Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Numbers 33:49
And they pitched by Jordan, from Beth-jesimoth [even] unto Abel-shittim in the plains of Moab.
STAT. XLII.
Verse 49. From BETH-JESIMOTH even unto ABEL-SHITTIM] The former of these places fell to the Reubenites, Jos 13:15-20. The Israelites were now come to the edge of Jordan, over against Jericho, where they afterwards passed.
For farther information on the subject of these different encampments, the reader is requested to refer to the extracts from Dr. Shaw at the end of the book of Exodus. See Clarke on Ex 40:38.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Abel-shittim; called Shittim, Num 25:1, and here Abel-shittim, for the grievous mourning which there was both for the heinous crimes committed, and horrible judgments there inflicted.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And they pitched by Jordan from Bethjesimoth, [even] unto Abelshittim, in the plains of Moab. Their camp reached twelve miles, as the Jews commonly say, which we may suppose was the distance of these two places, which were both in the plains of Moab; and the Jerusalem Targum is express for it, for mentioning Israel’s encampment from Bethjesimoth to Abelshittim, it asks, how far is that? twelve miles: the latter is sometimes called Shittim, from the shittim wood which grew there, Nu 25:1 and here it has the addition of Abel to it, to signify mourning, from the mourning of the children of Israel on account of the plague, in which 24,000 persons died, Nu 25:1.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(49) Beth-jesimoth even unto Abel-shittim . . . See Num. 22:1, and Note, and Num. 25:1, where Abel-shittim is mentioned as Shittim.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
49. Beth-jesimoth House of wastes. It was at the south end of the Jordan valley, the southern limit of the camp which stretched northward to Abel-shittim, or Shittim, or “acacia-groves,” which still remain, says Stanley, “marking with a line of verdure the upper terraces of the Jordan valley.” Jos 2:1, note.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘And they encamped by the Jordan, from Beth-jeshimoth even to Abel-shittim in the plains of Moab.’
And finally they arrived in the plains of Moab and encamped between Beth-jeshimoth (House of the Deserts, near the north-east shore of the Dead Sea) and Abel-shittim (meadow or brook of Shittim). ‘Between the desert and the meadow/brook’ may be intended by the writer also to emphasise both from where they came (the wilderness), and where they now were (in a pleasant watered land). The journey was now over.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Num 33:49. They pitched by Jordan from Beth-jesimoth A place where there was, probably, a temple to some deity; for beth, in composition, often signifies a temple, as Beth-peor, Beth-astaroth, Beth-baal Berith. Perhaps Jesimoth is the same with Jeshimon, chap. Num 21:20. Abel Shittim is called simply Shittim in chap. Num 25:1. This was the forty-second and last station. It is observable, says Dr. Shaw, that from mount Hor, the direction of their marches through Zalmonah, Punon, &c. seems to have been betwixt the north and north-east; for it does not appear that they wandered any more in the wilderness out of the direct way which was to conduct them through the country of Moab into the Land of Promise.
REFLECTIONS.At God’s command, Moses is ordered to keep a journal of their marches; which is here published, that they might remember and adore the guardian hand of the Lord upon them in this dangerous road. Particular notice is taken of their departure from Egypt; they came out with a high hand, under the conduct of their divinely-appointed leaders, whilst the Egyptians were digging the graves of their children, and lamenting the desolation of their idols. Amidst all the dangers of the way, and the greater dangers of their sins, God safely conducted them through the dreary wilderness, and, after forty years of wandering, had brought them safe to the borders of the promised land; thence to look back on the places of their manifold provocations with shame, and forward to the land of promise with enlivened hope. Note; (1.) It is useful to keep a diary of God’s mercies and providences, that they may be remembered for our own and others’ comfort or direction. (2.) This world is the Christian’s wilderness; many a long year he is called to wander to and fro in it; but being under Divine guidance, amidst all his winding steps, he is led by the right way, and is sure to arrive safe at last at the land of glory.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Bethjesimoth: Probably the place called Bethsimath by Eusebius, east of Jordan, and about ten miles south of Jericho. Jos 13:20, Eze 25:9
Abelshittim: or, the plains of Shittim, This place, according to Josephus – Ant. 1. v. c. 1, 1. Bell. 1. iv. c. 7 sec. 6 who calls it Abila, was 60 furlongs east of Jordan. Num 25:1-9, Exo 25:5, Exo 25:10, Exo 25:23, Jos 2:1
Reciprocal: Num 21:20 – country Num 33:50 – General Deu 3:29 – General Mic 6:5 – Shittim
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Num 33:49. Abel-shittim The place where the people sinned in the matter of Peor, called simply Shittim, Num 25:1; but here Abel-shittim, for the grievous mourning (Abel signifying mourning) which was there, both for the heinous crimes committed, and the severe judgments inflicted. This was their forty-second and last station, before their entrance into Canaan, and here we left them in the last transactions of this history.