Numbers 34 29

Numbers 34:29 kjv

These are they whom the LORD commanded to divide the inheritance unto the children of Israel in the land of Canaan.

Numbers 34:29 nkjv

These are the ones the LORD commanded to divide the inheritance among the children of Israel in the land of Canaan.

Numbers 34:29 niv

These are the men the LORD commanded to assign the inheritance to the Israelites in the land of Canaan.

Numbers 34:29 esv

These are the men whom the LORD commanded to divide the inheritance for the people of Israel in the land of Canaan.

Numbers 34:29 nlt

These are the men the LORD has appointed to divide the grants of land in Canaan among the Israelites."

Numbers 34 verses

Numbers 34 29 Meaning

Numbers 34:29 succinctly concludes the section detailing the precise instructions for the division of the promised land. It underscores that the individuals previously listed – Eleazar the priest, Joshua, and the ten tribal princes – were specifically ordained by God to oversee the equitable apportionment of the land of Canaan among the tribes of Israel. This verse highlights the divine origin of the mandate, emphasizing that the distribution was not based on human devising or strength, but on the explicit command and sovereign will of the Lord.

Numbers 34 29 Context

Numbers chapter 34 details the precise geographical boundaries of the land of Canaan, which the Lord promised to the Israelites. Following this, verses 16-29 identify the specific individuals designated by God to oversee the complex task of dividing this land among the nine and a half tribes (Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh had already received their inheritance east of the Jordan, as detailed in Numbers 32). This particular verse, Numbers 34:29, serves as a summary and conclusion to this divinely ordained administrative arrangement. It solidifies the authority of Eleazar the priest, Joshua, and the tribal princes as the executors of God's will in the equitable distribution of the national inheritance. Historically, this command ensures an organized and just division of the highly anticipated Promised Land, laying the groundwork for Israel's permanent settlement after their wilderness wanderings. The careful listing of officials underscores the divine emphasis on orderly processes for securing their inheritance.

Numbers 34 29 Word analysis

• אֵ֤לֶּה (Eileh - "These are"): Refers directly and explicitly to the individuals enumerated in Numbers 34:17-28, namely Eleazar the priest, Joshua, and the ten tribal princes. This linking word creates a clear continuity between the selection of these leaders and the command given to them, underscoring their specific and essential roles.

• אֲשֶׁר־צִוָּה (asher-tzivah - "whom commanded"):

  • אֲשֶׁר (asher): "whom" or "which," a relative pronoun connecting the antecedent (the listed individuals) to the subsequent divine command.
  • צִוָּה (tzivvah): Derived from the verb צָוָה (tzavah), meaning "to command, order, instruct." This signifies a direct, authoritative, and non-negotiable directive from a superior power. It implies that these individuals were not acting on their own initiative or human wisdom, but as direct agents of God's sovereign will. This underscores the divine sanction and inviolable nature of the forthcoming land distribution.

• יְהוָה֙ (YHWH - "the LORD"): The personal covenant name of God, frequently transliterated as Yahweh. Its presence emphasizes that this command comes from the specific God of Israel, the one who made the covenant with Abraham, promised the land, delivered Israel from Egypt, and sustained them in the wilderness. It highlights divine faithfulness and authority, making the land distribution an act of divine provision rather than a human conquest or administrative arrangement.

• לְהַנְחִ֥יל (lehanchil - "to apportion" or "to cause to inherit"):

  • Derived from the Hiphil stem of the verb נָחַל (nachal), which fundamentally means "to inherit" or "to receive as an inheritance." The Hiphil form means "to cause to inherit," "to give as an inheritance," or "to allot as a heritage." This choice of word is crucial. The land is not merely "divided" in a practical sense but is formally "given as an inheritance." This emphasizes God's giving the land as a generational patrimony, fulfilling His promises. It also connects the land not to Israel's military might but to God's gracious gift, emphasizing their status as beneficiaries of a divine inheritance.

• אֶת־בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (et-b'nei Yisra'el - "the Israelites" or "the sons of Israel"):

  • אֶת־ (et): Direct object marker.
  • בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל (b'nei Yisra'el): Literally "sons of Israel." This term refers to the collective people of Israel, organized by tribes and families. It emphasizes their covenant identity as God's chosen family and nation, rightful recipients of His promise.

• בְּאֶ֖רֶץ כְּנָֽעַן׃ (b'eretz Kena'an - "in the land of Canaan"):

  • בְּ (b'): Preposition meaning "in" or "within."
  • אֶרֶץ כְּנָעַן (eretz Kena'an): "land of Canaan." This specific geographical designation reinforces that the fulfillment of the ancient patriarchal promises regarding a specific territory is now at hand. It refers to the historical region, the Promised Land, confirming the precision of God's covenantal promises and His faithfulness in bringing them to pass.

• "These are the ones the LORD commanded": This phrase highlights divine sovereignty. The authority to divide the land comes from the ultimate Lawgiver, YHWH. It underlines that the land belongs to God, and He dispenses it according to His divine plan and grace, not according to human designs or power struggles. It sets a precedent that the leadership of Israel, though prominent, remains subservient to divine will.

• "to apportion the land of Canaan to the Israelites": This entire phrase conveys the core purpose of the commission. The use of "apportion" (from the root nachal, to inherit) reinforces the theological understanding that the land is a divine inheritance. It's not a conquest acquired purely by force, but a promised heritage received as a gift. The act of dividing it "to the Israelites" emphasizes that it is for the entire nation, not just for a privileged few, and that it is given according to tribal allocations, demonstrating order and equity in divine providence.

Numbers 34 29 Bonus section

The deliberate detail provided in Numbers 34 regarding the precise boundaries of the land, followed by the explicit naming of the commissioners for its division, demonstrates God's commitment to His promises and His meticulous attention to the orderly establishment of His people. This level of detail dispels any notion of the land inheritance being an uncertain or undefined benefit; it was concrete, measurable, and specific. Furthermore, the selection of leaders from each tribe for the task of distribution not only ensured tribal representation but also provided a checks-and-balances system, guarding against partiality or corruption, underscoring the divine pursuit of equity and justice within the community. The historical fact of this land distribution, guided by God and executed by His appointed leaders, became a foundational aspect of Israelite identity and a constant reminder of God's covenant faithfulness across generations.

Numbers 34 29 Commentary

Numbers 34:29 acts as a concluding statement to the preceding instructions regarding the territorial boundaries of Canaan and the appointed leadership for its division. The concise language powerfully conveys the divine imperative behind the seemingly administrative task. By naming Eleazar, Joshua, and the tribal princes, the verse formalizes their commission from the Lord Himself. This highlights that the process of occupying and settling the Promised Land was not to be a chaotic free-for-all, nor was it subject to human political maneuvering alone. Instead, it was an meticulously planned fulfillment of God's covenant promises, guided by divine authority through chosen instruments. The term "to apportion" (lehanchil) underscores that the land was an inheritance, a sacred trust and a gracious gift from the LORD, rather than mere spoils of war. This distinction set the foundation for Israel's understanding of their identity, their secure dwelling, and their very existence, all rooted in God's faithfulness and meticulous providence. This commitment by the Lord, acted out through His appointed leaders, ensured a fair and just distribution for every family and tribe, establishing the pattern of inheritance and justice within the nation.