“And your border shall turn from the south to the ascent of Akrabbim, and pass on to 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.”
In this verse, Moses is speaking to the Israelites, giving them instructions regarding the boundaries of the land that was to be allotted to the tribes of Israel as they prepared to enter the Promised Land.
The verse describes the eastern border of the land, beginning from the southern part and extending to various landmarks. Here is a breakdown of the locations mentioned:
“The ascent of Akrabbim”: The border was to turn from the south and go up to the ascent of Akrabbim. Akrabbim is believed to refer to a rocky pass in the southern region of Judah, near the modern-day Ein Gedi and the Dead Sea.
“Zin”: After reaching the ascent of Akrabbim, the border was to pass on to Zin. Zin is a desert region in the southern part of the land.
“Kadesh-barnea”: The border was to proceed from the south to Kadesh-barnea. Kadesh-barnea was an important location in the wilderness where the Israelites camped for some time. It is situated in the Negev desert, close to the border of Edom.
“Hazar-addar”: The border was to go on to Hazar-addar. The exact location of Hazar-addar is uncertain, but it is believed to be in the southern part of the land, possibly close to Kadesh-barnea.
“Azmon”: The border was to pass on to Azmon. The exact identification of Azmon is uncertain, but it is thought to be a point in the southern region of the land.
These specific landmarks mentioned in Numbers 34:4 helped define the eastern border of the land that would be given to the Israelite tribes. The entire chapter of Numbers 34 provides further details about the borders of the land allotted to each tribe.
Overall, this verse emphasizes the meticulousness and specificity with which God instructed the Israelites in establishing the boundaries of the land they were about to possess. It highlights God’s faithfulness in fulfilling His promise to give them the Promised Land and provides a historical context for understanding the geography of that time.
