Then the LORD said to Moses, ThenThe word "Then" serves as a temporal marker, indicating a sequence of events. In the context of the Israelites' journey, it signifies a continuation of divine instruction. This word reminds us of God's ongoing guidance and involvement in the lives of His people. It suggests that God's revelations and commands are timely and purposeful, aligning with His divine plan for Israel. the LORD
The term "the LORD" is a translation of the Hebrew name "YHWH," often vocalized as Yahweh. This is the covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal, self-existent nature and His faithfulness to His promises. In the context of Numbers, it underscores God's authority and His role as the ultimate lawgiver and guide for the Israelites. It is a reminder of His sovereignty and His intimate relationship with His chosen people. said
The word "said" indicates direct communication from God to Moses. This highlights the prophetic nature of Moses' leadership, as he serves as the intermediary between God and the Israelites. The use of "said" emphasizes the clarity and authority of God's instructions, which are not mere suggestions but divine commands that require obedience. to Moses
Moses is the central human figure in the Pentateuch, chosen by God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt and through the wilderness. His name, derived from the Hebrew "Mosheh," is traditionally understood to mean "drawn out," reflecting his rescue from the Nile. Moses' role as a prophet and leader is pivotal, as he receives and communicates God's laws and instructions to the people. This phrase underscores the unique relationship between God and Moses, characterized by direct communication and trust. Moses' faithfulness and humility serve as an example for believers, illustrating the importance of obedience and reliance on God's guidance. Persons / Places / Events 1. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant-keeping God of Israel, who is directing the allocation of the Promised Land. 2. MosesThe leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to lead His people out of Egypt and through the wilderness. He is the mediator between God and the Israelites. 3. The Promised LandThe land of Canaan, which God promised to Abraham and his descendants. This chapter deals with the division of this land among the tribes of Israel. Teaching Points God's FaithfulnessGod is faithful to His promises. The division of the land is a testament to His unwavering commitment to fulfill what He promised to Abraham and his descendants. Leadership and ObedienceMoses' role as a leader highlights the importance of obedience to God's instructions. Leaders are called to faithfully execute God's plans, even when they may not see the fulfillment themselves. Divine GuidanceThe allocation of the land was not left to human decision but was directed by God. This teaches us to seek God's guidance in our decisions and trust His wisdom. Inheritance in ChristJust as the Israelites received a physical inheritance, believers have a spiritual inheritance in Christ. This passage encourages us to reflect on the eternal promises we have through faith. Community and ResponsibilityThe division of the land among the tribes underscores the importance of community and shared responsibility. Each tribe had a role and a portion, reminding us of our place and purpose within the body of Christ. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the faithfulness of God in fulfilling His promise to Abraham encourage you in your personal walk with God? 2. In what ways can you seek God's guidance in your daily decisions, similar to how the Israelites relied on God's direction for the division of the land? 3. How does Moses' leadership inspire you to be obedient to God's calling in your life, even when you may not see the immediate results? 4. Reflect on your spiritual inheritance in Christ. How does this understanding impact your daily life and priorities? 5. What role do you play in your community of faith, and how can you contribute to the shared responsibilities and mission of the church? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 12:7God's promise to Abraham about giving his descendants the land of Canaan, which is being fulfilled in Numbers 34. Exodus 3:8God's declaration to Moses about delivering the Israelites to a land flowing with milk and honey, which is the same land being divided in Numbers 34. Joshua 14:1-5The actual division of the land among the tribes, as instructed by God through Moses, showing the fulfillment of God's 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 Saying, Spake, Speaketh, SpokeDictionary of Bible Themes Numbers 34:16-19 7266 tribes of Israel 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 34:16 NIVNumbers 34:16 NLTNumbers 34:16 ESVNumbers 34:16 NASBNumbers 34:16 KJV
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