Israel, Exodus, Atonement and Us

Keywords

Israel, Exodus, Atonement, Biblical Studies

Abstract

The book of Deuteronomy begins with a striking verse: "(There are eleven days' journey from Horeb by the way of mount Seir unto Kadesh-barnea)" (Deuteronomy 1:2). Because this verse is set within parentheses and seems to relay minutia, it is easily passed over. But a close examination shows it to be one of the most thought-provoking verses in the Old Testament. Identifying two of the sites refered to in the verse makes this clear. "Horeb" is another name for Mount Sinai. Kadesh-barnea is the place where Moses and the children of Israel camped as they sent men into the promised land as spies. Kadesh-barnea was on the border of the promised land as spies. Kadesh-barnea was on the border of the promised land; from there the children of Israel were supposed to enter and inherit the land.

Original Publication Citation

“Israel, Exodus, Atonement, and Us,” in Covenants, Prophecies, and Hymns of the Old Testament, Victor Ludlow, ed. (Provo, UT: Brigham Young University Press, 2001), 89-100.

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2001

Permanent URL

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/6312

Publisher

Academia

Language

English

College

Religious Education

Department

Ancient Scripture

University Standing at Time of Publication

Full Professor

Link to Full Text

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