Numbers 34-36 Boundaries and Cities

Thoughts

Numbers 34

Boundaries map below!

The boundaries are laid out in detail:

• Southern Border: From the wilderness of Zin along Edom’s border, from the Dead Sea to the Brook of Egypt (Wadi el-Arish).
• Western Border: The Mediterranean Sea.
• Northern Border: From the Mediterranean near Mount Hor to Lebo-Hamath, ending at Hazar-enan.
• Eastern Border: From Hazar-enan to Shepham, down to the Jordan, ending at the Dead Sea.

The land west of the Jordan will be divided among the nine and a half tribes by lot since the two and a half tribes (Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh) already received their inheritance east of the Jordan.

God instructs Moses to appoint leaders from each tribe to help divide the land. Eleazar the priest and Joshua will oversee the process.

Tribe	Leader
Judah	Caleb son of Jephunneh
Simeon	Shemuel son of Ammihud
Benjamin	Elidad son of Chislon
Dan	Bukki son of Jogli
Manasseh (half-tribe)	Hanniel son of Ephod
Ephraim	Kemmeul son of Shiphtan
Zebulun	Elizaphan son of Parnach
Issachar	Paltiel son of Azzan
Asher	Ahihud son of Shelomi
Naphtali	Pedahel son of Ammihud

Numbers 35

God tells Moses to give the Levites 48 cities scattered throughout Israel’s tribal lands. (divided proportionally based on the size of each tribe’s land allotment).

Judah & Simeon (9 cities): Hebron (Kiriath-arba) Refuge, Libnah, Jattir, Eshtemoa, Holon, Debir, Ain, Juttah, Beth-shemesh

Benjamin (4 cities): Gibeon, Geba, Anathoth, Almon

Ephraim (4 cities): Shechem Refuge, Gezer, Kibzaim, Beth-horon

Dan (4 cities): Eltekeh, Gibbethon, Aijalon, Gath-rimmon

West Manasseh (2 cities): Taanach, Gath-rimmon

Issachar (4 cities): Kishion, Daberath, Jarmuth, En-gannim

Asher (4 cities): Mishal, Abdon, Helkath, Rehob

Naphtali (3 cities): Kedesh in Galilee Refuge, Hammoth-dor, Kartan

Zebulun (4 cities): Jokneam, Kartah, Dimnah, Nahalal

Reuben (4 cities, east of Jordan): Bezer Refuge, Jahaz, Kedemoth, Mephaath

Gad (4 cities, east of Jordan): Ramoth-gilead Refuge, Mahanaim, Heshbon, Jazer

East Manasseh (2 cities): Golan in Bashan Refuge, Ashteroth

Six of the Levite cities are designated as cities of refuge. These are safe places for anyone who accidentally kills someone. The person can flee there to escape vengeance until standing trial.

Three cities will be on each side of the Jordan (east and west).

Distinction is made between intentional murder and unintentional killing:

• If there was premeditation or use of a deadly object, it is murder, and the killer must be put to death.
• If it was accidental, the person must stay in the city of refuge until the high priest dies, after which they may return home.
• If the person leaves the city before that time, the avenger of blood can kill them without guilt.
• A person cannot be executed based on the testimony of a single witness.
• Ransom payments (bribes) cannot substitute for justice:
  • Murderers must be executed.
  • Those guilty of manslaughter cannot buy their way out of staying in the city of refuge.

Numbers 36

Leaders from the tribe of Manasseh approach Moses. They worry that if Zelophehad’s daughters (who were granted their father’s inheritance in Numbers 27) marry outside the tribe, their land will transfer to another tribe.

They must marry within their father’s tribe so that their land stays in Manasseh.

This becomes a standing rule that any daughter who inherits land must marry within her own tribe, so tribal inheritances remain fixed.

Mahlah, Tirzah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Noah (Zelophehad’s daughters) all obey and marry their cousins within the tribe of Manasseh

Questions

Why did Manasseh end up so large despite Ephraim getting the “firstborn” blessing?

Why was Simeon inside Judah?

Was Jerusalem in Benjamin? Why not Judah?

Why make cities of refuge instead of making a law that said don’t avenge?

Application

How can one apply boundaries and cities and inheritance to their lives. Well, we see God is a God of order, He is a God of refuge, and He is a God of faithfulness. He provided a fair layout for Israel and provided leadership for them to see it out. We also see justice and mercy for those who have killed unintentionally and the victim’s families. Lastly, He remained faithful to the 5 daughters by letting them keep their inheritance even after marriage. God also gave us instructions in how to live as Christians and has provided leaders to help us flourish. We can also reflect God’s heart by seeking justice for the wronged and showing mercy to those who repent.