Where were the Israelites headed after leaving Elim?
After leaving Elim, the Israelites traveled into the wilderness of Zin, situated between Elim and Sinai. They continued moving through the Sinai toward Mount Sinai itself, where they would receive the law. This journey occurred on the fifteenth day of the second month, after leaving Egypt in April.
Les explains that after the oasis of Elim, Israel could not stay on the mountaintop; the hard work was down in the valley. They had to move on down through the Sinai, and in short order they would arrive at Mount Sinai itself to receive the law. In Exodus 16:1, they journeyed from Elam/Elim and came to the wilderness of Zin, between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month. Since they left Egypt in April, this was May. In that hot desert, with millions of people and livestock, they would need tremendous amounts of water, and they soon complained to Moses and Aaron.
And they took their journey from Elim, and all the congregation of the children of Israel came unto 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.
More Questions
Where is the wilderness of Sin located in relation to Elim and Sinai?
Israel traveled from Elim and came to the wilderness of Sin, which lies between Elim and Sinai.