continue to Ziphron, and end at Hazar-enan. This will be your boundary on the north. continue to ZiphronThe phrase "continue to Ziphron" indicates a progression or movement towards a specific location. In the Hebrew context, the word for "continue" suggests a journey or path that is being followed. Ziphron, though not widely mentioned elsewhere in the Bible, is part of the northern boundary of the Promised Land. The name itself may derive from a root meaning "fragrance" or "watchtower," suggesting a place of significance or oversight. This reflects the idea that God’s people are to move forward with purpose, guided by His divine plan, towards a place of promise and oversight. end at Hazar-enan
The phrase "end at Hazar-enan" marks the conclusion of the northern boundary. "Hazar" in Hebrew often refers to a village or settlement, while "Enan" could mean "spring" or "fountain." This suggests a place of habitation and life-giving water, symbolizing sustenance and community. The boundary ending here signifies a completion of God’s designated territory for His people, emphasizing the importance of divine boundaries in providing security and identity. It serves as a reminder that God’s provision includes both physical and spiritual sustenance. This will be your boundary on the north
The declaration "This will be your boundary on the north" establishes a clear demarcation for the Israelites. In the ancient Near Eastern context, boundaries were crucial for defining ownership, responsibility, and protection. The Hebrew word for "boundary" implies a limit or border that is divinely ordained. This northern boundary signifies God’s sovereign allocation of land, underscoring His authority and the importance of respecting His divine order. It serves as a metaphor for the spiritual boundaries that God sets for His people, within which they find safety and blessing. This verse, therefore, is a call to recognize and honor the limits God places in our lives, trusting in His wisdom and provision. Persons / Places / Events 1. ZiphronA location mentioned as part of the northern boundary of the land allotted to the Israelites. Its exact historical location is uncertain, but it is significant as a marker in defining the Promised Land. 2. Hazar-enanAnother geographical marker on the northern boundary. The name suggests a settlement or village ("Hazar") near a spring or fountain ("Enan"), indicating a place of sustenance and life. 3. The IsraelitesThe people of God, descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who are receiving their inheritance in the Promised Land as promised by God. 4. The Promised LandThe land of Canaan, promised by God to the descendants of Abraham. This passage details the specific boundaries of this land. 5. MosesThe leader of the Israelites who is conveying God's instructions regarding the boundaries of the land. Teaching Points God's Faithfulness in PromisesThe detailed boundaries in Numbers 34:9 remind us of God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises. Just as He promised the land to Abraham's descendants, He is faithful to His promises to us today. The Importance of BoundariesBoundaries are essential for order and identity. In our spiritual lives, setting boundaries helps us maintain our identity in Christ and live according to His will. Trust in God's ProvisionThe land described is a gift from God, a place of provision and blessing. We are called to trust in God's provision for our needs, both physical and spiritual. Obedience to God's InstructionsThe Israelites were to follow God's instructions precisely. This teaches us the importance of obedience to God's Word in our lives. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the description of the land's boundaries in Numbers 34:9 reflect God's faithfulness to His promises to Abraham? 2. In what ways can setting spiritual boundaries help us maintain our identity in Christ? 3. How does the concept of the Promised Land as a place of provision relate to Jesus' promise of abundant life in John 10:10? 4. What are some areas in your life where you need to trust more in God's provision? 5. How can we ensure that we are obedient to God's instructions in our daily lives, similar to how the Israelites were instructed to follow the boundaries set by God? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 15God's covenant with Abraham, promising the land to his descendants, is foundational to understanding the significance of the boundaries described in Numbers 34. Joshua 13-21These chapters detail the actual distribution of the land among the tribes of Israel, fulfilling the instructions given in Numbers 34. Ezekiel 47This passage also describes the boundaries of the land, providing a prophetic vision of Israel's restoration. 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, Enan, Extend, Farthest, Forth, Goings, Hazar, Hazarenan, Hazar-enan, Ha'zar-e'nan, Limit, Limits, North, Northern, Outgoings, Point, Proceed, Termination, Thereof, ZiphronDictionary of Bible Themes Numbers 34:1-12 4207 land, divine gift Numbers 34:1-15 7258 promised land, early history 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 34:9 NIVNumbers 34:9 NLTNumbers 34:9 ESVNumbers 34:9 NASBNumbers 34:9 KJV
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