Elim is a welcome oasis in the wilderness. There are springs of water and palm trees in abundance. But leaving time comes, and forty-five days beyond Egypt it is back into the wilderness, the wilderness of Sin (not the English word, but apt!). The continuing interest in an itinerary is evident, though scholars remain puzzled regarding the exact route (see at 17:1). The text is clearly composite, evident particularly in verses 4–12. Its focus has to do with a food crisis,