Numbers 34:4 - Your border shall turn about southward of the ascent of Akrabbim, and pass along to Zin; and it shall pass southward of Kadesh Barnea; and it shall go from there to Hazar Addar, and pass along to Azmon.

Generated Verse: Numbers 34:4

What does "Numbers 34:4" mean?


Numbers 34:4 is a passage from the Bible describing the southern border of the land promised to the Israelites. It's a geographical description using place names that were likely familiar to the people at the time. Understanding it today requires some archaeological and historical context. Let's break it down:

"Your border shall turn about southward of the ascent of Akrabbim..." "Ascent of Akrabbim" means "Scorpion Pass" or "Scorpion Ascent." This was a known mountain pass, likely a strategic point. The border is said to bend south of this landmark. This is generally believed to be located in the southern Negev desert, in the region of the modern-day Israeli border with Egypt.

"...and pass along to Zin..." The Wilderness of Zin was a desert region. Its location is generally considered to be within the Negev desert.

"...and it shall pass southward of Kadesh Barnea..." Kadesh Barnea was a significant location where the Israelites camped for a long time during their wanderings. Its location is considered to be an oasis in the northern Sinai Peninsula, although some still debate the exact location. The border is described as passing south of this oasis.

"...and it shall go from there to Hazar Addar, and pass along to Azmon." These places are more difficult to definitively identify today. Their location is generally placed between Kadesh-Barnea and the border to the east, moving towards the Mediterranean coast.

In Essence:

The verse is part of a larger passage defining the southern boundary of the land promised to the Israelites. It's a line drawn through specific geographical locations in the southern Negev desert and the Sinai Peninsula. It's important to remember that:

Exact Location Debates: The precise location of some of these places is still debated by archaeologists and biblical scholars.
Shifting Landscapes: Over thousands of years, landscapes can change. Rivers can shift, settlements can be abandoned, and place names can be lost or altered.
Symbolic Significance: Beyond the literal geographical meaning, these borders and places also hold symbolic and historical significance for the Jewish people.

In a contemporary way: The verse can be viewed as a description of a boundary that runs through the southern Negev desert and the northern Sinai Peninsula, going from the "Scorpion Pass", passing by Kadesh-Barnea, and then moving towards the east.

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