Appoint one leader from each tribe to distribute the land. AppointThe Hebrew root for "appoint" is "נָתַן" (natan), which means to give, set, or place. This word conveys a sense of divine ordination and responsibility. In the context of Israel's journey, appointing leaders was not merely a human decision but a divine mandate. It underscores the importance of God-ordained leadership in fulfilling His promises and ensuring orderly governance among His people. One leader
The term "leader" in Hebrew is "נָשִׂיא" (nasi), which refers to a prince, chief, or captain. This designation highlights the role of these individuals as representatives and decision-makers. In the tribal structure of Israel, leaders were chosen for their wisdom, integrity, and ability to guide their people according to God's laws. The singular "one" emphasizes unity and the importance of each tribe having a distinct yet equal voice in the distribution process. From each tribe
The phrase "from each tribe" signifies the inclusive and equitable nature of God's plan for His people. The twelve tribes of Israel, each descending from one of Jacob's sons, were to have equal representation in the land distribution. This ensured that no tribe was overlooked or marginalized, reflecting God's justice and fairness. Historically, this tribal system was central to Israel's identity and social structure. To distribute the land
The Hebrew word for "distribute" is "נָחַל" (nachal), which means to inherit or allocate. This task was not merely administrative but deeply spiritual, as the land was a divine inheritance promised to Abraham and his descendants. The distribution of the land was a fulfillment of God's covenant, symbolizing His faithfulness and the establishment of Israel as a nation. The land itself was a tangible expression of God's blessing and provision, meant to be stewarded according to His laws. Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe leader of the Israelites who received God's instructions regarding the division of the Promised Land. 2. Israelite TribesThe twelve tribes of Israel, each of which was to receive a portion of the Promised Land. 3. Promised LandThe land of Canaan, which God promised to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 4. LeadersRepresentatives from each tribe appointed to oversee the distribution of the land. 5. CanaanThe region that the Israelites were to inherit, representing God's promise and faithfulness. Teaching Points God's Order and StructureGod values order and structure in the community of His people. The appointment of leaders for land distribution reflects His desire for organized and fair governance. Shared LeadershipThe appointment of leaders from each tribe emphasizes the importance of shared leadership and responsibility. It encourages us to involve diverse voices in decision-making processes. Faithfulness to God's PromisesThe distribution of the land is a fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham. It reminds us of God's faithfulness and encourages us to trust in His promises for our lives. Community InvolvementThe involvement of tribal leaders in the distribution process highlights the importance of community participation in achieving common goals. It encourages us to actively engage in our communities and churches. Preparation for InheritanceJust as the Israelites prepared to inherit the Promised Land, we are called to prepare for the spiritual inheritance God has for us. This involves obedience, faith, and readiness to receive His blessings. Bible Study Questions 1. What qualities do you think were important for the leaders appointed to distribute the land, and how can we apply these qualities in our leadership roles today? 2. How does the concept of shared leadership in Numbers 34:18 relate to the structure of leadership in your church or community? 3. In what ways can we see God's faithfulness in our lives, similar to how the Israelites saw His faithfulness in the distribution of the Promised Land? 4. How can we ensure that diverse voices are included in decision-making processes within our communities or churches? 5. What steps can we take to prepare ourselves for the spiritual inheritance God has promised us, and how can we encourage others to do the same? Connections to Other Scriptures Joshua 14-19These chapters detail the actual distribution of the land among the tribes, fulfilling the instructions given in Numbers 34. Deuteronomy 1:13This verse discusses the appointment of wise and respected leaders, similar to the leaders appointed in Numbers 34:18. Acts 6:3The early church appointed leaders to manage specific tasks, reflecting the principle of shared leadership and responsibility seen in Numbers 34:18. 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 Apportion, Assign, Chief, Distribution, Divide, Inheritance, Leader, Possession, Prince, TribeDictionary of Bible Themes Numbers 34:16-19 7266 tribes of Israel Numbers 34:17-29 4208 land, divine responsibility 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 34:18 NIVNumbers 34:18 NLTNumbers 34:18 ESVNumbers 34:18 NASBNumbers 34:18 KJV
Numbers 34:18 Commentaries
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