Shittim is mentioned several times in the Bible, primarily in Numbers and Joshua. It was an important location for the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings after the Exodus from Egypt and as they prepared to enter the Promised Land.
Here are some key points about the significance of Shittim in the Bible:
1. Location of Israelite camp
Shittim was one of the stopping places for the Israelites after their 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. The Book of Numbers records that the Israelites set up camp in the plains of Moab near the Jordan River, across from Jericho. Shittim was their last major encampment before entering Canaan (Numbers 33:49).
The exact location of Shittim is uncertain, but most scholars believe it was east of the Jordan River in the plains of Moab, likely near the modern city of Tell el-Kefrein. This placed the Israelite camp at the border of the Promised Land.
2. Preparation for entering Canaan
While camped at Shittim, the Israelites prepared to finally enter the land that God had promised to them. Moses gave instructions to the people to conquer the lands (Numbers 33:50-56). Joshua also sent spies from Shittim to scout out Jericho (Joshua 2:1).
Shittim was a place of anticipation and preparation as the people looked ahead to possessing Canaan after so many years in the wilderness.
3. Moses’ farewell address
Moses delivered his final speeches to the Israelites while they were camped at Shittim. These speeches reviewed the giving of the law and urged the people to remain faithful to God (Deuteronomy 29:1).
Moses delivered God’s command to drive out the Canaanite inhabitants of the land. He called the people to make a choice between life and death, blessing and curse as they entered into covenant with God (Deuteronomy 30:15-19).
So this important collection of sermons was given at Shittim as the aged Moses passed the baton of leadership to Joshua.
4. Israel’s sin with Moabite women
One of the darker stories associated with Shittim involved the Moabite women. Numbers 25 describes how the Moabite women seduced the Israelite men into sexual immorality and worship of their gods. God sent a plague as judgment on this sin.
This incident highlights the ever-present temptation for the Israelites to fall into idolatry. Even as they were on the doorstep of Canaan, they failed to remain set apart and holy as God desired.
5. Commissioning of Joshua
It was at Shittim where Moses commissioned Joshua to lead the Israelites after his death (Numbers 27:15-23). The transfer of authority happened before all the people.
Joshua had already proven himself as a capable leader. But this public commissioning established him as Moses’ divinely appointed successor before they moved on toward Canaan.
6. Second census of Israel
While camped in the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho, Moses and Eleazar conducted a second census of Israel (Numbers 26:1-4). This was the final counting of the people before they entered the Promised Land.
The census numbering at Shittim showed that the next generation was now ready to enter into the land promised to their fathers.
7. Instruction about allotment of the land
As the Israelites were camped at Shittim, detailed instructions were given regarding how the land of Canaan would be allotted among the tribes when it was conquered (Numbers 26:52-56).
Specific allotments were not handed out at this point. But the people received God’s guidelines for fairly distributing portions of the land based on each tribe’s size.
8. Brazen serpent lifted up
During their time at Shittim, the Israelites again rebelled and complained against God and Moses. As judgment, God sent fiery serpents which bit and killed many of the people. When they confessed their sin, Moses interceded and God told him to make a bronze serpent and lift it up on a pole so that anyone bitten could look upon it and be healed (Numbers 21:4-9).
This incident was full of significance. Jesus referenced the bronze serpent as a foreshadowing of his crucifixion (John 3:14-15). Looking upon it in faith brought salvation from the “snakebite” of sin.
9. Jesus’ temptation by Satan
When Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan, one of the locations mentioned is the “high mountain” in the vicinity of Jericho and the Jordan River (Matthew 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13). Many scholars believe this likely refers to the area around Shittim near Jericho across from the Jordan.
So this key moment in Jesus’ ministry took place near the same location where the Israelites had camped centuries earlier before entering the Promised Land.
10. Crossing the Jordan River into Canaan
The Israelites broke camp at Shittim and moved to the Jordan River to finally cross over and enter Canaan (Joshua 3:1). This transition from Shittim to the Jordan provides another connection between Moses & Joshua and the Torah and the history contained in the following books.
Shittim marked the end of Israel’s wilderness wanderings and the beginning of actually possessing their inheritance promised long ago to Abraham.
Summary of key events
To summarize, here are some of the most significant events that happened while the Israelites were camped at Shittim:
- Preparation to enter Canaan
- Moses’ farewell speeches
- Israel’s sin with the Moabite women
- Commissioning of Joshua
- Second census of Israel
- Instructions for allotment of the Promised Land
- Brazen serpent lifted up
- Transition across the Jordan River into Canaan
For the Israelites, Shittim marked an important transitional location and season. It was their last camp before finally entering the land God had promised. Both faithful preparation and times of unfaithfulness marked their time at Shittim.
But God remained faithful through it all. He brought Israel through the wilderness and to the verge of the Promised Land. And Shittim was the last stepping stone along the way.
Shittim reminds us that transitions often involve tests of faith. But God provides what we need to pass those tests and claim the promises and blessings He intends for us.