Numbers 34:1-29

The Boundaries of the Land of Promise

On the land and the tribes inhabiting it see on Numbers 13:21.

3-5. The southern border: this started from the S. extremity of the Dead Sea, here called the Salt Sea (Numbers 34:3), and proceeded in a SW. direction to the ascent of Akrabbim, i.e. 'of scorpions' (Numbers 34:4), a row of cliffs about 8 m. distant; thence it passed by way of Kadesh-Barnea to the River of Egypt, where it reached the Mediterranean Sea (Numbers 34:5). The 'River of Egypt' is not the Nile but a brook, now identified with the Wady el-Arish, flowing into the sea about 20 m. S. of Gaza. It is frequently mentioned as the SW. border of Canaan: see 1 Kings 8:65; 2 Kings 24:7; 2 Chronicles 7:8; Isaiah 27:12. This southern boundary was also the boundary of Judah and Simeon: see Joshua 15:1; Joshua 19:9.