Keraia
Numbers 34

Numbers 34:15

The Boundaries of Canaan · Numbers 34:1–15
Read Numbers 34

Translations

Modern
These two and a half tribes have received their inheritance across the Jordan from Jericho, toward the sunrise.”
Traditional
The two tribes and the half tribe have received their inheritance on this side Jordan near Jericho eastward, toward the sunrising.
Literal
The two tribes and the half-tribe have received their inheritance on this side of the Jordan near Jericho eastward, toward the sunrise.”
Latin
…id est, duæ semis tribus, acceperunt partem suam trans Jordanem contra Jericho ad orientalem plagam.

Original

Hebrew
English
These two and a half tribes have received their inheritance across the Jordan from Jericho, toward the sunrise.”

Notes

Numbers 34:13–15

Apportion this land by lot: Compare with 26:55–56. Two and a half tribes (Reuben, Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh) settled in Transjordan (the region east of the Jordan River; compare with 32:33). So, Canaan was to be divided among the nine and a half remaining tribes.

Numbers 34:1–29

Chapter 34 describes the borders of Canaan. This is where God commanded Israel to settle, following the guidelines in 26:52–56. Since Abraham's call, the promised land of Canaan has been central to the Old Testament story (Genesis 12:1–7). A generation of Hebrews died in the wilderness for not believing what the faithful spies reported (Numbers 13). Yet, God reaffirmed his promise of land (33:53).

Here, God reviews the plan and outlines the promised land's intended boundaries (compare Joshua 13–19; Ezekiel 47–48). Old Testament Israel did not fully capture this territory. It almost did during the time of the kings David and Solomon (see 2 Samuel 24:1–9). But these borders generally describe the region of Canaan as defined by Egyptian texts from 1500–1200 BC. This was when the Hebrews invaded. The region actually occupied by Israel changed from time to time.

Parallels

Genesis 15:8–21

Places

Jericho: An ancient city in Canaan, famously conquered by Israel Jordan: A river and region, significant in Israel's history

Glossary

Allotment of the Land Arabah Deuteronomy, Book of Kerioth Moses Numbers, Book of