Numbers 34 10

Numbers 34:10 kjv

And ye shall point out your east border from Hazarenan to Shepham:

Numbers 34:10 nkjv

'You shall mark out your eastern border from Hazar Enan to Shepham;

Numbers 34:10 niv

"?'For your eastern boundary, run a line from Hazar Enan to Shepham.

Numbers 34:10 esv

"You shall draw a line for your eastern border from Hazar-enan to Shepham.

Numbers 34:10 nlt

"The eastern boundary will start at Hazar-enan and run south to Shepham,

Numbers 34 verses

Numbers 34 10 Meaning

Numbers 34:10 describes a specific portion of the eastern boundary of the Promised Land that the Lord commanded Moses to outline for the people of Israel. It details that this segment of the border was to extend from Hazar-enan southwards to Shepham, demonstrating God's meticulous and sovereign provision of territory for His covenant people.

Numbers 34 10 Context

Numbers chapter 34 provides the divine blueprint for the borders of the land of Canaan which the Israelites were to inherit. Following the census and instructions for distributing the land by lot, God delineates the exact northern, western, southern, and eastern boundaries. This specificity prevents disputes, ensures a defined inheritance, and underscores that the land is a direct gift from the Lord. Verse 10, specifically, details a crucial part of this divinely drawn eastern border, marking its extension from a known point, Hazar-enan, to another significant marker, Shepham.

Numbers 34 10 Word analysis

• And: This conjunction connects the current verse with the preceding description of the northern boundary (Num 34:7-9), implying a continuation of the same meticulous boundary-setting instructions from God. It shows that the eastern border flows logically from the northernmost point.

• for the east side (מִקֶּדֶם - miqqedem): This phrase literally means "from the front" or "from the rising sun." It denotes the direction towards the east. In the Hebrew worldview, "qedem" can also carry a connotation of ancientness or primordial times, hinting that these divinely ordained boundaries are rooted in God's eternal plan and covenant with Abraham, pre-dating any human claim.

• you shall mark out (וּתְאֶרְתֶּם - ūt'eratem): Derived from the Hebrew root תאר (t-a-r), meaning "to describe," "to outline," or "to delineate." This verb emphasizes that the drawing of the boundary is to be precise, official, and authoritative, not arbitrary. It suggests a clear, intentional, and God-given survey rather than a human estimation. This is a direct command for Israel to enact God's precise plan.

• your boundary (גְּבֻלְכֶם - gevulkem): From the Hebrew word גְּבֻל (gevul), meaning "boundary," "border," or "territory." This term signifies a definite limit, marking the extent of the land gifted by God. In ancient Israel, such boundaries were considered sacred and protected by divine law (e.g., Deut 19:14), reflecting the divine sovereignty over land allocation.

• from Hazar-enan (מֵחֲצַר עֵינָן - meChasar-Enan): Literally "from the court of springs" or "village of fountains." This location is identified as a crucial landmark, specifically the eastern end of the northern border described in Num 34:9, and also mentioned in Ezekiel 47 and 48 in relation to the ideal tribal boundaries. Its name suggests a naturally watered, perhaps lush, area, emphasizing the fertility of the land promised by God, even at its extremities. It signifies a distinct and geographically identifiable point.

• to Shepham (לִשְׂפָם - lîsh'pam): This is another specific geographical marker on the eastern boundary. Its precise modern identification is less certain compared to Hazar-enan but clearly designates a defined endpoint for this segment of the border. It indicates a clear path of delineation from the north to this specific southern point along the eastern side.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• And for the east side you shall mark out: This phrase highlights God's systematic and thorough approach to defining Israel's inheritance. It's a continuous, ordered instruction, showing that every direction of the land, every side, is under His divine superintendence and precisely drawn.
• your boundary from Hazar-enan to Shepham: This passage provides specific, tangible reference points for the border. It reinforces that the land Israel was to receive was a physical, measurable, and clearly demarcated territory, not merely a vague promise. The particularity of these locations underscores the reality and precision of God's covenant gift.

Numbers 34 10 Bonus section

• The naming of Hazar-enan, "court of springs," suggests not only a precise geographic point but also implies a lush and well-watered land, highlighting the blessed nature of the inheritance given by God. Even at its very borders, the land promised bore evidence of God's provision.
• The emphasis on God explicitly giving these detailed instructions for land boundaries demonstrates His intimate involvement in Israel's national life, leaving no room for human error or misinterpretation regarding the extent of their promised territory. It signifies divine order in opposition to potential chaos or arbitrary expansion.
• This passage served as a foundational legal and territorial document for the newly forming nation of Israel, designed to prevent future internal strife over land distribution and reinforce their unique identity as God's chosen people with a divinely appointed home.

Numbers 34 10 Commentary

Numbers 34:10 illustrates God's meticulous care in fulfilling His covenant promises to Israel by precisely defining the boundaries of their promised inheritance. The detailed instructions, including specific landmarks like Hazar-enan and Shepham, emphasize divine sovereignty and provision. This was not a territory to be seized by human ambition or constantly negotiated, but a precise allocation from the Lord. This divine demarcation stands in contrast to the arbitrary land claims and territorial disputes common in the ancient Near East, asserting Yahweh's supreme authority over all creation and His singular right to distribute nations' inheritances. The very act of God outlining such precise borders instilled in Israel the understanding that their possession was secure, guaranteed by the unwavering promise of their God. This principle foreshadows the spiritual inheritance believers receive in Christ, an eternal, clearly defined reality guaranteed by God's promise.