Numbers 34

Numbers 34 outlines the borders of the land of Canaan, which the Israelites are to inherit as promised by God. The chapter specifies the territorial boundaries for the tribes and lists the leaders who will oversee the distribution of the land.

Numbers 34:1-3 (NKJV) 1 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 "Command the children of Israel, and say to them: 'When you come into the land of Canaan, this is the land that shall fall to you as an inheritance—the land of Canaan to its boundaries. 3 Your southern border shall be from the Wilderness of Zin along the border of Edom; then your southern border shall extend eastward to the end of the Salt Sea."

God instructs Moses to command the people of Israel regarding the land they are about to inherit in Canaan. The southern boundary is to be set from the Wilderness of Zin near Edom and will stretch eastward to the Salt Sea (Dead Sea). This specific geographical reference serves as a starting point for defining the borders of the Promised Land, grounding the inheritance in physical, real-world locations to show that God’s promises are tangible.

Numbers 34:4-5 (NKJV) 4 "Your border shall turn from the southern side of the Ascent of Akrabbim, continue to Zin, and be on the south of Kadesh Barnea; then it shall go on to Hazar Addar, and continue to Azmon. 5 The border shall turn from Azmon to the Brook of Egypt, and it shall end at the Sea."

The southern border continues by listing more precise points such as the Ascent of Akrabbim and Kadesh Barnea. These boundaries are traced to known locations, like the Brook of Egypt, which is a small watercourse that served as a natural frontier. This detailed description helps the Israelites visualize their new homeland and reinforces that it is God’s gift to them, defined and secured.

Numbers 34:6 (NKJV) 6 "As for the western border, you shall have the Great Sea for a border; this shall be your western border."

The western border of the land is straightforward—it is defined by the Mediterranean Sea. This natural boundary would serve as a secure frontier for Israel, providing access to trade routes and also a means of defense from potential enemies coming from the west.

Numbers 34:7-9 (NKJV) 7 "And this shall be your northern border: From the Great Sea you shall mark out your border line to Mount Hor; 8 From Mount Hor you shall mark out your border to the entrance of Hamath; then the direction of the border shall be toward Zedad; 9 The border shall proceed to Ziphron, and it shall end at Hazar Enan. This shall be your northern border."

The northern boundary is defined by significant landmarks like Mount Hor and the entrance of Hamath. These locations were important northern frontiers in the ancient Near East. The specificity of the northern border was crucial for Israel's protection from northern kingdoms and ensured that they had a defensible boundary as they settled in the Promised Land.

Numbers 34:10-12 (NKJV) 10 "You shall mark out your eastern 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 reach to the eastern side of the Sea of Chinnereth; 12 The border shall go down along the Jordan, and it shall end at the Salt Sea. This shall be your land with its surrounding boundaries.'"

The eastern boundary is drawn from Hazar Enan down to the Sea of Chinnereth (Sea of Galilee) and follows the Jordan River down to the Salt Sea (Dead Sea). This forms a clear geographical boundary, encompassing key water sources that would be crucial for sustaining life in the region. The defined borders are a reminder that God’s promise of land was both specific and comprehensive.

Numbers 34:13-15 (NKJV) 13 Then 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 the house of their fathers, the tribe of the children of Gad according to the house of their fathers, and half the tribe of Manasseh have received their inheritance. 15 The two tribes and the half-tribe have received their inheritance on this side of the Jordan, across from Jericho eastward, toward the sunrise."

Moses informs the Israelites that the land will be divided among nine and a half tribes, as the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh already received their land east of the Jordan River. The inheritance of these tribes was settled earlier, showing that God’s provision for His people was orderly and specific, addressing their needs on both sides of the Jordan.

Numbers 34:16-19 (NKJV) 16 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 17 "These are the names of the men who shall divide the land among you as an inheritance: Eleazar the priest and Joshua the son of Nun. 18 And you shall take one leader of every tribe to divide the land for the inheritance. 19 These are the names of the men: from the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh;"

God appoints Eleazar the priest and Joshua to oversee the division of the land, with one leader from each tribe to assist. Caleb, a faithful servant, is mentioned as the leader from the tribe of Judah. This structured approach ensures fairness and order in the distribution of the land, showing God’s wisdom in leadership and His plan for unity among the tribes.

Numbers 34:20-29 (NKJV) 20 "From the tribe of the children of Simeon, Shemuel the son of Ammihud; 21 From the tribe of Benjamin, Elidad the son of Chislon; 22 A leader from the tribe of the children of Dan, Bukki the son of Jogli; 23 From the sons of Joseph: a leader from the tribe of the children of Manasseh, Hanniel the son of Ephod, 24 And a leader from the tribe of the children of Ephraim, Kemuel the son of Shiphtan; 25 A leader from the tribe of the children of Zebulun, Elizaphan the son of Parnach; 26 A leader from the tribe of the children of Issachar, Paltiel the son of Azzan; 27 A leader from the tribe of the children of Asher, Ahihud the son of Shelomi; 28 And a leader from the tribe of the children of Naphtali, Pedahel the son of Ammihud." 29 These are the ones the Lord commanded to divide the inheritance among the children of Israel in the land of Canaan.

The passage concludes by listing the leaders from each tribe who will be responsible for dividing the land. Each tribe has a designated leader, and this inclusion of names highlights the personal responsibility given to these individuals. This structured delegation not only ensures accountability but also underscores that the land inheritance is a fulfillment of God’s promises, to be managed with care and respect.