So 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. So Moses commanded the IsraelitesThis phrase underscores the authority and leadership of Moses, who is acting as God's appointed leader for the Israelites. The Hebrew root for "commanded" is צָוָה (tsavah), which implies a directive given with authority and expectation of obedience. Moses, as a prophet and leader, is the intermediary through whom God communicates His will to the people. This highlights the importance of obedience to divinely appointed leadership within the community of faith. Historically, Moses' role was pivotal in guiding the Israelites through the wilderness and preparing them to enter the Promised Land, emphasizing the need for strong, godly leadership in fulfilling God's promises. Assign this land by lot
The phrase "assign this land by lot" refers to the method by which the land of Canaan was to be distributed among the tribes of Israel. The Hebrew word for "lot" is גּוֹרָל (goral), which indicates a system of decision-making that relies on divine providence rather than human choice. This method ensured that the distribution was seen as fair and ordained by God, removing human bias and emphasizing trust in God's sovereignty. Archaeologically, the use of lots was a common practice in the ancient Near East for making decisions, reflecting a belief in divine involvement in the affairs of men. as an inheritance
The term "inheritance" in Hebrew is נַחֲלָה (nachalah), which conveys the idea of a permanent possession passed down through generations. This concept is deeply rooted in the covenantal promises made by God to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, where the land was promised as an everlasting possession to their descendants. Theologically, this inheritance is not just a physical territory but a symbol of God's faithfulness and the fulfillment of His promises. It serves as a reminder of the spiritual inheritance believers have in Christ, which is eternal and secure. The LORD had ordered to give the nine and a half tribes
This phrase highlights the specific instruction from the LORD regarding the division of the land. The mention of "nine and a half tribes" refers to the tribes that would settle west of the Jordan River, as opposed to the two and a half tribes that had already received their inheritance east of the Jordan. The specificity of God's command underscores His meticulous care and attention to detail in fulfilling His promises. It also reflects the organized and orderly nature of God's plans, which are executed with precision and purpose. Historically, this division of the land was crucial for the establishment of Israel as a nation in the Promised Land, fulfilling the covenantal promise made to the patriarchs. Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe leader of the Israelites who is conveying God's command regarding the division of the Promised Land. 2. The IsraelitesThe chosen people of God, who are about to enter and settle in the Promised Land. 3. The Nine and a Half TribesRefers to the tribes of Israel that are to receive their inheritance west of the Jordan River. This excludes the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, who had already received their inheritance east of the Jordan. 4. The Promised LandThe land of Canaan, which God promised to Abraham and his descendants. 5. Apportionment by LotA method used to distribute the land among the tribes, signifying God's sovereign choice in the allocation. Teaching Points Divine Sovereignty in InheritanceThe distribution of the land by lot underscores God's sovereignty and His direct involvement in the lives of His people. Believers can trust that God is in control of their circumstances and future. Faithfulness to God's PromisesThe allocation of the land is a fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham. This teaches us that God is faithful to His promises, and we can rely on His word. Unity and Obedience Among God's PeopleThe Israelites' obedience to God's command through Moses demonstrates the importance of unity and submission to God's will. As believers, we are called to work together in unity and follow God's guidance. The Role of Leadership in God's PlanMoses' role in communicating and executing God's command highlights the importance of godly leadership. Leaders in the church are called to faithfully guide and instruct God's people according to His word. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the method of apportioning the land by lot reflect God's sovereignty, and how can this understanding impact our view of God's control in our lives today? 2. In what ways does the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham in this passage encourage us to trust in God's promises in our own lives? 3. How can the unity and obedience of the Israelites in this passage serve as a model for the church today? 4. What qualities of leadership can we learn from Moses in this passage, and how can these be applied in our own roles within the church or community? 5. How does the concept of inheritance in this passage connect to the New Testament teachings on our inheritance in Christ, and what practical implications does this have for our daily lives? Connections to Other Scriptures Joshua 14-19These chapters detail the actual division of the land among the tribes, fulfilling the command given in Numbers 34:13. Genesis 12:7God's original promise to Abraham about giving his descendants the land of Canaan, which is being fulfilled in this passage. Proverbs 16:33This verse highlights the belief that the casting of lots is under God's control, reinforcing the idea that the land distribution was divinely guided. 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, Commanded, Commandeth, Decision, Half, Half-tribe, Heritage, Inherit, Inheritance, Israelites, Lord's, Lot, Nine, Order, Ordered, Orders, Possession, Receive, Saying, Sons, Tribe, Tribes, Wherein, YourselvesDictionary of Bible Themes Numbers 34:1-15 7258 promised land, early history Numbers 34:13-14 1657 numbers, fractions 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 34:13 NIVNumbers 34:13 NLTNumbers 34:13 ESVNumbers 34:13 NASBNumbers 34:13 KJV
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