Matthew Poole and continuators on Numbers 34

2 Command the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye come into the land of Canaan (this is the land that shall fall unto you for an inheritance, even the land of Canaan with the coasts thereof.)

Or, limits or bounds, to wit, of the land beyond Iordan. Which are here particularly described, 1. to direct and bound them in their wars and conquests, that they might not seek the enlargement of their empire, after the manner of other nations, but be contented with their own portion. 2. To encourage them in their attempt upon Can[illegible: 1+ letters]an, and assure them of their success. 3. to guide them in the approaching distribution of the land.

3 Then your south-quarter shall be from the wilderness of Zin, along by the coast of Edom , and your south-border shall be the outmost coast of the salt sea eastward .

Which is here described from East to West by divers windings and turnings, by reason of the mountains, rivers, &c.

Bordering all along upon the Edomites.

So called from the salt and sulphureous tast of its waters.

(i. e.) At the eastern part of that sea, where the Eastern and Southern borders meet.

Marginal references: Josh. 15. 1.; Gen. 14. 3.

4 And your border shall turn from the south to the ascent of Akrabbim , and pass unto Zin: and the going forth thereof shall be from the south to Kadesh-Barnea , and shall go on to Hazar-addar , and pass on to Azmon .

Called Maaleh-akrabbim, Ios. 15. 3. which was at the south end of the salt or dead sea.

Or, on the south, i. e. proceeding onward towards the South.

Which was on the Southern part of Canaan, Numb. 13. 17.

Which in Ios. 15. 3. may seem distinguished into two places, Hezron and Addar, which here are united because peradventure they were contiguous or joyned together. Or, the village of Addar, and so this is the same place called Addar, Ios. 15. 3. and for Hezron, that may be another place here omitted and there supplied for more exactness.

Which is at the West end of the mount of Edom.

5 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 .

Called Sihon, Ios. 13. 3. which divided Egypt from Canaan. See Gen. 15. 18.

The midland sea, called the sea emphatically, whereas the other seas there, as they are called, are indeed but lakes.

6 And as for the western border: ye shall even have the great sea for a border: this shall be your west-border.

The midland sea from the South to the North so far as runs parallel with mount Libanus.

7 And this shall be your north border: from the great [illegible: 1+ letters]ea ye shall poin[illegible: 1+ letters] o[illegible: 1+ letters] for you mo[illegible: 1+ letters] H[illegible: 1+ letters]r .

Not that Hor where Aaron died, Numb. 20. 22. which was Southward, and bordering upon Edom, Numb. 33. 37, 38. and therefore could not be their northern border, but another mountain, and, as it is conceived, the mountain of Libanus, which is elsewhere mentioned as the Northern border of the land, and which, in regard of divers parts or by divers people is called by divers names, as Sirion and Senir, Deut. 3. 9. and Sion, Deut. 4. 48. and Hermon, Ios. 13. 5. and here Hor, which signifies a mountain, and this may be called so by way of eminency. Certain it is, that as Hor here, so Hermon Ios. 13. 5. is joyned with the entrance of Hamath, which makes it probable they are one and the same place.

8 From mount Hor, ye shall point out your border unto the entrance of Hamath , and the goings forth of the border shall be to Zedad.

Called Hamath the great, Amos 6. 2. which is among the Northern borders, Ezek. 47. 16, 17. See Gen. 10. 15, 18. Numb. 13. 21. Iudg. 3. 3. 1 King. 8. 65.

11 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.

Of this name we have a city, Ios. 19. 35. and a country, Ios. 11. 2. 1 King. 15. 20. and a Sea or Lake, here and Ios. 12. 3. and 13. 27. which in the New Testament is called the sea of Genesareth, Luk. 5. 1. and of Galilee, and of T[illegible: 1+ letters]otrias, Ioh. 6. 1.

Marginal references: Heb. shoulder.

12 And the border shall go down to Jordan , and the goings out of it shall be at the salt sea: this shall be your land with the coasts thereof round about.

(i. e.) All along the river of Iordan even to the end of it, which is the eastern border.

17 These are the names of the men which shall divide the land unto you: Eleazar the priest , and Joshua the son of Nun.

Who was to act in Gods name, to cast lots, to prevent differences and contentions, to consult with God in cases of difficulty, to transact the whole business in a solemn and religious manner.

Marginal references: Josh. 14. 1. and 19. 51.

19 And the names of the men are these: of the tribe of Judah , Caleb the son of Jephunneh.

The order of the Tribes is here differing from that Numb. 1, 7, 26. and in other places, being here, as also Ios. 16. and 17. and 18. and 19. conformed to the order of their several inheritances which afterwards fell to them by Lot. Which is an evident demonstration of the infinite wisdom of Gods providence and of his exact and peculiar care over his people.