And they remoued from Ezion-gaber, and pitched in the wildernes of Zin, which is Kadesh. Numbers 33:36 (KJV)
The book of Numbers provides a detailed account of the Israelites’ journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. In Numbers 33:36 the Israelites are recorded as moving from Ezion‑geber and coming into the wilderness of Zin, pitching their camp at Kadesh, a city of refuge. This movement marks another stage in the long procession of the people as they progress toward the land promised to their ancestors.
Ezion‑geber was a seaport on the northern tip of the Gulf of Aqaba, in the area that is now part of modern Israel and near the present‑day Israel‑Jordan border. It functioned as an important trading hub and served as a departure point for the Israelites during the earlier phases of their wanderings, providing a logistical base from which they could set out into the desert wilderness.
The wilderness of Zin lay in the southern part of Canaan; it was an arid, desert region that the Israelites had to traverse as they moved toward the Promised Land. Described as a desolate and desiccated area, Zin presented the people with the challenges of a harsh environment, yet it also formed a crucial segment of the route that linked their former encampments with the next significant station.
Kadesh was a fortified city situated within the wilderness of Zin and is described elsewhere in Numbers as a “city of refuge.” The site became notable for several significant events, including the rebellion of Moses and Aaron at the waters of Meribah (Numbers 20:1‑13). By establishing camp at Kadesh, the Israelites not only found a place of temporary shelter but also a location that would later serve a judicial and protective function for those seeking asylum under Israelite law.
