The interpretation timeline

Num 33:42

How this passage has been read — the sources, oldest to newest.

From the early Church Fathers to now.

Num 33:42 · Douay-Rheims

“From whence they removed and came to Phunon.”

Patristic before A.D. 750

254

A.D.

Origen Patristic

c. A.D. 184–253

“Now from here they come to Phinon [Punon], which we think means "frugality of the mouth." For the person who can contemplate the mystery of Christ and of the Holy Spirit, if he sees or hears what it is not right for men to speak, will necessarily have frugality of mouth, since he will know to whom, when and how he should speak of the divine mysteries.”

Source

Modern · 1953 →

The in-app commentary runs from the Fathers to the early-modern record, then stops — that's where the public-domain sources end, not where the reading does. For the modern reading, follow the sources directly.