Bible Glide

Numbers 34

Numbers 34 Summary, Context, and Full Chapter

Numbers 34 records God giving Moses the boundaries of the land of Canaan and the leaders who will oversee its division. The chapter shows that the coming inheritance is not left vague or random. It is defined by God and distributed with order among the tribes.

Read in ReaderShare Passage

What happens in Numbers 34?

The LORD tells Moses how the land of Canaan is to be marked out on every side: south, west, north, and east. Israel is to receive this land as an inheritance, with the exception of the tribes already settled east of the Jordan. God then names Eleazar the priest and Joshua as the main officials for dividing the land. One leader from each tribe is also appointed to help assign the inheritance. The chapter ends by stating that these men are the ones the LORD chose to carry out the distribution.

This chapter comes near the end of Numbers, after Israel's journey through the wilderness and before the instructions about cities of refuge and inheritance in the next chapter. It turns attention from travel and judgment to settlement and possession. The people are on the edge of the promised land, and this chapter describes how their future life in that land will be organized.

Themes to notice

  • God-given boundariesThe land is defined by the LORD, showing that Israel's inheritance comes with purpose and order.
  • Inheritance by lotThe tribes receive their share in a way that acknowledges God's authority over the distribution.
  • Shared leadershipPriests, national leaders, and tribal representatives all take part in carrying out God's command.

Questions for Numbers 34

  • What stands out to you about the way God defines the land before it is divided?
  • Why do you think the inheritance is assigned through appointed leaders rather than by private claim?
  • What does this chapter show about trust, order, and responsibility in God's people?

Read the full text of Numbers 34 below, then open it in the reader to highlight, take notes, or ask follow-up Bible questions. No account is required to read.

Numbers 34

The Boundaries of Canaan

1Then the LORD said to Moses,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,5where it will turn from Azmon, join the Brook of Egypt, and end at the Sea.

6Your western border will be the coastline of the Great Sea; this will be your boundary on the west.

7Your northern border will run from the Great Sea directly to Mount Hor,

8and from Mount Hor to Lebo-hamath, then extend to Zedad,9continue to Ziphron, and end at Hazar-enan. This will be your boundary on the north.

10And your eastern border will run straight from Hazar-enan to Shepham,

11then go down from Shepham to Riblah on the east side of Ain and continue along the slopes east of the Sea of Chinnereth.12Then the border will go down along the Jordan and end at the Salt Sea. This will be your land, defined by its borders on all sides.”

13So Moses commanded the Israelites, “Apportion this land by lot as an inheritance. The LORD has commanded that it be given to the nine and a half tribes.14For the tribes of the Reubenites and Gadites, along with the half-tribe of Manasseh, have already received their inheritance.15These two and a half tribes have received their inheritance across the Jordan from Jericho, toward the sunrise.”

Leaders to Divide the Land

16Then the LORD said to Moses,17“These are the names of the men who are to assign the land as an inheritance for you: Eleazar the priest and Joshua son of Nun.18Appoint one leader from each tribe to distribute the land.

19These are their names:

Caleb son of Jephunneh from the tribe of Judah;

20Shemuel son of Ammihud from the tribe of Simeon;

21Elidad son of Chislon from the tribe of Benjamin;

22Bukki son of Jogli, a leader from the tribe of Dan;

23Hanniel son of Ephod, a leader from the tribe of Manasseh son of Joseph;

24Kemuel son of Shiphtan, a leader from the tribe of Ephraim;

25Eli-zaphan son of Parnach, a leader from the tribe of Zebulun;

26Paltiel son of Azzan, a leader from the tribe of Issachar;

27Ahihud son of Shelomi, a leader from the tribe of Asher;

28and Pedahel son of Ammihud, a leader from the tribe of Naphtali.”

29These are the ones whom the LORD commanded to apportion the inheritance to the Israelites in the land of Canaan.

Keep studying

Save notes and ask about Numbers 34

Create a free account to keep highlights and notes across devices, or open Bible Glide Chat with this passage already attached.

Create Free AccountAsk About This Passage