Hazeroth
“Villages or enclosures”
Summary
Hazeroth was the sixteenth station of the Israelites in the wilderness, their third camp after leaving Sinai, where Miriam and Aaron rebelled against Moses and Miriam was struck with leprosy.
☩Location
Hazeroth was located about four or five days' march from Sinai toward Canaan and was the first place after Sinai where the camp remained for an extended period. Burckhardt suggested identification with Ain el-Hudhera, a fountain with palm trees near the usual route from Sinai to the Red Sea—an identification generally accepted by subsequent travelers, though the rugged surrounding terrain raises questions about suitability for a large camp.
☩The Rebellion of Miriam and Aaron
At Hazeroth, Aaron and Miriam challenged Moses' unique position as God's spokesman, ostensibly because of his Cushite wife but essentially questioning his authority. God summoned all three to the tabernacle, affirmed that He spoke with Moses directly "face to face" unlike any other prophet, and struck Miriam with leprosy. Though healed after seven days at Moses' intercession, she remained outside the camp during her purification while all Israel waited.
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Hazeroth," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IV (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.George Morrish, "Hazeroth," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 3.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Hazeroth," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).