Numbers 34 5

Numbers 34:5 kjv

And the border shall fetch a compass from Azmon unto the river of Egypt, and the goings out of it shall be at the sea.

Numbers 34:5 nkjv

the border shall turn from Azmon to the Brook of Egypt, and it shall end at the Sea.

Numbers 34:5 niv

where it will turn, join the Wadi of Egypt and end at the Mediterranean Sea.

Numbers 34:5 esv

And the border shall turn from Azmon to the Brook of Egypt, and its limit shall be at the sea.

Numbers 34:5 nlt

From Azmon the boundary will turn toward the Brook of Egypt and end at the Mediterranean Sea.

Numbers 34 verses

Numbers 34 5 Meaning

Numbers 34:5 describes a specific segment of the southern boundary of the land of Canaan that God allotted to the Israelites. It details that this border would begin from a place called Azmon, curve southwestward to meet the "River of Egypt" (understood as a seasonal wadi or brook, distinct from the Nile), and conclude its course where this "River of Egypt" empties into the Mediterranean Sea, which is referred to as "the sea." This verse provides precise geographical markers for defining Israel's divinely given territory.

Numbers 34 5 Context

Numbers 34 is primarily an instruction from God to Moses regarding the geographical boundaries of the land of Canaan that the Israelites were to inherit. Following their long wilderness wanderings and preceding their entry into the land, this chapter details the four cardinal borders (south, west, north, and east) and also names the specific leaders from each tribe who would be responsible for parceling out the land among the tribes. This meticulous detailing emphasizes the precise and divinely ordained nature of their inheritance. Verse 5 is part of the description of the southern boundary, clarifying its trajectory from an inland point (Azmon) to a key external boundary marker (the River of Egypt) before it meets the vast western boundary (the Great Sea). This detailed enumeration underscores the legitimacy of their claim to the land and reinforces the fulfillment of God's covenant promises, providing concrete limits for their future settlement.

Numbers 34 5 Word analysis

• And the border (וּגְבוּל, u-gevul):
  • Gevul (גְבוּל) signifies a fixed, well-defined limit or boundary. It denotes not just an abstract line but often a territory circumscribed by such a line. Its use here stresses the precise, divinely ordained nature of the land partition. This is not an amorphous territory but a legally and spiritually demarcated inheritance from God.
• shall fetch a compass (נָסַב, nasav):
  • Nasav (נָסַב) means "to turn," "to go about," "to encompass," or "to revolve." It implies a non-linear, curving path, adapting to natural geographical features. This suggests that the boundary line followed the terrain, likely a wadi bed or natural contours, rather than a straight survey line. This reflects a practical, realistic approach to defining borders in the ancient world, often aligning with identifiable landmarks.
• from Azmon (מֵעַצְמֹון, me-Azmon):
  • Azmon (עַצְמֹון) is a specific, albeit now uncertain, geographical point in the southern desert region (Negev) of ancient Canaan. Its mention establishes a precise starting point for this segment of the southern border. For the original audience, it would have been a recognizable landmark, ensuring clarity of the border's beginning.
• unto the river of Egypt (עַד-נַחַל מִצְרָיִם, ad Nachal Mitzrayim):
  • Nachal Mitzrayim (נַחַל מִצְרָיִם), literally "Wadi/Brook of Egypt." This is almost universally identified with the Wadi el-Arish, a seasonal watercourse that drains the northern Sinai into the Mediterranean Sea. Crucially, it is distinct from the great Nile River of Egypt.
  • Significance: This was a major geopolitical boundary marker in the ancient Near East, signifying the traditional border between Canaan and Egypt. Its inclusion here establishes Israel's land claims up to a prominent natural and political frontier, asserting divine sovereignty over their territory without yielding to foreign imperial claims. This specific designation also carries a polemical weight, challenging any perception that the entire region beyond a certain point belonged to the dominant Egyptian power, instead affirming Israel's divinely appointed domain.
• and the goings out of it (וְהָיְתָה תֹצְאֹתָיו, ve-hayetah totze'otayv):
  • Totze'otayv (תֹצְאֹתָיו), literally "its outgoings" or "its exits." This term refers to the terminating points or final destinations of the border line. It emphasizes the conclusion or end point of this particular border segment, ensuring there is no ambiguity about where it finishes.
• shall be at the sea (אֶל-הַיָּם, el ha-yam):
  • Ha-yam (הַיָּם) refers to "the Sea," specifically the Great Sea, which is the Mediterranean Sea.
  • Significance: This marks the westernmost terminus of the southern border, where the Wadi el-Arish empties into the Mediterranean. This completes the natural and divinely ordained western boundary for Israel's inheritance, linking it with the western border outlined in Numbers 34:6. It confirms a coherent and comprehensive description of their future homeland.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And the border shall fetch a compass from Azmon unto the river of Egypt": This phrase meticulously delineates the precise path of a segment of the southern boundary. It starts from a known landmark, Azmon, and describes a curving or winding trajectory that follows natural contours until it reaches the important "River of Egypt." This illustrates the specificity and geographical awareness in God's instruction for partitioning the land, showing careful planning for a nation's territory.
• "and the goings out of it shall be at the sea": This final clause clarifies the exact termination point of the previously described border segment. It makes clear that where the "River of Egypt" reaches the Mediterranean Sea, that marks the end of this southern line, completing a distinct and comprehensible section of Israel's southern frontier. This detail underlines the comprehensive nature of the land assignment, leaving no room for territorial dispute within this specific segment.

Numbers 34 5 Bonus section

• The geographical exactness in this verse and the surrounding chapters served as a "divine deed" to the Israelites, legally and spiritually legitimizing their claim to the land over against the existing inhabitants (Canaanites) and surrounding nations (like Egypt). This was vital for future generations to understand the parameters of their God-given homeland.
• For the ancient Israelite, identifying specific natural features like a wadi and the Great Sea as boundary markers made the abstract promise of land concretely understandable and verifiable on the ground. This physical manifestation of God's promise reinforced their faith and sense of divine protection and provision as they prepared to settle the land.
• The emphasis on defined boundaries throughout Numbers 34 highlights the importance of order and demarcation within God's divine plan, not only for territory but also implicitly for national identity, worship, and social structure. Just as their land had limits, so too would their covenant obligations.

Numbers 34 5 Commentary

Numbers 34:5 is a foundational verse within the divine command for Israel's territorial inheritance, illustrating the meticulous precision with which God defines the Promised Land. This detailed geographical description—Azmon, the Brook of Egypt, and the Mediterranean Sea—is far more than a simple listing of places; it is a profound declaration of God's faithfulness to His covenant promises (Gen 15:18). By specifying exact landmarks and natural features for the border, God ensures clarity and tangibility for His people's inheritance. The "fetching a compass" implies a boundary line that naturally adapts to the landscape, showing divine design intertwined with natural order. The inclusion of the "River of Egypt" (Wadi El-Arish) as a boundary point is particularly significant. It marked not only a natural end to the southern territory but also acted as a political and cultural demarcation, asserting Israel's divinely granted domain distinct from the mighty Egyptian empire. This precision prevented future ambiguities over ownership, underscoring God's provision and establishing clear physical parameters for the new nation of Israel. The detailed boundaries also foreshadow God's orderliness and purpose in all His dealings with His people, giving them a firm footing for their national identity and worship within their designated home.