Elim

Elim is the second camp of the Israelites after the crossing of the Red Sea. The site is remembered for its abundant water — twelve springs and seventy palm-trees — and is located in the wilderness between Egypt and Sinai.

Twelve Springs and Seventy Palms

After the bitter waters of Marah, Israel reaches a place of plenty: "And they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs of water, and seventy palm-trees: and they encamped there by the waters" (Ex 15:27). The stations-list in Numbers repeats the same notice in nearly identical wording: "And they journeyed from Marah, and came to Elim: and in Elim were twelve springs of water, and seventy palm-trees; and they encamped there" (Nu 33:9). The double witness — narrative in Exodus, itinerary register in Numbers — preserves the same two physical features and the same act of encampment.

Departure Toward Sinai

From Elim the journey resumes. Exodus places the next move on a specific calendar date and locates Elim geographically: "And they took their journey from Elim, and all the congregation of the sons of Israel came to the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after their departing out of the land of Egypt" (Ex 16:1). The Numbers itinerary extends the route in a single line, sending Israel back toward the sea before the next inland stage: "And they journeyed from Elim, and encamped by the Red Sea" (Nu 33:10).