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, Your southern border will extend from the Wilderness of ZinThe Wilderness of Zin is a desert region located in the northeastern part of the Sinai Peninsula. It is significant in the biblical narrative as a place where the Israelites wandered during their 40 years in the desert. This area is often associated with testing and reliance on God, as seen in the story of Moses striking the rock to bring forth water ( Numbers 20:1-13). The designation of this area as part of the southern border of the Promised Land underscores the transition from wandering to settlement, marking a boundary between the past trials and the future inheritance. along the border of Edom
Edom, the land of Esau's descendants, lies to the southeast of Israel. Historically, Edom had a contentious relationship with Israel, often characterized by conflict and rivalry. The border with Edom signifies a clear demarcation between the Israelites and their kin, the Edomites. This boundary also reflects the fulfillment of God's promise to Jacob, distinguishing the land given to Israel from that of Esau's descendants (Genesis 36:8). The border's mention highlights the importance of maintaining distinct national identities and territories as ordained by God. On the east, your southern border will run from the end of the Salt Sea
The Salt Sea, known today as the Dead Sea, is a significant geographical landmark. It is the lowest point on Earth's surface and is characterized by its high salinity. In biblical times, the Salt Sea marked the eastern boundary of the southern border of the Promised Land. This boundary is significant as it represents the easternmost point of the southern border, providing a natural barrier and a point of reference for the Israelites. The Dead Sea's unique properties and its location have made it a symbol of desolation and judgment, as seen in the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:24-29). The border's extension from this point emphasizes the completeness and specificity of God's promise to Abraham regarding the land his descendants would inherit (Genesis 15:18-21). Persons / Places / Events 1. Wilderness of ZinA desert region located in the southern part of Canaan, often associated with the Israelites' wanderings. It represents a boundary marker for the Promised Land. 2. EdomA nation descended from Esau, Jacob's brother. Edom's border is significant as it represents a neighboring nation with historical tensions with Israel. 3. Salt SeaKnown today as the Dead Sea, it is a significant geographical landmark in the region. It serves as a natural boundary for the southern part of the Promised Land. 4. IsraelitesThe people of God, descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who are receiving the land promised to their forefathers. 5. Promised LandThe land of Canaan, promised by God to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as a place of rest and blessing. Teaching Points God's Faithfulness to His PromisesThe specific boundaries of the Promised Land highlight God's faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant with Abraham. Believers can trust in God's promises for their lives. The Importance of BoundariesJust as God set physical boundaries for Israel, He sets spiritual and moral boundaries for His people today. These boundaries are for our protection and blessing. Living in the Promised LandThe Promised Land is not just a physical location but represents living in the fullness of God's blessings. Christians are called to live in the spiritual "Promised Land" by walking in obedience and faith. Historical Context and Spiritual LessonsUnderstanding the historical context of Israel's boundaries helps us appreciate the spiritual lessons of trust, obedience, and reliance on God. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the description of the southern border in Numbers 34:3 reflect God's faithfulness to His promises to Abraham? 2. In what ways can understanding the physical boundaries of the Promised Land help us understand the spiritual boundaries God sets for us today? 3. How do the historical tensions between Israel and Edom inform our understanding of the challenges Israel faced in claiming the Promised Land? 4. What are some "Promised Lands" in your life where you need to trust God to lead you and establish boundaries? 5. How can the concept of living in the "Promised Land" be applied to your spiritual journey and relationship with God? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 15God's covenant with Abraham, promising the land to his descendants, sets the stage for the territorial boundaries described in Numbers 34. Joshua 15Provides further details on the boundaries of the land allotted to the tribe of Judah, which includes the southern border described in Numbers 34:3. Ezekiel 47Describes a vision of the land's boundaries in the future, showing God's continued faithfulness to His promises. People Addar, Ahihud, Ammihud, Asher, Azzan, Benjamin, Bukki, Caleb, Chislon, Dan, Eleazar, Elidad, Elizaphan, Enan, Gad, Hanniel, Israelites, Issachar, Jephunneh, Jogli, Joseph, Joshua, Kemuel, Manasseh, Moses, Naphtali, Nun, Paltiel, Parnach, Pedahel, Phaltiel, Reuben, Samuel, Shelomi, Shemuel, Shiphtan, Simeon, ZebulunPlaces Ain, Akrabbim, Brook of Egypt, Canaan, Edom, Great Sea, Hazar-addar, Hazar-enan, Jordan River, Kadesh-barnea, Lebo-hamath, Mount Hor, Plains of Moab, Riblah, Salt Sea, Sea of Chinnereth, Shepham, Zedad, Zin, ZiphronTopics Along, Alongside, Begin, Border, Boundary, Close, Coast, Desert, East, Eastward, Edom, Extend, Extremity, Include, Limit, Outmost, Quarter, Salt, Sector, Sides, South, Southern, Start, Thus, Waste, Wilderness, Yea, ZinDictionary of Bible Themes Numbers 34:1-12 4207 land, divine gift Numbers 34:1-15 7258 promised land, early history Numbers 34:3-4 4357 salt Library The Talmudic Girdle of the Land under the Second Temple, Taken Out of the Jerusalem Sheviith, Fol. 36 3
What all these things mean, I cannot so much as conjecture; yea, nor can I scarce conjecture, what the meaning is of some of them. Neither is there any Oedipus at hand, nor Sphinx herself, to explain and unriddle them. The Talmudists are silent from making any comments here, nor have we the advantage of any other commentator. We must, therefore, act here according to the uncertain instruction of nods and winks; and that either by saying nothing, or by mere conjecture, since that the mind of the authors …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and HebraicaThe Northern Coasts of Galilee. Amanah. The Mountain of Snow.
This coast is described by Moses, Numbers 34:7: "From the Great Sea to mount Hor: from mount Hor to the entrance of Hamath," &c. Mount Hor, in the Jewish writers, is Amanah; mention of which occurs, Canticles 4:8, where R. Solomon thus: "Amanah is a mount in the northern coast of the land of Israel, which in the Talmudical language is called, The mountainous plain of Amanon; the same with mount Hor." In the Jerusalem Targum, for mount 'Hor' is the mount Manus: but the Targum of Jonathan renders it …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica What is to be Said of the Sea of Apamia.
'The sea of Apamia' is reckoned the seventh among those seas that compass the land of Israel; which word hath a sound so near akin to the word Pamias, by which name the Rabbins point out the fountains of Jordan,--that the mention of that word cannot but excite the memory of this, yea, almost persuade that both design one and the same place: and that the sea Apamia was nothing else but some great collection of waters at the very springs of Jordan. This also might moreover be added to strengthen that …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Pamias. Paneas, the Spring of Jordan.
The maps assign a double spring of Jordan; but by what right it scarce appears; much less does it appear by what right they should call this Jor,--and that Dan. There is indeed mention in Josephus of little Jordan and great Jordan. Hence, as it seems, was the first original of the double spring in the maps, and of a double river at those first springs. For thus Josephus; "There are fountains (in Daphne) which send little Jordan, as it is called, into the great." He treats, in the text cited, of the …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica The Lake of Gennesaret; Or, the Sea of Galilee and Tiberias.
Jordan is measured at one hundred and twenty furlongs, from the lake of Samochonitis to that of Gennesaret. That lake, in the Old Testament, is 'The sea of Chinnereth,' Numbers 34:11, &c. In the Targumists, 'The sea of Genesar'; sometimes, 'of Genesor'; sometimes, 'of Ginosar': it is the same also in the Talmudists, but most frequently 'The sea of Tiberiah.' Both names are used by the evangelists; 'the lake of Gennesaret,' Luke 5:1; 'the sea of Tiberias,' John 21:1; and 'the sea of Galilee,' John …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Subterraneous Places. Mines. Caves.
Thus having taken some notice of the superficies of the land, let us a little search into its bowels. You may divide the subterraneous country into three parts: the metal mines, the caves, and the places of burial. This land was eminently noted for metal mines, so that "its stones," in very many places, "were iron, and out of its hills was digged brass," Deuteronomy 8:9. From these gain accrued to the Jews: but to the Christians, not seldom slavery and misery; being frequently condemned hither by …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Arbel. Shezor. Tarnegola the Upper.
"Arbel a city of Galilee."--There is mention of it in Hosea 10:14. But there are authors which do very differently interpret that place, viz. the Chaldee paraphrast, R. Solomon, Kimchi: consult them. It was between Zippor and Tiberias. Hence Nittai the Arbelite, who was president with Josua Ben Perahiah. The valley of Arbel is mentioned by the Talmudists. So also "The Arbelite Bushel." "Near Zephath in Upper Galilee was a town named Shezor, whence was R. Simeon Shezori: there he was buried. There …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica The Coast of the Asphaltites, the Essenes. En-Gedi.
"On the western shore" (of the Asphaltites) "dwell the Essenes; whom persons, guilty of any crimes, fly from on every side. A nation it is that lives alone, and of all other nations in the whole world, most to be admired; they are without any woman; all lust banished, &c. Below these, was the town Engadda, the next to Jerusalem for fruitfulness, and groves of palm-trees, now another burying-place. From thence stands Massada, a castle in a rock, and this castle not far from the Asphaltites." Solinus, …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Jesus Calls Four Fishermen to Follow Him.
(Sea of Galilee, Near Capernaum.) ^A Matt. IV. 18-22; ^B Mark I. 16-20; ^C Luke V. 1-11. ^a 18 And walking ^b 16 And passing along by the sea of Galilee [This lake is a pear-shaped body of water, about twelve and a half miles long and about seven miles across at its widest place. It is 682 feet below sea level; its waters are fresh, clear and abounding in fish, and it is surrounded by hills and mountains, which rise from 600 to 1,000 feet above it. Its greatest depth is about 165 feet], he [Jesus] …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Kadesh. Rekam, and that Double. Inquiry is Made, Whether the Doubling it in the Maps is Well Done.
The readers of the eastern interpreters will observe, that Kadesh is rendered by all Rekam, or in a sound very near it. In the Chaldee, it is 'Rekam': in the Syriac, 'Rekem': in the Arabic, 'Rakim'... There are two places noted by the name Rekam in the very bounds of the land,--to wit, the southern and eastern: that is, a double Kadesh. I. Of Kadesh, or Rekam, in the south part, there is no doubt. II. Of it, in the eastern part, there is this mention: "From Rekam to the east, and Rekam is as the …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Numbers 34:3 NIVNumbers 34:3 NLTNumbers 34:3 ESVNumbers 34:3 NASBNumbers 34:3 KJV
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