Elim

Elim is a stopping place on the Israelites’ journey from Egypt toward Sinai, remembered as an oasis with twelve springs and seventy palm trees. Its contrast with the water shortage and bitter water at Marah makes it a brief scene of provision and rest during the wilderness journey.

Setting and Journey

After crossing the sea, Moses led Israel through the Wilderness of Shur. The people went three days without finding water, then reached Marah, where the water was too bitter to drink. At Moses’ appeal, the LORD showed him a tree; after Moses cast it into the water, it became sweet.

Water and Rest

From Marah the Israelites continued to Elim, where they found twelve springs and seventy palm trees. They encamped beside the water. The narrative gives no further description of their stay, but the oasis stands in clear contrast to the preceding scarcity: a place to pause after thirst and complaint, before the journey resumed toward the Wilderness of Sin.

Narrative Significance

Elim’s brief appearance belongs to the account of wilderness testing and provision. The movement from Marah’s undrinkable water to Elim’s many springs gives the route a pattern of need followed by relief, while the encampment marks a temporary rest rather than the journey’s end.