Numbers 33:7

7 And they journeyed from Etham, and turned back unto Pihahiroth, which is before Baal-zephon: and they encamped before Migdol.

Numbers 33:7 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 33:7

And they removed from Etham, and turned again to Pihahiroth,
&c.] Which was sixteen miles from Etham. This turning, Aben Ezra says, respects the cloud, or Israel; and indeed it may respect both, for, as the cloud turned, Israel turned, being directed by it; and this does not mean that they had been at Pihahiroth before, and now returned to it again; but that they by direction turned out of the straight way in which they were to go to Pihahiroth; for the word "again" may as well, or better, be left out, (See Gill on Exodus 14:2):

which is before Baalzephon;
the name of an idol, as the Targums of Jonathan and Jerusalem, supposed to be placed here, to watch and guard the passage, as Zephon signifies:

and they pitched before Migdol:
which was either the name of a city, the same with Migdol, ( Jeremiah 44:1 ) or it was a tower, as the word signifies, placed here on the borders of the land, for the defence of it.

Numbers 33:7 In-Context

5 And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses, and encamped in Succoth.

6 And they journeyed from Succoth, and encamped in Etham, which is in the edge of the wilderness.

7 And they journeyed from Etham, and turned back unto Pihahiroth, which is before Baal-zephon: and they encamped before Migdol.

8 And they journeyed from before Hahiroth, and passed through the midst of the sea into the wilderness: and they went three days' journey in the wilderness of Etham, and encamped in Marah.

9 And they journeyed from Marah, and came unto Elim: and in Elim were twelve springs of water, and threescore and ten palm-trees; and they encamped there.