📖 Biblical Definition
Second wilderness encampment of Israel after Marah (Exodus 15:27; 16:1; Numbers 33:9-10). Following the bitter waters at Marah, the LORD brought the people to Elim, where there were twelve wells of water and seventy palm trees; they encamped by the waters. The detail of the twelve wells and seventy palm trees has occasioned much typological reflection: the twelve wells corresponding to the twelve tribes of Israel, providing for each tribe; the seventy palm trees corresponding either to the seventy elders of Israel (Exodus 24:1, 9; Numbers 11:16, 24-25) or to the broader symbolism of seventy as the number of nations / completeness in OT thought. After the bitter trial at Marah, Elim is the LORD's gracious provision of abundant refreshment for the people. The wilderness journey is not monotonous trial but the alternation of testing and provision, bitterness and refreshment, all under the LORD's covenantal care. The patriarchal-Reformed reader receives Elim as the type of providential refreshment that follows providential trial: the LORD does not test His people without also providing the seasons of green pastures and still waters (Psalm 23:2) by which they are sustained for the next leg of the journey.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
Second wilderness encampment after Marah (Exodus 15:27); twelve wells of water and seventy palm trees; the LORD's gracious provision after the bitterness of Marah.
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ELIM, proper n. (OT place; Hebrew possibly trees, palm trees, terebinths) Second wilderness encampment of Israel after Marah (Exodus 15:27; 16:1; Numbers 33:9-10). Twelve wells of water and seventy palm trees; the people encamped by the waters. Typological reflection: twelve wells corresponding to twelve tribes; seventy palm trees corresponding to the seventy elders (Exodus 24:1, 9; Numbers 11:16) or the seventy nations. After the bitter trial at Marah, Elim is the LORD's gracious provision of abundant refreshment. The wilderness journey alternates testing and provision, bitterness and refreshment, all under covenantal care.
📖 Key Scripture
Exodus 15:27 — "And they came to Elim, where were twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters."
Numbers 33:9-10 — "And they removed from Marah, and came unto Elim: and in Elim were twelve fountains of water, and threescore and ten palm trees; and they pitched there. And they removed from Elim, and encamped by the Red sea."
Psalm 23:2 — "He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters."
Isaiah 40:11 — "He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
No major postmodern redefinition. The principal pastoral application is the typology of providential refreshment following providential trial.
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Elim as a place name does not undergo lexical corruption. The principal pastoral application is the typological pattern of providential refreshment following providential trial: the LORD does not test His people without also providing seasons of refreshment by which they are sustained for the next leg of the journey. The believer in his Elim seasons — the providential refreshment after trial, the still waters after the bitter, the gracious provision following the wilderness testing — gives thanks for the LORD's covenantal care that does not test beyond bearing but also provides the alternation of testing and refreshment essential to the pilgrim journey.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Exodus 15:27; second wilderness encampment after Marah; twelve wells, seventy palm trees; gracious refreshment after bitter trial.
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['Hebrew', 'H362', 'Elim', 'trees, palm trees']
['Hebrew', 'H8558', 'tamar', 'palm tree']
['Hebrew', 'H875', "be'er", 'well, fountain']
Usage
"Elim: second wilderness encampment after Marah; twelve wells, seventy palm trees."
"Providential refreshment following providential trial."
"The LORD's covenantal care alternates testing and refreshment."