Numbers Chapter 34
1 The LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
2 "Command the children of Israel, and tell them, 'When you come into the land of Canaan (this is the land that shall fall to you for an inheritance, even the land of Canaan according to its borders),
3 then your south quarter shall be from the wilderness of Zin along by the side of Edom, and your south border shall be from the end of the Salt Sea eastward.
4 Your border shall turn about southward of the ascent of Akrabbim, and pass along to Zin; and it shall pass southward of Kadesh Barnea; and it shall go from there to Hazar Addar, and pass along to Azmon.
5 The border shall turn about from Azmon to the brook of Egypt, and it shall end at the sea.
6 " 'For the western border, you shall have the great sea and its border. This shall be your west border.
7 " 'This shall be your north border: from the great sea you shall mark out for yourselves Mount Hor.
8 From Mount Hor you shall mark out to the entrance of Hamath; and the border shall pass by Zedad.
9 Then the border shall go to Ziphron, and it shall end at Hazar Enan. This shall be your north border.
10 " 'You shall mark out your east border from Hazar Enan to Shepham.
11 The border shall go down from Shepham to Riblah, on the east side of Ain. The border shall go down, and shall reach to the side of the sea of Chinnereth eastward.
12 The border shall go down to the Jordan, and end at the Salt Sea. This shall be your land according to its borders around it.' "
13 Moses commanded the children of Israel, saying, "This is the land which you shall inherit by lot, which the LORD has commanded to give to the nine tribes, and to the half-tribe;
14 for the tribe of the children of Reuben according to their fathers' houses, the tribe of the children of Gad according to their fathers' houses, and the half-tribe of Manasseh have received their inheritance.
15 The two tribes and the half-tribe have received their inheritance beyond the Jordan at Jericho eastward, towards the sunrise."
16 The LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
17 "These are the names of the men who shall divide the land to you for inheritance: Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun.
18 You shall take one prince of every tribe, to divide the land for inheritance.
19 These are the names of the men: Of the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh.
20 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 Of the tribe of the children of Dan a prince, Bukki the son of Jogli.
23 Of the children of Joseph: of the tribe of the children of Manasseh a prince, Hanniel the son of Ephod.
24 Of the tribe of the children of Ephraim a prince, Kemuel the son of Shiphtan.
25 Of the tribe of the children of Zebulun a prince, Elizaphan the son of Parnach.
26 Of the tribe of the children of Issachar a prince, Paltiel the son of Azzan.
27 Of the tribe of the children of Asher a prince, Ahihud the son of Shelomi.
28 Of the tribe of the children of Naphtali a prince, Pedahel the son of Ammihud."
29 These are they whom the LORD commanded to divide the inheritance to the children of Israel in the land of Canaan.
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Numbers Chapter 34 Guide
One of the terms of the charge already considered, that the people should possess the land and that it should be divided equitably, was now enlarged upon. The division was to be according to divine arrangement and choice. It must be based as to amount on the comparative needs of the tribes. The divisions given were for those who would pass over into the land beyond Jordan according to the divine purpose. Reuben and Gad and the half- tribe of Manasseh were to have no part in that inheritance. Thrice over the words are repeated in reference to them, they have received." They had made their own choice and it was now ratified. Long after, they were the first to be captured and carried away in the breakup which ensued upon the sin of the whole of the people.
While the arrangements for division were divine, human instruments were appointed to see them carried out. These were the priest Eleazar and the princes of the tribes.
Among these one name arrests our attention. It is Caleb, the man who, with Joshua, forty years earlier had believed in the possibility of doing the; will of God in face of difficulties. Now, after the long period of disciplinary experiencing, he was appointed with Joshua again to take oversight of the partition of the land according to the divine plan.
From "An Exposition of the Whole Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan.
Numbers Chapter 34 Commentary
Chapter Outline
- 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. -- (Nu 34:16-29)
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.
From the "Concise Commentary on the Bible" by Matthew Henry.