Location
Overview
Etham lay "in the edge of the wilderness," the threshold between settled Egypt and the open desert, and the place from which God's visible guidance went before Israel.
On the edge of the desert
"And they took their journey from Succoth, and encamped in Etham, in the edge of the wilderness" (Exodus 13:20).
The pillar of cloud and fire
It is here the great promise is fixed: "the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire... he took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night" (Exodus 13:21–22).
The turning point
From Etham God told Israel to "turn and encamp before Pihahiroth" by the sea (Exodus 14:2) — a turn that drew Pharaoh after them and set the stage for the great deliverance at the Red Sea.
Events Here
Israel camps at Etham; the pillar of cloud and fire leads on
Scripture References
4 versesExodus1 verse
Exodus 13:20
And they took their journey from Succoth, and encamped in Etham, in the edge of the wilderness.
Numbers3 verses
Numbers 33:6
And they departed from Succoth, and pitched in Etham, which is in the edge of the wilderness.
Numbers 33:7
And they removed from Etham, and turned again unto Pihahiroth, which is before Baalzephon: and they pitched before Migdol.
Numbers 33:8
And they departed from before Pihahiroth, and passed through the midst of the sea into the wilderness, and went three days' journey in the wilderness of Etham, and pitched in Marah.
Archaeology & History
Etham's precise location is unknown; it marked the boundary of cultivated Egypt and the desert, somewhere on the eastern approaches to the Sinai. The "wilderness of Etham" (Numbers 33:8) took its name from this station.
Frequently asked about Etham
Where is Etham today?
Today, Etham corresponds to Eastern edge of the Egyptian delta (uncertain).
What happened at Etham in the Bible?
Key biblical events at Etham include israel camps at etham; the pillar of cloud and fire leads on.
Where is Etham first mentioned in the Bible?
Etham is first mentioned in Exodus 13:20.
How often is Etham mentioned in the Bible?
Etham is mentioned in 4 verses across 2 books: Exodus, Numbers.
What happened at Etham?
Israel camped there "in the edge of the wilderness," and it is associated with the pillar of cloud and fire that led them. From Etham they turned back toward the sea.
Where was Etham?
On the eastern edge of settled Egypt, at the border of the desert; its exact site is unknown.