Exodus 12:37 Meaning and Explanation
“And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Israel departs from Rameses to Succoth, numbering about 600,000 men plus women and children.
The Context of Exodus 12:37
Israel departs Egypt, numbering 600,000 men plus women and children.
What Does Exodus 12:37 Mean?
The journey begins from Rameses, a city in Egypt, and proceeds to Succoth, the first camp. The number 600,000 men (representing the total population of approximately 2 million including women and children) demonstrates the scale of the exodus. This is not a small group of refugees but a vast nation on the move. The specification of 'men' as the unit of count, 'beside children,' emphasizes that the entire population—young and old—departs together.
The numbering underscores both the scope of God's deliverance and the magnitude of the task ahead. Feeding, organizing, and leading such a population through the wilderness requires divine provision at every step. The scale of the exodus makes clear that this is not a fortunate accident but an extraordinary divine intervention on behalf of an entire people.
Frequently Asked Questions About Exodus 12:37
What does Exodus 12:37 mean?
Israel departs from Rameses to Succoth, numbering about 600,000 men plus women and children.
What is the context of Exodus 12:37?
Israel departs Egypt, numbering 600,000 men plus women and children.