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.

The Borders of Canaan Defined

1
The LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
2
“Command the children of Israel, and tell them, ‘When you come into the land of Canaan (this is the land that shall fall to you for an inheritance, even the land of Canaan according to its borders), ​
3
then your south quarter shall be from the wilderness of Zin along by the side of Edom, and your south border shall be from the end of the Salt Sea eastward. ​
4
Your border shall turn about southward of the ascent of Akrabbim, and pass along to Zin; and it shall pass southward of Kadesh Barnea; and it shall go from there to Hazar Addar, and pass along to Azmon.
5
The border shall turn about from Azmon to the brook of Egypt, and it shall end at the sea. ​
6
“‘For the western border, you shall have the great sea and its border. This shall be your west border.
7
“‘This shall be your north border: from the great sea you shall mark out for yourselves Mount Hor. ​
8
From Mount Hor you shall mark out to the entrance of Hamath; and the border shall pass by Zedad.
9
Then the border shall go to Ziphron, and it shall end at Hazar Enan. This shall be your north border.
10
“‘You shall mark out your east border from Hazar Enan to Shepham.
11
The border shall go down from Shepham to Riblah, on the east side of Ain. The border shall go down, and shall reach to the side of the sea of Chinnereth eastward. ​
12
The border shall go down to the Jordan, and end at the Salt Sea. This shall be your land according to its borders around it.’”

Instructions for Dividing the Land

13
Moses commanded the children of Israel, saying, “This is the land which you shall inherit by lot, which the LORD has commanded to give to the nine tribes, and to the half-tribe; ​
14
for the tribe of the children of Reuben according to their fathers’ houses, and the tribe of the children of Gad according to their fathers’ houses, have received, and the half-tribe of Manasseh have received, their inheritance.
15
The two tribes and the half-tribe have received their inheritance beyond the Jordan at Jericho eastward, toward the sunrise.”

Appointed Leaders to Divide the Land

16
The LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
17
“These are the names of the men who shall divide the land to you for inheritance: Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun. ​
18
You shall take one prince of every tribe, to divide the land for inheritance.
19
These are the names of the men: Of the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh. ​
20
Of the tribe of the children of Simeon, Shemuel the son of Ammihud.
21
Of the tribe of Benjamin, Elidad the son of Chislon.
22
Of the tribe of the children of Dan a prince, Bukki the son of Jogli.
23
Of the children of Joseph: of the tribe of the children of Manasseh a prince, Hanniel the son of Ephod.
24
Of the tribe of the children of Ephraim a prince, Kemuel the son of Shiphtan.
25
Of the tribe of the children of Zebulun a prince, Elizaphan the son of Parnach.
26
Of the tribe of the children of Issachar a prince, Paltiel the son of Azzan.
27
Of the tribe of the children of Asher a prince, Ahihud the son of Shelomi.
28
Of the tribe of the children of Naphtali a prince, Pedahel the son of Ammihud.”
29
These are they whom the LORD commanded to divide the inheritance to the children of Israel 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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