed
Hiph.
cause to set out, lead out
remove
base
H5265 נָסַע pull out or up, set out, journey .. pull out or up
. hence (from pulling up tent-pegs), . set out
. depart
. journey, march (by stages)
. of wind
. be pulled up, removed
. . cause to set out, lead out
. remove
5265 naca` naw-sah'
a primitive root; properly, to pull up, especially the
tent-pins, i.e. start on a journey:--cause to blow, bring,
get, (make to) go (away, forth, forward, onward, out), (take)
journey, march, remove, set aside (forward), X still, be on
his (go their) way.
נָסַע (na.sa) — to set out.
1) to pull out, pull up, set out, journey, remove, set forward, depart
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to pull out or up
1a2) to set out, depart
1a3) to journey, march
1a4) to set forth (of wind)
1b) (Niphal) to be pulled up, be removed, be plucked up
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to cause to set out, lead out, cause to spring up
1c2) to remove, quarry
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine pluralHc/Vqw3mp
מִתְקָה (Mithqah) refers to a location in the desert associated with the Israelites, translating to 'sweetness.' It is a feminine noun derived from another Hebrew word meaning sweetness. The entries consistently identify it as a station in the wilderness, with no significant disagreement among the lexicons.
מִתְקָה n.pr.loc. a station of Isr. in desert
base
H4989 מִתְקָה
4989 Mithqah mith-kaw'
feminine of 4987; sweetness; Mithkah, a place in the
Desert:--Mithcah.
see HEBREW for 04987
מִתְקָה (mit.qah) — Mithkah.
§ Mithcah = "sweetness"
a station of Israel in the wilderness
Prep | N-proper — Preposition · noun properHR/Npl
Mithcah
Sweetness, one of the stations of the Israelites in the wilderness (Num. 33:28, 29).
(sweetness), the name of an unknown desert encampment of the Israelites. (Numbers 33:28,29)
sweetness; pleasantness
→ An encampment of the Israelites Nu 33:28,29
חָנָה (chanah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to decline, bend down, or encamp. It conveys the idea of inclining or settling, particularly in the context of pitching a tent or establishing a temporary dwelling. The word appears in various forms, including the act of encamping or laying siege. It is associated with the imagery of the evening's slanting rays and the conclusion of a day's journey.
חָנָה 143 vb. decline, bend down, encamp
Qal
decline, of day drawing to its close
encamp (prop. verge toward, incline to, settle at, of goal of day’s march)
base
H2583 חָנָה decline, bend down, encamp
2583 chanah khaw-naw'
a primitive root (compare 2603); properly, to incline; by
implication, to decline (of the slanting rays of evening);
specifically, to pitch a tent; gen. to encamp (for abode or
siege):--abide (in tents), camp, dwell, encamp, grow to an
end, lie, pitch (tent), rest in tent.
see HEBREW for 02603
חָנָה (cha.nah) — to camp.
1) to decline, incline, encamp, bend down, lay siege against
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to decline
1a2) to encamp
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine pluralHc/Vqw3mp
חַשְׁמֹנָה (Chashmonah) refers to a location mentioned in the wilderness journeys of Israel, described as a station. The name is derived from a root meaning 'fertile' or 'fatness.' The entries consistently identify it as a place, with no significant disagreement among lexicons.
חַשְׁמֹנָה n.pr.loc. a station of Isr. in wilderness
base
H2832 חַשְׁמֹנָה
2832 Chashmonah khash-mo-naw'
feminine of 2831; fertile; Chasmonah, a place in the
Desert:--Hashmonah.
see HEBREW for 02831
חַשְׁמֹנָה (chash.mo.nah) — Hashmonah.
§ Hashmonah = "fatness"
a station of Israel in the wilderness
Prep | N-proper — Preposition · noun properHR/Npl