Israel's Wilderness Journey
A chronological guide to Israel's journey from Egypt to the Promised Land, following the itinerary recorded in Numbers 33. The forty-year wilderness period includes the Exodus, the giving of the Law at Sinai, the failure at Kadesh-barnea, and the final approach through Transjordan. Many intermediate camp locations are uncertain or unknown; the degree of certainty for each identification is noted.
Exodus from Egypt (Month 1 (Nisan/Abib))
Rameses
The starting point. Israel departs on the fifteenth day of the first month, the day after Passover, going out 'with a high hand in the sight of all the Egyptians.' About 600,000 men on foot depart, besides women and children, along with a mixed multitude and substantial livestock.
Succoth (Egypt)
The first stop after leaving Rameses. This is the Egyptian Succoth (Tell el-Maskhuta), not the Transjordan city of the same name. They bake unleavened cakes from the dough they brought, since they were driven out of Egypt and could not wait.
Etham
Exodus 13:20; Numbers 33:6 · Location: unknown
On the edge of the wilderness. The exact site is unknown but was at the border between the cultivated Delta and the desert. From here, God leads them by the pillar of cloud by day and fire by night.
Pi-hahiroth
Exodus 14:1-4; Numbers 33:7 · Location: debated
God tells Israel to turn back and camp 'between Migdol and the sea, in front of Baal-zephon.' This deliberate move makes Pharaoh think they are 'wandering aimlessly' and trapped. The location is debated and depends on which theory of the Exodus route one follows; proposals range from the northern Sinai coast to the Gulf of Suez to the Bitter Lakes region.
Crossing of the Red Sea
Exodus 14:15-31; Numbers 33:8 · Location: debated
God parts the sea with a strong east wind, and Israel crosses on dry ground. The Egyptian army pursues and is destroyed when the waters return. Miriam leads the women in a song of victory. The location of the crossing remains widely debated in biblical geography; candidates include the Gulf of Suez, the Bitter Lakes region, a northern arm of the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aqaba.
Wilderness of Shur / Etham
Exodus 15:22; Numbers 33:8 · Location: approximate
After the crossing, they travel three days into the wilderness without finding water. The Wilderness of Shur lies east of Egypt's frontier. The general area is east of the Suez Canal region, but the precise location depends on where one places the crossing.
To Mount Sinai (Months 1–3)
Exodus 15:23–19:2; Numbers 33:8-15
Marah
Exodus 15:23-26; Numbers 33:8 · Location: traditional
The name means 'bitter.' After three days without water, they find water but it is undrinkable. The people grumble. God shows Moses a log; when thrown into the water, it becomes sweet. Here God makes a statute: 'If you diligently listen to the voice of the Lord your God... I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians.'
Elim
Exodus 15:27; Numbers 33:9 · Location: traditional
An oasis with twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees. Israel camps there by the waters. It is traditionally identified with Wadi Gharandel on the western Sinai coast, one of the few well-watered sites in the region.
Red Sea camp
Numbers 33:10 · Location: uncertain
A camp by the Red Sea (Sea of Reeds) mentioned only in the Numbers 33 itinerary, not in the Exodus narrative. Possibly along the Gulf of Suez coast.
Wilderness of Sin
Exodus 16:1; Numbers 33:11 · Location: approximate
Between Elim and Sinai. The whole congregation grumbles about food. God provides manna ('What is it?') and quail. The manna comes six days a week with a double portion on the sixth day, establishing Sabbath rest. 'I have heard the grumbling of the people of Israel.'
Dophkah
Numbers 33:12 · Location: unknown
Known only from the Numbers 33 itinerary. The name may be related to an Egyptian word for turquoise, possibly connecting it to the turquoise mining region of Serabit el-Khadim in western Sinai.
Alush
Numbers 33:13 · Location: unknown
Known only from the Numbers 33 itinerary.
Rephidim
Exodus 17:1-16; 18:1-27; Numbers 33:14 · Location: traditional
Three events occur here. (1) There is no water; the people quarrel, and God commands Moses to strike the rock at Horeb — water flows out (the place is named Massah and Meribah, 'testing and quarreling'). (2) The Amalekites attack; Joshua leads the battle while Moses holds up his hands, supported by Aaron and Hur. (3) Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, visits and advises Moses to appoint judges to share the burden of leadership.
Mount Sinai / Horeb
Exodus 19:1-2; Numbers 33:15 · Location: traditional
Israel arrives in the third month after leaving Egypt and camps before the mountain. They remain here for nearly a year, the longest single stop. God descends on the mountain with thunder, lightning, thick cloud, and trumpet blast. Moses receives the Ten Commandments and the Law. The covenant is ratified. The golden calf incident occurs. The Tabernacle is constructed. The traditional identification is Jebel Musa in southern Sinai, though other sites have been proposed.
Sinai to Kadesh-barnea (Year 2, Month 2 – Month 5 (approx.))
Numbers 10:11–14:45; Numbers 33:16-36
Wilderness of Paran (departure from Sinai)
Numbers 10:11-12; 33:16 · Location: approximate
On the twentieth day of the second month of the second year, the cloud lifts from the Tabernacle and Israel sets out from Sinai in marching order by tribes. They travel into the Wilderness of Paran.
Kibroth-hattaavah
Numbers 11:1-35; 33:16 · Location: uncertain
The name means 'graves of craving.' The people complain about the manna and crave meat. God sends quail in abundance, but also strikes them with a plague. Moses, overwhelmed, is given seventy elders to share his burden. The Spirit falls on them, and they prophesy.
Hazeroth
Numbers 11:35; 12:1-16; 33:17 · Location: uncertain
Miriam and Aaron speak against Moses because of his Cushite wife and challenge his authority: 'Has the Lord spoken only through Moses?' God rebukes them; Miriam is struck with a skin disease for seven days. The camp waits for her healing before moving on. Possibly identified with Ein Khadra in northeastern Sinai, but this is uncertain.
Rithmah
Numbers 33:18 · Location: unknown
The first of a series of camps known only from Numbers 33. The name may mean 'place of broom plants.' Some scholars associate it with the Kadesh region, since the spy mission is sent from that vicinity.
Rimmon-perez
Numbers 33:19 · Location: unknown
Known only from the Numbers 33 itinerary.
Libnah
Numbers 33:20 · Location: unknown
Not to be confused with the Judahite city of the same name.
Rissah
Numbers 33:21 · Location: unknown
Known only from the Numbers 33 itinerary.
Kehelathah
Numbers 33:22 · Location: unknown
The name means 'assembly.'
Mount Shepher
Numbers 33:23 · Location: unknown
The name means 'mountain of beauty.'
Haradah
Numbers 33:24 · Location: unknown
The name may mean 'place of fear' or 'trembling.'
Makheloth
Numbers 33:25 · Location: unknown
The name means 'assemblies.'
Tahath
Numbers 33:26 · Location: unknown
Known only from the Numbers 33 itinerary.
Terah
Numbers 33:27 · Location: unknown
Not the patriarch. Known only from the Numbers 33 itinerary.
Mithkah
Numbers 33:28 · Location: unknown
The name may mean 'sweetness.'
Hashmonah
Numbers 33:29 · Location: unknown
Some connect the name to the later Hasmonean dynasty, but the link is speculative.
Moseroth
Numbers 33:30 · Location: uncertain
Deuteronomy 10:6 places Aaron's death at 'Moserah,' in tension with Numbers 33, which locates it at Mount Hor. No harmonization has achieved consensus.
Bene-jaakan
Numbers 33:31 · Location: uncertain
Also mentioned in Deuteronomy 10:6. Possibly in the Arabah region, but identification is uncertain.
Hor-haggidgad
Numbers 33:32 · Location: uncertain
Also called Gudgodah in Deuteronomy 10:7. Possibly in the Arabah, but identification is uncertain.
Jotbathah
Numbers 33:33 · Location: uncertain
Described in Deuteronomy 10:7 as 'a land of brooks of water.' Sometimes identified with Ein Ghadyan or Taba on the Gulf of Aqaba, but uncertain.
Abronah
Numbers 33:34 · Location: uncertain
Possibly near Ezion-geber at the head of the Gulf of Aqaba, but uncertain.
Ezion-geber
At the head of the Gulf of Aqaba, later the site of Solomon's fleet (1 Kings 9:26). One of the few well-identified stops in the wilderness itinerary. Located near modern Eilat/Aqaba.
Kadesh-barnea (Wilderness of Zin)
Numbers 13:1-3, 26; 20:1; 33:36 · Location: debated
The turning point of the wilderness period. From here Moses sends twelve spies into Canaan. Ten return with a fearful report; only Joshua and Caleb urge faith. The people rebel, and God decrees that the adult generation, except Joshua and Caleb, will die in the wilderness over forty years. Miriam dies and is buried here. Moses strikes the rock in anger instead of speaking to it, and God tells him he will not enter the Promised Land. Israel spends many years in this area. The identification of Kadesh-barnea is debated; Ein el-Qudeirat and Ein Qadis in northeastern Sinai are the leading candidates.
Kadesh to the Plains of Moab (Year 40)
Numbers 20–21; 33:37-49; Deuteronomy 1–2
Kadesh-barnea (departure in Year 40)
Numbers 20:14-22; 33:37 · Location: debated
After nearly 38 years, the new generation prepares to move. Moses sends messengers to the king of Edom asking for passage through his territory. Edom refuses and comes out with a large army. Israel turns away to go around Edom.
Mount Hor
Numbers 20:22-29; 33:37-39 · Location: traditional
On the border of Edom. Aaron dies here on the first day of the fifth month of the fortieth year, at age 123. Moses and Eleazar go up with him; the priestly garments are transferred to Eleazar. The people mourn Aaron for thirty days. Traditionally identified with Jebel Harun ('Aaron's Mountain') near Petra.
Hormah region (attack by Canaanites)
Numbers 21:1-3; 33:40 · Location: approximate
The Canaanite king of Arad attacks Israel. Israel vows to devote their cities to destruction if God gives victory. God listens, and they defeat the Canaanites. The place is called Hormah ('destruction').
Zalmonah
Numbers 33:41 · Location: unknown
After Mount Hor, they travel south toward the Gulf of Aqaba to go around Edom. Location unknown.
Punon
Identified with Feinan (Khirbet Feinan) in the Arabah, an ancient copper-mining center. It is one of the few stops in this section identified with some confidence. Near here the incident of the bronze serpent occurs: when fiery serpents bite the people, God tells Moses to make a bronze serpent and set it on a pole; anyone bitten who looks at it will live (Numbers 21:4-9). Jesus references this event in John 3:14.
Oboth
Numbers 21:10; 33:43 · Location: uncertain
In the Arabah, east of Edom. Exact location unknown.
Iye-abarim
Numbers 21:11; 33:44 · Location: uncertain
On the border of Moab, in the wilderness east of Moab. The name means 'ruins of Abarim.' Location uncertain.
Wadi Zered
Numbers 21:12; Deuteronomy 2:13-14 · Location: probable
The crossing of the Wadi Zered marks the end of the 38-year wandering period. Deuteronomy 2:14 states that 38 years passed from Kadesh-barnea to the Zered crossing, during which the entire generation of fighting men perished. Usually identified with Wadi el-Hasa, a natural boundary between Edom and Moab.
Arnon Valley
The Arnon (Wadi Mujib) forms the border between Moab and the Amorites. Israel camps on the north side, entering Amorite territory. A poetic fragment from the 'Book of the Wars of the Lord' is quoted.
Beer ('Well')
Numbers 21:16-18 · Location: uncertain
God tells Moses, 'Gather the people, and I will give them water.' The leaders dig a well with their staffs, and the people sing the 'Song of the Well': 'Spring up, O well! Sing to it!' Its location is unknown.
Heshbon (defeat of Sihon)
Israel sends messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites asking for passage. Sihon refuses and marches out to fight at Jahaz. Israel defeats him and takes all his territory from the Arnon to the Jabbok, including his capital Heshbon. 'Israel lived in all the cities of the Amorites.'
Edrei (defeat of Og)
Numbers 21:33-35; Deuteronomy 3:1-11
King Og of Bashan comes out against Israel at Edrei. God tells Moses, 'Do not fear him, for I have given him into your hand.' Israel defeats Og and takes all of Bashan. Og is noted as the last of the Rephaim — his iron bed was nine cubits long (about 13 feet).
Plains of Moab (opposite Jericho)
Numbers 22:1; 33:48-49
Israel camps in the plains of Moab by the Jordan, across from Jericho. This is the final camp of the wilderness journey. Here Balak summons Balaam to curse Israel, but God turns the curses into blessings ('How lovely are your tents, O Jacob!'). The sin at Baal-peor occurs. A second census is taken. Moses delivers his final addresses in Deuteronomy. Moses views the Promised Land from Mount Nebo and dies there. Joshua is commissioned to lead Israel across the Jordan.
Travel routes and locations are approximate. Coordinates are based on traditional and scholarly identifications.