Your northern border will run from the Great Sea directly to Mount Hor, Your northern borderThis phrase sets the geographical context for the Israelites' inheritance in the Promised Land. The term "border" in Hebrew is "גְּבוּל" (gevul), which signifies a boundary or limit. In the ancient Near Eastern context, borders were crucial for defining the extent of a nation's territory and influence. For the Israelites, these borders were divinely ordained, symbolizing God's promise and provision. The northern border represents the extent of God's blessing and the fulfillment of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. will run from the Great Sea
The "Great Sea" refers to the Mediterranean Sea, known in Hebrew as "הַיָּם הַגָּדוֹל" (hayam hagadol). This body of water was a significant geographical landmark for the Israelites, marking the western boundary of their land. The Mediterranean Sea was not only a natural border but also a source of trade and interaction with other cultures. It symbolizes the vastness of God's provision and the opportunities for the Israelites to be a light to the nations, as they were strategically positioned at the crossroads of ancient civilizations. directly to Mount Hor
Mount Hor is identified as a significant landmark in the northern boundary of the Promised Land. The Hebrew term for "Mount" is "הַר" (har), which can refer to a mountain or hill. Mount Hor is traditionally associated with the region of Edom, and it holds historical significance as the place where Aaron, the brother of Moses, died and was buried (Numbers 20:22-29). This connection to Aaron underscores the continuity of the priestly lineage and the faithfulness of God in preserving His people. The mention of Mount Hor as a boundary point emphasizes the tangible and specific nature of God's promises, as well as the importance of obedience in claiming the inheritance He has set before His people. Persons / Places / Events 1. The IsraelitesThe people of God who are receiving instructions for the division of the Promised Land. 2. The Great SeaKnown today as the Mediterranean Sea, it serves as a significant geographical landmark for the northern boundary of the land allotted to the Israelites. 3. Mount HorA mountain that marks the northern boundary of the land. It is distinct from the Mount Hor where Aaron died, which is located in the south. 4. MosesThe leader of the Israelites who is conveying God's instructions regarding the boundaries of the Promised Land. 5. The Promised LandThe land of Canaan, which God promised to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Teaching Points God's Faithfulness in PromisesThe delineation of the land's boundaries is a testament to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to the patriarchs. Believers can trust in God's promises for their lives, knowing He is faithful to fulfill them. The Importance of BoundariesJust as God set physical boundaries for the Israelites, He sets spiritual and moral boundaries for His people today. Understanding and respecting these boundaries is crucial for living a life that honors God. The Role of LeadershipMoses' role in communicating God's instructions highlights the importance of godly leadership. Leaders in the church are called to guide their congregations according to God's Word. The Significance of ObedienceThe Israelites were required to obey God's instructions regarding the land. Similarly, obedience to God's Word is essential for believers to experience His blessings. The Concept of InheritanceThe land was an inheritance for the Israelites, symbolizing God's provision. Believers have a spiritual inheritance in Christ, which includes eternal life and spiritual blessings. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the promise of land to the Israelites in Numbers 34:7 reflect God's faithfulness to His covenant with Abraham? 2. In what ways can the concept of boundaries in Numbers 34:7 be applied to our spiritual and moral lives today? 3. How does the role of Moses in this passage inform our understanding of leadership within the church? 4. What are some modern-day examples of God's promises that require our obedience, similar to the Israelites' need to obey the land boundaries? 5. How can understanding our spiritual inheritance in Christ impact the way we live our daily lives? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 15God's covenant with Abraham, promising the land to his descendants, establishes the foundation for the territorial boundaries described in Numbers 34. Joshua 13-19These chapters detail the actual division of the land among the tribes of Israel, fulfilling the instructions given in Numbers 34. Ezekiel 47This passage describes a future vision of the land's boundaries, echoing the territorial promises and boundaries outlined in Numbers 34. 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 Border, Boundary, Designate, Draw, Hor, Limit, Line, Mark, Mount, North, Northern, Point, Run, YourselvesDictionary of Bible Themes Numbers 34:1-12 4207 land, divine gift Numbers 34:1-15 7258 promised land, early history Numbers 34:6-7 4266 sea 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 34:7 NIVNumbers 34:7 NLTNumbers 34:7 ESVNumbers 34:7 NASBNumbers 34:7 KJV
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