Exodus 12:37-38
And the people of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides women and children. A mixed multitude also went up with them, and very much livestock, both flocks and herds.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The phrase "about six hundred thousand men on foot" highlights that this number specifically refers to able-bodied adult males fit for travel and potentially for battle, not the total population. This detail underscores the immense scale of the exodus, with the vast majority of women, children, and the elderly still needing to be accounted for in the overall count.
This verse marks the immediate departure of the Israelites from Egypt, a journey that began after the tenth and final plague. They moved from Rameses, a city in Goshen, to a place named Succoth, signifying "tents" or "booths," likely their first encampment. This massive exodus, numbering around 600,000 men capable of fighting, plus women and children, signifies the culmination of their 430 years of sojourning and the beginning of their liberation.
Imagine a crowd so large it fills a modern stadium multiple times over, all on the move. This verse paints a picture of an unprecedented national departure.
The Scale of the Exodus
Exodus 12:37 tells us that "about six hundred thousand men on foot" left Egypt, not counting women and children. This number is staggering!
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The journey begins with two place names: Rameses and Succoth. What do these names signify for a people stepping out of bondage?
The First Steps of Freedom
The journey from Rameses to Succoth marks the very beginning of Israel's liberation. These names hold significant meaning:
Understand the original words
nasa' · Hebrew Verb
To depart from a place; in the biblical context, it often refers to a significant movement initiated by God for deliverance or judgment.
ereb rab · Hebrew Noun phrase
A diverse group of non-Israelites who joined the Israelites in their exodus, highlighting the inclusive nature of God's covenantal community.
This verse marks the very beginning of the Exodus journey. The immense number of Israelites, estimated at over two million souls, highlights the incredible fulfillment of God's promise to multiply Abraham's descendants, even amidst harsh oppression.
c. 1800 BC
Jacob's Family Enters Egypt
Jacob and his family, numbering around 70 people, migrate to Egypt during a famine and settle in the land of Goshen, beginning their long sojourn.
c. 1800 BC - 1500 BC
Israelite Sojourn in Egypt
The descendants of Jacob live in Egypt, initially welcomed but later enslaved and oppressed by a new dynasty that did not know Joseph.
c. 1446 BC
The Ten Plagues Culminate
After a series of devastating plagues, the final plague strikes down all the firstborn of Egypt, leading Pharaoh to finally let the Israelites go.
c. 1446 BC
The Exodus Begins
Following the death of the firstborn, the Israelites are urged to leave Egypt. They gather their belongings and begin their journey.
c. 1446 BC— this verse
Journey from Rameses to Succoth
The Israelites depart from Rameses, a gathering point in Goshen, and travel to their first encampment, Succoth, which likely means 'booths' or 'tents'.
c. 1446 BC
Crossing the Red Sea
After a miraculous parting of the waters, the Israelites cross the Red Sea safely, while the pursuing Egyptian army is destroyed.
c. 1446 BC
Wandering in the Wilderness
The Israelites embark on their journey through the Sinai wilderness, a period marked by provision from God, challenges, and the giving of the Law.
This passage provides the detailed census numbers that align with and confirm the 'about six hundred thousand men' mentioned here in Exodus, showing the meticulous record-keeping of Israel's population capable of military service.
Psalm 105:37This psalm reflects on the Exodus, specifically mentioning that Israel came out 'with silver and gold, and there was not among their tribes a feeble person,' which echoes the incredible health and vigor of the 600,000 men recorded in Exodus 12:37.
Galatians 3:17Paul here connects the 430 years of Israel's sojourn in Egypt (which immediately precedes this departure) to God's covenant with Abraham, highlighting the immense time span and divine promise fulfilled by this very exodus event.
Nehemiah 13:3This passage mentions a 'mixed multitude' separating themselves from the people of Israel, which directly corresponds to the 'mixed multitude' that went out with the Israelites in Exodus 12:38, illustrating that not everyone leaving Egypt was a direct descendant of Jacob.
gillExodus 12:37: "And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children."
And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth,.... Rameses was a place in Goshen, or rather the land of Goshen, from whence the country was so called; See Gill on Genesis 47:11 . The Targum of Jonathan takes it to be Pelusium, or Sin, now called Tinah, formerly the strength of Egypt, and which lay at the entrance of it, and says it was o…
cambridgeExodus 12:37: "And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children."
37 . journeyed ] lit. plucked up (viz. tent-pegs), a metaphor from breaking up camp. So regularly, as Exodus 13:20 , Exodus 16:1 , &c. Ra‘meses ] Very possibly (p. 4) Tell er-Reṭâbeh, 10 m. W. of Succoth. Succoth ] No doubt the Eg. Thke , with the determinative of a foreign place, prob. (Griffith) a foreign name, the sing. of Succoth , ‘Booths,’ and to…
The phrase "about six hundred thousand men on foot" highlights that this number specifically refers to able-bodied adult males fit for travel and potentially for battle, not the total population. This detail underscores the immense scale of the exodus, with the vast majority of women, children, and the elderly still needing to be accounted for in the overall count.
This verse marks the immediate departure of the Israelites from Egypt, a journey that began after the tenth and final plague. They moved from Rameses, a city in Goshen, to a place named Succoth, signifying "tents" or "booths," likely their first encampment. This massive exodus, numbering around 600,000 men capable of fighting, plus women and children, signifies the culmination of their 430 years of sojourning and the beginning of their liberation.
This verse marks the immediate departure of the Israelites from Egypt, a journey that began after the tenth and final plague. They moved from Rameses, a city in Goshen, to a place named Succoth, signifying "tents" or "booths," likely their first encampment. This massive exodus, numbering around 600,000 men capable of fighting, plus women and children, signifies the culmination of their 430 years of sojourning and the beginning of their liberation.
"And the people of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides women and children. A mixed multitude also went up with them, and very much livestock, both flocks and herds." — The phrase "about six hundred thousand men on foot" highlights that this number specifically refers to able-bodied adult males fit for travel and potentially for battle, not the total population. Thi…
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