Keraia
Numbers 33

Numbers 33:54

Instructions for Occupying Canaan · Numbers 33:50–56
Read Numbers 33

Translations

Modern
And you are to divide the land by lot according to your clans. Give a larger inheritance to a larger clan and a smaller inheritance to a smaller one. Whatever falls to each one by lot will be his. You will receive an inheritance according to the tribes of your fathers.
Traditional
And ye shall divide the land by lot for an inheritance among your families: and to the more ye shall give the more inheritance, and to the fewer ye shall give the less inheritance: every man’s inheritance shall be in the place where his lot falleth; according to the tribes of your fathers ye shall inherit.
Literal
And you shall inherit for yourselves the land by lot among your clans. To the larger you shall give a larger inheritance, and to the smaller you shall give a smaller inheritance. To where there the lot goes out to each one, it shall be unto him. According to the tribes of your fathers you shall inherit.
Latin
…quam dividetis vobis sorte. Pluribus dabitis latiorem, et paucis angustiorem. Singulis ut sors ceciderit, ita tribuetur hæreditas. Per tribus et familias possessio dividetur.

Original

Hebrew
English
And you are to divide the land by lot according to your clans. Give a larger inheritance to a larger clan and a smaller inheritance to a smaller one. Whatever falls to each one by lot will be his. You will receive an inheritance according to the tribes of your fathers.

Notes

Numbers 33:54

divide the land by lot: See 26:53–56. Chapter 34 describes the boundaries of the land of Canaan, which they would soon conquer and divide.

Numbers 33:50–56

After the Israelites arrived at the plains of Moab, across from Jericho (22:1), they camped there. They remained in that place for the rest of the events recorded in Numbers (see 36:13; Deuteronomy 34:8).

While they camped there, God gave Israel specific instructions on how to deal with the people of Canaan. The Lord commanded them to destroy the people groups living in Canaan and remove all traces of their religious practices (compare Exodus 23:23–33; 34:11–17; Deuteronomy 7:1–6; 12:2–4; Joshua 23:4–8).

Moses said they must destroy carved and metal idols (compare Leviticus 26:1). They were also to tear down pagan places of worship (see Deuteronomy 12:2–3).

Numbers 33:1–56

  • This review of the entire wilderness period includes the longest connected list of place names in the Old Testament. It begins with Israel’s departure from Egypt (33:3; compare Exodus 12:37). It ends with their arrival in the plains of Moab, across from Jericho (Numbers 33:49; compare 22:1).

    The list names 42 stopping places along the way. These places represent more than a physical journey from one land to another. They also remind readers of Israel’s forty years of spiritual growth and testing.

    Israel traveled from Rameses in Egypt (33:3) to Abel-shittim on the plains of Moab (33:49). During these years, the people became ready to enter the land of Canaan and receive the promises God had made to Abraham.

  • This list does not give enough information to trace an exact route on a map. Many of the places cannot be identified with certainty. Some of these names do not appear anywhere else in the Hebrew Bible.

    In addition, there are not enough details to locate these places precisely. The list is also selective. It does not include every place that earlier parts of the journey mention.

Glossary

Arabah Deuteronomy, Book of Numbers, Book of

Topics

Canaan: Land of Divided by Lot Among the Twelve Tribes, and Families The Tribes of Israel: Canaan to be Divided Amongst According to Their Numbers