Numbers 34:12
Numbers 34:12 in Multiple Translations
Then the border will go down along the Jordan and end at the Salt Sea. This will be your land, defined by its borders on all sides.”
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.
and the border shall go down to the Jordan, and the goings out thereof shall be at the Salt Sea. This shall be your land according to the borders thereof round about.
And so down to Jordan, stretching to the Salt Sea: all the land inside these limits will be yours.
Then the boundary will go down along the Jordan, ending at the Dead Sea. This is to be your land with its surrounding borders.”
Also that border shall goe downe to Iorden, and leaue at the salt Sea. this shalbe your land with the coastes thereof round about.
and the border hath gone down to the Jordan, and its outgoings have been at the Salt Sea; this is for you the land by its borders round about.'
The border shall go down to the Jordan, and end at the Salt Sea. This shall be your land according to its borders around it.’”
And the border shall go down to Jordan, and the limits of it shall be at the salt sea: This shall be your land with its limits on all sides.
And shall reach as far as the Jordan, and at the last shall be closed in by the most salt sea. This shall be your land with its borders round about.
Then the border will extend south along the Jordan River and end at the Dead Sea. Those will be the borders around your country.”
Berean Amplified Bible — Numbers 34:12
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Numbers 34:12 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/יָרַ֤ד
הַ/גְּבוּל֙
הַ/יַּרְדֵּ֔נָ/ה
וְ/הָי֥וּ
תוֹצְאֹתָ֖י/ו
יָ֣ם
הַ/מֶּ֑לַח
זֹאת֩
תִּהְיֶ֨ה
לָ/כֶ֥ם
הָ/אָ֛רֶץ
לִ/גְבֻלֹתֶ֖י/הָ
סָבִֽיב
וְ/יָרַ֤ד
yârad
H3381
to go down
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
הַ/גְּבוּל֙
gᵉbûwl
H1366
border
Art | N-ms
הַ/יַּרְדֵּ֔נָ/ה
Yardên
H3383
Jordan
Art | N-proper | Suff
וְ/הָי֥וּ
hâyâh
H1961
to be
Conj | V-Qal-3cp
תוֹצְאֹתָ֖י/ו
tôwtsâʼâh
H8444
outgoing
N-fp | Suff
יָ֣ם
yâm
H3220
West
N-ms
הַ/מֶּ֑לַח
melach
H4417
salt
Art | N-ms
זֹאת֩
zôʼth
H2063
this
Pron
תִּהְיֶ֨ה
hâyâh
H1961
to be
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs
לָ/כֶ֥ם
Prep | Suff
הָ/אָ֛רֶץ
ʼerets
H776
land
Art | N-cs
לִ/גְבֻלֹתֶ֖י/הָ
gᵉbûwlâh
H1367
border
Prep | N-fp | Suff
סָבִֽיב
çâbîyb
H5439
around
N-cs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Numbers 34:12
וְ/יָרַ֤ד
yârad
H3381
"to go down"
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
To go down or descend, like going to a lower place or falling. It appears in Genesis and Exodus, describing people and things moving downwards.
Definition: 1) to go down, descend, decline, march down, sink down 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go or come down 1a2) to sink 1a3) to be prostrated 1a4) to come down (of revelation) 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to bring down 1b2) to send down 1b3) to take down 1b4) to lay prostrate 1b5) to let down 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be brought down 1c2) to be taken down
Usage: Occurs in 345 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] abundantly, bring down, carry down, cast down, (cause to) come(-ing) down, fall (down), get down, go(-ing) down(-ward), hang down, [idiom] indeed, let down, light (down), put down (off), (cause to, let) run down, sink, subdue, take down. See also: Genesis 11:5; Judges 3:28; 2 Kings 1:15.
הַ/גְּבוּל֙
gᵉbûwl
H1366
"border"
Art | N-ms
This word refers to a boundary or border, like the borders of the Promised Land in Numbers 34:1-12. It can also mean a region or territory, as in the borders of Israel in 1 Kings 8:65.
Definition: : boundary 1) border, territory 1a) border 1b) territory (enclosed within boundary) 1c) region, territory (of darkness) (fig.) Also means: ge.vul (גְּבוּל ": area" H1366H)
Usage: Occurs in 196 OT verses. KJV: border, bound, coast, [idiom] great, landmark, limit, quarter, space. See also: Genesis 10:19; Joshua 19:33; Psalms 78:54.
הַ/יַּרְדֵּ֔נָ/ה
Yardên
H3383
"Jordan"
Art | N-proper | Suff
The Jordan River, which runs from Lebanon to the Dead Sea, is a key location in the Bible, including in the stories of Jesus and the Israelites.
Definition: Jordan = "descender" the river of Palestine running from the roots of Anti-Lebanon to the Dead Sea a distance of approx 200 miles (320 km) Also named: Iordanēs (Ἰορδάνης "Jordan" G2446)
Usage: Occurs in 164 OT verses. KJV: Jordan. See also: Genesis 13:10; Joshua 12:1; Psalms 42:7.
וְ/הָי֥וּ
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
Conj | V-Qal-3cp
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
תוֹצְאֹתָ֖י/ו
tôwtsâʼâh
H8444
"outgoing"
N-fp | Suff
This Hebrew word refers to a boundary or border, like the edge of a country. It can also mean a source or a way to escape, as in escaping death. In the Bible, it is often used to describe geographical borders.
Definition: 1) outgoing, border, a going out, extremity, end, source, escape 1a) outgoing, extremity (of border) 1b) source (of life) 1c) escape (from death)
Usage: Occurs in 23 OT verses. KJV: border(-s), going(-s) forth (out), issues, outgoings. See also: Numbers 34:4; Joshua 17:18; Psalms 68:21.
יָ֣ם
yâm
H3220
"West"
N-ms
Refers to a large body of water like the Mediterranean Sea or a sea in general, sometimes specifically the west or seaward direction.
Definition: This name means sea, seaward, westward Another name of eph.ron (עֶפְרוֹן "(Mount )Ephron" H6085H)
Usage: Occurs in 339 OT verses. KJV: sea ([idiom] -faring man, (-shore)), south, west (-ern, side, -ward). See also: Genesis 1:10; Joshua 17:10; Psalms 8:9.
הַ/מֶּ֑לַח
melach
H4417
"salt"
Art | N-ms
This Hebrew word refers specifically to salt that is easily pulverized and dissolved, often used to season food. It is also associated with salt pits, where salt was harvested. The word highlights the importance of salt in ancient Israelite life.
Definition: salt
Usage: Occurs in 26 OT verses. KJV: salt(-pit). See also: Genesis 14:3; Judges 9:45; Psalms 60:2.
זֹאת֩
zôʼth
H2063
"this"
Pron
This Hebrew word means this or that, often used to point out something specific. It appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: 1) this, this one, here, which, this...that, the one...the other, such 1a) (alone) 1a1) this one 1a2) this...that, the one...the other, another 1b) (appos to subst) 1b1) this 1c) (as predicate) 1c1) this, such 1d) (enclitically) 1d1) then 1d2) who, whom 1d3) how now, what now 1d4) what now 1d5) wherefore now 1d6) behold here 1d7) just now 1d8) now, now already 1e) (poetry) 1e1) wherein, which, those who 1f) (with prefixes) 1f1) in this (place) here, then 1f2) on these conditions, herewith, thus provided, by, through this, for this cause, in this matter 1f3) thus and thus 1f4) as follows, things such as these, accordingly, to that effect, in like manner, thus and thus 1f5) from here, hence, on one side...on the other side 1f6) on this account 1f7) in spite of this, which, whence, how
Usage: Occurs in 570 OT verses. KJV: hereby (-in, -with), it, likewise, the one (other, same), she, so (much), such (deed), that, therefore, these, this (thing), thus. See also: Genesis 2:23; Numbers 7:88; Judges 1:27.
תִּהְיֶ֨ה
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
לָ/כֶ֥ם
""
Prep | Suff
הָ/אָ֛רֶץ
ʼerets
H776
"land"
Art | N-cs
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.
לִ/גְבֻלֹתֶ֖י/הָ
gᵉbûwlâh
H1367
"border"
Prep | N-fp | Suff
This word is similar to H1366, also meaning a border or boundary, like the border of Canaan in Genesis 10:19. It describes a marked limit or edge of a territory.
Definition: border, boundary
Usage: Occurs in 10 OT verses. KJV: border, bound, coast, landmark. place. See also: Numbers 32:33; Joshua 19:49; Psalms 74:17.
סָבִֽיב
çâbîyb
H5439
"around"
N-cs
This word describes something that surrounds or encompasses, like a circle or neighborhood, and can also mean around or about, as in on every side. It is used to describe physical locations and proximity. The KJV translates it as about or circuit.
Definition: : around/border subst 1) places round about, circuit, round about adv 2) in a circuit, a circuit, round about prep 3) in the circuit, from every side
Usage: Occurs in 282 OT verses. KJV: (place, round) about, circuit, compass, on every side. See also: Genesis 23:17; 1 Kings 7:24; Psalms 3:7.
Study Notes — Numbers 34:12
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Numbers 34:12 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Numbers 34:12
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 34:12
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 34:12
- Trapp's Commentary on Numbers 34:12
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Numbers 34:12
- Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 34:12
- Sermons on Numbers 34:12
Context — The Boundaries of Canaan
10And your eastern border will run straight from Hazar-enan to Shepham,
11then go down from Shepham to Riblah on the east side of Ain and continue along the slopes east of the Sea of Chinnereth.
12Then the border will go down along the Jordan and end at the Salt Sea. This will be your land, defined by its borders on all sides.”
13So Moses commanded the Israelites, “Apportion this land by lot as an inheritance. The LORD has commanded that it be given to the nine and a half tribes. 14For the tribes of the Reubenites and Gadites, along with the half-tribe of Manasseh, have already received their inheritance.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Numbers 34:3 | Your southern border will extend from the Wilderness of Zin along the border of Edom. On the east, your southern border will run from the end of the Salt Sea, |
| 2 | Genesis 13:10 | And Lot looked out and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan, all the way to Zoar, was well watered like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt. (This was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) |
| 3 | Genesis 19:24–26 | Then the LORD rained down sulfur and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah—from the LORD out of the heavens. Thus He destroyed these cities and the entire plain, including all the inhabitants of the cities and everything that grew on the ground. But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt. |
| 4 | Genesis 14:3 | The latter five came as allies to the Valley of Siddim (that is, the Salt Sea ). |
Numbers 34:12 Summary
In Numbers 34:12, God is setting boundaries for the land He is giving to the Israelites, and this verse shows how He is faithful to His promises. Just like the Jordan River and the Salt Sea marked the borders of the Israelites' land, God has set boundaries for us to follow, as seen in Psalm 16:6 and Proverbs 22:28. This verse reminds us that God is our provider and guide, and we can trust Him to give us what we need (as seen in Matthew 6:33 and Philippians 4:19). By following God's boundaries and trusting in His provision, we can live a life that is pleasing to Him and fulfilling for us.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the Jordan River in Numbers 34:12?
The Jordan River serves as a natural border for the land God is giving to the Israelites, as seen in Numbers 34:12, and is also a reminder of the miraculous crossing in Joshua 3:13-17, where God stopped the river's flow to allow the Israelites to pass.
Why is the Salt Sea mentioned as the endpoint of the border in Numbers 34:12?
The Salt Sea, also known as the Dead Sea, marks the western boundary of the land, as stated in Numbers 34:12, and is a geographical landmark that distinguishes the Israelites' territory from that of their neighbors, as mentioned in Genesis 14:3 and Ezekiel 47:18.
How does this verse relate to God's promise to the Israelites?
Numbers 34:12 is a fulfillment of God's promise to give the Israelites a specific land, as stated in Genesis 12:7 and Exodus 6:4, and demonstrates God's faithfulness to His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
What is the importance of defining the land by its borders?
Defining the land by its borders, as mentioned in Numbers 34:12, ensures that the Israelites understand the extent of their inheritance and can occupy the land God has given them, as commanded in Joshua 1:3-4 and Psalm 105:44.
Reflection Questions
- How does the concept of a defined border relate to my own life and spiritual journey, and what boundaries has God set for me?
- What can I learn from the Israelites' experience of receiving a promised land, and how can I apply that to my own walk with God?
- In what ways can I trust God to provide for me and give me a sense of direction, just as He did for the Israelites in Numbers 34:12?
- How can I be a good steward of the resources and blessings God has given me, just as the Israelites were to be good stewards of the land?
Gill's Exposition on Numbers 34:12
And the border shall go down to Jordan,.... A well known river to the east of the land of Canaan: and the goings out of it shall be at the salt sea; the sea of Sodom; and though all sea water is
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 34:12
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. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 34:12
Down to Jordan, i.e. all along the river of Jordan, even to the end of it, which is the eastern border.
Trapp's Commentary on Numbers 34:12
Numbers 34:12 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.Ver. 12. It shall be at the salt sea.] That is, the Lake of Sodom, called also Asphaltites, and the Dead Sea. Josephus saith, that an ox, having all his legs bound, will not sink into the water of this sea, it is so dense.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Numbers 34:12
Verse 12. The border shall go down to Jordan] This river is famous both in the Old and New Testaments. It takes its rise at the foot of Mount Libanus, passes through the sea of Chinnereth or Tiberias, and empties itself into the lake Asphaltites or Dead Sea, from which it has no outlet. In and by it God wrought many miracles. God cut off the waters of this river as he did those of the Red Sea, so that they stood on a heap on each side, and the people passed over on dry ground. Both Elijah and Elisha separated its waters in a miraculous way, 2Kg 2:8-14. Naaman, the Syrian general, by washing in it at the command of the prophet, was miraculously cured of his leprosy, 2Kg 5:10-14. In this river John baptized great multitudes of Jews; and in it was CHRIST himself baptized, and the Spirit of God descended upon him, and the voice from heaven proclaimed him the great and only Teacher and Saviour of men, Matthew 3:16-17; Mr 1:5-11.
Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 34:12
11, 12. Riblah cannot be identified with “Riblah in the land of Hamath,” seeing that four landmarks occur between them.
Sermons on Numbers 34:12
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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(Genesis) Genesis 13:5-13 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the preacher talks about the importance of love and unity among believers. He shares a personal story about his uncle who never came to the Lord because of the figh |
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(Genesis) Genesis 19:28 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the sinfulness of engaging in homosexuality and labels it as a sin. He refers to the story of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19 as an importan |
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Three Stages of Spiritual Growth by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of receiving and internalizing God's word. He compares this process to a baby effortlessly swallowing mashed food, highlightin |
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Intoxicated With Babylon-Chapter Three by Steve Gallagher | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the influence of worldly culture on the church and how it can deceive and weaken the faith of believers. He uses the story of Lot and his fami |
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(Pdf Book) Intolerance by Sister Joela | Sister Joela addresses the challenges of navigating the storm of end-time humanism in her sermon 'Intolerance.' She draws parallels between the choices made by Lot and the moral di |
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The True Church and Babylon by Zac Poonen | This sermon emphasizes the importance of proclaiming the full purpose of God, focusing on the dangers of serving both God and money. It delves into the concept of Babylon as a syst |
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Separated and Saturated by Warren Wiersbe | Warren Wiersbe emphasizes the importance of being recipients and channels of God's blessings by meeting His conditions. He highlights the need to be separated from the world, not i |