Numbers 34:7

And this shall be your north border: from the great sea ye shall point out for you mount Hor:

And this shall be your north {H6828} border {H1366}: from the great {H1419} sea {H3220} ye shall point out {H8376} for you mount {H2022} Hor {H2023}:

"Your northern border will be as follows: from the Great Sea mark a line to Mount Hor,

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

And this shall be your north border: from the great sea ye shall mark out for you mount Hor;

Commentary

Numbers 34:7 details a crucial part of the northern boundary of the land of Canaan, as God meticulously outlined the territory for the tribes of Israel to inherit. This verse, "And this shall be your north border: from the great sea ye shall point out for you mount Hor:" provides geographical clarity for the divine allotment.

Context

Numbers chapter 34 provides God's precise instructions to Moses regarding the future boundaries of the land of Canaan, the promised inheritance for the twelve tribes of Israel. Following the wilderness wanderings, this detailed demarcation was essential for establishing the national identity and secure territory of the Israelites. The chapter describes the borders from south to north, and east to west, ensuring every part of the land was divinely appointed. Verse 7 specifically defines a segment of the northern border, starting from the Mediterranean Sea and extending to a prominent landmark, Mount Hor.

Key Themes

  • Divine Precision and Order: The meticulous detailing of the land's boundaries underscores God's orderly nature and His specific, deliberate plan for His people. It shows that God leaves nothing to chance regarding His promises.
  • Fulfillment of Promise: This mapping is a tangible step towards the fulfillment of the covenant God made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob concerning their descendants inheriting a specific land. It highlights God's faithfulness to His word across generations.
  • Secured Inheritance: By defining clear geographical boundaries, God provided Israel with a secure and distinct territory, essential for their identity as a nation and for preventing future disputes over land ownership.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Great Sea": This term consistently refers to the Mediterranean Sea in biblical texts. It formed a natural and significant western boundary for the land of Canaan, extending northward to where the northern border would begin its eastward turn.
  • "Mount Hor": While there is another Mount Hor famous as the site of Aaron's death (Numbers 20:28), the "Mount Hor" mentioned here as part of the northern border is generally believed by scholars to be a different peak, located further north, possibly in the vicinity of the Lebanon mountain range, serving as a distinct landmark for the border's delineation. Its precise identification remains a subject of scholarly discussion, but its role as a key point for the boundary is clear.

Practical Application

Numbers 34:7, within the broader context of God defining Israel's borders, offers several timeless lessons:

  • God's Faithfulness in Detail: Just as God was faithful to precisely delineate the physical inheritance for Israel, He is faithful in every detail of His promises to us. We can trust His meticulous plan for our lives and our spiritual inheritance.
  • Divine Provision and Purpose: This passage reminds us that God provides a clear "territory" or purpose for His people. Just as Israel had a defined land, believers have a defined calling and a spiritual inheritance in Christ, which God meticulously plans and secures.
  • Clarity in Guidance: God's clear instructions for the land's borders can symbolize the clarity and guidance He offers for our lives. When we seek His will, He provides definite markers and direction, enabling us to walk securely within His boundaries.
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Cross-References

  • Numbers 33:37 (3 votes)

    And they removed from Kadesh, and pitched in mount Hor, in the edge of the land of Edom.

  • Numbers 34:6 (2 votes)

    And [as for] the western border, ye shall even have the great sea for a border: this shall be your west border.

  • Numbers 34:9 (2 votes)

    And the border shall go on to Ziphron, and the goings out of it shall be at Hazarenan: this shall be your north border.

  • Numbers 34:10 (2 votes)

    And ye shall point out your east border from Hazarenan to Shepham:

  • Ezekiel 47:15 (2 votes)

    And this [shall be] the border of the land toward the north side, from the great sea, the way of Hethlon, as men go to Zedad;

  • Ezekiel 47:17 (2 votes)

    And the border from the sea shall be Hazarenan, the border of Damascus, and the north northward, and the border of Hamath. And [this is] the north side.

  • Numbers 34:3 (2 votes)

    Then your south quarter shall be from the wilderness of Zin along by the coast of Edom, and your south border shall be the outmost coast of the salt sea eastward: