Numbers · Chapter 34

Verses 1, 2. God here directs Moses, and he is ordered to direct Israel, concerning the line by which the land of Canaan was to be bounded on all sides. Its limits, or bounds, are described, 1st, To guide and bound them in their wars and conquests, that they might not seek the enlargement of their empire, after the manner of other nations, but be contented with their own portion. 2d, To encourage them in their attempt upon Canaan, and assure them of their success. There was a much larger possession promised them, if they were obedient, even to the river Euphrates; and even so far the dominions of Israel did extend in David’s and Solomon’s time, 2 Chronicles 9:26. But this, which is properly Canaan, lay in a very little compass. It is but about a hundred and sixty miles in length, and about fifty in breadth. This was that little spot of ground, in which alone, for many ages, God was known! But its littleness was abundantly compensated by its fruitfulness; otherwise it could not have sustained so numerous a nation. See how little a share of the world God often gives to his own people! But they that have their portion in heaven, can be content with a small pittance of this earth.

V. 2. Coasts-Or limits or bounds, to wit, of the land beyond Jordan. Which are here particularly described, 1. to direct and bound them in their wars and conquests, that they might not seek the enlargement of their empire, after the manner of other nations, but be contented with their own portion. 2. To encourage them in their attempt upon Canaan, and assure them of their success. There was a much larger possession promised them, if they were obedient, even to the river Euphrates. But this, which is properly Canaan, lay in a very little compass. ‘Tis but about an hundred and fifty miles in length, and about fifty in breadth. This was that little spot of ground, in which alone for many ages God was known! But its littleness was abundantly compensated by its fruitfulness: otherwise it could not have sustained so numerous a nation. See, how little a share of the world God often gives to his own people! But they that have their portion in heaven, can be content with a small pittance of this earth.

Verse 2. The land of Canaan with the coasts thereof] All description here is useless. The situation and boundaries of the land of Canaan can only be known by actual survey, or by consulting a good map.

Verses 1, 2. God here directs Moses, and he is ordered to direct Israel, concerning the line by which the land of Canaan was to be bounded on all sides. Its limits, or bounds, are described, 1st, To guide and bound them in their wars and conquests, that they might not seek the enlargement of their empire, after the manner of other nations, but be contented with their own portion. 2d, To encourage them in their attempt upon Canaan, and assure them of their success. There was a much larger possession promised them, if they were obedient, even to the river Euphrates; and even so far the dominions of Israel did extend in David’s and Solomon’s time, 2 Chronicles 9:26. But this, which is properly Canaan, lay in a very little compass. It is but about a hundred and sixty miles in length, and about fifty in breadth. This was that little spot of ground, in which alone, for many ages, God was known! But its littleness was abundantly compensated by its fruitfulness; otherwise it could not have sustained so numerous a nation. See how little a share of the world God often gives to his own people! But they that have their portion in heaven, can be content with a small pittance of this earth.

Verse 2. This is the land. It was proper to fix the line of the boundaries to prevent war for aggrandizement. It reached from the river of Egypt to the river Euphrates, as in Joshua 1., and mount Lebanon, and was circumscribed south and east by the desert; yet they never properly possessed more than from Dan, the colony in the north-east, Judges 7., to Beersheba. The nations that surrounded them were indeed made tributary to some of the kings of Judah, but never dispossessed of their country.

2. With the coasts thereof — Literally, according to its boundaries.

V. 3. Your fourth quarter-Which is here described from east to west by divers windings and turnings, by reason of the mountains and rivers. The salt sea-So called from the salt and sulphurous taste of its waters. Eastward-That is, at the eastern part of that sea, where the eastern and southern borders meet.

Verse 3. The salt sea] The Dead Sea, or lake Asphaltites. See Clarke’s note on “Genesis 19:25”.

Verse 3. Your south quarter — Which is here described from east to west by divers windings and turnings, by reason of the mountains and rivers. Though Canaan itself was a pleasant land, as it is termed Daniel 8:9, yet it butted upon wildernesses and seas, and was surrounded with divers melancholy prospects. And thus the vineyard of the church is compassed on all hands with the desert of this world, which serves as a foil to it, to make it appear the more amiable and desirable. Many of the borders of Canaan, however, were its defences and fortifications, and rendered the access of its enemies more difficult. The utmost coast of the salt sea — So called from the salt and sulphureous taste of its waters; and termed also the Dead sea, because no creature, it appears, will live in it, on account of its excessive saltness, or rather bituminous quality. “It contains,” says Volney, “neither animal nor vegetable life. We see no verdure on its banks, nor are fish to be found within its waters.” This was part of the border of the Israelites, that it might be a constant warning to them to take heed of those sins which had been the ruin of Sodom: yet the iniquity of Sodom was afterward found in Israel; (Ezekiel 16:49;) for which Canaan was made, though not a salt sea, as Sodom, yet a barren soil, and continues such to this day. Eastward — That is, at the eastern part of that sea, where the eastern and southern borders of the land met. Thus Moses determines the boundary of Canaan, on the south, to be Idumaea and the deserts of Arabia.

3-5. Your south quarter — The southern boundary is the same as that of the tribe of Judah on the south. Joshua 15:2-5, notes. The Revised Version gives an improved translation, “the brook of Egypt.” Genesis 15:18, note. Edom, here, is not Mount Seir, but the country south of the wilderness of Zin or Wady Murreh, namely, the mountain land of the Azazimeh, which the Arabs still call Seir or Serr.

V. 4. From the south-Or, on the south, that is, proceeding onward towards the south. Azmon-Which is at the west-end of the mount of Edom.

Verses 4-6. From the south to Kadesh-barnea — Rather, shall extend on the south to Kadesh-barnea westward. Unto the river of Egypt — That is, the Nile. Not that the Jews did really extend their territories so far as the Nile; but thus far they were allowed to extend them. The goings out of it shall be at the sea — The Midland or Mediterranean sea, called the sea, emphatically, and (verse 6,) the great sea, in opposition to the sea of Galilee, and the Dead sea, which are indeed but lakes. This midland sea was to be their western border.

3-5. Your south quarter — The southern boundary is the same as that of the tribe of Judah on the south. Joshua 15:2-5, notes. The Revised Version gives an improved translation, “the brook of Egypt.” Genesis 15:18, note. Edom, here, is not Mount Seir, but the country south of the wilderness of Zin or Wady Murreh, namely, the mountain land of the Azazimeh, which the Arabs still call Seir or Serr.

V. 5. The river of Egypt-Called Sihor, Joshua 13:3, which divided Egypt from Canaan. The sea-The midland sea, called the sea emphatically, whereas the other seas, as they are called, are indeed but lakes.

Verse 5. The river of Egypt] The eastern branch of the river Nile; or, according to others, a river which is south of the land of the Philistines, and fails into the gulf or bay near Calieh.

Verses 4-6. From the south to Kadesh-barnea — Rather, shall extend on the south to Kadesh-barnea westward. Unto the river of Egypt — That is, the Nile. Not that the Jews did really extend their territories so far as the Nile; but thus far they were allowed to extend them. The goings out of it shall be at the sea — The Midland or Mediterranean sea, called the sea, emphatically, and (verse 6,) the great sea, in opposition to the sea of Galilee, and the Dead sea, which are indeed but lakes. This midland sea was to be their western border.

Ver. 5. The river of Egypt, is thought to have been the small river which divided Egypt from Philistia.

3-5. Your south quarter — The southern boundary is the same as that of the tribe of Judah on the south. Joshua 15:2-5, notes. The Revised Version gives an improved translation, “the brook of Egypt.” Genesis 15:18, note. Edom, here, is not Mount Seir, but the country south of the wilderness of Zin or Wady Murreh, namely, the mountain land of the Azazimeh, which the Arabs still call Seir or Serr.

V. 6. The great sea-This midland sea from the south to the north, so far as it runs parallel with mount Libanus.

Verse 6. Ye shall even have the great sea for a border] The Mediterranean Sea, called here the Great Sea, to distinguish it from the Dead Sea, the Sea of Tiberias, &c., which were only a sort of lakes. In Hebrew there is properly but one term, ים yam, which is applied to all collections of water apparently stagnant, and which is generally translated sea. The Greek of the New Testament follows the Hebrew, and employs, in general, the word qalassa, SEA, whether it speaks of the Mediterranean, or of the sea or lake of Galilee.

Verses 4-6. From the south to Kadesh-barnea — Rather, shall extend on the south to Kadesh-barnea westward. Unto the river of Egypt — That is, the Nile. Not that the Jews did really extend their territories so far as the Nile; but thus far they were allowed to extend them. The goings out of it shall be at the sea — The Midland or Mediterranean sea, called the sea, emphatically, and (verse 6,) the great sea, in opposition to the sea of Galilee, and the Dead sea, which are indeed but lakes. This midland sea was to be their western border.

Ver. 6. The great sea. The Mediterranean is here, and in Daniel, called the Great sea, in comparison of the sea of Sodom, and of Galilee.

V. 7. Hor-Not that Hor where Aaron died, which was southward, and bordering upon Edom, but another mountain, and, as it is conceived, the mountain of Libanus, which is elsewhere mentioned as the northern border of the land, and which, in regard of divers parts, or by divers people, is called by divers names, and here Hor, which signifies a mountain, by way of eminency.

Verses 7, 8. Mount Hor — Not that Hor where Aaron died, which was southward, and bordering upon Edom, but another mountain, probably Hermon, or some part of mount Lebanon, which is elsewhere mentioned as the northern border of the land, and which, in regard of divers parts, or by divers people, is called by divers names, and here Hor, which signifies a mountain, by way of eminence. Accordingly we find Lebanon and Hermon joined with the entrance of Hamath, (Joshua 13:5,) as mount Hor is here.

7-9. Your north border — This cannot be accurately identified, since the whole topography is in a most unsatisfactory state as regards the comprehension of the original record and knowledge of the ground, all the places being now unknown except Hamath, which must mean the kingdom of Hamath, and not Hamath, its capital city, modern Hamah, called Epiphania by the Greeks and Romans. Numbers 13:21, note. Mount Hor — This is not to be confounded with the Mount Hor of the Seir range. Numbers 20:22, note. This Mount Hor is spoken of only here. Its identification is one of the puzzles of sacred geography. Some suppose that the great chain of Lebanon itself is meant, which is clearly the natural northern boundary of Palestine. Knobel moves the boundary still farther north, and identifies Mount Hor with Mons Casius, southwest of Antioch, on the Orontes. Robinson agrees with him in recognising this Zedad in Zadad, a Syriac Christian village of three thousand inhabitants, to the southeast of Hunes, on the east of the road from Damascus to Hunes. Wetstein and Knobel suppose that Ziphron is the same as a ruined city, Zifran, of which we have no accurate information except that it is fourteen hours to the northeast of Damascus, near to the road from Palmyra. The location of Hazar-enan is in dispute; some contending for Centum Putea, twenty-seven miles northwest of Palmyra, and others showing that it is impossible that this could be a border town.

Verses 7, 8. Mount Hor — Not that Hor where Aaron died, which was southward, and bordering upon Edom, but another mountain, probably Hermon, or some part of mount Lebanon, which is elsewhere mentioned as the northern border of the land, and which, in regard of divers parts, or by divers people, is called by divers names, and here Hor, which signifies a mountain, by way of eminence. Accordingly we find Lebanon and Hermon joined with the entrance of Hamath, (Joshua 13:5,) as mount Hor is here.

Ver. 8. The entrance of Hamath, in the defiles of mount Lebanon. The Assyrian armies entered here.

7-9. Your north border — This cannot be accurately identified, since the whole topography is in a most unsatisfactory state as regards the comprehension of the original record and knowledge of the ground, all the places being now unknown except Hamath, which must mean the kingdom of Hamath, and not Hamath, its capital city, modern Hamah, called Epiphania by the Greeks and Romans. Numbers 13:21, note. Mount Hor — This is not to be confounded with the Mount Hor of the Seir range. Numbers 20:22, note. This Mount Hor is spoken of only here. Its identification is one of the puzzles of sacred geography. Some suppose that the great chain of Lebanon itself is meant, which is clearly the natural northern boundary of Palestine. Knobel moves the boundary still farther north, and identifies Mount Hor with Mons Casius, southwest of Antioch, on the Orontes. Robinson agrees with him in recognising this Zedad in Zadad, a Syriac Christian village of three thousand inhabitants, to the southeast of Hunes, on the east of the road from Damascus to Hunes. Wetstein and Knobel suppose that Ziphron is the same as a ruined city, Zifran, of which we have no accurate information except that it is fourteen hours to the northeast of Damascus, near to the road from Palmyra. The location of Hazar-enan is in dispute; some contending for Centum Putea, twenty-seven miles northwest of Palmyra, and others showing that it is impossible that this could be a border town.

7-9. Your north border — This cannot be accurately identified, since the whole topography is in a most unsatisfactory state as regards the comprehension of the original record and knowledge of the ground, all the places being now unknown except Hamath, which must mean the kingdom of Hamath, and not Hamath, its capital city, modern Hamah, called Epiphania by the Greeks and Romans. Numbers 13:21, note. Mount Hor — This is not to be confounded with the Mount Hor of the Seir range. Numbers 20:22, note. This Mount Hor is spoken of only here. Its identification is one of the puzzles of sacred geography. Some suppose that the great chain of Lebanon itself is meant, which is clearly the natural northern boundary of Palestine. Knobel moves the boundary still farther north, and identifies Mount Hor with Mons Casius, southwest of Antioch, on the Orontes. Robinson agrees with him in recognising this Zedad in Zadad, a Syriac Christian village of three thousand inhabitants, to the southeast of Hunes, on the east of the road from Damascus to Hunes. Wetstein and Knobel suppose that Ziphron is the same as a ruined city, Zifran, of which we have no accurate information except that it is fourteen hours to the northeast of Damascus, near to the road from Palmyra. The location of Hazar-enan is in dispute; some contending for Centum Putea, twenty-seven miles northwest of Palmyra, and others showing that it is impossible that this could be a border town.

Verse 10. Your east border — This ran from the head of Jordan along the course of that river, taking in the lake of Gennesareth, called in the New Testament, the sea of Galilee, and the sea of Tiberias, (John 6:1,) and here, the sea of Chinnereth, or Cinnereth, from the Hebrew, cinnor, a harp, the figure of which it resembles. Shepham and Riblah were two places near Jordan. Ain signifies a fountain, and the passage may be rendered, On the east side of the fountain — Namely, of Jordan, for that river had more sources than one.

10. East border — The uncertainty pertaining to the northern boundary renders the beginning of the eastern obscure also. Shepham is not certainly known.

Verse 11. The sea of Chinnereth] The same as the sea of Galilee, sea of Tiberias, and sea of Gennesareth.

Ver. 11. The sea of Chinnereth. This is mentioned in Joshua 12:3. 13:27. 19:35. The city of Chinnereth is mentioned among the fortified towns. It is written Gennesaret in Matthew 14:34, and is mostly called the sea of Galilee.

11, 12. Riblah cannot be identified with “Riblah in the land of Hamath,” seeing that four landmarks occur between them. The east side of Ain — Since Ain is a common noun signifying a fountain, and since there are many fountains in northern Palestine, we get no clew from it to the eastern borderline. Robinson identifies this spring with the great fountain of Neba or Birket Anjar, at the foot of Antilibanus. Sea of Chinnereth — Sea of Tiberias or Galilee. Joshua 11:2; Matthew 4:13, notes. Down to Jordan — The boundary shall go along the Jordan (downward) and its termination shall be the salt sea, or the Dead Sea. Genesis 14:3, note. Coasts — Boundaries. Thus eastern Palestine, the land beyond the Jordan, is not included in the Holy Land.

THE COMMISSIONERS FOR DISTRIBUTING THE LAND, 16-29.

The ex officio members of this commission were Eleazar, the high priest, and Joshua, the commander of the army, as the lieutenant of Jehovah. Joshua 5:14. Of the ten princes, representing the nine and a half tribes, Caleb is the only one of whom any thing else is known. The order of the tribes here enumerated, with slight exceptions, corresponds both to their fraternal relationship and to their geographical location in Canaan, reckoning from south to north. This deviates somewhat from the order in which the lots came out for the different tribes according to Joshua xv-xix. CONCLUDING NOTE.

By inspecting Genesis 15:18; Deuteronomy 11:24, and 2 Samuel 8:3, it will be seen that the Euphrates was the eastern boundary of the Land of Promise, while this chapter and Joshua 13:9-12, assign a different limit, which greatly diminishes the land. “Keil suggests that these different passages give the limits — the maxima and minima — of the promise; the actual extent to be determined by and proportionate to Israel’s loyalty and fidelity to God.” — Haley.

Verse 12. The border shall go down to Jordan] This river is famous both in the Old and New Testaments. It takes its rise at the foot of Mount Libanus, passes through the sea of Chinnereth or Tiberias, and empties itself into the lake Asphaltites or Dead Sea, from which it has no outlet. In and by it God wrought many miracles. God cut off the waters of this river as he did those of the Red Sea, so that they stood on a heap on each side, and the people passed over on dry ground. Both Elijah and Elisha separated its waters in a miraculous way, 2 Kings 2:8-14. Naaman, the Syrian general, by washing in it at the command of the prophet, was miraculously cured of his leprosy, 2 Kings 5:10-14. In this river John baptized great multitudes of Jews; and in it was CHRIST himself baptized, and the Spirit of God descended upon him, and the voice from heaven proclaimed him the great and only Teacher and Saviour of men, Matthew 3:16, 17; Mark 1:5-11.

11, 12. Riblah cannot be identified with “Riblah in the land of Hamath,” seeing that four landmarks occur between them. The east side of Ain — Since Ain is a common noun signifying a fountain, and since there are many fountains in northern Palestine, we get no clew from it to the eastern borderline. Robinson identifies this spring with the great fountain of Neba or Birket Anjar, at the foot of Antilibanus. Sea of Chinnereth — Sea of Tiberias or Galilee. Joshua 11:2; Matthew 4:13, notes. Down to Jordan — The boundary shall go along the Jordan (downward) and its termination shall be the salt sea, or the Dead Sea. Genesis 14:3, note. Coasts — Boundaries. Thus eastern Palestine, the land beyond the Jordan, is not included in the Holy Land.

THE COMMISSIONERS FOR DISTRIBUTING THE LAND, 16-29.

The ex officio members of this commission were Eleazar, the high priest, and Joshua, the commander of the army, as the lieutenant of Jehovah. Joshua 5:14. Of the ten princes, representing the nine and a half tribes, Caleb is the only one of whom any thing else is known. The order of the tribes here enumerated, with slight exceptions, corresponds both to their fraternal relationship and to their geographical location in Canaan, reckoning from south to north. This deviates somewhat from the order in which the lots came out for the different tribes according to Joshua xv-xix. CONCLUDING NOTE.

By inspecting Genesis 15:18; Deuteronomy 11:24, and 2 Samuel 8:3, it will be seen that the Euphrates was the eastern boundary of the Land of Promise, while this chapter and Joshua 13:9-12, assign a different limit, which greatly diminishes the land. “Keil suggests that these different passages give the limits — the maxima and minima — of the promise; the actual extent to be determined by and proportionate to Israel’s loyalty and fidelity to God.” — Haley.

Verse 13. This is the land which ye shall inherit by lot] Much of what is said concerning this land is peculiarly emphatic. It is a land that contains a multitude of advantages in its climate, its soil, situation, &c. It is bounded on the south by a ridge of mountains, which separate it from Arabia, and screen it from the burning and often pestiferous winds which blow over the desert from that quarter. On the west it is bounded by the Mediterranean Sea; on the north, by Mount Libanus, which defends it from the cold northern blasts; and on the east by the river Jordan, and its fertile, well-watered plains. It is described by God himself as “a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains, and depths that spring out of valleys and hills; a land of wheat, and barley, and vines, and fig trees, and pomegranates; a land of olive oil and honey; a land wherein there was no scarcity of bread, and where both iron and copper mines abounded,” Deuteronomy 8:7-9: a land finely diversified with hills and valleys, and well watered by the rain of heaven, in this respect widely different from Egypt; a land which God cared for, on which his eyes were continually placed from the beginning to the end of the year; watched over by a most merciful Providence; in a word, a land which flowed with milk and honey, and was the most pleasant of all lands; Deuteronomy 11:11,12; Ezekiel 20:6. Such was the land, and such were the advantages that this most favoured people were called to possess. They were called to possess it by lot that each might be satisfied with his possession, as considering it to be appointed to him by the especial providence of God; and its boundaries were ascertained on Divine authority, to prevent all covetousness after the territories of others.

Verse 13. This is the land which ye shall inherit — This is repeated, that they might not extend their desires beyond the bounds of God’s gracious grant to them. And, by the foregoing description, it appears that they were placed in a very pleasant land, sheltered from the sultry air of the deserts of Arabia by great mountains on the south, refreshed by western breezes from the Mediterranean sea, and on the north defended by mount Lebanon from the colder blasts of that quarter, and having the delightful plains of Jordan on the east.

V. 17. Eleazar-Who was to act in God’s name, to cast lots, to prevent contentions, to consult with God in cases of difficulty, to transact the whole business in a solemn and religious manner.

Verse 17. These are the men that shall divide the land — Although the division of the land was to be made by lot, (verse 13,) yet it was proper there should be some persons appointed to oversee this business, and to take care that there should be no fraud nor quarrels in the drawing of the lots. The management of it, therefore, is ordered to be in the hands of the high-priest, of the governor, or chief general, and a principal officer chosen out of each tribe, as its representative. Eleazar the priest — Was to preside in God’s name, to cast lots, to prevent contentions, to consult with God in cases of difficulty, and to see that the whole business was transacted in a solemn and religious manner.

V. 19. Judah-The order of the tribes is here different from that, Numbers 1:7,26, and in other places, being conformed to the order of their several inheritances, which afterwards fell to them by lots. Which is an evident demonstration of the infinite wisdom of God’s providence, and of his peculiar care over his people.

Verse 19. - &c. And the names of the men-are these] It is worthy of remark that Moses does not follow any order hitherto used of placing the tribes, neither that in chap. i., nor that in chap. vii., nor that in chap. xxvi., nor any other; but places them here exactly in that order in which they possessed the land. 1. Judah; 2. Simeon; 3. Benjamin; 4. Dan; 5. Manasseh;

6. Ephraim; 7. Zebulun; 8. Issachar; 9. Asher; 10. Naphtali. Judah is first, having the first lot; and he dwelt in the south part of the land, Joshua 15:1, &c.; and next to him Simeon, because his inheritance was within the inheritance of the children of Judah, Joshua 19:1. Benjamin was third; he had his inheritance by Judah, between the children of Judah and the children of Joseph, Joshua 18:11. Dan was the fourth; his lot fell westward of that of Benjamin, in the country of the Philistines, as may be seen in Joshua 19:40, 41, &c. Fifth, Manasseh; and sixth, by him, his brother Ephraim, whose inheritances were behind that of Benjamin, Joshua 16:7. Next to these dwelt, seventh, Zebulun; and eighth, Issachar; concerning whose lots see Joshua 19:10-17. Ninth, Asher; and tenth, Naphtali; see Joshua 19:24,32, &c. And as in encamping about the tabernacle they were arranged according to their fraternal relationship, (see Numbers 2:1-31,) so they were in the division and inheriting of the promised land. Judah and Simeon, both sons of Leah, dwelt abreast of each other. Benjamin, son of Rachel, and Dan, son of Rachel’s maid, dwelt next abreast. Manasseh and Ephraim, both sons of Joseph, son of Rachel, had the next place abreast. Zebulun and Issachar, who dwelt next together, were both sons of Leah; and the last pair were Asher, of Leah’s maid, and Naphtali, of Rachel’s maid. Thus God, in nominating princes that should divide the land, signified beforehand the manner of their possession, and that they should be so situated as to dwell together as brethren in unity, for the mutual help and comfort of each other. See Ainsworth. In this arrangement there is much skill, judgment, and kindness every where displayed.

NUMBERS

Verse 19. Of the tribe of Judah — The tribes are not set down here in the same order that was observed at their first and second numbering, (Numbers 1:5-7, and 26:5,) but according to the situation in which they were afterward placed in the land of Canaan; as if Moses had foreseen what tribes should be next neighbours one to another. And as, when they encamped, they were placed according to their brotherhood, so, in inheriting the land, we see a similar order observed: Judah and Simeon, both sons of Leah, dwelt by one another: next, Benjamin of Rachel, and Dan of Rachel’s maid: Manasseh and Ephraim, both sons of Joseph, had the next place: Zebulon and Issachar, who dwelt next together, were both sons of Leah: and the last pair were Asher of Leah’s maid, and Naphtali of Rachel’s maid. Here, therefore, we have an evident proof of the wisdom of God’s providence, and of his peculiar care of his people.