Exodus art by Isac Friedlander

Numbers 34

Chapter notes
Maps & guides

Numbers 34

God sets the boundary for Israel

South Canaan

1The LORD told Moses: 2Tell this to the people of Israel:
When you invade Canaan, every enemy within Canaan’s border will fall to you.
3The Zin Desert will become your southern border. It will extend over to Edom’s border and up the southern tip of the Dead Sea. 4From there it turns westward and then dips south to Scorpion Pass and then turns up in the direction of Zin and extends south of Kadesh-barnea. The southland border continues to Hazar-addar and on to Azmon. 5And from Azmon, the boundary runs along the Dry Creek [1] of Egypt and goes all the way to the Mediterranean Sea.

West Canaan

6You have a natural boundary on the west coast: the Mediterranean Sea.

North Canaan

7For your northern border, draw a line from the Mediterranean Sea to Mount Hor [2] of the northland. 8Stretch that line from Mount Hor to Lebo-hamath [3] to Zedad. 9Keep the line going to Ziphron and all the way to Hazarenan. [4] That’s your northern border.

East Canaan

10Now for your eastern border. Start your line at Hazar-enan. Run it south to Shepham. 11Take the line down to Riblah along Ain’s east side. Run it down into the hills east of the Sea of Galilee. 12Then take that line straight down the Jordan River, all the way to the Dead Sea. There you have it, the borders of your land on all four sides.

Choosing leaders to divide Canaan

13Moses told the Israelites, “This is your land. You need to divide it among the nine and a half tribes [5] settling on Canaan’s side of the Jordan River. 14The tribes are Gad, Reuben, and half the tribe of Manasseh have already received their land. 15They’ve settled east of the Jordan River, across the river from Jericho.” 16The LORD told Moses: 17Here are the names of the men I’ve chosen to divide the land among the people: Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun. 18Assign one leader from every tribe to help them. 19Here are the men I want you to enlist for that assignment:
Judah tribe: Caleb, son of Jephunneh.
20Simeon: Samuel, son of Ammihud.
21Benjamin: Elidad, son of Kislon.
22Dan: Bukki, son of Jogli.
23Manasseh: Hanniel son of Ephod and descendant of Joseph.
24Ephraim: Kemuel, son of Shiphtan and descendant of Joseph.
25Zebulun: Elizaphan, son of Parnach.
26Issachar: Paltiel, son of Azzan.
27Asher: Ahihud, son of Shelomi.
27Naphtali: Pedahel, son of Ammihud.
29The LORD chose these men to divide the land of Canaan among the clans and families in their tribes.

Help Keep the Casual English Bible®
Free for Everyone

Your support helps us keep our Casual Bible free and accessible, especially for people new to the Bible, curious non-Christians, and Christians who’ve always found it hard to understand.

This mission is 100% reader-supported. If you believe everyone deserves a Bible they can easily read and relate to, we’d love your help.