Nisan 4 – Wilderness of Zin…

Nisan 4, 5785; from sunset April 1, 2025, to sunset April 2, 2025

(The fourth day of the first month)

This is the name “Mosheh” (מֺשֶׁה – Moses) as seen in the Dead Sea Scrolls, written over two thousand years ago.

Thirty-nine years after leaving Egypt, the children of Israel came to the Wilderness of Zin in the first month. The text does not give us a specific day, but it does go on to say that Miriam died there. Jewish tradition recognizes the date of Miriam’s death as the 10th day of the first month. We’ve chosen this date at random to remember their arrival in Zin.

Then the children of Israel, the whole congregation, came into the Wilderness of Zin in the first month, and the people stayed in Kadesh… – Numbers 20:1a (NKJ)

In Hebrew, the word “Zin” is actually pronounced more like “Tzin.” Its exact meaning is unclear, but it is possibly related to the word “tzen” which is a thorn or a barb. Another word, “tzenah” means a hook or a barb. Other sources call out the similarity to the word “tzayon” which means “a place of dryness” and from which the familiar word “Zion” originates.

Last autumn we learned that Psalm 133 is traditionally sung during the Feast of Tabernacles.

A Song of Ascents. Of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard, the beard of Aaron, running down on the edge of his garments. It is like the dew of Hermon, descending upon the mountains of Zion; for there the LORD commanded the blessing– life forevermore. – Psalm 133 (NKJ)

It speaks of the dew of Mount Hermon descending upon the mountains of Zion, “the place of dryness.” That’s how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell together in unity. Understanding the meaning of proper names in the Bible can deepen our understanding of the text.

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