Numbers 34

CHAPTER 34

Boundaries of Canaan (34:1–29)

1–15 The boundaries of Canaan described in these verses roughly correspond to the area comprising modern Israel, the West Bank, southern Lebanon, and southeastern Syria. This area was slightly smaller than the area promised to Abraham in Genesis 15:18, which was to extend northward to the great river,the Euphrates. Only during the reigns of David and Solomon did the territory controlled by Israel extend that far (2 Chronicles 9:26). However, the boundaries outlined here did not include the conquered areas east of the Jordan River, where the two and a half tribes were planning to settle. Canaan proper, therefore, would be distributed only among the remaining nine and a half tribes.¹⁰⁵

16–29 These verses provide a list of leaders from each of the nine and a half tribes who were to assist Eleazar and Joshua in assigning the land of Canaan to the various tribes. Their work was to be carried out after the conquest of Canaan was completed; the assigning of the land is described in Joshua Chapters 14–19.