Numbers 33:17 - Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

Bible Comments

‘And they journeyed from Kibroth-hattaavah, and encamped in Hazeroth.'

Hazeroth was the last stop before Kadesh. At Hazeroth Miriam and Aaron confronted Moses on the question of status and were confounded (Numbers 12:1-16). It will be noted that the first arrival at Kadesh (13:26) is passed over here. Because of the disobedience of Israel it was deliberately ‘blotted out'. Their journey, which should have been almost over, would continue for another thirty eight years ‘in the wilderness'.

Thus Hazeroth is made the fourteenth stop (twice seven) on the journey. This was the journey as Yahweh had meant it to be, the divinely perfect one. What followed was outside what God had purposed, although He did not desert His people (Deuteronomy 2:7).

Numbers 33:17

17 And they departed from Kibrothhattaavah, and encamped at Hazeroth.