In the Parsha Masai
Plants, Places, Animals
Compiled from: http://bible.ort.org/ The Living Torah by Aryeh Kaplan
Akrabim Steps מעלה עקבים
“Ascent of Scorpions” A range of hills to the south-west of the Dead Sea, mentioned at Numbers 34:4 as part of the description of the borders of the Promised Land. One of the passes that lead to the northern slope of Wadi el-Fikreh
Almon Divlathaymah עלמן דבלתימה
An encampment of the Israelites in the wilderness, mentioned at Numbers 33:46-7. It is in the territory of Moab, east of the Dead Sea. Ramban says it is on the Zered Brook; Ibn Ezra identifies it with Matanah; Lekach Tov says it is on Nachaliel; or on the far side of Almon in Jordon (Chizzkuni)
Alush אלוש
Alush was one of the encampments of the Israelites in the Wilderness. It is only mentioned at Numbers 33:13-14, not in Exodus. Its location remains unknown. Some say this is where the manna began to fall. Thus, the Jews arrived there on 15 Iyar, 2448; and then observed the first Shabbos. Other sources translate as a “powerful city” built by Sheshai, one of the giants of Hebron
Avel Shittim אבל שטים
A place across the Jordan river, north-east from the Dead Sea. The Israelites were staying in Shittim when some of them became involved in corrupt practices with the local women (Numbers 25:1). Avel Shittim (Numbers 33:49) was a plain, and the stream of Shittim ran into the Dead Sea.
Avronah עברנה
One of the encampments of the Israelites in the Wilderness, listed at Numbers 33:34-5. Its exact location is unknown: translated as “river crossing” or “ford”, that it marked the place where they crossed the Aravah wadi on the way to Elath.
Beney Yaakan בני יעקן
One of the encampments of the Israelites in the Wilderness (Numbers 33:31-32): the reference to the wells of Beney Yaakan (Deuteronomy 10:6) may refer to a different place. It is a tribal name, referring to one of the sons of Yaakan, a Horite. Its exact location is unknown; perhaps identified with Be'eroth Oded in the Sinai desert. Some translate as “wells of distress” or “wells of the narrow pass”
Beth HaYeshimoth בית הישמת
An encampment of the Israelites near the Jordan, mentioned at Numbers 33:49, probably near the north-east corner of the Dead Sea. Some identify it with the Wasteland (Chizzkuni) or with Hagai (Ibn Ezra). Others say that it is a stream running down from the wasteland (Abarbanel).
Chamath חמת
A city on the east bank of the Orontes river, described as Canaanite in Genesis 10:18. Chamath was the most northerly area reached by Joshua and the spies in Numbers 13:21. The Chamath Highway is mentioned at Numbers 34:8 as part of the northern border of the Promised Land. It is now Hamah in modern Syria.
Charadah חרדה
“Trembling” an encampment in the Wilderness where the Jews trembled prior to one of the plagues. It is only mentioned at Numbers 33:24-5, and its location remains unknown.
Chashmonah חשמנה
An encampment of the Israelites in the Wilderness, mentioned at Numbers 33:29-30. It is sometimes identified with Selmonah, but its exact location remains unknown. The Chashmonian family, which included Mattathias, may have had their origins here.
Chatzar Adar חצר אדר
“Temples of Adarya” A place in the Negev mentioned at Numbers 34:4 in describing the borders of the Promised Land. Its exact location is uncertain, but may be Khirbet el-qudeirat, about 5 miles northwest of Kadesh Barnea
Chatzar Eynan חצר עינן
A locality mentioned at Numbers 34:9 as the northeastern border of the Promised Land. It is uncertain whether this is Al Qaryatein, 130 km (80 miles) north-east of Damascus, Chatzan Alakrat, 48 km (30 miles) south-west of Chamath or Ain Tab.
Chor HaGidgad חר הגדגד
“Hole of Gidgah” or “Cletis of Gidgah” One of the encampments of the Israelites in the Wilderness (Numbers 33:32). Its exact location is uncertain, although its proximity to Beney Yaakan and Yatvathah may indicate that it might have been in the mountains west of Wadi Arabah. The reference to Gud Godah at Deuteronomy 10:7 may be another name for the same location.
Iyye Haavarim עיי העברים
”Desolate Passes” or “Desolate Mounds” A staging-post on the Israelite journey through the desert, mentioned at Numbers 33:44 as being on Moab's borders.
Divon Gad דיבן גד
An encampment of the Israelites in the wilderness, mentioned at Numbers 33:45-6. Its location is not certain, but it may have been on the Zered Brook, or Nachaliel, Vahev or Matanah. This is seen as a place of good fortune, perhaps the place where the decree for the Jews to die in the desert for 40 years came to an end on 15th Av, 2488.
Dofkah דפקה
Dofkah was one of the encampments of the Israelites in the Wilderness. It is only mentioned at Numbers 33:12-13, not in Exodus. Its location remains unknown, possibly Serabith el-Khadim, an oasis south of the ridge that runs across the Sinai
Egyptian Wadi נחלת מצרים
Sometimes translated as the River of Egypt. Mentioned at Genesis 15:18, Numbers 34:5 as the south-western border of the Promised Land. Identified as Wadi el-Arish, which is 128 km (80 miles) west of the Dead Sea in the middle of the Sinai peninsula.
Elim אילם
The Israelites stopped at Elim after crossing the Red Sea and passing through Marah. In contrast to the latter, Elim had twelve springs of water and seventy date palms (Exodus 15:27; Numbers 33:9-10). Elim means 'terebinths' or 'oaks'. Elim is usually identified with Wadi Gharandel, an oasis with tamarisks and palms about 60 km (38 miles) south-east of Suez along the west side of the Sinai desert.
Etzyon Gever עצין גבר
“Rooster’s Crow” A town on the Gulf of Aqaba; one of the places where the Israelites camped in the eastern Wilderness, mentioned at Numbers 33:35-36 and Deuteronomy 2:8, about 2 miles south of Elath.
Eyin עין
Mentioned at Numbers 34:11 in connection with Rivlah, it is uncertain whether this is a proper name or simply means 'springs'.
Kivroth HaTaavah קברת התאוה
“Graves of Craving” A day's journey north-east from the wilderness of Sinai. The Israelites, having craved meat to eat, were sent quail by G-d and were subsequently overcome by a plague which caused many fatalities (Numbers 11:31-34; Numbers 33:16; Deuteronomy 9:22). Eldad and Medad spoke prophecy in the camp (Numbers 11:26).
Hagai
An area in the heights to the south of Mount Nebo, sometimes identified with Avel HaShittim or Beth HaYeshimoth (Numbers 33:49), thought to be the source of the modern Ujami stream, flowing into the northern end of the Dead Sea.
Jericho ירחו
An important Canaanite settlement of ancient origin to the east of Jerusalem, later conquered by the Israelites under Joshua. It is mentioned at Numbers 33:48 as a point of reference for the reach of the Jordan near which the Israelites camped while traveling through Moab.
Kadesh Barnea קדש ברנע
A town in the Negev identified by modern scholars as either Ain Qudeis or Ain Qudeirat. Mentioned in Numbers 34:4 as the southern point of the boundary of the Promised Land, and at Numbers 32:8, Deuteronomy 1:19 and Deuteronomy 9:23 as the place from which the twelve spies were sent into Canaan by Moses. It is sometimes identified with Kadesh (where Miriam died), although some rabbinic authorities dispute this, and is also thought to be the Rithmah listed at Numbers 33:18-19.
Kehalathah קהלתה
One of the encampments of the Israelites in the Wilderness, only mentioned at Numbers 33:22-3. Its location is unknown. Some say this is the place of the rebellion of Korach
Kinnereth Sea ים כנרת
Also known as the Sea of Galilee, this is the second largest lake in the Jordan valley. Mentioned at Numbers 34:11 part of the eastern border of the Promised Land.
Lavan לבנה
“Bricks” marking the border with bricks. Numbers 33:20. A locality in the Paran area where Moses addressed the Israelites (Deuteronomy 1:1). Some posit Lavan as the site of Korach's rebellion. Others identify Lavan with the place where the Israelites expressed their dissatisfaction with the manna (Numbers 11:6).
Mak'heloth מקהלת
One of the encampments of the Israelites in the Wilderness, only mentioned at Numbers 33:25-6. Its location remains unknown. A place of assembly, or a place of demonstration
Marah מרה
The Israelites passed through Marah (meaning 'bitter') on their way through the Shur desert, thus named because they could only find bitter water there (Exodus 15:23; Numbers 33:8-9), on the th of Nissan, 2448. Marah is often identified with Ain Chawarah, 90 km (60 miles) south of Suez.
Mediterranean Sea ים הגדול
Known in Hebrew as HaYam HaGadol (The Great Sea). It is mentioned at Numbers 34:6-7 as the western border of the Promised Land.
Mithkah מתקה
An encampment of the Israelites in the Wilderness, mentioned only at Numbers 33:28-9. Its location remains unknown. Place with good, fresh water
Moseroth מסרות
From the word Mussur “chastisements”. An encampment of the Israelites in the Wilderness, mentioned at Numbers 33:30-31 and Deuteronomy 10:6. Its location is unknown. After the death of Aharon, the Jews returned to this place as part of a rebellion
Mount Hor הר ההר
A mountain mentioned at Numbers 34:7-8 as being the northern extremity of the coastal boundary of the Promised Land, probably in modern Lebanon or Syria.
Ovoth
One of the encampments of the Israelites in the Wilderness (Numbers 21:10; Numbers 33:43-44). It is identified with the modern 'Ain el-Weiba, 48 km (30 miles) south of the Dead Sea.
Punon פונן
Place where the Israelites camped in the Wilderness, lying in the copper-mining area of Edom, where bitten by poisonous snakes (Numbers 21:6; Numbers 33:42-3).
Ra'amses רעמסס
The Israelites were forced to help build this store city in the Goshen region (Exodus 1:11; Numbers 33:3), together with Pithom. Scholars have identified Ra'amses at Pelusium, Tanis, Qantir or Heliopolis. However, the Exodus began from Rameses, not Ra'amses (see Genesis 47:11; Exodus 12:37).
Rephidim רפידם
The final encampment of the Israelites on the Exodus from Egypt before reaching Mount Sinai (Exodus 17:1, Exodus 19:2; Numbers 33:14-15). It is usually identified with Wadi Refayid in south-west Sinai, although the exact location is unknown. It was named Testing-and-Argument by Moses because the people had argued and tested G-d by demanding that Moses produce water for them Exodus 17:7). Led by Joshua, the Israelites fought successfully against Amalek here: the battle was won because Moses raised his hands, assisted by Aaron and Chur (Exodus 17:8-16).
Rimmon Peretz רמון פרץ
Also known as Rimmon Paretz. “Spreading Pomegranate Tree” or “Heavy-Fruited Pomegranate” One of the encampments of the Israelites in the Wilderness, mentioned at Numbers 33:19-20. Probably arrived in 2468
Rissah רסה
“Well stopped up with stones” An encampment of the Israelites in the Wilderness. Only mentioned at Numbers 33:21-22. Its location is unknown.
Rivlah רבלה
A locality mentioned at Numbers 34:11 as forming part of the eastern border of the Promised Land. It is probably identical with the Daphne of classical times to the east of the Jordan, north of Lake Hula.
Shefam שפמה
A locality mentioned in Numbers 34:10-11 as part of the eastern border of the Promised Land. Its location is uncertain but it is probably in modern Lebanon or Syria.
Shefer, Mount הר שפר
“Beautiful Mountain” Some say it was a mountain with beautiful fruit, One of the encampments of the Israelites in the Wilderness; only mentioned at Numbers 33:23-4. Its location remains unknown.
Tachath תחת
One of the encampments of the Israelites in the Wilderness only mentioned at Numbers 33:26-7. Its location remains unknown. Probably south of Mount Karkom in Sinai
Tzalmonah צלמנה
One of the encampments of the Israelites in the Wilderness, near Punon, but exact location unknown. The Israelites complained to Moses about their lack of food and water here (Numbers 21:5; Numbers 33:41-2).
Tzedad צדדה
Sometimes spelt Zedad, this town is mentioned at Numbers 34:8 as part of the description of the northern border of the Promised Land. Probably identical with modern Sedad to the east of Lebanon: some locate it instead at Khirbet Serada, near Dan.
Tzin Desert מדבר צן
An area in the Negev, in which Kadesh is situated (Numbers 20:1; Numbers 33:36). Not to be confused with the Sin Desert, which the Israelites crossed much earlier in their journey.
Yatvathah יטבתה
:A Good Calm Place” flowing with brooks. A staging-post on the Israelite journey through the desert, mentioned at Numbers 33:33-4, probably identical with Yatvath in Deuteronomy 10:7.
