Numbers 34

1 The Lord said to Moses,

2 "Give this command to the people of Israel: 'You will soon enter Canaan and it will be yours. These shall be the borders:

3 On the south you will get part of the Desert of Zin near the border of Edom. On the east side your southern border will start at the south end of the Dead Sea,

4 cross south of Scorpion Pass, and go through the Desert of Zin and south of Kadesh Barnea. Then it will go to Hazar Addar and over to Azmon.

5 From Azmon it will go to the brook of Egypt, and it will end at the Mediterranean Sea.

6 "'Your western border will be the Mediterranean Sea.

7 "'Your northern border will begin at the Mediterranean Sea and go to Mount Hor.

8 From Mount Hor it will go to Lebo Hamath, and on to Zedad.

9 Then the border will go to Ziphron, and it will end at Hazar Enan. This will be your northern border.

10 "'Your eastern border will begin at Hazar Enan and go to Shepham.

11 From Shepham the border will go east of Ain to Riblah and along the hills east of Lake Galilee.

12 Then the border will go down along the Jordan River and end at the Dead Sea. "'These are the borders around your country.'"

13 So Moses gave this command to the Israelites: "This is the land you will receive. Throw lots to divide it among the nine and one-half tribes, because the Lord commanded that it should be theirs.

14 The tribes of Reuben, Gad, and East Manasseh have already received their land.

15 These two and one-half tribes received land east of the Jordan River, across from Jericho."

16 Then the Lord said to Moses,

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

18 Also take one leader from each tribe to help divide the land.

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

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

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

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

23 from the tribe of Manasseh son of Joseph, Hanniel son of Ephod;

24 from the tribe of Ephraim son of Joseph, Kemuel son of Shiphtan;

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

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

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

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

29 The Lord commanded these men to divide the land of Canaan among 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.