Chapter 34

1 The borders of the land. 16 The names of the men which shall divide the land.

1. The Lord spake. In the same place as when He spoke to Moses about the settlement in Canaan (ch. 33:50), for there had been no move since then.

2. When ye come. That is, into the territory between Jordan and the Mediterranean Sea (see Num. 32:32; Joshua 22:11, 32).

3. Your south quarter. Literally, “your south side.”

The salt sea. The Dead Sea, where the eastern and southern borders met. In Eze. 47:18 the prophet calls this the “east sea” (see also Gen. 14:3; Deut. 3:17; 4:49).

4. Your border shall turn. That is, the boundary line was to take a southwesterly direction.

The ascent of Akrabbim. That is, “the pass of the scorpions,” suggesting that scorpions were numerous in that neighborhood (see Joshua 15:3; Judges 1:36). Generally held to be Naqb esРSafa, a pass leading northwest from the Arabah, 15 mi. long.

Zin. The Wilderness of Zin may have received its name from this place. It is mentioned only here and in Joshua 15:3.

South to Kadesh-barnea. See on ch. 13:17, 32.

Hazar-addar. Compare Joshua 15:3, where the name of this site is given in a shorter form as Adar, with Hezron as a separate place. It has been identified with Khirbet elРQudeirat.

Azmon. This too is unidentified. Some commentators suggest the modern ФAin elРQoseimeh.

5. Fetch a compass. Literally, “make a turn,” that is, in a more westerly direction.

The river of Egypt. Not the river Nile, but the Wadi elРФArish, which was to form the western boundary of Israel, until it reached the Mediterranean Sea about 50 mi. below Gaza. This was to be their border with Egypt.

6. Great sea. The Mediterranean.

7. Mount Hor. Not the Mt. Hor on the border of Edom (chs. 20:22; 33:38), where Aaron died. The site of this mountain is unknown; some commentators identify it with a spur of Mt. Libanus, or Mt. Lebanon.

8. The entrance of Hamath. Either the Orontes valley or modern Lebweh, 70 mi. southwest of Hamath, in the same valley. The word translated “entrance” is thought to be part of a distinct place name, and not to refer to Hamath itself. Either Lebweh or the Orontes valley might appropriately be designated “the entrance of Hamath,” as one approached Hamath from the south.

9. Ziphron. No sure identification with any modern place is known. Some suggest Sibraim in Eze. 47:16 as a variant spelling of the same name.

Hazar-enan. This marked the terminus of the northern boundary, being its northeast corner (see Eze. 47:17; 48:1). The place has been tentatively identified with Qaryatein. The Hebrew name signifies “the court of the spring,” referring, presumably, to an enclosed spring of water.

10. Shepham. Site unknown. It marked the southern tip of the eastern boundary.

11. Riblah. No doubt near the river Jordan, but its location is unknown.

Ain. Literally, “spring.” As no other place name is associated with the word “spring,” it is impossible to identify Ain.

Chinnereth. The Sea of Galilee. The name Chinnereth probably comes from the place named in Joshua 19:35 (see also Deut. 3:17). The words, “the sides of,” refer to the hilly slopes on the northeast of the Sea of Galilee. A better rendering would be “slope.” The RSV reads “shoulder.”

12. The border. That is, the eastern boundary.

13. Nine tribes. Two and a half tribes settled on the other side of Jordan (see vs. 14, 15).

15. On this side Jordan. Better, “beyond the Jordan.”

17. These are the names. Responsible men were appointed whose decisions would be respected (see ch. 26:54, 55). Note that Eleazar and Joshua were to supervise the division of the land in the presence of God at the door of the tabernacle (Joshua 18:6, 8, 10; 19:51).

18. One prince of every tribe. Men of authority, and who were respected, were associated with Eleazar, the high priest, and Joshua, the commander in chief of the army. Impartiality and equity in the division of the territory were thus assured.

20. Shemuel. The same name as Samuel (see 1 Sam. 1:20; 1 Chron. 7:2).

Ammihud. See ch. 1:10.

21. Elidad. See ch. 11:26 for a variant spelling.

22. Bukki. For the same name see Ezra 7:4, and for a different spelling see 1 Chron. 25:4, 13.

23. Hanniel. See 1 Chron. 7:39.

24. Kemuel. A name found elsewhere but belonging to other persons (Gen. 22:21; 1 Chron. 27:17).

25. Elizaphan. See ch. 3:30.

26. Paltiel. See 2 Sam. 3:15.

The exactness with which Inspiration has preserved a record of the boundaries of the allotments of land made to the various tribes emphasizes the orderly way in which provision is to be made for the work of God. Nothing is to be left to chance; everything is to be carefully planned and executed.

Ellen G. White comments

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