Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Numbers 34:16
And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying,
16 29. Ten princes were appointed to superintend the allotment of the land, one from each of the nine and a halt tribes who settled west of the Jordan. In supreme command are Joshua and Eleazar, the successors of Moses and Aaron as the civil and religious beads of the nation.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Of the representatives now selected through Moses beforehand, who were all princes, i. e. heads of chief families, in their respective tribes (see Num 13:2), Caleb alone, of the tribe of Judah, is otherwise known to us (see Num 13:4 ff). The order in which the tribes are named is peculiar to this passage. If they be taken in pairs, Judah and Simeon, Benjamin and Dan, Manasseh and Ephraim, Zebulun and Issachar, Asher and Naphtali, the order of the pairs agrees with the order in which the allotments in the Holy land, taken also in couples, followed each other in the map from south to north.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
16-29. names of the men . . . whichshall divide the landThis appointment by the Lord before theJordan tended not only to animate the Israelites faith in thecertainty of the conquest, but to prevent all subsequent dispute anddiscontent, which might have been dangerous in presence of thenatives. The nominees were ten princes for the nine and a halftribes, one of them being selected from the western section ofManasseh, and all subordinate to the great military andecclesiastical chiefs, Joshua and Eleazar. The names are mentioned inthe exact order in which the tribes obtained possession of the land,and according to brotherly connection.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And the Lord spake unto Moses,…. At the same time that he gave him the bounds of the land of Canaan, which was to be divided between the nine tribes and a half; and that this might be done in the most impartial manner, and to the satisfaction of them all, he gave orders to Moses:
saying; as follows.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
List of the Men Appointed to Distribute the Land. – In addition to Eleazar and Joshua, the former of whom was to stand at the head as high priest, in accordance with the divine appointment in Num 27:21, and the latter to occupy the second place as commander of the army, a prince was selected from each of the ten tribes who were interested in the distribution, as Reuben and Gad had nothing to do with it. Of these princes, namely heads of fathers’ houses of the tribes (Jos 14:1), not heads of tribes (see at Num 13:2), Caleb, who is well known from Num 13, is the only one whose name if known. The others are not mentioned anywhere else. The list of tribes, in the enumeration of their princes, corresponds, with some exceptions, to the situation of the territory which the tribes received in Canaan, reckoning from south to north, and deviates considerably from the order in which the lots came out for the different tribes, as described in Josh 15-19. in the Kal, in Num 34:17 and Num 34:18, signifies to give for an inheritance, just as in Exo 34:8, to put into possession. There is not sufficient ground for altering the Kal into Piel, especially as the Piel in Num 34:29 is construed with the accusative of the person, and with the thing governed by ; whereas in Num 34:17 the Kal is construed with the person governed by , and the accusative of the thing.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
16 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 17 These are the names of the men which shall divide the land unto you: Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun. 18 And ye shall take one prince of every tribe, to divide the land by inheritance. 19 And the names of the men are these: Of the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh. 20 And of the tribe of the children of Simeon, Shemuel the son of Ammihud. 21 Of the tribe of Benjamin, Elidad the son of Chislon. 22 And the prince of the tribe of the children of Dan, Bukki the son of Jogli. 23 The prince of the children of Joseph, for the tribe of the children of Manasseh, Hanniel the son of Ephod. 24 And the prince of the tribe of the children of Ephraim, Kemuel the son of Shiphtan. 25 And the prince of the tribe of the children of Zebulun, Elizaphan the son of Parnach. 26 And the prince of the tribe of the children of Issachar, Paltiel the son of Azzan. 27 And the prince of the tribe of the children of Asher, Ahihud the son of Shelomi. 28 And the prince of the tribe of the children of Naphtali, Pedahel the son of Ammihud. 29 These are they whom the LORD commanded to divide the inheritance unto the children of Israel in the land of Canaan.
God here appoints commissioners for the dividing of the land to them. The conquest of it is taken for granted, though as yet there was never a stroke struck towards it. Here is no nomination of the generals and commanders-in-chief that should carry on the war; for they were to get the land in possession, not by their own sword or bow, but by the power and favour of God; and so confident must they be of victory and success while God fought for them that the persons must now be named who should be entrusted with the dividing of the land, that is, who should preside in casting the lots, and determine controversies that might arise, and see that all was done fairly. 1. The principal commissioners, who were of the quorum, were Eleazar and Joshua (v. 17), typifying Christ, who, as priest and king, divides the heavenly Canaan to the spiritual Israel; yet, as they were to go by the lot, so Christ acknowledges the disposal must be by the will of the Father, Matt. xx. 23. Compare, Eph. i. 11. 2. Besides these, that there might be no suspicion of partiality, a prince of each tribe was appointed to inspect this matter, and to see that the tribe he served for was in no respect injured. Public affairs should be so managed as not only to give their right to all, but, if possible, to give satisfaction to all that they have justice done them., It is a happiness to a land to have the princes of their people meet together, some out of every tribe, to concert the affairs that are of common concern, a constitution which is the abundant honour, ease, and safety, of the nation that is blessed with it. 3. Some observe that the order of the tribes here very much differs from that in which they hitherto, upon all occasions, been named, and agrees with the neighbourhood of their lots in the division of the land. Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin, the first three here named, lay close together; the inheritance of Dan lay next them on one side, that of Ephraim and Manasseh on another side; Zebulun and Issachar lay abreast more northerly, and, lastly, Asher and Naphtali most northward of all, as is easy to observe in looking over a map of Canaan; this (says bishop Patrick) is an evidence that Moses was guided by a divine Spirit in his writings. Known unto God are all his works beforehand, and what is new and surprising to us he perfectly foresaw, without any confusion or uncertainty.
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary
Verses 16-19:
Jehovah instructed Moses to appoint Eleazar and Joshua to be in command of the division of the Land of Canaan. These two men were the ecclesiastical and political leaders of Israel. They were to supervise the fixing of the tribal boundaries. Aiding in this division was one representative from each of the tribes to inherit west of Jordan.
Of all the tribal representatives listed, Caleb is the only one who is familiar to the Bible student.
The division of each tribal territory into family allotments was made later, likely by the tribal chieftains themselves.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
16 And the Lord spake unto Moses. The question here arises, if the Israelites were to divide the land among themselves by lot, wherefore was the authority of the judges required, as if there was anything for them to decide? But if we consider what has been lately shown, that reference was to be had, in the distribution of the land, to the numbers in every tribe, it was requisite for two purposes, — first, that God might show by His decree the districts respectively assigned to them; and, secondly, that their dimensions might be proportionate to the number of their occupants. For the casting of lots was still necessary, because many would have been averse to the sea-coast, or would have preferred the center of the land to its extremities, or would have been unwilling to be banished to the mountains; in short, they would have contended with each other beyond measure in murmurings and strife. On this account the lots were cast, by the decision of which God placed the several tribes in whatever position He pleased, although the judges, together with the High Priest and Joshua, had before divided the land into ten portions. But after it was declared in what district the several tribes were to dwell, as if God had there designated their abodes, the determination of men was again necessarily had recourse to, as to how far, and in what direction, the boundaries of the greater tribes were to extend; otherwise the lesser tribes would have refused to be cooped up in a less convenient position. And although the supreme authority was justly vested in Eleazar and Joshua, lest God should expose them to calumny and ill-will, He associated with them a council, in which also there was a prudent precaution against rivalry, for each of the twelve tribes contributed its judge to preside over the distribution, so that none might complain of being aggrieved. Moreover, inasmuch as it was of great importance that the possession, once established, should be secured to posterity, first of all the names of the princes are recorded, in order to give certainty to the history; and, secondly, as had been stated at the beginning of the chapter, so also it is repeated at the end that they were chosen by God, from whence the Israelites learnt that the boundaries then fixed could not be altered without overthrowing the authority of God Himself.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
C. ALLOTMENTS ASSIGNED TO TRIBAL LEADERS vv. 1629
TEXT
Num. 34:16. And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 17. These are the names of the men which shall divide the land unto you: Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun. 18. And ye shall take one prince of every tribe, to divide the land by inheritance. 19. And the names of the men are these: of the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh. 20, And of the tribe of the children of Simeon, Shemuel the son of Ammihud. 21. Of the tribe of Benjamin, Elidad the son of Chislon. 22. And the prince of the tribe of the children of Dan, Bukki the son of Jogli. 23. The prince of the children of Joseph, for the tribe of the children of Manasseh, Hanniel the son of Ephod. 24. And the prince of the tribe of the children of Ephraim, Kemuel the son of Shiphtan. 25. And the princes of the tribe of the children of Zebulun, Elizaphan the son of Parnach. 26. And the prince of the tribe of the children of Issachar, Paltiel the son of Azzan. 27. And the prince of the tribe of the children of Asher, Ahihud the son of Shelomi. 28. And the prince of the tribe of the children of Naphtali, Pedahel the son of Ammihud. 29. These are they whom the Lord commanded to divide the inheritance unto the children of Israel in the land of Canaan.
PARAPHRASE
Num. 34:16. Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 17. These are the names of the men who shall assign the land to you by lot as an inheritance: Eleazar the priest and Joshua the son of Nun. 18. And you shall take one leader from each tribe to assign the land for inheritance. 19. And these are the names of the men: of the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh. 20. And from the tribe of the children of Simeon, Samuel the son of Ammihud. 21. From the tribe of Benjamin, Elidad the son of Chislon. 22. And from the tribe of the children of Dan a leader, Bukki the son of Jogli. 23. From the children of Joseph: of the tribe of the children of Manasseh a leader, Hanniel the son of Ephod. 24. And from the tribe of the children of Ephraim a leader, Kemuel the son of Shiphtan. 25. And from the tribe of the children of Zebulun a leader, Elizaphan the son of Parnach. 26. And from the tribe of the children of Issachar a leader, Paltiel the son of Azzan. 27. And from the tribe of the children of Asher a leader, Ahihud the son of Shelomi. 28. And from the tribe of the children of Naphtali a leader, Pedahel the son of Ammihud. 29. These are the ones whom the Lord commanded to assign the inheritance to the children of Israel in the land of Canaan.
COMMENTARY
Overseeing the process of casting lots for the inheritances are the two men most responsible for the two essential of primary responsibility among the peoplereligious and civil. Whereas we have been accustomed to hearing of Aaron and Moses in these capacities, the mantles have fallen upon their successors, Eleazar and Joshua. To assist them, one man of significance is to be chosen from each of the tribes sharing in the lot. Precise borders may have been left as negotiable points among these men, who must have been men of greatest integrity and trustworthiness. They are named in the order in which their lots progress from south to north generally in the new land. Of these men we know nothing more.
QUESTIONS AND RESEARCH ITEMS
627.
Why are Eleazar and Joshua chosen to guide the distribution of the land by lot?
628.
What characteristics would you expect to have found in the men selected to represent each tribe in this process?
Fuente: College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
4). The Leaders Who Will Divide the Land For Them Are Appointed ( Num 34:16-29 ).
The picture is further enhanced by naming the leaders who will see to the dividing up of the land, which are now given. This was a guarantee that within their lifetime the land would be possessed. This was to be no future dream, it was a present hope. They could look to their leader’s tents and see where the one who would actually do this was dwelling. Here was certainty and encouragement sufficient for all. Those mainly responsible for the division would be Joshua and Eleazar, but they would be assisted by the chieftains of the nine and a half tribes.
Analysis.
a Yahweh declares the names of those who will divide the land (Num 34:16-18).
b The princes names listed (Num 34:19-28).
a These are those whom Yahweh has commanded to divide the land (Num 34:29).
Num 34:16
‘And Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,’
Once again it is insisted that this was what was commanded to Moses by Yahweh.
Num 34:17
“ These are the names of the men who will divide the land to you for inheritance: Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun.”
The two men mainly responsible for dividing the land would be Eleazar the Priest and Joshua. Eleazar was named first out of deference to his present position. Joshua was still simply the heir elect. But Eleazar is always mentioned first when the two are named together in direct contrast with Moses and Aaron suggesting that Joshua’s status was never quite seen as on a par with that of Moses (Num 32:28; Jos 14:1; Jos 17:4; Jos 19:51; Jos 21:1).
Num 34:18
“ And you shall take one prince of every tribe, to divide the land for inheritance.”
And they were to act through the named chieftains of the tribe. The names of these chieftains is now given. The list is very pointed. The only chieftain remaining of the old chieftains was Caleb. All the others had passed way to be replaced by the new generation. Compare Num 1:4-16; Num 13:4-15. Joshua was the only other exception, but he was no longer available having been made commander-in-chief.
Num 34:19-28
“
Num 34:29
“ These are they whom Yahweh commanded to divide the inheritance to the children of Israel in the land of Canaan.”
These chieftains are the ones whom Yahweh has commanded should divide up the inheritance of the children of Israel in the land of Canaan. This was Yahweh’s inheritance, given to the children of Israel. It was to be theirs and would be divided up by their chieftains alive at this day.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
The Princes in Charge of the Division
v. 16. And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, v. 17. These are the names of the men which shall divide the land unto you, v. 18. And ye shall take one prince of every tribe to divide the land by inheritance.
v. 19. And the names of the men are these: of the tribe of Judah, Caleb, the son of Jephunneh.
v. 20. And of the tribe of the children of Simeon, Shemuel, the son of Ammihud.
v. 21. of the tribe of Benjamin, Elidad, the son of Chislon.
v. 22. And the prince of the tribe of the children of Dan, Bukki, the son of Jogli.
v. 23. The prince of the children of Joseph, for the tribe of the children of Manasseh, Hanniel, the son of Ephod.
v. 24. And the prince of the tribe of the children of Ephraim, Kemuel, the son of Shiphtan.
v. 25. And the prince of the tribe of the children of Zebulun, Elizaphan, the son of Parnach.
v. 26. And the prince of the tribe of the children of Issachar, Paltiel, the son of Azzan.
v. 27. And the prince of the tribe of the children of Asher, Ahihud, the son of Shelomi.
v. 28. And the prince of the tribe of the children of Naphtali, Pedahel, the son of Ammihud.
v. 29. These are they whom the Lord commanded to divide the inheritance unto the children of Israel in the land of Canaan.
Fuente: The Popular Commentary on the Bible by Kretzmann
Num 34:16-29. And the Lord spake unto Moses, &c. To make the foundation of the Hebrew government solid and lasting, the wisdom of their lawgiver declared, as an essential branch of their constitution, that the territory should be equally divided; so that the whole six hundred thousand should each have a full property in an equal part of it; and that every man should hold his estate as a freehold in chief, immediately from God himself, without any tenure of service to any great man whatsoever; and that this tenure should be unalienable from the family in which it was originally settled, and should descend by an indefeasible entail in perpetual succession. Lowman, p. 41. Though this division of the land was to be made by lot, Num 34:13 yet it was fit that there should be some persons to oversee the business; the management of it, therefore, is ordered, with great propriety, to be in the hands of the high-priest, the governor or chief general, and a principal officer chosen out of each tribe as its representative in the affair; and it was under the immediate eye of God, and at the door of his sanctuary, that the business was transacted, as will be seen upon Joshua, chap. 18: and 19: At present we only observe, that Moses names not the tribes in such order as they were at their first and second numbering, chap. 1: and 26: but according to the situation which they afterwards had in the land of Canaan: a proof that Moses, animated by the spirit of God, did nothing but by the direction of that spirit.
REFLECTIONS.Though they had not yet possessed one foot of Canaan, God will have them look upon the conquest as certain, and the land accordingly is divided among the remaining nine tribes and half. Eleazar and Joshua are the chief commissioners, and types of Jesus, the priest and king of his people, who will divide among them his eternal inheritance. A prince of each tribe is joined with them, to take care of the interests of his people, and to avoid all suspicion of partiality in the distribution. It is not enough to do right; we should take care to have our just dealing evident to all men.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Is not Eleazar a type of the priestly office, and Joshua of the kingly office, of JESUS, in this instance?
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Num 34:16-29. The Names of the Commissioners Appointed to Divide the Land (from P).Joshua and Caleb are represented as surviving to enter Canaan, in accordance with Num 14:30.
Fuente: Peake’s Commentary on the Bible
The leaders responsible for dividing the land 34:16-29
God next selected ten men, one from each tribe that would settle in Canaan, who would assist Eleazer, the high priest, and Joshua, the military leader of Israel, in apportioning the land. Only Caleb’s name is familiar. None of the other men’s names appears earlier in the text. These were evidently not the heads of the tribes but men chosen specifically for this purpose. Moses listed the tribes here in the general order in which they settled in the land from south to north.
Special cities in the land ch. 35
Next God specified that there were to be special towns set aside in the Promised Land for the Levites and as cities of refuge.