Bible Strands
Numbers 33:3
On the fifteenth day of the first month, on the day after the Passover, the Israelites set out from Rameses. They marched out defiantly in full view of all the Egyptians,
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Moses records the Israelites' departure from Rameses at God's command, immediately following the Passover. The account marks this moment as the fifteenth day of the first month, directly after Egypt's judgment on its firstborn.
The words — וַ/יִּסְע֤וּ (va/yis‘u) translates literally as "and they set out," marking the commencement of the exodus. מֵֽ/רַעְמְסֵס (me/Ra‘mses) identifies Rameses as the specific starting point of this departure.
The thread — The departure from Rameses is first recorded in Exodus 12:37 as the initial stage of the exodus. The timing in the first month aligns with Exodus 13:4, while the defiant march out triggers the pursuit described in Exodus 14:8.
Why it lands — The text states the Israelites left Rameses openly after the Passover, requiring a reader to recognize the departure as a direct consequence of divine judgment rather than a hidden escape. It asks the reader to acknowledge that God's timing and the public nature of the exodus establish His authority over Egypt's gods and Pharaoh's resistance.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And they departed from Rameses in the first month, on the fifteenth day of the first month; on the morrow after the passover the children of Israel went out with an high hand in the sight of all the Egyptians.
Cross-references
- Exodus 14:8 And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt so that he pursued the Israelites, who were marching out defiantly.
- Exodus 12:37 The Israelites journeyed from Rameses to Succoth with about 600,000 men on foot, besides women and children.
- Exodus 13:4 Today, in the month of Abib, you are leaving.
- Genesis 47:11 So Joseph settled his father and brothers in the land of Egypt and gave them property in the best part of the land, the district of Rameses, as Pharaoh had commanded.
- Exodus 12:2 “This month is the beginning of months for you; it shall be the first month of your year.
- Psalms 105:38 Egypt was glad when they departed, for the dread of Israel had fallen on them.
- Isaiah 52:12 For you will not leave in a hurry nor flee in haste, for the LORD goes before you, and the God of Israel is your rear guard.
- Micah 2:13 One who breaks open the way will go up before them; they will break through the gate, and go out by it. Their King will pass through before them, the LORD as their leader.
- Exodus 1:11 So the Egyptians appointed taskmasters over the Israelites to oppress them with forced labor. As a result, they built Pithom and Rameses as store cities for Pharaoh.