Numbers 33:46 — Word Study
WLCוַיִּסְע֖וּ מִדִּיבֹ֣ן גָּ֑ד וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בְּעַלְמֹ֥ן דִּבְלָתָֽיְמָה׃
BSAThey set outnâçaʻ▸ [journeyed, traveled] from Dibon-gadDîybôwn [in Moab, a city taken over by Israel] and campedchânâh▸ [encamped, pitched their tents] at Almon-diblathaimʻAlmôn Diblâthâyᵉmâh [a place of concealment, in the wilderness]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וַיִּסְע֖וּ | and they set out | Verb, Qal, sequential imperfect third person masculine plural |
| מִדִּיבֹ֣ן | from Dibon- | Preposition, noun proper |
| גָּ֑ד | gad | Noun proper masculine |
| וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ | and they encamped | Verb, Qal, sequential imperfect third person masculine plural |
| בְּעַלְמֹ֥ן | at Almon- | Preposition, noun proper |
| דִּבְלָתָֽיְמָה׃ | diblathaim | Noun proper |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | They set out from Dibon-gad and camped at Almon-diblathaim. |
| KJV | And they removed from Dibon-gad, and encamped in Almon-diblathaim. |
| ASV | And they journeyed from Dibon-gad, and encamped in Almon-diblathaim. |
| YLT | and they journey from Dibon-Gad, and encamp in Almon-Diblathaim. |
| WEB | They traveled from Dibon Gad, and encamped in Almon Diblathaim. |
| BBE | And from Dibon-gad they went on, and put up their tents in Almon-diblathaim. |
There are no notable differences among the translations regarding the wording of this verse.
The sentence has a main verb with two actions: setting out and camping, clearly showing the sequence of the Israelites' journey.
4 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, 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 33:46
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 Itinerary of the Israelitesgenerated
Numbers 33:46 details the journey of the Israelites as they moved through the wilderness, setting out from various locations and camping at others. This verse specifically notes their departure from Dibon-gad and their encampment at Almon-diblathaim, reflecting the organized movement of the Israelite community during their travels.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Numbers 32:34 | And the Gadites built up Dibon, Ataroth, Aroer, |
| 2 | Isaiah 15:2 | Dibon goes up to its temple to weep at its high places. Moab wails over Nebo, as well as over Medeba. Every head is shaved, every beard is cut off. |
| 3 | Jeremiah 48:18 | Come down from your glory; sit on parched ground, O daughter dwelling in Dibon, for the destroyer of Moab has come against you; he has destroyed your fortresses. |
| 4 | Jeremiah 48:22 | upon Dibon, Nebo, and Beth-diblathaim, |
| 5 | Ezekiel 6:14 | I will stretch out My hand against them, and wherever they live I will make the land a desolate waste, from the wilderness to Diblah. Then they will know that I am the LORD.’” |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 5 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — וַיִּסְע֖וּ, vai.yis.'Ugenerated
The verb נָסַע (naca`) means to set out or start a journey. It conveys the action of departing, as seen in the context of the Israelites leaving Egypt and moving through the wilderness.
The parsing indicates that it is a sequential imperfect verb in the third person masculine plural, meaning it describes an ongoing action performed by a group — in this case, the Israelites setting out together.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb וַיִּסְע֖וּ governs the sentence, with a prepositional phrase indicating the starting point and another indicating the destination. The structure emphasizes the sequential nature of the journey.
The two verbs, וַיִּסְע֖וּ and וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ, are both in the sequential imperfect form, showing the continuous actions of setting out and encamping.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates וַיִּסְע֖וּ as ἀπῆραν, which means 'they departed.' This choice reflects a straightforward rendering of the Hebrew verb into Greek, maintaining the sense of movement.
The consistent use of terms in the Septuagint aligns with the Hebrew, indicating a direct relationship between the two languages in this context.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Numbers 33:46 describes the Israelites traveling from Dibon-gad to Almon-diblathaim. This verse is part of their journey through the wilderness, showing how they moved from one campsite to another.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It indicates the beginning of a journey for the Israelites, moving from one location to another during their time in the wilderness.
Almon-diblathaim is noted as a stopping point for the Israelites, reflecting the places they camped during their wilderness journey.
Dibon was a city in Moab that was taken over and rebuilt by the Israelites, and its name means 'wasting'.
This verse is part of a larger itinerary that details the movements of the Israelites as they traveled through the wilderness towards the Promised Land.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What does this journey teach us about the importance of direction and purpose in our own lives?
- How can we reflect on our own journeys and the places we have stopped along the way?
- In what ways can we prepare for the journeys we undertake in our lives?
- What significance do the names of places hold in our spiritual journeys?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Origen of Alexandria comments on this verse, interpreting the significance of Almon-diblathaim in relation to earthly concerns.
Next, then, they come to Gelmon Deblathaim [Almon-diblathaim], which means “scorn of figs,” that is, where earthly things are completely scorned and despised.Early Church Fathers on Numbers 33 →
Commentators on this verse — 4 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Numbers 33:46 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleAnd they removed from Dibongad, and encamped in Almondiblathaim. Sixteen miles from Dibon, perhaps the same with Diblath, Ezekiel 6:14, according to the account in Numbers 21:16, c.
Read John Gill on Numbers 33 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryAnd they removed from Dibongad, and encamped in Almon-diblatha'im. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Read Robert Jamieson on Numbers 33 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleSTAT. XXXIX. Verse 46. ALMON-DIBLATHAIM.] Situation not known. It belonged to the Moabites in the time of the prophet Jeremiah. Jeremiah 48:22.
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 Dibon-gad and camped at Almon-diblathaim.
They traveled from Dibon Gad, and encamped in Almon Diblathaim.
They set out from Dibon-gad and camped at Almon-diblathaim.
They traveled from Dibon-gad and camped in Almon-diblathaim.
Tyndale line
And they removed from Dibon-gad, and encamped in Almon-diblathaim.
And they journeyed from Dibon-gad, and encamped in Almon-diblathaim.
And they journeyed from Dibon-gad, and pitched in Almon-diblathaim.
And they removed from Dibon-gad, and encamped in Almon-diblathaim.
And they remooued from Dibon-gad, and lay in Almon-diblathaim.
Strictly literal
And they removed from Dibon-Gad, and encamped in Almon-Diblathaim.
and they journey from Dibon-Gad, and encamp in Almon-Diblathaim.
And they journey from Dibon-Gad and encamp in Almon-Diblathaim.
And they removed from Dibon-gad, and encamped in 'Almon-diblathaymah.
They set out from Dibon Gad and camped at Almon Diblathaim.
From the Latin
From thence they went and camped in Helmondeblathaim.
Simplified
They moved on from Dibon-gad and set up camp at Almon-diblathaim.
And from Dibon-gad they went on, and put up their tents in Almon-diblathaim.
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 in most of its wording, with the Samaritan Pentateuch differing slightly in the spelling of Dibon and Almon-diblathaim. The Dead Sea Scrolls provide a version that is mostly consistent with the Masoretic Text but includes editorial restorations.
וַיִּסְע֖וּ מִדִּיבֹ֣ן גָּ֑ד וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בְּעַלְמֹ֥ן דִּבְלָתָֽיְמָה׃
5 of the 6 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 מדיבון גד ויחנו בעלמונ דבלתימה
2 words differ from the Masoretic Text: דיבון (Dibon), עלמונ דבלתימה (Almon Diblathaim)
[ויסעו] [מדיבון] [גד] [ויחנו] [בעלמון] [דבלתימה]
nothing on the leather here — 6 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 33:46
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
דִּיבֹן (Diybown) refers to a city in Moab and a place in southern Judah. The name means 'wasting' and is associated with multiple locations in Palestine, including Dibon-gad. The entries indicate that the term is derived from a root meaning 'pining' and highlight its historical significance, particularly regarding its rebuilding by the Israelites.
דִּיבֹן, דִּיבוֹן n.pr.loc.
city in Moab
place in Judah, toward south
base
H1769 דִּיבֹן, דִּיבוֹן . city in Moab
. place in Judah, toward south
1769 Diybown dee-bome'
or (shortened) Diybon {dee-bone'}; from 1727; pining:--Dibon,
the name of three places in Palestine:--Dibon. (Also, with
1410 added, Dibon-gad.)
see HEBREW for 01727
see HEBREW for 01410
דִּיבֹן, דִּימוֹן (di.von) — Dibon.
§ Dibon = "wasting"
a town in Moab on the east side of the Jordan which was taken over by the Israelites and rebuilt by the children of Gad
דִּיבֹן (di.von) — Dibon.
§ Dibon = "wasting"
a place in south Judah reinhabited by the men of Judah after the return from captivity
דִּיבֹן (di.von) — Dibon(-gad).
Dibon = "wasting"
a town in Moab on the east side of the Jordan which was taken over by the Israelites and rebuilt by the children of Gad
Another name of di.von (דִּיבֹן, דִּימוֹן "Dibon" H1769G)
Prep | N-proper — Preposition · noun properHR/Npl
Dibon
Pining; wasting. (1.) A city in Moab (Num. 21:30); called also Dibon-gad (33:45), because it was built by Gad and Dimon (Isa. 15:9). It has been identified with the modern Diban, about 3 miles north of the Arnon and 12 miles east of the Dead Sea. (See Moabite Stone.)
(2.) A city of the tribe of Judah, inhabited after the Captivity (Neh. 11:25); called also Dimonah (Josh. 15:22). It is probably the modern ed-Dheib.
(wasting). A town on the east side of Jordan, in the rich pastoral country, which was taken possession of and rebuilt by the children of Gad. (Numbers 32:3,34) From this circumstance it possibly received the name of DIBON-GAD. (Numbers 33:45,46) Its first mention is in (Numbers 21:30) and from this it appears to have belonged originally to the Moabites. We find Dibon counted to Reuben in the lists of Joshua. (Joshua 13:9,17) In the time of Isaiah and Jeremiah, however, it was again in possession of Moab. (Isaiah 15:2; Jeremiah 48:18,22) comp. Jere 48:24 In modern times the name Dhiban has been discovered as attached to…
DIMON, Isa 15:9, and DI-BON-GAD, Nu 33:45,46, a town of Gad, Nu 32:34, but afterwards of Reuben, Jos 13:17. It lay in a plain just north of the Arnon, and was the first encampment of the Israelites upon crossing that river. Later we find it in the hands of the Moabites, Isa 15:2 Jer 48:22. Traces of it remain at a place now called Diban.
abundance of knowledge
גָּד (Gad) refers to a son of Jacob and Zilpah, as well as the tribe descended from him. The name means 'troop' and is associated with a prophet during David's time. Gad is first mentioned in Genesis 30:11 and is noted for his role in David's reign, including contributions to musical arrangements and involvement in census events.
גָּד 71 n.pr.m. (fortunatus?)
son of Jacob and Zilpah
a prophet in David's time
base
H1410 גָּד . son of Jacob and Zilpah
. a prophet in David's time
1410 Gad gawd
from 1464; Gad, a son of Jacob, including his tribe and its
territory; also a prophet:--Gad.
see HEBREW for 01464
גָּד (gad) — Gad.
A man of the tribe of Gad living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.30.11;
son of: Israel (H3478) and Zilpah (H2153);
brother of: Asher (H0836);
half-brother of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144);
father of: Ziphion (H6837), Haggi (H2291), Shuni (H7764), Ezbon (H0675), Eri (H6179), Arod (H0720) and Areli (H0692)
§ Gad = "troop"
1) seventh son of Jacob by Zilpah, Leah's handmaid, and full brother of Asher.
2) the tribe descended from Gad
3) a prophet during the time of David; appears to have joined David when in the hold; reappears in connection with the punishment for taking a census; also assisted in the arrangements for the musical service of the "house of God"
גָּד (gad) — Gad.
HNpm — Noun proper masculineHNpm
Gad
Fortune; luck. (1.) Jacob’s seventh son, by Zilpah, Leah’s handmaid, and the brother of Asher (Gen. 30:11-13; 46:16, 18). In the Authorized Version of 30:11 the words, “A troop cometh: and she called,” etc., should rather be rendered, “In fortune [R.V., ‘Fortunate’]: and she called,” etc., or “Fortune cometh,” etc.
The tribe of Gad during the march through the wilderness had their place with Simeon and Reuben on the south side of the tabernacle (Num. 2:14). The tribes of Reuben and Gad continued all through their history to follow the pastoral pursuits of the patriarchs (Num. 32:1-5).
(a troop). Jacob’s seventh son, the first-born of Zilpah, Leah’s maid, and whole-brother to Asher. (Genesis 30;11-13; 46:16,18) (B.C. 1753-1740.) "The seer," or "the king’s seer," i.e. David’s (1 Chronicles 29:29; 2 Chronicles 29:25) was a "prophet" who appears to have joined David when in the old. (1 Samuel 22:5) (B.C. 1061.) He reappears in connection with the punishment inflicted for the numbering of the people. (2 Samuel 24:11-19; 1 Chronicles 21:9-19) He wrote a book of the Acts of David, (1 Chronicles 29:29) and also assisted in the arrangements for the…
Prosperity, fortune,
1. Son of Jacob and Zilpah, Leah’s servant, Ge 30:11. Leah called him Gad, and said, "A troop cometh." Compare Ge 49:19; but many Hebrew scholars prefer the rendering, good fortune or prosperity cometh. The tribe of Gad came out of Egypt in number forty-five thousand six hundred and fifty, Ge 46:16 Nu 1:24. After the defeat of the kings Og and Sihon, Gad and Reuben desired to have their allotment east of Jordan, alleging their great number of cattle. Moses granted their request, on condition that they should accompany their brethren, and assist in conquering the land west of Jordan, Nu 32:1-42. The…
a band; a troop
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
עַלְמוֹן דִּבְלָתָ֑יְמָה (Almon Diblathaymah) refers to a location in Moab, described as a station for the Israelites during their wilderness journey. The name is interpreted as meaning 'concealing the two cakes.' It is also associated with another name, בֵּית דִּבְלָתָ֑יִם (Beth-diblathaim), which is noted in the lexicons.
עַלְמוֹן דִּבְלָתָ֑יְמָה n.pr.loc. in Moab; = בֵּית ד׳ q.v.
base
H5963 עַלְמוֹן דִּבְלָתָ֑יְמָה, עַלְמֹן דִּבְלָתָיְמָה
5963 `Almon Diblathaymah al-mone' dib-law-thaw'-yem-aw
from the same as 5960 and the dual of 1690 (compare 1015)
with enclitic of direction; Almon towards Diblathajim;
Almon-Diblathajemah, a place in Moab: --Almon-dilathaim.
see HEBREW for 05960
see HEBREW for 01690
see HEBREW for 01015
עַלְמֹן דִּבְלָתָיְמָה (al.mon div.la.ta.ye.mah) — Almon-diblathaim.
Almon-diblathaim = "concealing the two cakes"
a station of the Israelites in the wilderness of Moab
Also named: bet div.la.ta.yim (בֵּית דִּבְלָתָ֑יִם "Beth-diblathaim" H1015)
N-proper | Suff — Preposition · noun properHR/Npl
Almon
Hidden, one of the sacerdotal cities of Benjamin (Josh. 21:18), called also Alemeth (1 Chr. 6:60).
(concealed) a city within the tribe of Benjamin, with "suburbs" given to the priests. (Joshua 21:18) [ALEMETH]
hidden
עַלְמוֹן דִּבְלָתָ֑יְמָה (Almon Diblathaymah) refers to a location in Moab, described as a station for the Israelites during their wilderness journey. The name is interpreted as meaning 'concealing the two cakes.' It is also associated with another name, בֵּית דִּבְלָתָ֑יִם (Beth-diblathaim), which is noted in the lexicons.
עַלְמוֹן דִּבְלָתָ֑יְמָה n.pr.loc. in Moab; = בֵּית ד׳ q.v.
base
H5963 עַלְמוֹן דִּבְלָתָ֑יְמָה, עַלְמֹן דִּבְלָתָיְמָה
5963 `Almon Diblathaymah al-mone' dib-law-thaw'-yem-aw
from the same as 5960 and the dual of 1690 (compare 1015)
with enclitic of direction; Almon towards Diblathajim;
Almon-Diblathajemah, a place in Moab: --Almon-dilathaim.
see HEBREW for 05960
see HEBREW for 01690
see HEBREW for 01015
עַלְמֹן דִּבְלָתָיְמָה (al.mon div.la.ta.ye.mah) — Almon-diblathaim.
Almon-diblathaim = "concealing the two cakes"
a station of the Israelites in the wilderness of Moab
Also named: bet div.la.ta.yim (בֵּית דִּבְלָתָ֑יִם "Beth-diblathaim" H1015)
HNpl — Noun properHNpl
dib-la-tha'-im.
See ALMON-DIBLATHAIM.
Diblathaim
Two cakes, a city of Moab, on the east of the Dead Sea (Num. 33:46; Jer. 48:22).