Numbers 34 11

Numbers 34:11 kjv

And the coast shall go down from Shepham to Riblah, on the east side of Ain; and the border shall descend, and shall reach unto the side of the sea of Chinnereth eastward:

Numbers 34:11 nkjv

the border shall go down from Shepham to Riblah on the east side of Ain; the border shall go down and reach to the eastern side of the Sea of Chinnereth;

Numbers 34:11 niv

The boundary will go down from Shepham to Riblah on the east side of Ain and continue along the slopes east of the Sea of Galilee.

Numbers 34:11 esv

And the border shall go down from Shepham to Riblah on the east side of Ain. And the border shall go down and reach to the shoulder of the Sea of Chinnereth on the east.

Numbers 34:11 nlt

then down to Riblah on the east side of Ain. From there the boundary will run down along the eastern edge of the Sea of Galilee,

Numbers 34 verses

Numbers 34 11 Meaning

Numbers 34:11 meticulously defines a segment of the eastern boundary of the Promised Land that God was allocating to the tribes of Israel. It describes a precise line descending from a northern point, Shepham, through Riblah and near a significant spring named Ain, ultimately reaching the slope leading to the Sea of Chinnereth (known today as the Sea of Galilee) on its eastern side. This detailed description underscores God's sovereignty over the land and His faithful provision of an exact inheritance for His covenant people.

Numbers 34 11 Context

Numbers chapter 34 provides the divine mandate and detailed instructions for the tribal allocation and exact borders of the land of Canaan that Israel was to inherit. The verses immediately preceding Numbers 34:11 describe the western and northern borders, establishing the full perimeter. This particular verse, along with verse 12, specifically delineates the eastern border. The historical context is crucial: it comes at the close of the wilderness wanderings, as the new generation of Israelites is preparing to enter the land, symbolizing the imminent fulfillment of God's centuries-old covenant promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob regarding a land. The precision in geographical detail was vital for the actual division and possession of the land, providing clear boundaries for each tribe and affirming their divinely ordained territory.

Numbers 34 11 Word analysis

• And the boundary: (Hebrew: וְגָלַל, v'galal - lit. "and it shall go/turn"). Signifies the turning or circling movement of the border line. It implies a definite, delineated demarcation rather than a vague region, crucial for national identity and peace.
• shall go down: (Hebrew: יָרַד, yarad). Indicates a descent in elevation, which aligns with the topography of the eastern Jordan Valley. This reflects a natural, physical description of the terrain the border follows.
• from Shepham: (Hebrew: מִשְׁפָם, mi-Shepham). A specific, though currently unconfirmed, geographical landmark on the northern part of the eastern border. Its mention underscores the detailed nature of God's instructions and the precision with which the ancient Israelites were expected to identify their territorial claims.
• to Riblah: (Hebrew: רִבְלָה, Riblah). A specific location, distinct from the more famous Riblah on the Orontes River mentioned in later historical contexts (2 Kgs 25:6, Jer 39:5). This Riblah is geographically consistent with a point further south from Shepham towards the Sea of Galilee within the land's boundary.
• on the east side of Ain: (Hebrew: מִקֶּדֶם לְעַיִן, mi-qedem l'Ain - lit. "from the east of Ain").
  • Ain (Hebrew: עַיִן, Ayin): Means "eye" or "spring/fountain." Likely refers to a significant natural spring, a common geographical marker in arid regions, indicating its position relative to the border's path.
  • "on the east side of Ain" indicates that the border line ran just east of this spring, placing Ain itself possibly within the territory or as a crucial marker just outside the defined border.
• and the boundary shall go down: (Hebrew: וְיָרַד, v'yarad). Repetition of "shall go down" emphasizes the consistent southward and descending direction of the border, reinforcing the natural flow along the valley toward the sea.
• and reach: (Hebrew: וּמָחָה, u-macha - lit. "and shall strike/touch"). Signifies the precise meeting or ending point of this segment of the boundary, a definitive terminus.
• the slope of the Sea of Chinnereth eastward:
  • slope: (Hebrew: כֶּתֶף, ketef - lit. "shoulder"). Used metaphorically to mean a side or slope of a mountain or, in this context, the bank/shore leading down to the lake.
  • Sea of Chinnereth: (Hebrew: יָם כִּנֶּרֶת, Yam Kinnt). Refers to the fresh-water lake known as the Sea of Galilee in the New Testament. Its name "Chinnereth" may derive from "kinnor," meaning "harp" or "lyre," possibly referring to the shape of the lake or a nearby town. This body of water served as a prominent and unmistakable eastern marker for the land.
  • eastward: (Hebrew: קֵדְמָה, qedmah). Confirms the final direction and location of the border's termination at the eastern shore of the Sea of Chinnereth.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And the boundary shall go down from Shepham to Riblah": This phrase establishes the northern extent of the eastern boundary, identifying key northern geographical waypoints that define its descent. It shows the detailed survey of the land even before its full possession.
• "on the east side of Ain": This provides further precision, positioning the border relative to a specific landmark, indicating its trajectory not just between points but also concerning specific features of the landscape. It emphasizes the border’s close proximity but external relationship to "Ain," likely keeping the spring itself within the main land allocation or as a shared resource.
• "and the boundary shall go down and reach the slope of the Sea of Chinnereth eastward": This concludes the specific segment of the eastern boundary described in this verse. It reiterates the natural descending path and culminates at a major, easily identifiable body of water (the Sea of Galilee), defining the land's boundary clearly on its eastern flank before continuing south down the Jordan. The "slope" indicates that the boundary goes down to the lake, defining the shore as the precise edge.

Numbers 34 11 Bonus section

• The naming of geographical features like "Chinnereth" (Kinneret), meaning "harp," is an example of ancient Hebrew observation and cultural association with the land's topography, highlighting a direct connection between physical landscape and cultural understanding. Later, this body of water was known by various names: Lake of Gennesaret, Lake of Tiberias, or most commonly today, the Sea of Galilee, showing the evolving history and cultural influences upon the land over millennia.
• The meticulous outlining of borders in Numbers 34 was crucial for maintaining tribal identity and preventing future territorial disputes among the Israelite tribes, underscoring the divine provision for order and peace within the Promised Land. This attention to detail reflects a deeper theological principle of divine order in all aspects of life.
• While "Riblah" often refers to a significant Aramaean town on the Orontes where Judean kings were brought to account, the "Riblah" in Numbers 34:11 refers to a distinct, more southerly location on the northeastern border of Canaan. This distinction is vital for accurate geographical and historical interpretation, preventing confusion between different historical contexts.

Numbers 34 11 Commentary

Numbers 34:11 is not merely a dry geographical description; it's a testament to God's precise fulfillment of His ancient promises to Israel. The meticulous detailing of the eastern border, from identifiable points like Shepham and Riblah, past Ain, and terminating at the Sea of Chinnereth, underscores God's sovereign hand in defining and bestowing their inheritance. This divine mapping provided legal and practical clarity for the future generations of Israelites who would occupy this land, minimizing disputes and solidifying their divinely given claims. The exactitude communicates the certainty and reliability of God's word—He promised a land, and He delivered it with precise boundaries. Furthermore, the mention of the "Sea of Chinnereth," which would later become the backdrop for much of Christ's earthly ministry (the Sea of Galilee), links the ancient covenant promise directly to the coming of the Messiah and the broader outworking of God's redemptive plan within this very geographical space.