Exodus 12:37

And the children of Israel iourneyed from Rameses to Succoth, about sixe hundred thousand on foote that were men, beside children. Exodus 12:37 (KJV)

This verse belongs to the narrative of the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt and is closely linked to the institution of the Passover. The verses that precede it record how God instructed Moses and Aaron to establish the Passover as a memorial and a sign of deliverance from the plague of the firstborn.

Exodus 12:37 records that the children of Israel set out from Rameses toward Succoth. Rameses was likely the capital or a major city in Egypt at that time, while Succoth was the first stopping place after they left Rameses. The Scripture does not give the exact distance between the two locations.

The passage further notes that about six hundred thousand men were on foot, not counting children. This figure refers specifically to men of fighting age or otherwise capable of war. When women, children, and the elderly are included, scholars estimate that the total Israelite population would have exceeded two million, underscoring the enormous size of the community that God was delivering.

The sheer magnitude of the people highlights the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham, who was told his descendants would be as numerous as the stars (Genesis 15:5). It also emphasizes the greatness of God’s deliverance: a nation enslaved in Egypt was miraculously led out under divine guidance.

Overall, Exodus 12:37 provides essential historical context and prepares the reader for the subsequent events of the book of Exodus. It sets the stage for the Israelites’ long journey toward the Promised Land, a journey undertaken under the continual guidance and protection of the Almighty God.