The Boundaries of Canaan
(Genesis 15:8–21)

1Then the LORD {YHWH} said to Moses (drawn out), 2“Command the Israelites (God prevails) and say to them: When you⁺ enter the land of Canaan (lowland), it will be allotted to you⁺ as an inheritance with these boundaries:

3Your⁺ southern border will extend from the Wilderness of Zin (flat) along the border of Edom (red). On the east, your⁺ southern border will run from the end of the Salt Sea (the Dead Sea),a 4cross south of the Ascent (ascent of scorpions) of Akrabbim (the Ascent of Scorpions),b continue to Zin (flat), and go south of Kadesh-barnea (holy). Then it will go on to Hazar-addar (enclosure of glory) and proceed to Azmon (strong), 5where it will turn from Azmon (strong), join the Brook of Egypt (land of bondage), and end at the Sea (the Mediterranean Sea).c

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 (mountain), 8and from Mount Hor (mountain) to Lebo-hamath (fortress), then extend to Zedad (mountain side), 9continue to Ziphron (fragrance), and end at Hazar-enan (village of fountains). This will be your⁺ boundary on the north.

10And your⁺ eastern (village of fountains) border will run straight from Hazar-enan to Shepham (bald), 11then go down from Shepham (bald) to Riblah (fertility) on the east side of Ain (spring) and continue along the slopes east of the Sea of Chinnereth (the Sea of Galilee).d 12Then the border will go down along the Jordan (flowing down) and end at the Salt Sea.

This will be your⁺ land, defined by its borders on all sides.”

13So Moses (drawn out) commanded the Israelites (God prevails), “Apportion this land by lot as an inheritance. The LORD {YHWH} has commanded that it be given to the nine and a half tribes. 14For the tribes of the Reubenites and Gadites, (a troop / fortune) along with the half-tribe of Manasseh (causing to forget), have already received their inheritance. 15These two and a half tribes have received their inheritance across the Jordan (flowing down) from Jericho (city of palms), toward the sunrise.”

Leaders to Divide the Land

16Then the LORD {YHWH} said to Moses (drawn out), 17“These are the names of the men who are to assign the land as an inheritance for you⁺: Eleazar (God has helped) the priest and Joshua (YHWH saves) son of Nun (fish / posterity). 18Appoint one leader from each tribe to distribute the land. 19These are their names:

Caleb (dog) son of Jephunneh (He will be facing) from the tribe of Judah (praised);

20Shemuel (his name is El) son of Ammihud (my kinsman is majesty) from the tribe of Simeon (heard);

21Elidad (my God has loved) son of Chislon (confidence) from the tribe of Benjamin (son of the right hand);

22Bukki (wasting) son of Jogli (he is exiled), a leader from the tribe of Dan (He has judged);

23Hanniel (favored of God) son of Ephod, a leader from the tribe of Manasseh (causing to forget) son of Joseph (YHWH has added);

24Kemuel (raised of God) son of Shiphtan (judicial), a leader from the tribe of Ephraim (doubly fruitful);

25Eli-zaphan (my God has protected) son of Parnach (delicate), a leader from the tribe of Zebulun (exalted);

26Paltiel (God delivers) son of Azzan (very strong), a leader from the tribe of Issachar (there is recompense);

27Ahihud (brother of majesty) son of Shelomi (peaceful), a leader from the tribe of Asher (happy);

28and Pedahel (ransomed by God) son of Ammihud (my kinsman is majesty), a leader from the tribe of Naphtali (wrestling).”

29These are the ones whom the LORD {YHWH} commanded to apportion the inheritance to the Israelites (God prevails) in the land of Canaan (lowland).