Numbers 33 Study Notes

33:42-49 From Punon to the plains of Moab—the sites mentioned in the sixth cycle are in the vicinity of the Arabah south of the Dead Sea and in the Transjordan regions of Edom, Moab, and Ammon.

33:50-56 The seventh and final cycle of victory-march stages would begin from the plains of Moab directly opposite the city of Jericho. This Canaanite city would become the initial victory for the Israelites when they faithfully followed the Lord’s commands to march around the city on successive days (Jos 6).

33:52 These idols were representations of the pagan gods, a record of the perception of reality conceived of by a worshiper or craftsman. Cast images were molten forms (Hb massekoth) of deities from clay or molten metal such as copper or bronze. High places translates the Hebrew bamoth, referring to a cultic worship center, which may or may not indicate an elevated site or structure. All forms of local idolatrous worship were to be eradicated from the land, lest the Israelites be tempted to adopt them.

33:55-56 The statement of conditional judgment of Israel gives evidence of the literary and thematic unity of the Pentateuch, paralleling the message of judgment in Lv 26:14-33 and Dt 28:15-68. Just as God intended for Israel to displace (disinherit) the Canaanites, so he could drive the Israelites from the promised land if they failed to obey his commands.