They set out from Elim is literally “And they pulled up stakes from Elim.” (See the comment on “journeyed” at 12.37.) All the congregation of the people of Israel simply refers to “The whole Israelite community” (Good News Translation). This expression is repeated in verses 2, 9, and 10. The word for congregation (ʿedah) means an assembly or gathering. (See 12.3, 6 and comments.) People of Israel, as usual, is literally “sons of Israel.” This may also be expressed as “the Israelites” or “all the Israelites.”

Came to the wilderness of Sin is literally “and they entered….” This seems to trace the route of the Israelites southward. The wilderness of Sin was another large area probably along the west coast of the Sinai peninsula. The meaning of wilderness (Good News Translation “desert”) is discussed at 3.1. (See also 15.22.) Sin has no relation to the English word “sin.” It is simply the name of a place and possibly has some connection with the word “Sinai.” Wilderness of Sin may also be expressed as “the wilderness named Sin” or “the Sin Wilderness.” Which is between Elim and Sinai indicates that they were moving toward Sinai; however, the exact location of the ancient Mount Sinai is uncertain today. (See the comment on “Horeb” at 3.1.)

On the fifteenth day of the second month should be translated as it is. This means that it was a little over one month from the time they left Egypt, which had been on the tenth day of the first month (12.2-3). After they had departed from the land of Egypt may be shortened to “after they had left Egypt” (Good News Translation).

Quoted with permission from Osborn, Noel D. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Exodus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1999. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .