Deuteronomy 3:17 describes the western boundary of the land given to the tribes of Reuben and Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh. Let's break it down:
"The Arabah also, and the Jordan and its border..." The "Arabah" refers to the Jordan Rift Valley, a long, narrow depression that runs from the Sea of Galilee (Chinnereth) south to the Red Sea. This valley contains the Jordan River. "And its border" refers to the banks and surrounding areas along the Jordan River.
"...from Chinnereth even to the sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea..." "Chinnereth" is another name for the Sea of Galilee (also known as the Lake of Gennesaret). "The sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea" is the Dead Sea, which is located in the Arabah Valley. So, the western border extends from the Sea of Galilee south to the Dead Sea.
"...under the slopes of Pisgah eastward." Mount Pisgah is a mountain range east of the Jordan River. The phrase "under the slopes of Pisgah eastward" indicates that the eastern border of the territory lies west of the Pisgah range. It also implies that the territory is on the western slopes of Pisgah.
In summary:
The verse describes the western boundary of the land allocated to Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh. It runs along the Jordan River and the Arabah Valley, from the Sea of Galilee in the north to the Dead Sea in the south. The eastern boundary is defined by the location of the slopes of Mount Pisgah.
Significance:
Geographical Definition: It precisely delineates a specific geographical region.
Fulfillment of Promise: This passage contributes to the narrative of fulfilling God's promise to give the Israelites land.
Territorial Claim: This verse serves as a record and claim to the land by these specific tribes.
Deuteronomy 3:17 describes the western boundary of the land given to the tribes of Reuben and Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh. Let's break it down:
"The Arabah also, and the Jordan and its border..." The "Arabah" refers to the Jordan Rift Valley, a long, narrow depression that runs from the Sea of Galilee (Chinnereth) south to the Red Sea. This valley contains the Jordan River. "And its border" refers to the banks and surrounding areas along the Jordan River.
"...from Chinnereth even to the sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea..." "Chinnereth" is another name for the Sea of Galilee (also known as the Lake of Gennesaret). "The sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea" is the Dead Sea, which is located in the Arabah Valley. So, the western border extends from the Sea of Galilee south to the Dead Sea.
"...under the slopes of Pisgah eastward." Mount Pisgah is a mountain range east of the Jordan River. The phrase "under the slopes of Pisgah eastward" indicates that the eastern border of the territory lies west of the Pisgah range. It also implies that the territory is on the western slopes of Pisgah.
In summary:
The verse describes the western boundary of the land allocated to Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh. It runs along the Jordan River and the Arabah Valley, from the Sea of Galilee in the north to the Dead Sea in the south. The eastern boundary is defined by the location of the slopes of Mount Pisgah.
Significance:
Geographical Definition: It precisely delineates a specific geographical region.
Fulfillment of Promise: This passage contributes to the narrative of fulfilling God's promise to give the Israelites land.
Territorial Claim: This verse serves as a record and claim to the land by these specific tribes.
