Numbers 33:12

וַיִּסְע֖וּ מִמִּדְבַּר סִ֑ין וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בְּדָפְקָֽה
And they took their journey out of the wilderness of Sin, and encamped in Dophkah.
Select a Hebrew word above to see its details.

וַ יִּסְע֖וּ
וַ
Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)
יִּסְע֖וּ
Root word departed, journeyed, removed, forward, journey, …
Dictionary form: נָסַע · naw-SA

וַ
Vav-consecutive (wayyiqtol) The וַ prefix — vav with patach plus a doubling dagesh in the next letter — flips this verb into story-telling past: translate "and (he) ___ed", not "will ___".

Verb — Qal, Sequential Imperfect (Wayyiqtol), third person masculine plural simple action — "he did" story-telling past — try "and he ___ed" the built-in subject is "they"

In the KJV here: and they took their journey
and they departed ×21 and they removed ×18 journeyed ×10 set forward ×8 and they journeyed ×5 they journeyed ×5 and journeyed ×4 removed ×4
More options
set out — Best general choice; implies purposeful departure and travel.
travel — Broad and natural; suits extended or repeated journeying.
march — Prefer for military or large-group movement contexts.
move on — Captures the sense of breaking camp and advancing.
depart — Emphasizes the leaving rather than the journey itself.
pull up stakes — Informal; vividly reflects nomadic camp-breaking behind the word.

BDB5243 H5265

BDB5242 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB5244

I. נָסַע147 verb pull out or up, set out, journey (Late Hebrew id., move, march; Assyrian nisû, set out, withdraw, etc. DlHWB 470; NöZMG x1(1886), 723 compare also Arabic , Ethiopic [rare] pull up, away, so BaES 51); —

Qal137 Perfect 3 masculine singular ׳נ Gen 33:17 +, 3 masculine plural נָָֽסְעוּ Deut 10:6, נָסָ֑עוּ Num 2:34 +, etc.; Imperfect יִסַּע Isa 33:20, וַיִּסַּע Gen 12:9 +, suffix וַיִּסָּעֵם Judg 16:3 3 masculine plural יִסְעוּ Exod 40:36 +, יִסָּ֑עוּ Num 2:9 +; 2 masculine plural תִּסְעוּ Josh 3:3 1 plural נִסְעָה cohortative Gen 33:12, וַנִּסַּע Deut 1:19; Deut 2:1, וַנִּסְעָה Ezra 8:31, etc.; Imperative סְעוּ Deut 2:24 +; Infinitive absolute Gen 12:9 construct נְסֹעַ Josh 3:14 +; suffix נָסְעָם Gen 11:2; Num 10:34 Participle נֹסֵעַ Exod 14:10; Num 10:33 plural נֹסְעִים Num 10:29 —
1. pull out or up, city-gate and gate-posts Judg 16:3 loom vJudg 16:14 (on text compare GFM), tent-pegs Isa 33:20 (figurative of Jerusalem; compare also Niph`al).
2. hence (from pulling up tent-pegs),
  a. set out Gen 35:5; Num 12:15 (both E), Jer 4:7 (|| יָצָא מִמְּקוֺמוֺ); even of lifeless things, e.g. the ark, הָאָרוֺן Num 10:35 (JE); often in P: Exod 14:15; Exod 40:37; Num 1:51; Num 4:5; Num 4:15; Num 9:17 + 8 t. Num 9; Num 10:5; Num 10:6; Num 10:17; Num 10:18; Num 10:21; Num 10:22; Num 10:25, so probably also Num 2:8 + 6 t. Num 2 (see below; even of lifeless things, דֶּגֶל Num 10:18; Num 10:12, מִשְׁכָּן Num 1:51, אֹהֶל מוֺעֵד Num 2:17), Num 33:3 וַיִּסַּעוַ֗֗֗יָּבֹא Gen 46:1 (E) and Israel set out, and came, etc., Exod 16:1; Exod 19:2; Num 20:22; Josh 9:17 (all P), Deut 1:7, נִסְעָה וְנֵלֵ֑כָה Deut 33:12 (J); (וַ֗֗֗יַּעֲלוּ) וַיִּסְעוּ Judg 18:11, סְעוּ וְעִבְרוּ Deut 2:24 ׳נ often with מִן Gen 35:16 (E), Num 10:34 (JE), מֵאָהֳלֵיהֶם לַעֲבֹר ׳נ Josh 3:14 (JE), set out from their tents, to cross, etc.; compare ׳נ מִןלָ֗֗֗לֶכֶת Ezra 8:31 with מִן + ויבא, Josh 3:1 (JE), Num 33:9 (P), + וַיֵּלֶךְ vNum 33:3 (D), Deut 1:19, + וַיַּעַבְרוּ Num 33:8 (P); + וַיָּשָׁב + וַיַּחֲנוּ Num 33:7 (P).
  b. depart, with מִן Gen 37:17 (J), 2Kgs 3:27; 2Kgs 19:8; 2Kgs 19:36 = Isa 37:8; Isa 37:37 even of עַמּוּד הֶעָנָן Exod 14:19 (J); of angel vExod 14:19 (E; + וַיֵּלֶךְ).
3. journey, march (by stages) Gen 12:9; Gen 35:21 (both J), Num 10:13; Num 10:14; Num 10:28 (P), (possibly also Num 2:9 etc., compare 2 above); + לְמַסְעֵיהֶם according to their stations, i.e. by stages Exod 17:1; Num 10:12 (+ מִן), compare Exod 40:36 (all P); followed by ה locative Gen 12:9; Gen 33:17 (both J), Deut 1:40; Deut 2:1 סְעוּ לָכֶם הַמִּדְבָּר Num 14:25 (JE); followed by מִקֶּדֶם eastward (see מִן
1. c) Gen 11:2; Gen 13:11 (both J), אַחֲרֵי Exod 14:10 (J), אֶלֿ Num 10:29, לִפְנֵי vNum 10:33 (of ark; all J); followed by מִן + ה locative Gen 20:1 (E), Deut 10:6; Deut 10:7; Exod 12:37 (P), + accusative of location Num 11:35 (JE); followed by מִן + accusative of distance, דֶּרֶךְ Num 10:33 (JE), Num 21:4 (P); especially וַיִּסְעוּ מִןוַ֗֗֗יַּחֲנוּ Num 21:12; Num 21:13 (JE), Exod 13:20; Num 21:11; Num 33:5 + 37 t. Num 33 (all P); of shepherds Jer 31:24. — נָָֽסְעוּ כְמוֺ צאֹן Zech 10:2 is dubious; We נָעוּ or יָנֻעוּ, so Now.
4. of wind, ׳רוּחַ מֵאֵת י ׳נ Num 11:31 there set forth (sprang up) a wind from ׳י. Niph`al Perfect be pulled up, removed: 3 masculine singular דּוֺרִי נִסַּע וְנִגְלָה מִנִּי כְּאֹהֶל רֹעִי Isa 38:12 of tent-peg הֲלֹא נִסַּע Job 4:21 (reading יְתֵדָם for יִתְרָם, see II. יֶתֶר). Hiph`il Imperfect 3 masculine singular יַסַּע Ps 78:26, וַיַּסַּע Exod 15:22 + 2 t.; 2 masculine singular תַּסִּיעַ Ps 80:9, 3 feminine singular תַּסִּיעִי 2Kgs 4:4 3 masculine plural וַּיַּסִּ֫עוּ 1Kgs 5:31 Participleמַסִּיעַ Eccl 10:9 —
1. cause to set out, lead out, with accusative of person Exod 15:22 (J; + מִן, וַיֵּצְאוּ), Ps 78:52 (כַּצּאֹן; || וַיְנַהֲגֵם), Ps 80:9 (מִן; figurative of vine); figurative of a wind, cause to spring up, יַסַּע קָדִים Ps 78:26 (|| וַיְנַהֵג; compare Qal 4).
2. remove, with accusative of thing 2Kgs 4:4 וַיַּסַּע כָּעֵץ תִּקְוָתִי Job 19:10 specifically, remove from quarry, quarry: 1Kgs 5:31 and they quarried great stones, compare Eccl 10:9.

departed, journeyed, removed, forward, journey, …
nāsaʿ
properly, to pull up, especially the tent-pins, i.e., start on a journey
  • to pull out, pull up, set out, journey, remove, set forward, depart
    • (Qal)
      • to pull out or up
        • "to set out, depart"to journey, march"to set forth (of wind)
      (Niphal) to be pulled up, be removed, be plucked up"(Hiphil)
      • to cause to set out, lead out, cause to spring up
        • "to remove, quarry

מִ מִּדְבַּר
מִ
Prefix — preposition from, out of
מִּדְבַּר
Root word wilderness, desert, south, speech
Dictionary form: מִדְבָּר · mid-BAWR

Noun — Common, masculine singular, construct state "___ of …" — bound to the next word

In the KJV here: out of the wilderness
in the wilderness ×99 the wilderness ×26 of the wilderness ×23 wilderness ×12 into the wilderness ×11 them in the wilderness ×8 through the wilderness ×7 to the wilderness ×7
More options
wilderness — Modernized KJV standard; retains theological and literary resonance.
desert — Emphasizes aridity and barrenness; good for arid landscape contexts.
wasteland — Stresses desolation and uninhabitability; stronger negative tone.
uninhabited land — Neutral and descriptive; clarifies absence of settlement.
open country — Less dramatic; suits passages about pasture or open terrain.
badlands — Vivid and contemporary; best for harsh, rugged terrain contexts.

BDB1829 H4057

BDB1828 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB1830

I. [מִדְבָּר] noun masculine mouth, as organ of speech, — מִדְבָּרֵךְ נָאוֶה thy mouth is lovely Song 4:3 || שִׁפְתוֺתַיִךְ, ᵐ5 λαλιά, Jerome eloquium.

BDB1830 H4057

BDB1829 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB1831

II. מִדְבָּר270 noun masculine wilderness — Deut 32:10 +; with ה locative מִדְבָּ֫רָה Josh 18:12 + 15 t.; construct Exod 15:22 +; מִדְבַּ֫רָה 1Kgs 19:15 suffix מִדְבָּרָהּ Isa 51:3 —

1. tracts of land, used for the pasturage of flocks and herds, דָּֽשְׁאוּ נְאוֺת מִדְבָּר the pastures of the wilderness put forth green grass Joel 2:22 ׳מ ׳יִרְעֲפוּ נ the pastures of the wilderness drop (fertility) Ps 65:13 ׳מ ׳יָָֽבְשׁוּ נ are dried up Jer 23:10, compare Jer 9:9; Joel 1:19; Joel 1:20.
2. uninhabited land, מִדְבָּר לֹאאָֿדָם בּוֺ wilderness in which is no man Job 38:26 the abode of pelicans Ps 102:7 wild asses Job 24:5; Jer 2:24 jackals Mal 1:3 ostriches Lam 4:3 מִייִֿתְּנֵנִי בַמִּדְבָּר מְלוֺן אֹרְחִים וְֶ˜אעֶזְבָה אֶתעַֿמִּי O that I had in the wilderness a lodging place of wayfarers, that I might leave my people Jer 9:1 טוֺב שֶׁבֶת בְּאֶרֶץ מִדְבָּר better to dwell in a desert land, than with a contentious woman Prov 21:19 בְּאֶרֶץ מִדְבָּר וּבְתֹהוּ יְלֵל יְשִׁמֹן in a desert land, and in a waste howling wilderness Deut 32:10.
3. large tracts of such land bearing various names, in certain districts of which there might be towns and cities: יִשְׂאוּ מִדְבָּר וְעָרָיו חֲצֵרִים תֵּשֵׁב קֵדָר let the wilderness and its cities lift up (their voice), the villages that Kedar doth inhabit Isa 42:11. There were six cities in the wilderness of Judah Josh 15:61; Josh 15:62 הַמִּדְבָּר usually = wilderness of the wanderings Gen 14:6; Num 14:16; Num 14:29; Num 14:32; Num 14:33 (twice in verse) +, or the great Arabian desert Judg 11:22 +; but may also refer to any other Song 3:6; Song 8:5. Special tracts — (a) of the wilderness of the wandering were שׁוּר ׳מ Exod 15:22, סיןExod 16:1 +, סיני Exod 19:1 +, פארן Num 13:26 +, צן Num 20:1 +, קדשׁ Ps 29:8, אתם Num 33:8 (b) in West Palestine יהודה ׳מ Judg 1:16; Ps 63:1 compare Josh 15:61, מעוֺן 1Sam 23:24; 1Sam 23:25, זיף 1Sam 23:15; 1Sam 26:2, באר שׁבע Gen 21:14, עין גדי 1Sam 24:2, תקוע 2Chr 20:20, ירואל 2Chr 20:16, גבעון 2Sam 2:24 (c) in Eastern Palestine מואב Deut 2:8, אדום 2Kgs 3:8, קדמות Deut 2:26.
4. figurative וְשַׂמְתִּיהָ כַמִּדְבָּר וְשַׁתִּהָ כְּאֶרֶץ צִיָּה and (lest I) make her as a wilderness and set her like a dry land Hos 2:5 הֲמִדְבָּר הָיִיתִי לְיִשְׂרָאֵל have I been a wilderness to Israel ? Jer 2:31.

wilderness, desert, south, speech
midbār
a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); also speech (including its organs)
  • wilderness
    • pasture
      • "uninhabited land, wilderness"large tracts of wilderness (around cities)"wilderness (figuratively)
    mouth
    • mouth (as organ of speech)

סִ֑ין
סִ֑ין
Root word a name — transliterate it ("Of sin")
Dictionary form: סִין · seen

Noun — Proper Name

In the KJV here: of sin
of sin ×4 sin ×2
More options
Sin — Standard proper-noun rendering for the wilderness region.
the wilderness of Sin — Clarifies geographic context when used with מִדְבַּר.
the Sin desert — Modern phrasing; suitable for contemporary narrative style.
the region of Sin — Useful when exact terrain type is ambiguous.

BDB5563 H5512

BDB5562 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB5564

I. סִין proper name, of a location Sin, i.e. Pelusium, east frontier city of Egypt (Egyptian 'Imt = clay, of which סין is translated (compare Aramaic סְיָן clay), according to SteindBAS i. 599, who compare IIηλούσιον(πηλός = dirt, mud), compare BrugschDict. Géogr. 1081 ff.); — Ezek 30:15 (ᵐ5 Σαιν accusative), + vEzek 30:16, but here Co Toy read plausibly סון, i.e. סְוָן = Syene (see [סְוָן], סְוֵנֵה), ᵐ5 συηνη. — On Pelusium see BdEgypt.4 (1898), 169.

BDB5564 H5512

BDB5563 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB5565

II. סִין proper name, of a location wilderness between Elim and Sinai, מִדְבַּרסִֿין, according to P, Exod 16:1; Exod 17:1; Num 33:11; Num 3:12 ᵐ5 Σειν, A ᵐ5L Σιν; compare EbGS 2. 155 ff. and especially DiExod 16:1.

sin
sîn
thorn, clay
Sin the name of an Egyptian town and (probably) desert adjoining
  • a town in eastern Egypt
    • "the tract of wilderness between Elim and Sinai

וַֽ יַּחֲנ֖וּ
וַֽ
Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)
יַּחֲנ֖וּ
Root word pitched, encamped, encamp, pitch, tents, …
Dictionary form: חָנָה · haw-NAW

וַ
Vav-consecutive (wayyiqtol) The וַ prefix — vav with patach plus a doubling dagesh in the next letter — flips this verb into story-telling past: translate "and (he) ___ed", not "will ___".

Verb — Qal, Sequential Imperfect (Wayyiqtol), third person masculine plural simple action — "he did" story-telling past — try "and he ___ed" the built-in subject is "they"

In the KJV here: and encamped
and pitched ×50 and encamped ×23 pitched ×7 and they pitched ×5 encamped ×4 shall pitch ×4 and encamp ×2 and pitched his tent ×2
More options
camp — Most versatile; suits narrative and military contexts.
encamp — Slightly formal; good for military or ceremonial settings.
set up camp — Natural, modern phrase; vivid for narrative prose.
pitch tents — Concrete imagery; emphasizes the physical act of settling.
settle — Broader; use when temporary dwelling is implied.
bivouac — Military register; use sparingly for armed encampments.

BDB2914 H2583

BDB2913 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB2915

חָנָה143 verb decline, bend down, encamp (Aramaic to aim at, incline towards, reach; Zinjirli מחנת construct camp, Inscription Panammu13. 16. 17; Arabic bend, curve, bend down; Assyrian mûnu, mênu and tênû, couch, mânîtu, house, ZimBP 44, 45 Dl in Zim117) —

Qal Perfect חָנָה 1Sam 26:5; Isa 29:1 וְחָנִ֫יתִי consecutive Isa 29:3; Zech 9:8 חָנוּ Num 2:34 + 2 t.; וְחָנוּ consecutive Num 1:52 Imperfect וַיִּחַן Gen 26:17 + 9 t.; 3 feminine singular תַּחֲנֶה Ps 27:3 יַחֲנוּ Num 1:50 + 13 t. Numbers + Exod 14:2: וַיַּחֲנוּ Exod 13:26 + 79 t. (of which 42 in Num 33); וַיַּחֲנוּן Judg 11:18 2 masculine plural תַּחֲנוּ Exod 14:2 1 plural וַנַּחֲנֶה Ezra 8:15 Imperative חֲנֵה 2Sam 12:28 חֲנוּ Num 31:19; Jer 50:29 Infinitive חֲנוֺת Judg 19:9 חֲנֹת Num 1:51 suffix חֲנֹתֵנוּ Num 10:31 חֲנֹתְכֶם Deut 1:33 Participle חֹנֶה Exod 18:5; Ps 34:8 feminine חֹנָה 2Sam 23:13; 1Chr 11:15 חֹנָ֑ךְ Ps 53:6 plural חֹנִים Exod 14:9 + 11 t.; חוֺנִים Num 2:2; Nah 3:17 —
1. decline, of day drawing to its close חֲנוֺת הַיּוֺם Judg 19:9 (|| ׳רָפָה הַיּ לַעֲרוֺב; also ׳נְטוֺת הַיּ V:8; הַיּוֺם רַד מְאֹד vJudg 19:11).
2. encamp (properly verge toward, incline to, settle at, of goal of day's march): —
  a. of single nomad Gen 26:17 (J; followed by ב), Gen 33:18 (E; followed by אֶתפֿני).
  b. of Israel at Exodus and in wilderness Exod 13:20 (ב) Exod 14:2 (לִפְנֵי), vExod 14:2 (עַל), + approximately 80 t. (Hexateuch chiefly P); also (absolute) Num 9:18; Num 9:20; Num 9:22; Num 9:23 compare Ezra 8:15; Neh 11:30 so they encamped (i.e. settled, or were settled) from Beersheba to the valley of Hinnom (|| ישׁבו vNeh 11:25).
  c. of armies: (1) Israel (conquering Canaan, etc.) Josh 4:19; Josh 5:10 + often; (2) Philistines 1Sam 4:1; 1Sam 13:16; 2Sam 23:23 +; usually followed by ב location Num 10:31; 1Sam 4:1; 1Sam 13:16; Josh 4:19; 1Sam 13:5 + 63t. (וַיַּחֲנוּ בְ 2Sam 24:5 read וַיָּחֵלּוּ מִן ᵐ5L We Dr see חלל); so of locusts in hedges (in simile) Nah 3:17 also followed by עַל = by, near Exod 14:2; Exod 14:9; Exod 15:27; Num 1:52; Num 2:2; Num 2:5; Num 2:12; Num 2:27; Num 3:29; Num 3:35 (על ירך), Num 33:10; Judg 7:1; 1Sam 4:1 עלפֿני השׂדה (על in different sense) 2Sam 11:11 followed by עַל also = against, encamp with hostile purpose Josh 10:5; Josh 10:31; Josh 10:34; Judg 6:4; Judg 20:19; 1Sam 11:1; 2Sam 12:28; 1Kgs 16:15; 2Kgs 25:1; 2Chr 32:1; Jer 50:29; Jer 52:4; Ps 27:3 followed by אֶלֿ in same sense Josh 11:5 metaphor of God's hostility to apostate Jerusalem (על) Isa 29:3 followed by also לְ = at, by Num 2:34; Zech 9:8 אשׁרשָׁ֗֗֗ם Exod 18:5; 1Sam 26:5 followed by סביב לְ for protection Num 1:50; Num 1:53, compare metaphor Ps 34:8, but also hostility Job 19:12 also follwed by other prepositions and prepositional phrases, e.g. מֵעֵבֶר Num 21:13 מחוץ Num 31:19 בין 1Sam 17:1 נגד 1Kgs 20:27 etc.; followed by accusative of location 2Sam 17:26 followed by suffix accusative with hostile sense חֹנָ֑ךָ Ps 53:6 without preposition or noun following, in sense of encamp, be or abide in encampment Num 9:18; Num 9:20; Num 9:22; Num 9:23; Ezra 8:15; 2Sam 11:11 +; poetic of David in Jerusalem, Isa 29:1 city in which David fixed his camp.

pitched, encamped, encamp, pitch, tents, …
ḥānâ
properly, to incline; by implication, to decline (of the slanting rays of evening); specifically, to pitch a tent; generally to encamp (for abode or siege)
  • to decline, incline, encamp, bend down, lay siege against
    • (Qal)
      • to decline
        • "to encamp

בְּ דָפְקָֽה
בְּ
Prefix — preposition in, at, by, with
דָפְקָֽה
Root word a name — transliterate it ("In dophkah")
Dictionary form: דׇּפְקָה · dope-KAW

Noun — Proper Name

In the KJV here: in dophkah
from dophkah ×1 in dophkah ×1
More options
Dophkah — Standard English spelling for this proper place name.
Dofkah — Closer transliteration; useful in academic contexts.
the place called Dophkah — Adds clarity when place-name context is ambiguous.

BDB1990 H1850

BDB1989 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB1991

דָּפְקָה proper name, of a location first station of Israel after מדבר סין Num 33:12; Num 33:13 ᵐ5 Ῥαφακα; situation unknown, compare views in Di. (On an interpret. of name from a stone or metal Mafkat, Ta-Mafkat = Mafkat- district, see EbGS 148 f. 552 ff.)

דַּק, דֹּק see below דקק.

dophkah
dopqâ
knocking
Dophkah, a place in the Desert
  • a stopping place during Israel's wilderness wandering

The cantillation accents are the Masoretes' punctuation: each group below ends at a pausing accent. Translate a group as one unit.
וַיִּסְע֖וּ Tipeha — a lesser break מִמִּדְבַּר סִ֑ין Etnahta — the verse's main pause — take a breath here וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ Tipeha — a lesser break בְּדָפְקָֽה Silluq — end of the verse

וַיִּסְעוּ מִמִּדְבַּר-סִין וַֽיַּחֲנוּ בְּדָפְקָֽה׃
12
And they took their journey out of the wilderness of Sin, and encamped in Dophkah.
Numbers 33:11
Read Numbers 33
Numbers 33:13