Numbers 34

1 The LORD said to Moses,

2 "Give the Israelites these instructions. When you enter Canaan, the land that will be given to you as your inheritance has these borders:

3 "The southern side includes part of the Desert of Zin along the border of Edom. In the east the southern border starts from the end of the Dead Sea

4 and turns south of the Akrabbim Pass. It then goes past Zin and ends at Kadesh Barnea. From there it goes to Hazar Addar and on to Azmon.

5 From Azmon it turns toward the River of Egypt so that the border ends at the Mediterranean Sea.

6 "The western border is the coastline of the Mediterranean Sea.

7 "The northern border extends from the Mediterranean Sea to Mount Hor,

8 and from Mount Hor to the border of Hamath so that it ends at Zedad.

9 From there the border goes to Ziphron and ends at Hazar Enan.

10 "The eastern border extends from Hazar Enan to Shepham.

11 From Shepham the border goes down to Riblah, east of Ain, and continues along the eastern slope of the Sea of Galilee.

12 Then the border goes along the Jordan River so that it ends at the Dead Sea. "This will be your land and the borders around it."

13 Moses commanded the Israelites, "This is the land you will divide by drawing lots. The LORD has commanded that this land will be given to the nine-and-a-half tribes.

14 The households from the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of the tribe of Manasseh have already received their land.

15 Those two-and-a-half tribes received land east of the Jordan River across from Jericho."

16 The LORD said to Moses,

17 "These are the names of the men who will divide the land for you: the priest Eleazar and Joshua, son of Nun.

18 You must also take one leader from each tribe to divide the land.

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

20 Shemuel, son of Ammihud, from the tribe of Simeon;

21 Elidad, son of Kislon, from the tribe of Benjamin;

22 Bukki, son of Jogli, the leader of the tribe of Dan;

23 Hanniel, son of Ephod, the leader of the tribe of Manasseh;

24 Kemuel, son of Shiphtan, the leader of the tribe of Ephraim; (Manasseh and Ephraim are Joseph's descendants.)

25 Elizaphan, son of Parnach, the leader of the tribe of Zebulun;

26 Paltiel, son of Azzan, the leader of the tribe of Issachar;

27 Ahihud, son of Shelomi, the leader of the tribe of Asher;

28 Pedahel, son of Ammihud, the leader of the tribe of Naphtali."

29 These are the men the LORD commanded to divide Canaan for the Israelites.

Numbers 34 Commentary

Chapter 34

The bounds of the promised land. (1-15) Those appointed to divide the land. (16-29)

Verses 1-15 Canaan was of small extent; as it is here bounded, it is but about 160 miles in length, and about 50 in breadth; yet this was the country promised to the father of the faithful, and the possession of the seed of Israel. This was that little spot of ground, in which alone, for many ages, God was known. This was the vineyard of the Lord, the garden enclosed; but as it is with gardens and vineyards, the narrowness of the space was made up by the fruitfulness of the soil. Though the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof, yet few know him, and serve him; but those few are happy, because fruitful to God. Also, see how little a share of the world God gives to his own people. Those who have their portion in heaven, have reason to be content with a small pittance of this earth. Yet a little that a righteous man has, having it from the love of God, and with his blessing, is far better and more comfortable than the riches of many wicked.

Verses 16-29 God here appoints men to divide the land to them. So sure must they feel of victory and success while God fought for them, that the persons are named who should be intrusted with the dividing of the land.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO NUMBERS 34

In this chapter the bounds and borders of the land Canaan are described, according to the direction of the Lord to Moses, Nu 34:1,2, the south border, Nu 34:3-5, the western border, Nu 34:6, the north border, Nu 34:7-9, the east border, Nu 34:10-12, which is ordered to be divided by lot to the nine tribes and a half, two tribes and a half having received their inheritance on the other side Jordan, Nu 34:13-15, and the persons are nominated to divide the land, Eleazar and Joshua, with one prince out of every tribe, and who are mentioned by name, Nu 34:16-29.