Numbers34

The LORD commanded Moses to define the precise borders of the land of Canaan, which was to be the inheritance for the children of Israel. This chapter details the southern, western, northern, and eastern boundaries of this promised territory. Furthermore, it names Eleazar the priest, Joshua the son of Nun, and one prince from each of the remaining nine and a half tribes as those appointed to divide the land by lot.

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The Borders of Canaan Defined

Then the LORD said to Moses,

“Command the Israelites and say to them: When you enter the land of Canaan, it will be allotted to you as an inheritance with these boundaries:

Your southern border will extend from the Wilderness of Zin along the border of Edom. On the east, your southern border will run from the end of the Salt Sea,

cross south of the Ascent of Akrabbim, continue to Zin, and go south of Kadesh-barnea. Then it will go on to Hazar-addar and proceed to Azmon,

where it will turn from Azmon, join the Brook of Egypt, and end at the Sea.

Your western border will be the coastline of the Great Sea; this will be your boundary on the west.

Your northern border will run from the Great Sea directly to Mount Hor,

and from Mount Hor to Lebo-hamath, then extend to Zedad,

continue to Ziphron, and end at Hazar-enan. This will be your boundary on the north.

And your eastern border will run straight from Hazar-enan to Shepham,

then go down from Shepham to Riblah on the east side of Ain and continue along the slopes east of the Sea of Chinnereth.

Then the border will go down along the Jordan and end at the Salt Sea. This will be your land, defined by its borders on all sides.”

Instructions for Dividing the Land

So Moses commanded the Israelites, “Apportion this land by lot as an inheritance. The LORD has commanded that it be given to the nine and a half tribes.

For the tribes of the Reubenites and Gadites, along with the half-tribe of Manasseh, have already received their inheritance.

These two and a half tribes have received their inheritance across the Jordan from Jericho, toward the sunrise.”

Appointed Leaders to Divide the Land

Then the LORD said to Moses,

“These are the names of the men who are to assign the land as an inheritance for you: Eleazar the priest and Joshua son of Nun.

Appoint one leader from each tribe to distribute the land.

These are their names: Caleb son of Jephunneh from the tribe of Judah;

Shemuel son of Ammihud from the tribe of Simeon;

Elidad son of Chislon from the tribe of Benjamin;

Bukki son of Jogli, a leader from the tribe of Dan;

Hanniel son of Ephod, a leader from the tribe of Manasseh son of Joseph;

Kemuel son of Shiphtan, a leader from the tribe of Ephraim;

Eli-zaphan son of Parnach, a leader from the tribe of Zebulun;

Paltiel son of Azzan, a leader from the tribe of Issachar;

Ahihud son of Shelomi, a leader from the tribe of Asher;

and Pedahel son of Ammihud, a leader from the tribe of Naphtali.”

These are the ones whom the LORD commanded to apportion the inheritance to the Israelites in the land of Canaan.

Study Notes for Numbers 34

Verse 2

This chapter defines the precise geographical boundaries of the Promised Land (Canaan proper), which was to be inherited by the nine and a half tribes settling west of the Jordan River.

Verse 3

The 'wilderness of Zin' provides the southern starting point. This boundary description establishes the limits of the land grant, stretching to the eastern edge of the Salt Sea (Dead Sea).

Verse 5

The 'river of Egypt' refers not to the Nile, but typically to the Wadi el-Arish, a significant seasonal watercourse that served as the traditional southwestern border between Canaan and Egypt.

Verse 7

The location of Mount Hor described here defines the northwestern corner of the promised territory, likely referring to a peak in the Lebanon range rather than the Mount Hor where Aaron died (Num 20:22).

Verse 11

The boundary moves southward along the Jordan Valley, referencing the ‘sea of Chinnereth’ (later known as the Sea of Galilee). This confirms that the eastern boundary of the inheritance was the Jordan River itself, excluding the Transjordanian territory already settled.

Verse 13

The distribution of the land 'by lot' underscores the belief that God was ultimately responsible for assigning the inheritance to each tribe, ensuring fairness and divine sanction for the boundaries.

Verse 17

Eleazar the High Priest and Joshua the son of Nun are named as the supreme administrators. Their joint authority ensured that the division process was carried out with both religious legitimacy and effective governmental oversight.

Verse 19

Caleb, one of the two faithful spies from the previous generation, is listed first among the tribal princes. His appointment highlights the reward for his loyalty and faith, emphasizing continuity between the generations.

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Numbers34

The Borders of Canaan Defined

Instructions for Dividing the Land

Appointed Leaders to Divide the Land

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