Numbers 34

1 ADONAI told Moshe

2 to give this order to the people of Isra'el: "When you enter the land of Kena'an, it will become your land to pass on as an inheritance, the land of Kena'an as defined by these borders.

3 "Your southern portion will extend from the Tzin Desert close to the border of Edom. The eastern terminus of your southern border is at the end of the Dead Sea.

4 From there your border turns, goes south of the 'Akrabbim Ascent and passes on to Tzin. From there it goes south of Kadesh-Barnea, on to Hatzar-Adar, and on to 'Atzmon.

5 Then the border turns and goes from 'Atzmon to the Vadi of Egypt and along it to the Sea.

6 "Your western border will be the Great Sea.

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

8 and from Mount Hor mark a line to the entrance of Hamat. The border goes out to Tz'dad.

9 Then the border goes to Zifron and finally to Hatzar-'Einan; this is your northern border.

10 "For the eastern border mark your line from Hatzar-'Enan to Sh'fam.

11 Then the border goes down from Sh'fam to Rivlah, on the east side of 'Ayin, then down until it hits the slope east of Lake Kinneret.

12 From there it goes down the Yarden River till it flows into the Dead Sea. These will be the borders of your land."

13 Moshe gave this order to the people of Isra'el: "This is the land in which you will receive inheritances by lot, which ADONAI has ordered to give to the nine tribes and the half-tribe.

14 The tribe of the descendants of Re'uven have already received their land for inheritance according to their clans, and so have the descendants of Gad and the half-tribe of M'nasheh.

15 These two-and-a-half tribes have received their inheritance on this side of the Yarden, across from Yericho and eastward, toward the sunrise."

16 ADONAI said to Moshe,

17 "These are the names of the men who will take possession of the land for you: El'azar the cohen and Y'hoshua the son of Nun.

18 Also appoint one leader from each tribe to take possession of the land.

19 The names of these men are: from the tribe of Y'hudah, Kalev the son of Y'funeh;

20 from the tribe of the descendants of Shim'on, Sh'mu'el the son of 'Ammihud;

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

22 from the tribe of the descendants of Dan, a leader, Buki the son of Yogli;

23 from the descendants of Yosef: from the tribe of the descendants of M'nasheh, a leader, Hani'el the son of Efod;

24 from the tribe of the descendants of Efrayim, a leader, K'mu'el the son of Shiftan;

25 from the tribe of the descendants of Z'vulun, a leader, Elitzafan the son of Parnakh;

26 from the tribe of the descendants of Yissakhar, a leader, Palti'el the son of 'Azan;

27 from the tribe of the descendants of Asher, a leader, Achihud the son of Shlomi;

28 from the tribe of the descendants of Naftali, a leader, P'dah'el the son of 'Ammihud."

29 These are the ones whom ADONAI ordered to divide the inheritance among the people of Isra'el in the land of Kena'an.

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.