From Marah they moved on to Elim. From a distance palm trees
made the place look inviting enough, but when the people came
close, they were again disappointed; there were not more than
three score and ten palm tress, and there were of stunted growth
owing to a lack of water, for in spite of the presence of twelve
wells of water, the soil was so barren and sandy that the wells were
not sufficient to water it. [85] Here again the marvelous
intercession of God in favor of the fate of Israel is shown, for the
scant supply of water at Elim, which had hardly sufficed for
seventy palm trees, satisfied sixty myriads of the wandering people
that stayed there for several days. [86]

The men of understanding could at this place see a clear allusion
to the fortune of the people; for there are twelve tribes of the
people, each of which, if it prove God-fearing, will be a well of
water, inasmuch as its piety will constantly and continually bring
forth beautiful deeds; the leaders of the people, however, are
seventy, and they recall the noble palm tree, for in outward
appearance as well as in its fruits, it is the most beautiful of trees,
whose seat of life does not lie buried deep in the roots, as with
other plants, but soars high, set like the heart in the midst of its
branches, by which it is surrounded as a queen under the
protection of her bodyguard. The soul of him who has tasted piety
possesses a similar spirit; it has learned to look up and ascend, and
itself ever busy with spiritual things and the investigation of
Divine beauty, disdains earthly things, and considers them only a
childish play, whereas that aspiration alone seems serious. [87]

It was at Elim, where, at the creation of the world, God had made