From Rephidim the people continued their journey, following the movement of the cloudy pillar. Their route had led across barren plains, over steep ascents, and through rocky defiles. Often as they had traversed the sandy wastes, they had seen before them rugged mountains, like huge bulwarks, piled up directly across their course, and seeming to forbid all further progress. But as they approached, openings here and there appeared in the mountain wall, and beyond, another plain opened to view. Through one of the deep, gravelly passes they were now led. It was a grand and impressive scene. Between the rocky cliffs rising hundreds of feet on either side, flowed in a living tide, far as the eye could reach, the hosts of Israel with their flocks and herds. And now before them in solemn majesty Mount Sinai lifted its massive front. The cloudy pillar rested upon its summit, and the people spread their tents upon the plain beneath. Here was to be their home for nearly a year. At 302 night the pillar of fire assured them of the divine protection, and while they were locked in slumber, the bread of heaven fell gently upon the encampment.

Fra Refidim fortsatte folket deres rejse under skystøttens ledelse. Deres vej havde ført dem over nøgne sletter, op ad stejle skråninger og gennem klippefulde pas. Når de rejste over sandstrækningerne, havde de ofte set forrevne bjerge hæve sig som høje fæstninger midt på vejen foran dem, så al videre fremmarch syntes umulig. Men når de kom nærmere, så de, at der var åbninger her og der i bjergvæggen, og på den anden side udbredte nye sletter sig for deres blik. De blev nu ført gennem et af disse dybe pas. Overgangen var et storslået og imponerende skue. Mellem bjergtoppene, der hævede sig hundreder af meter til begge sider, gled Israels hærskare med deres kvæghjorde i en levende strøm, så langt øjet rakte. Og nu hævede Sinaj bjergs massive væg sig foran dem i højtidelig majestæt. Skystøtten hvilede over bjergets top, og folket opslog deres telte på sletten nedenfor. Her skulle deres hjem være i næsten et år. Om natten forsikrede ildstøtten dem om Guds beskyttelse, og mens de sov, faldt himmelbrødet stille over lejren.