Etham

Etham is the second camping place of Israel after the departure from Egypt, on the edge of the wilderness. The name appears at the start of the wilderness journey and again as the wilderness reached on the far side of the sea.

On the edge of the wilderness

After leaving Succoth, Israel encamped at Etham. Ex 13:20 records, "And they took their journey from Succoth, and encamped in Etham, in the edge of the wilderness." The journey list in Numbers preserves the same notice: "And they journeyed from Succoth, and encamped in Etham, which is in the edge of the wilderness" (Num 33:6).

Turning back from Etham

From Etham the route bent back. "And they journeyed from Etham, and turned back to Pihahiroth, which is before Baal-zephon: and they encamped before Migdol" (Num 33:7).

The wilderness of Etham

After passing through the sea, Israel reached a wilderness bearing the same name. "And they journeyed from Pihahiroth, and passed through the midst of the sea into the wilderness: and they went three days' journey in the wilderness of Etham, and encamped in Marah" (Num 33:8).