1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
2 Command the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye come into the land of Canaan; (this [is] the land that shall fall unto you for an inheritance, [even] the land of Canaan with the coasts thereof:)
3 Then your south quarter shall be from the wilderness of Zin along by the coast of Edom, and your south border shall be the outmost coast of the salt sea eastward:
4 And your border shall turn from the south to the ascent of Akrabbim, and pass on to Zin: and the going forth thereof shall be from the south to Kadeshbarnea, and shall go on to Hazaraddar, and pass on to Azmon:
5 And the border shall fetch a compass from Azmon unto the river of Egypt, and the goings out of it shall be at the sea.
6 And [as for] the western border, ye shall even have the great sea for a border: this shall be your west border.
7 And this shall be your north border: from the great sea ye shall point out for you mount Hor:
8 From mount Hor ye shall point out [your border] unto the entrance of Hamath; and the goings forth of the border shall be to Zedad:
9 And the border shall go on to Ziphron, and the goings out of it shall be at Hazarenan: this shall be your north border.
10 And ye shall point out your east border from Hazarenan to Shepham:
11 And the coast shall go down from Shepham to Riblah, on the east side of Ain; and the border shall descend, and shall reach unto the side of the sea of Chinnereth eastward:
12 And the border shall go down to Jordan, and the goings out of it shall be at the salt sea: this shall be your land with the coasts thereof round about.
13 And Moses commanded the children of Israel, saying, This [is] the land which ye shall inherit by lot, which the LORD commanded to give unto the nine tribes, and to the half tribe:
14 For the tribe of the children of Reuben according to the house of their fathers, and the tribe of the children of Gad according to the house of their fathers, have received [their inheritance]; 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 Jordan [near] Jericho eastward, toward the sunrising.
16 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
17 These [are] the names of the men which shall divide the land unto you: Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun.
18 And ye shall take one prince of every tribe, to divide the land by inheritance.
19 And the names of the men [are] these: Of the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh.
20 And of the tribe of the children of Simeon, Shemuel the son of Ammihud.
21 Of the tribe of Benjamin, Elidad the son of Chislon.
22 And the prince of the tribe of the children of Dan, Bukki the son of Jogli.
23 The prince of the children of Joseph, for the tribe of the children of Manasseh, Hanniel the son of Ephod.
24 And the prince of the tribe of the children of Ephraim, Kemuel the son of Shiphtan.
25 And the prince of the tribe of the children of Zebulun, Elizaphan the son of Parnach.
26 And the prince of the tribe of the children of Issachar, Paltiel the son of Azzan.
27 And the prince of the tribe of the children of Asher, Ahihud the son of Shelomi.
28 And the prince of the tribe of the children of Naphtali, Pedahel the son of Ammihud.
29 These [are they] whom the LORD commanded to divide the inheritance unto the children of Israel in the land of Canaan.
Overview of Numbers Chapter 34
Numbers Chapter 34 outlines the boundaries of the land that the Israelites are to inherit, as well as the leaders appointed to oversee the distribution of the land among the tribes. This chapter serves as a crucial transition point as the Israelites prepare to enter the Promised Land after their long journey through the wilderness.
Boundary Descriptions
The chapter begins with a detailed description of the geographical boundaries of the Promised Land. These boundaries are significant as they define the land that the Israelites will possess. The Lord commands Moses to delineate the borders:
- The southern boundary extends from the wilderness of Zin along the Edomite border.
- The western boundary is defined by the Mediterranean Sea.
- The northern boundary stretches from the Great Sea to Mount Hor.
- The eastern boundary is marked by the Jordan River.
Leaders Appointed for Distribution
Following the boundary descriptions, Moses is instructed to appoint leaders from each tribe who will assist in the allocation of the land:
- Eleazar the priest
- Joshua son of Nun
- One leader from each tribe of Israel
This appointment emphasizes the importance of leadership and organization as the Israelites prepare to settle in their new homeland.
Significance of Land Distribution
The allocation of land is not merely a logistical task; it carries deep spiritual and cultural significance. The land represents God’s promise to the Israelites and their identity as His chosen people. The equitable distribution of land among the tribes is essential for maintaining unity and ensuring that each tribe has a stake in the community.
Theological Implications
This chapter highlights several theological themes:
- Divine Promise: The boundaries signify the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
- Justice and Equity: The careful delineation of land reflects God’s concern for justice and fairness among His people.
- Leadership and Responsibility: The appointment of leaders underscores the importance of responsible stewardship in the community.
Conclusion
Numbers Chapter 34 serves as a pivotal moment in the narrative of the Israelites, marking their transition from wanderers to settlers. The detailed boundaries and the appointment of leaders reflect God’s guidance and provision as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. This chapter not only sets the stage for the distribution of land but also reinforces key theological themes that resonate throughout the biblical narrative.
