Bible Commentaries
Numbers 34

Verses 1-15

Numbers 34:1-15 (from P). The Boundaries of Israel’ s Possessions in Canaan.— These, as here set forth, are ideal rather than actual, since the area described never wholly belonged to Israel. The S. border extends from the S. end of the Dead (the “ Salt” ) Sea in a SW. direction, having Edom on the SE., and following probably the Wâ dy el Fikreh (in which was “ the ascent of Akrabbim” ) to Kadesh (Ain Kâ dis); there it turns NW. and follows partly the “ brook of Egypt” (Wâ dy el Arî sh) to its mouth. The W. border is formed by the Mediterranean (the “ great” ) Sea, the shore of which was never possessed by Israel, though Joppa in the second century B.C. was captured by the Maccabees. The N. border extends from the mouth of the Nahr el Kasimî yeh (6 miles N. of Tyre) to “ Mt. Hor” (quite distinct from the Mt. Hor of Numbers 20:22, and probably a spur of Lebanon), and crossing the gorge leading to Hamath reaches its easterly termination at Hazar– enan (probably near Banî as, close to the sources of the Jordan). The E. border apparently runs in an easterly course to the eastern margin of the sea of Chinnereth (Gennesaret), and thence follows the Jordan to the Dead Sea. Many of the localities named are unidentified.

Numbers 34:6 . Omit, and the border thereof.

Numbers 34:15 . The description beyond the Jordan . . . eastward represents the point of view of a writer residing on the W. of the Jordan.

Verses 16-29

Numbers 34:16-29 . The Names of the Commissioners Appointed to Divide the Land (from P).— Joshua and Caleb are represented as surviving to enter Canaan, in accordance with Numbers 14:30.