Then the Israelites set outThis phrase marks a continuation of the Israelites' journey through the wilderness. It reflects the nomadic lifestyle of the Israelites during their 40-year period of wandering after their exodus from Egypt. This journey was a result of their disobedience and lack of faith, as seen in
Numbers 14:26-35, where God decreed that the generation that left Egypt would not enter the Promised Land. The setting out signifies obedience to God's command to move forward, despite the challenges they faced.
and camped at Oboth.
Oboth is one of the many locations where the Israelites camped during their wilderness journey. The exact location of Oboth is not definitively known today, but it is believed to be in the region east of the Dead Sea, possibly in modern-day Jordan. This area was part of the territory of Edom, and the Israelites' journey through this region is significant as it reflects their interactions with neighboring peoples. The camping at Oboth indicates a temporary rest and a strategic pause in their journey, which was often necessary for logistical reasons such as gathering resources and maintaining the community's well-being. This stop is part of the broader narrative of the Israelites' journey to the Promised Land, illustrating their reliance on God's guidance and provision.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
The IsraelitesThe chosen people of God, descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who are on their journey from Egypt to the Promised Land.
2.
ObothA location where the Israelites camped during their wilderness journey. The name "Oboth" is derived from the Hebrew word (Oboth), which can mean "waterskins" or "spirits," indicating a place of rest or spiritual significance.
3.
The JourneyThis event is part of the Israelites' 40-year journey through the wilderness, a period of testing, learning, and reliance on God's provision and guidance.
Teaching Points
God's Guidance in Our JourneyJust as God guided the Israelites, He guides us in our spiritual journey. We must trust His direction even when the path seems uncertain.
The Importance of Rest and ReflectionOboth represents a place of rest. In our lives, we need to find moments to pause, reflect, and seek God's presence.
Faithfulness in the WildernessThe Israelites' journey teaches us about faithfulness during difficult times. We are called to remain faithful and obedient, trusting in God's promises.
Learning from Past ExperiencesThe Israelites' experiences in the wilderness serve as lessons for us. We should learn from our past and grow in our relationship with God.
Community and FellowshipThe journey of the Israelites was a communal experience. We are reminded of the importance of fellowship and supporting one another in our faith journey.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Numbers 21:10?
2.How does Numbers 21:10 illustrate God's guidance during Israel's journey?
3.What can we learn about obedience from Israel's movement in Numbers 21:10?
4.How does Numbers 21:10 connect with God's promises in Exodus 6:8?
5.In what ways can we trust God's direction in our daily lives?
6.How can Numbers 21:10 inspire perseverance in our spiritual journey today?
7.What is the significance of the Israelites' journey in Numbers 21:10?
8.How does Numbers 21:10 fit into the broader narrative of the Israelites' wilderness wanderings?
9.What archaeological evidence supports the locations mentioned in Numbers 21:10?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Numbers 21?
11.What are the Bible's teachings on shaving?
12.Numbers 10:33-36: How does the Ark of the Covenant traveling alongside them here reconcile with other passages where the Ark seems to remain stationary?
13.How many died in the plague after the Israelites' adultery with Moab's daughters: 24,000 (Numbers 25:1, 9) or 23,000 (I Corinthians 10:8)?
14.What is the purpose of the Tent of Meeting?What Does Numbers 21:10 Mean
Then– The word reminds us that God’s story with His people is always moving forward. Every detail in Numbers is tied to a larger narrative that began with the Exodus (Exodus 12:41) and will culminate in the promised land (Deuteronomy 1:8).
– It also links the verse to the immediate context: Israel has just seen judgment for impatience (Numbers 21:4–6) and healing through the bronze serpent (Numbers 21:7–9). “Then” signals that God’s grace not only heals but propels His people onward, echoing how He led them after earlier crises (Exodus 15:22).
The Israelites– This covenant community is traveling together; no one is left to wander alone (Numbers 2:2).
– Their identity is rooted in God’s promise to Abraham (Genesis 12:2–3) and affirmed at Sinai (Exodus 19:5–6). The verse quietly reminds us that every campsite is part of God’s covenant faithfulness.
Set out– Movement is obedience. After God’s provision in the desert, the people don’t stay put; they respond to His leading, much as they did when the cloud lifted from the tabernacle (Numbers 9:17–23).
– The phrase underscores pilgrimage: believers are “sojourners” (1 Peter 2:11), journeying toward a homeland prepared by God (Hebrews 11:13–16).
– Even small steps matter; leaving one place for another showcases trust in the Lord’s timing (Psalm 37:23).
And camped– Camping marks a God-appointed pause. He controls both departures and resting points (Psalm 23:2).
– Temporary dwellings remind Israel—and us—of dependence on daily provision (Deuteronomy 8:3).
– Campsites often become places of instruction or testing (Exodus 17:1–7); here, Oboth will precede further victories (Numbers 21:21–35).
At Oboth– While Scripture offers minimal detail about Oboth itself, its very mention affirms the historical reliability of the itinerary (Numbers 33:43).
– Oboth lies east of Edom, showing God steering Israel around hostile territory after Edom’s refusal (Numbers 20:18–21). This illustratesRomans 8:28: even opposition guides God’s people along His perfect route.
– The stop foreshadows progress: after Oboth come Iye-abarim and the Arnon, the frontier of promised territory (Numbers 21:11–13). Every lesser-known place is a marker of divine faithfulness.
summaryNumbers 21:10 may appear ordinary, yet it highlights God’s ongoing leadership. “Then” ties the verse to grace after judgment; “the Israelites” points to a covenant family; “set out” models obedience; “camped” reveals purposeful rest; and “at Oboth” records another proof that the Lord steers each step. What seems like a routine travel note reinforces that every move of God’s people is guided, purposeful, and trustworthy.
(10)
And pitched in Oboth.--The intermediate stations between Mount Hor and Oboth were Zalmonah and Punon (
Numbers 33:41-43). The former of these places is thought by some to have derived its name from the Hebrew word
zelem(image, or likeness), and to have been the place at which the likeness of the serpents which bit the Israelites was set up.
Verse 10. -
The children of Israel set forward, and pitched in Oboth. In the list of chapter 33, there occur two other stations, Zahnonah and Phunon, between Mount Hor and Oboth. Phunon may be the Pinou of
Genesis 36:41, but it is a mere conjecture. All we can conclude with any certainty is that the Israelites passed round the southern end of the mountains of Edom by the Wady el Ithm, and then marched northwards along the eastern border of Edom by the route now followed between Mekba and Damascus. On this side the mountains are far less precipitous and defensible than on the other, and this circumstance must have abated the insolence of the Edomites. Moreover, they must now have seen enough of Israel to know that, while immensely formidable in number and discipline, he had no hostile designs against them. It is therefore not surprising to find from
Deuteronomy 2:6 that on this side the mountaineers supplied Israel with bread and water, just as they supply the pilgrim caravans at the present day. That they exacted payment for what they supplied was perfectly reasonable: no one could expect a poor people to feed a nation of two million souls, however nearly related, for nothing. Oboth has been identified with the modern halting-place of el-Ahsa, on the pilgrim route above mentioned, on the ground of supposed similarity in the meaning of the names; but the true rendering of Oboth is doubtful (see on Leviticus 19:31), and, apart from that, any such similarity of meaning is too vague and slight a ground for any argument to be built upon.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Then the Israelitesבְּנֵ֣י(bə·nê)Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121:A sonset outוַיִּסְע֖וּ(way·yis·‘ū)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5265:To pull up, the tent-pins, start on a, journeyand campedוַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ(way·ya·ḥă·nū)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 2583:To incline, to decline, to pitch a, tent, gen, to encampat Oboth.בְּאֹבֹֽת׃(bə·’ō·ḇōṯ)Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 88:Oboth -- 'water-skins', a place in Edom
Links
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OT Law: Numbers 21:10 The children of Israel traveled and encamped (Nu Num.) 
