Numbers 34:4 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,

◄ Numbers 34:4 ►

New International Version
cross south of Scorpion Pass, continue on to Zin and go south of Kadesh Barnea. Then it will go to Hazar Addar and over to Azmon,

New Living Translation
It will then run south past Scorpion Pass in the direction of Zin. Its southernmost point will be Kadesh-barnea, from which it will go to Hazar-addar, and on to Azmon.

English Standard Version
And your border shall turn south of the ascent of Akrabbim, and cross to Zin, and its limit shall be south of Kadesh-barnea. Then it shall go on to Hazar-addar, and pass along to Azmon.

Berean Standard Bible
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,

King James Bible
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 Kadeshbarnea, and shall go on to Hazaraddar, and pass on to Azmon:

New King James Version
your border shall turn from the southern side of the Ascent of Akrabbim, continue to Zin, and be on the south of Kadesh Barnea; then it shall go on to Hazar Addar, and continue to Azmon;

New American Standard Bible
Then your border shall change direction from the south to the ascent of Akrabbim and continue to Zin, and its termination shall be to the south of Kadesh-barnea; and it shall reach Hazaraddar and continue to Azmon.

NASB 1995
Then your border shall turn direction from the south to the ascent of Akrabbim and continue to Zin, and its termination shall be to the south of Kadesh-barnea; and it shall reach Hazaraddar and continue to Azmon.

NASB 1977
‘Then your border shall turn direction from the south to the ascent of Akrabbim, and continue to Zin, and its termination shall be to the south of Kadesh-barnea; and it shall reach Hazaraddar, and continue to Azmon.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then your border shall turn from the south to the ascent of Akrabbim and continue to Zin, and its termination shall be to the south of Kadesh-barnea; and it shall reach Hazaraddar and continue to Azmon.

Amplified Bible
Your boundary shall turn from the south to the ascent of Akrabbim, and continue on to Zin, and its limit shall be south of Kadesh-barnea. Then it shall go on to Hazar-addar and pass on to Azmon.

Christian Standard Bible
Your border will turn south of the Scorpions’ Ascent, proceed to Zin, and end south of Kadesh-barnea. It will go to Hazar-addar and proceed to Azmon.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Your border will turn south of the Ascent of Akrabbim, proceed to Zin, and end south of Kadesh-barnea. It will go to Hazar-addar and proceed to Azmon.

American Standard Version
and your border shall turn about southward of the ascent of Akrabbim, and pass along to Zin; and the goings out thereof shall be southward of Kadesh-barnea; and it shall go forth to Hazar-addar, and pass along to Azmon;

Contemporary English Version
It will go west from there, but will turn southward to include Scorpion Pass, the village of Zin, and the town of Kadesh-Barnea. From there, the border will continue to Hazar-Addar and on to Azmon.

English Revised Version
and your border shall turn about southward of the ascent of Akrabbim, and pass along to Zin: and the goings out thereof shall be southward of Kadesh-barnea; and it shall go forth to Hazar-addar, and pass along to Azmon:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
and turns south of the Akrabbim Pass. It then goes past Zin and ends at Kadesh Barnea. From there it goes to Hazar Addar and on to Azmon.

Good News Translation
Then it will turn southward toward Akrabbim Pass and continue on through Zin as far south as Kadesh Barnea. Then it will turn northwest to Hazar Addar and on to Azmon,

International Standard Version
then it is to turn southward to the ascent of Akrabbim, cross Zin, and then run south of Kadesh-barnea and proceed from there to Hazar-addar and across to Azmon.

Majority Standard Bible
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,

NET Bible
and then the border will turn from the south to the Scorpion Ascent, continue to Zin, and then its direction will be from the south to Kadesh Barnea. Then it will go to Hazar Addar and pass over to Azmon.

New Heart English Bible
and your border shall turn about southward of the ascent of Akrabbim, and pass along to Zin; and the goings out of it shall be southward of Kadesh Barnea; and it shall go forth to Hazar Addar, and pass along to Azmon;

Webster's Bible Translation
And your border shall turn from the south to the ascent of Akrabbim, and pass on to Zin: its limit shall be from the south to Kadesh-barnea, and shall go on to Hazar-addar, and pass on to Azmon:

World English Bible
Your border shall turn about southward of the ascent of Akrabbim, and pass along to Zin; and it shall pass southward of Kadesh Barnea; and it shall go from there to Hazar Addar, and pass along to Azmon.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
and the border has turned around to you from the south to the ascent of Akrabbim, and has passed on to Zin, and its outgoings have been from the south to Kadesh-Barnea, and it has gone out at Hazar-Addar, and has passed on to Azmon;

Young's Literal Translation
and the border hath turned round to you from the south to the ascent of Akrabbim, and hath passed on to Zin, and its outgoings have been from the south to Kadesh-Barnea, and it hath gone out at Hazar-Addar, and hath passed on to Azmon;

Smith's Literal Translation
And to you turned the boundary from the south to the ascending of Akrabbim, and it passed over Zin: and its going forth was from the south to Kadesh-Barnea, and it went forth to the Enclosure of the Threshing Floor, and it passed over to Azmon:

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
Which limits shall go round on the south side by the ascent of the Scorpion and so into Senna, and reach toward the south as far as Cadesbarne, from whence the frontiers shall go out to the town called Adar, and shall reach as far as Asemona.

Catholic Public Domain Version
It shall circle on the south side along the ascent of the Scorpion, by this way crossing into Senna, and passing through, from the south, as far as Kadesh-barnea, from which its confines shall go out to the town called Adar, and extend even to Azmon.

New American Bible
Then your boundary will turn south of the Akrabbim Pass and cross Zin. Terminating south of Kadesh-barnea, it extends to Hazar-addar and crosses to Azmon.

New Revised Standard Version
your boundary shall turn south of the ascent of Akrabbim, and cross to Zin, and its outer limit shall be south of Kadesh-barnea; then it shall go on to Hazar-addar, and cross to Azmon;

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And your boundary shall turn from the south to the ascent of Sepharvim, and pass on to Zin; and the limits thereof shall be from the south of Rakim-gia, and shall go on to Hazar-addar, and pass on to Azmon;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And your border will be going around from the south to the ascent of Sapharvim and will be passing to Tsin, and its limits shall be from the south to Raqem D'Gaya and it will go forth to Khatsar Edar, and it shall go through to Atsmun:

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
and your border shall turn about southward of the ascent of Akrabbim, and pass along to Zin; and the goings out thereof shall be southward of Kadesh-barnea; and it shall go forth to Hazar-addar, and pass along to Azmon;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And your border shall go round you from the south to the ascent of Acrabin, and shall proceed by Ennac, and the going forth of it shall be southward to Cades Barne, and it shall go forth to the village of Arad, and shall proceed by Asemona.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The Boundaries of Canaan
…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, 4 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, 5where it will turn from Azmon, join the Brook of Egypt, and end at the Sea.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

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 47:19
On the south side it will run from Tamar to the waters of Meribath-kadesh, and along the Brook of Egypt to the Great Sea. This will be the southern boundary.

Joshua 13:3-5
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; / to the south, all the land of the Canaanites, from Mearah of the Sidonians to Aphek, as far as the border of the Amorites; / the land of the Gebalites; and all Lebanon to the east, from Baal-gad below Mount Hermon to Lebo-hamath.

Deuteronomy 2:1-8
Then we turned back and headed for the wilderness by way of the Red Sea, as the LORD had instructed me, and for many days we wandered around Mount Seir. / At this time the LORD said to me, / “You have been wandering around this hill country long enough; turn to the north ...

Judges 1:18
And Judah also captured Gaza, Ashkelon, and Ekron—each with its territory.

1 Kings 9:26
King Solomon also assembled a fleet of ships at Ezion-geber, which is near Eloth in Edom, on the shore of the Red Sea.

2 Chronicles 8:17
Then Solomon went to Ezion-geber and to Eloth on the coast of Edom.

Isaiah 27:12
In that day the LORD will thresh from the flowing Euphrates to the Wadi of Egypt, and you, O Israelites, will be gathered one by one.

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—

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 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 11:16-17
So Joshua took this entire region: the hill country, all the Negev, all the land of Goshen, the western foothills, the Arabah, and the mountains of Israel and their foothills, / from Mount Halak, which rises toward Seir, as far as Baal-gad in the Valley of Lebanon at the foot of Mount Hermon. He captured all their kings and struck them down, putting them to death.

Joshua 12:7-8
And these are the kings of the land that Joshua and the Israelites conquered beyond the Jordan to the west, from Baal-gad in the Valley of Lebanon to Mount Halak, which rises toward Seir (according to the allotments to the tribes of Israel, Joshua gave them as an inheritance / the hill country, the foothills, the Arabah, the slopes, the wilderness, and the Negev—the lands of the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites):

Ezekiel 48:28
The southern border of Gad will run from Tamar to the waters of Meribath-kadesh, then along the Brook of Egypt and out to the Great Sea.

Amos 6:14
For behold, I will raise up a nation against you, O house of Israel,” declares the LORD, the God of Hosts, “and they will oppress you from Lebo-hamath to the Brook of the Arabah.”

Treasury of Scripture

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 Kadeshbarnea, and shall go on to Hazaraddar, and pass on to Azmon:

Akrabbim J

Joshua 15:3
And it went out to the south side to Maalehacrabbim, and passed along to Zin, and ascended up on the south side unto Kadeshbarnea, and passed along to Hezron, and went up to Adar, and fetched a compass to Karkaa:

Judges 1:36
And the coast of the Amorites was from the going up to Akrabbim, from the rock, and upward.

Zin

Numbers 34:3
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:

Numbers 13:21
So they went up, and searched the land from the wilderness of Zin unto Rehob, as men come to Hamath.

Numbers 20:1
Then came the children of Israel, even the whole congregation, into the desert of Zin in the first month: and the people abode in Kadesh; and Miriam died there, and was buried there.

Kadesh-barnea

Numbers 13:26
And they went and came to Moses, and to Aaron, and to all the congregation of the children of Israel, unto the wilderness of Paran, to Kadesh; and brought back word unto them, and unto all the congregation, and shewed them the fruit of the land.

Numbers 32:8
Thus did your fathers, when I sent them from Kadeshbarnea to see the land.

Hazar-addar

Joshua 15:3,4
And it went out to the south side to Maalehacrabbim, and passed along to Zin, and ascended up on the south side unto Kadeshbarnea, and passed along to Hezron, and went up to Adar, and fetched a compass to Karkaa: …

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Addar Akrabbim Akrab'bim Ascent Azmon Barnea Border Boundary Continue Cross Direction End Hazar Kadesh Kadeshbarnea Kadesh-Barnea Limit Outgoings Passed Reach Slope South Southward Termination Thereof Turn Turned Zin

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Numbers 34

1. The borders of the land
16. The names of the men who shall divide the land

Berean Study Bible

Then your border will turn
The phrase "your border will turn" indicates a change in direction, suggesting a dynamic and intentional demarcation of the land. In Hebrew, the word for "border" is "גְּבוּל" (gevul), which implies a boundary or limit. This reflects God's sovereign authority in defining the inheritance of the Israelites. The turning of the border signifies a divine orchestration, ensuring that the land allotted to the tribes is both specific and purposeful.

from the south of the Scorpions Pass
"Scorpions Pass" is translated from the Hebrew "מַעֲלֵה עַקְרַבִּים" (Ma'aleh Akrabbim), which literally means "ascent of scorpions." This location is believed to be a steep and challenging pass, possibly infested with scorpions, symbolizing the trials and adversities the Israelites might face. Historically, it marks a significant geographical feature in the southern boundary of the Promised Land, emphasizing the rugged and diverse terrain that God has chosen for His people.

continue to Zin
The "Wilderness of Zin" is a desert region, and the Hebrew word "צִן" (Tsin) suggests a place of dryness and desolation. This wilderness was part of the Israelites' journey, representing times of testing and reliance on God's provision. The continuation to Zin underscores the journey of faith, where the Israelites must trust in God's guidance through barren and challenging landscapes.

and end south of Kadesh-barnea
"Kadesh-barnea" is a significant location in Israel's history, often associated with pivotal moments of decision and rebellion. The Hebrew "קָדֵשׁ בַּרְנֵעַ" (Kadesh Barnea) can be translated as "holy place of the desert of wandering." It was here that the Israelites faced the consequences of their unbelief, delaying their entry into the Promised Land. The border ending south of Kadesh-barnea serves as a reminder of God's holiness and the importance of obedience and faith.

Then it will go to Hazar-addar
"Hazar-addar" is a lesser-known location, with "חֲצַר אַדָּר" (Hatzar Addar) meaning "village of Addar." The mention of such specific places highlights the detailed nature of God's promises. Each location, though obscure, is part of the divine plan, illustrating that every aspect of God's creation and promise is significant, even if not fully understood by human perspective.

and over to Azmon
"Azmon" is another boundary marker, with the Hebrew "עַצְמוֹן" (Atzmon) possibly meaning "strong" or "mighty." This final point in the verse signifies strength and completion. The journey to Azmon represents the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, showcasing His faithfulness and the strength of His covenant. The borders of the land are not just geographical but are imbued with spiritual significance, marking the territory where God's people are to live out their covenant relationship with Him.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(4) And your border shall turn from the south . . . --Better, And your border shall turn on (or, to) the south side of the ascent of Akrabbim, and shall pass over to Zin; and the goings forth thereof shall be on the south of Kadesh-barnea. The meaning appears to be that the boundary line was to go in a south-westerly direction from the southern point (or, tongue) of the Dead Sea, as far as the height (or, ascent) of Akrabbim; and was to be continued from this point in a westerly direction as far as Kadesh-barnea, which was at the western extremity of the desert of Zin, and was to be included within the Israelitish territory. What is here called the height of Akrabbim is supposed to be a row of white cliffs, which run obliquely across the Arabah, at a distance of about eight miles from the Dead Sea. (Comp. Joshua 15:3-4.)

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 4. - Shall turn from the south to the ascent of Akrabbim. It is not at all clear what מִנֶּגֶב לִמַעַלֵה can mean in this sentence. The A.V., which follows the Septuagint and the Targums, does not seem to give any sense, while the rendering, "to the south side of the ascent," does not seem grammatically defensible. Moreover, it is quite uncertain where the "ascent of Akrabbim," i.e., the "Scorpion-pass," or "Scorpion-stairs," is to be placed. Some travelers have recognized both place and name in a precipitous road which ascends the northern cliffs towards the western end of the Wady Murreh, and which the Arabs call Nakb Kareb; others would make the ascent to be the steep pass of es Sufah, over which runs the road from Petra to Hebron; others, again, identify the Scorpion-stairs with the row of white cliffs which obliquely cross and close in the Ghor, some miles south of the Salt Sea, and separate it from the higher level of the Arabah. None of these identifications are satisfactory, although the first and last have more to be said in their favour than the second. Possibly the ascent of Akrabbim may have been only the Wady Fikreh, along which the natural frontier would run from the point of the Salt Sea into the Wady Murreh. Pass on to Zin. It is only here and in Joshua 15:3 that the name Zin stands by itself; it may have been some place in the broadest part of the Wady Murreh which gave its name to the neighbouring wilderness. From the south to Kadesh-barnea. Here again we have the expression מִנֶּגֶב לְאּ, of which we do not know the exact force. But if Kadesh was in the neighbourhood of the present Ain Kudes, then it may be understood that the frontier, after reaching the western end of the Wady Murreh, made a detour to the south so as to include Kadesh, as a place of peculiarly sacred memory in the annals of Israel. It is indeed very difficult, with this description of the southern frontier of Canaan before us, to believe that Kadesh was in the immediate neighbourhood of the Arabah, where many commentators place it; for if that were the case, then the boundary line has not yet made any progress at all towards the west, and the only points given on the actual southern boundary are the two unknown places which follow. Hazar-addar. In Joshua 15:3 this double name is apparently divided into the two names of Hezron and Addar, but possibly the latter only is the place intended here. A Karkaa is also mentioned there, which is equally unknown with the rest.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

turn
וְנָסַ֣ב (wə·nā·saḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5437: To turn about, go around, surround

from the south
מִנֶּ֜גֶב (min·ne·ḡeḇ)
Preposition-m | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 5045: South country, the Negeb, south

to the ascent of Akrabbim,
עַקְרַבִּים֙ (‘aq·rab·bîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4610: Akrabbim -- 'ascent of scorpions', a place on the southern border of Israel

continue
וְעָ֣בַר (wə·‘ā·ḇar)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5674: To pass over, through, or by, pass on

to Zin,
צִ֔נָה (ṣi·nāh)
Noun - proper - feminine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 6790: Zin -- a desert area which included Kadesh-barnea

and go
וְהָיוּ֙ (wə·hā·yū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

south
מִנֶּ֖גֶב (min·ne·ḡeḇ)
Preposition-m | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 5045: South country, the Negeb, south

of Kadesh-barnea.
בַּרְנֵ֑עַ (bar·nê·a‘)
Preposition | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 6947: Kadesh-barnea -- a place in the desert

Then it will go on
וְיָצָ֥א (wə·yā·ṣā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

to Hazar-addar
אַדָּ֖ר (’ad·dār)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 2692: Hazaraddar -- a place on the southern border of Canaan

and proceed
וְעָבַ֥ר (wə·‘ā·ḇar)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5674: To pass over, through, or by, pass on

to Azmon,
עַצְמֹֽנָה׃ (‘aṣ·mō·nāh)
Noun - proper - feminine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 6111: Azmon -- a place on the southern border of Canaan

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OT Law: Numbers 34:4 And your border shall turn about southward (Nu Num.)