Numbers 33:19

Summary

The verse records one stage in the wilderness itinerary of Israel: departure from Rithmah and encampment at Rimmon-perez. It is part of the longer list in Numbers 33 tracking successive stopping points during the journey.

Key words

• va-yis'u ("and they set out", H5265) — qal narrative verb with the narrative vav, marking the next sequential event ("and then they set out"); plural subject implied (the people).
• me-Ritmah ("from Rithmah", H7575) — preposition min ("from", H9006) prefixed to the proper place name, indicating the point of departure.
• va-yachanu ("and they encamped", H2583) — qal narrative verb with narrative vav, paralleling the first verb and marking the resulting action ("and then they camped").
• be-Rimmon Paretz ("at Rimmon-perez", H7428) — preposition be ("at/in", H9003) attached to a compound proper name consisting of two elements, Rimmon and Paretz, both carrying the same Strong number as a single toponym.

What the text says

The verse is built on two parallel clauses, each following the pattern verb + prepositional phrase with a place name. Both verbs — yis'u ("they set out") and yachanu ("they encamped") — are qal forms carrying the narrative vav, which in Biblical Hebrew signals sequential action in a chain of past events: first departure, then arrival and settlement. This binary structure (leave place A, camp at place B) repeats throughout Numbers 33, giving the list its rhythmic, itinerary-like character.

The two prepositions differ: min ("from") marks the point of origin (Rithmah), while be ("at/in") marks the point of arrival (Rimmon-perez). The place name Rimmon Paretz is treated as a single compound toponym in the Hebrew, sharing one Strong number (H7428) for both parts, though it is written as two words.

Differences between versions

The Greek transliterates the place names as Rathama (Ῥαθαμά) and Remmōn Phares (Ῥεμμὼν Φάρες), closely mirroring the Hebrew consonants. The Vulgate renders the second location as a single fused word, Remmomphares, combining Rimmon and Perez into one name, whereas the Hebrew presents them as two elements (Rimmon and Paretz). The English and Spanish translations (BSB, RV1909, SBLIBRE) follow the Hebrew's two-part structure, rendering it as "Rimmon-perez" or "Rimón-fares."