Keraia
Numbers 34

Numbers 34:4

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

Translations

Modern
…cross south of the Ascent of Akrabbim, continue to Zin, and go south of Kadesh-barnea. Then it will go on to Hazar-addar and proceed to Azmon,
Traditional
And your border shall turn from the south to the ascent of Akrabbim, and pass on to Zin: and the going forth thereof shall be from the south to Kadesh–barnea, and shall go on to Hazar–addar, and pass on to Azmon:
Literal
And your border shall turn from the Negev to the Ascent of Akrabbim and continue to Zin, and the going forth will be from the Negev to Kadesh-barnea, and it shall go on to Hazar-addar and continue to Azmon.
Latin
Qui circuibunt australem plagam per ascensum Scorpionis, ita ut transeant in Senna, et perveniant a meridie usque ad Cadesbarne, unde egredientur confinia ad villam nomine Adar, et tendent usque ad Asemona.

Original

Hebrew
English
…cross south of the Ascent of Akrabbim, continue to Zin, and go south of Kadesh-barnea. Then it will go on to Hazar-addar and proceed to Azmon,

Notes

Numbers 34:4

From the southern end of the Dead Sea, the boundary ran through the Ascent of Akrabbim toward Zin (compare 13:21). The southernmost point was Kadesh-barnea (see 13:26). Hazar-addar and Azmon are unknown.

Numbers 34:3–5

Portions of the southern boundary of Canaan were familiar to Israel from earlier experiences in the Wilderness of Zin, located on the northwestern border of Edom (see chapters 13–14). This southern border curved from the southern end of the Dead Sea to the Mediterranean Sea, running east to west.

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

Akrabbim: A pass marking the southern border of Judah Azmon: Place on the southern border of Judah Hazar-addar: A town on the southern border of Canaan Kadesh: An important oasis in the Wilderness of Zin Zin: A desert and wilderness region south of Judah

Glossary

Addar (Place) Akrabbim Allotment of the Land Arabah Azmon Dead Sea Deuteronomy, Book of Hazar-Addar Hezron (Place) Kerioth Moses Numbers, Book of Palestine Wilderness of Zin

Topics

Akrabbim: A Chain of Hills in the South of Palestine Azmon: A Place on the South of Canaan Canaanites: Territory of Hazar-Addar: Also Called Adar, a Place on the Southern Boundary of Canaan Holy Land: Extent of As at First Divided Zin: A Desert South of Judah