Numbers 34:3
New International Version
“’Your southern side will include some of the Desert of Zin along the border of Edom. Your southern boundary will start in the east from the southern end of the Dead Sea,

New Living Translation
The southern portion of your country will extend from the wilderness of Zin, along the edge of Edom. The southern boundary will begin on the east at the Dead Sea.

English Standard Version
your south side shall be from the wilderness of Zin alongside Edom, and your southern border shall run from the end of the Salt Sea on the east.

Berean Standard Bible
Your southern border will extend from the Wilderness of Zin along the border of Edom. On the east, your southern border will run from the end of the Salt Sea,

King James Bible
Then your south quarter shall be from the wilderness of Zin along by the coast of Edom, and your south border shall be the outmost coast of the salt sea eastward:

New King James Version
Your southern border shall be from the Wilderness of Zin along the border of Edom; then your southern border shall extend eastward to the end of the Salt Sea;

New American Standard Bible
Your southern region shall extend from the wilderness of Zin along the side of Edom, and your southern border shall extend from the end of the Salt Sea eastward.

NASB 1995
‘Your southern sector shall extend from the wilderness of Zin along the side of Edom, and your southern border shall extend from the end of the Salt Sea eastward.

NASB 1977
‘Your southern sector shall extend from the wilderness of Zin along the side of Edom, and your southern border shall extend from the end of the Salt Sea eastward.

Legacy Standard Bible
And your southern sector shall extend from the wilderness of Zin along the side of Edom, and your southern border shall extend from the end of the Salt Sea eastward.

Amplified Bible
your southern region shall be from the Wilderness of Zin along the side of Edom, and your southern boundary from the end of the Salt (Dead) Sea eastward.

Christian Standard Bible
Your southern side will be from the Wilderness of Zin along the boundary of Edom. Your southern border on the east will begin at the east end of the Dead Sea.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Your southern side will be from the Wilderness of Zin along the boundary of Edom. Your southern border on the east will begin at the east end of the Dead Sea.

American Standard Version
then your south quarter shall be from the wilderness of Zin along by the side of Edom, and your south border shall be from the end of the Salt Sea eastward;

Contemporary English Version
The southern border will be the Zin Desert and the northwest part of Edom. This border will begin at the south end of the Dead Sea.

English Revised Version
then your south quarter shall be from the wilderness of Zin along by the side of Edom, and your south border shall be from the end of the Salt Sea eastward:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"The southern side includes part of the Desert of Zin along the border of Edom. In the east the southern border starts from the end of the Dead Sea

Good News Translation
The southern border will extend from the wilderness of Zin along the border of Edom. It will begin on the east at the southern end of the Dead Sea.

International Standard Version
"'To your south is the Wilderness of Zin, bordering Edom. Your southern border is to extend east toward the far end of the Dead Sea,

Majority Standard Bible
Your southern border will extend from the Wilderness of Zin along the border of Edom. On the east, your southern border will run from the end of the Salt Sea,

NET Bible
your southern border will extend from the wilderness of Zin along the Edomite border, and your southern border will run eastward to the extremity of the Salt Sea,

New Heart English Bible
then your south quarter shall be from the wilderness of Zin along by the side of Edom, and your south border shall be from the end of the Salt Sea eastward;

Webster's Bible Translation
Then your south quarter shall be from the wilderness of Zin along by the border of Edom, and your south border shall be the outmost coast of the salt sea eastward:

World English Bible
then your south quarter shall be from the wilderness of Zin along by the side of Edom, and your south border shall be from the end of the Salt Sea eastward.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
then the south quarter has been to you from the wilderness of Zin, by the sides of Edom, indeed, the south border has been to you from the extremity of the Salt Sea eastward;

Young's Literal Translation
then hath the south quarter been to you from the wilderness of Zin, by the sides of Edom, yea, the south border hath been to you from the extremity of the Salt Sea, eastward;

Smith's Literal Translation
And to you was the south side from the desert of Zin upon the hands of Edom, and to you was the south boundary from the extremity of the salt sea eastward.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The south side shall begin from the wilderness of Sin, which is by Edom: and shall have the most salt sea for its furthest limits eastward:

Catholic Public Domain Version
The southern part shall begin from the wilderness of Sin, which is next to Edom, and it shall have the Sea of Salt as a limit to the east.

New American Bible
Your southern boundary will be at the wilderness of Zin along the border of Edom; on the east your southern boundary will begin at the end of the Salt Sea.

New Revised Standard Version
your south sector shall extend from the wilderness of Zin along the side of Edom. Your southern boundary shall begin from the end of the Dead Sea on the east;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then your south boundary shall be from the wilderness of Zin along by the border of Edom, and your southern border shall be from the end of the salt sea eastward;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the side of the south from the wilderness of Tsin on the border of Adum will be for you, and the border of the south from the end of the Sea of Salt from the East will be for you:
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Thus your south side shall be from the wilderness of Zin close by the side of Edom, and your south border shall begin at the end of the Salt Sea eastward;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And your southern side shall be from the wilderness of Sin to the border of Edom, and your border southward shall extend on the side of the salt sea eastward.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Boundaries of Canaan
2“Command the Israelites and say to them: When you enter the land of Canaan, it will be allotted to you as an inheritance with these boundaries: 3Your southern border will extend from the Wilderness of Zin along the border of Edom. On the east, your southern border will run from the end of the Salt Sea, 4cross 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,…

Cross References
Joshua 15:1-4
Now the allotment for the clans of the tribe of Judah extended to the border of Edom, to the Wilderness of Zin at the extreme southern boundary: / Their southern border started at the bay on the southern tip of the Salt Sea, / proceeded south of the Ascent of Akrabbim, continued on to Zin, went over to the south of Kadesh-barnea, ran past Hezron up to Addar, and curved toward Karka. ...

Ezekiel 47:13-20
This is what the Lord GOD says: “These are the boundaries by which you are to divide the land as an inheritance among the twelve tribes of Israel; Joseph shall receive two portions. / You are to divide it equally among them. Because I swore with an uplifted hand to give it to your forefathers, this land will fall to you as an inheritance. / This shall be the boundary of the land: On the north side it will extend from the Great Sea by way of Hethlon through Lebo-hamath to Zedad, ...

Genesis 15:18
On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your descendants I have given this land—from the river of Egypt to the great River Euphrates—

Deuteronomy 11:24
Every place where the sole of your foot treads will be yours. Your territory will extend from the wilderness to Lebanon, and from the Euphrates River to the Western Sea.

Joshua 13:1-7
Now Joshua was old and well along in years, and the LORD said to him, “You are old and well along in years, but very much of the land remains to be possessed. / This is the land that remains: All the territory of the Philistines and the Geshurites, / from the Shihor east of Egypt to the territory of Ekron on the north (considered to be Canaanite territory)—that of the five Philistine rulers of Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron, as well as that of the Avvites; ...

Joshua 14:1-5
Now these are the portions that the Israelites inherited in the land of Canaan, as distributed by Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the heads of the families of the tribes of Israel. / Their inheritance was assigned by lot for the nine and a half tribes, as the LORD had commanded through Moses. / For Moses had given the inheritance east of the Jordan to the other two and a half tribes. But he granted no inheritance among them to the Levites. ...

1 Kings 4:21
And Solomon reigned over all the kingdoms from the Euphrates to the land of the Philistines, as far as the border of Egypt. These kingdoms offered tribute and served Solomon all the days of his life.

2 Chronicles 9:26
He reigned over all the kings from the Euphrates to the land of the Philistines, as far as the border of Egypt.

Genesis 13:14-17
After Lot had departed, the LORD said to Abram, “Now lift up your eyes from the place where you are, and look to the north and south and east and west, / for all the land that you see, I will give to you and your offspring forever. / I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if one could count the dust of the earth, then your offspring could be counted. ...

Exodus 23:31
And I will establish your borders from the Red Sea to the Sea of the Philistines, and from the desert to the Euphrates. For I will deliver the inhabitants into your hand, and you will drive them out before you.

Deuteronomy 1:7-8
Resume your journey and go to the hill country of the Amorites; go to all the neighboring peoples in the Arabah, in the hill country, in the foothills, in the Negev, and along the seacoast to the land of the Canaanites and to Lebanon, as far as the great River Euphrates. / See, I have placed the land before you. Enter and possess the land that the LORD swore He would give to your fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and to their descendants after them.”

Acts 13:19
And having vanquished seven nations in Canaan, He gave their land to His people as an inheritance.

Acts 7:5
He gave him no inheritance here, not even a foot of ground. But God promised to give possession of the land to Abraham and his descendants, even though he did not yet have a child.

Hebrews 11:9-10
By faith he dwelt in the promised land as a stranger in a foreign country. He lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. / For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

Romans 4:13
For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world was not given through the law, but through the righteousness that comes by faith.


Treasury of Scripture

Then your south quarter shall be from the wilderness of Zin along by the coast of Edom, and your south border shall be the outmost coast of the salt sea eastward:

south quarter

Exodus 23:31
And I will set thy bounds from the Red sea even unto the sea of the Philistines, and from the desert unto the river: for I will deliver the inhabitants of the land into your hand; and thou shalt drive them out before thee.

Joshua 15:1-12
This then was the lot of the tribe of the children of Judah by their families; even to the border of Edom the wilderness of Zin southward was the uttermost part of the south coast…

Ezekiel 47:13,19
Thus saith the Lord GOD; This shall be the border, whereby ye shall inherit the land according to the twelve tribes of Israel: Joseph shall have two portions…

salt sea eastward.

Genesis 14:3
All these were joined together in the vale of Siddim, which is the salt sea.

Joshua 3:16
That the waters which came down from above stood and rose up upon an heap very far from the city Adam, that is beside Zaretan: and those that came down toward the sea of the plain, even the salt sea, failed, and were cut off: and the people passed over right against Jericho.

Joshua 15:2
And their south border was from the shore of the salt sea, from the bay that looketh southward:

Jump to Previous
Alongside Begin Border Boundary Close Coast Desert East Eastward Edom End Extend Extremity Include Limit Outmost Quarter Salt Sea Side South Southern Start Waste Wilderness Zin
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Alongside Begin Border Boundary Close Coast Desert East Eastward Edom End Extend Extremity Include Limit Outmost Quarter Salt Sea Side South Southern Start Waste Wilderness Zin
Numbers 34
1. The borders of the land
16. The names of the men who shall divide the land














Your southern border
The phrase "your southern border" refers to the boundary of the land that God was giving to the Israelites. In the Hebrew text, the word for "border" is "gevul," which signifies a boundary or limit. This demarcation was crucial for the Israelites as it defined the extent of the Promised Land. Historically, borders were significant in ancient times for establishing control and identity. For the Israelites, these borders were not just physical but also spiritual, marking the territory that God had set apart for His people. The southern border specifically would have been a line of demarcation against the wilderness, symbolizing a transition from wandering to settlement.

will extend from the Wilderness of Zin
The "Wilderness of Zin" is a desert region located in the southern part of the land of Canaan. The Hebrew word "midbar" for wilderness often denotes a place of desolation and testing. The Wilderness of Zin was a significant location during the Israelites' 40 years of wandering, representing a place of trial and divine provision. This wilderness was a boundary that separated the Israelites from the lands of their enemies and was a reminder of their dependence on God for sustenance and guidance.

along the border of Edom
"Edom" refers to the territory inhabited by the descendants of Esau, Jacob's brother. The Hebrew root "Edom" means "red," likely referring to the red sandstone terrain of the region. The Edomites were often in conflict with Israel, and their land was a constant reminder of the familial and spiritual struggles between the descendants of Esau and Jacob. The border with Edom was significant as it marked a boundary with a nation that had a complex relationship with Israel, both as kin and as adversaries.

Your southern border
This repetition emphasizes the importance of the southern boundary. It underscores the divine mandate for the Israelites to possess the land within these God-ordained limits. The reiteration serves as a reminder of God's promise and the need for obedience in claiming the inheritance. It also highlights the transition from a nomadic existence to a settled life in the land flowing with milk and honey, as promised by God.

will run on the east from the end of the Salt Sea
The "Salt Sea" is known today as the Dead Sea, a body of water with high salinity, making it inhospitable to most life forms. In Hebrew, it is called "Yam HaMelach," meaning "Sea of Salt." The Dead Sea is a significant geographical marker in the biblical narrative, often symbolizing judgment and desolation due to its lifelessness. The eastern boundary running from the Salt Sea signifies the extent of the land from a place of barrenness to a land of promise and abundance. This boundary also serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty over creation and His ability to bring life and blessing to His people.

Verse 3. - Then your south quarter. Rather, "and your south side." From the wilderness of Zin along by the coast of Edom. This general preliminary definition of the southern frontier marks the "wilderness of Zin" as its chief natural feature, and asserts that this wilderness rested "upon the sides" (עַל־יְדֵי) of Edom. The wilderness of gin can scarcely be anything else than the Wady Murreh, with more or less of the barren hills which rise to the south of it, for this wady undoubtedly forms the natural southern boundary of Canaan. All travelers agree both as to the remarkable character of the depression itself and as to the contrast between its northern and southern mountain walls. To the south lies the inhospitable and un-cultivatable desert; to the north the often arid and treeless, but still partially green and habitable, plateau of Southern Palestine. The expression, "on the sides of Edom," can only mean that beyond the Wady Murreh lay territory belonging to Edom, the Mount Seir of Deuteronomy 1:2, the Seir of Deuteronomy 1:44; it does not seem possible that Edom proper, which lay to the east of the Arabah, and which barely marched at all with the land of Canaan, should be intended here (see on Joshua 15:1, and the note on the site of Kadesh). And your south border. This begins a fresh paragraph, in which the southern boundary, already roughly fixed, is described in greater detail. Shall be the utmost coast of the salt sea eastward. Rather, "shall be from the extremity (מִקְצֵה) of the salt sea eastward" (cf. Joshua 15:2). The easternmost point in this boundary was to be fixed at the southernmost extremity of the Salt Sea.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Your southern
נֶ֛גֶב (ne·ḡeḇ)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 5045: South country, the Negeb, south

border
פְּאַת־ (pə·’aṯ-)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 6285: Mouth, direction, region, extremity

will extend
וְהָיָ֨ה (wə·hā·yāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

from the wilderness
מִמִּדְבַּר־ (mim·miḏ·bar-)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4057: A pasture, a desert, speech

of Zin
צִ֖ן (ṣin)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 6790: Zin -- a desert area which included Kadesh-barnea

along
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the border
יְדֵ֣י (yə·ḏê)
Noun - fdc
Strong's 3027: A hand

of Edom.
אֱד֑וֹם (’ĕ·ḏō·wm)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 123: The name of a condiment

On the east,
קֵֽדְמָה׃ (qê·ḏə·māh)
Adverb | third person feminine singular
Strong's 6924: The front, of place, time

your southern
נֶ֔גֶב (ne·ḡeḇ)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 5045: South country, the Negeb, south

border
גְּב֣וּל (gə·ḇūl)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1366: A cord, a boundary, the territory inclosed

will extend
וְהָיָ֤ה (wə·hā·yāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

from the end
מִקְצֵ֥ה (miq·ṣêh)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7097: End, extremity

of the Salt
הַמֶּ֖לַח (ham·me·laḥ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4417: Powder, salt

Sea,
יָם־ (yām-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3220: A sea, the Mediterranean Sea, large river, an artifical basin


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OT Law: Numbers 34:3 Then your south quarter shall be (Nu Num.)
Numbers 34:2
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