Numbers 34:11
And the coast shall go down from Shepham to Riblah, on the east side of Ain; and the border shall descend, and shall reach unto the side of the sea of Chinnereth eastward:
Original Language Analysis
וְיָרַ֣ד
shall descend
H3381
וְיָרַ֣ד
shall descend
Strong's:
H3381
Word #:
1 of 14
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
הַגְּבֻ֔ל
And the coast
H1366
הַגְּבֻ֔ל
And the coast
Strong's:
H1366
Word #:
2 of 14
properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e., (by implication) a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed
קֵֽדְמָה׃
eastward
H6924
קֵֽדְמָה׃
eastward
Strong's:
H6924
Word #:
5 of 14
the front, of place (absolutely, the fore part, relatively the east) or time (antiquity); often used adverbially (before, anciently, eastward)
לָעָ֑יִן
of Ain
H5871
לָעָ֑יִן
of Ain
Strong's:
H5871
Word #:
6 of 14
ajin, the name (thus simply) of two places in palestine
וְיָרַ֣ד
shall descend
H3381
וְיָרַ֣ד
shall descend
Strong's:
H3381
Word #:
7 of 14
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
הַגְּבֻ֔ל
And the coast
H1366
הַגְּבֻ֔ל
And the coast
Strong's:
H1366
Word #:
8 of 14
properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e., (by implication) a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed
וּמָחָ֛ה
and shall reach
H4229
וּמָחָ֛ה
and shall reach
Strong's:
H4229
Word #:
9 of 14
properly, to stroke or rub; by implication, to erase; also to smooth (as if with oil), i.e., grease or make fat
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
10 of 14
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כֶּ֥תֶף
unto the side
H3802
כֶּ֥תֶף
unto the side
Strong's:
H3802
Word #:
11 of 14
the shoulder (proper, i.e., upper end of the arm; as being the spot where the garments hang); figuratively, side-piece or lateral projection of anythi
יָם
of the sea
H3220
יָם
of the sea
Strong's:
H3220
Word #:
12 of 14
a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif
Cross References
Deuteronomy 3:17The plain also, and Jordan, and the coast thereof, from Chinnereth even unto the sea of the plain, even the salt sea, under Ashdoth-pisgah eastward.2 Kings 23:33And Pharaoh-nechoh put him in bands at Riblah in the land of Hamath, that he might not reign in Jerusalem; and put the land to a tribute of an hundred talents of silver, and a talent of gold.Joshua 11:2And to the kings that were on the north of the mountains, and of the plains south of Chinneroth, and in the valley, and in the borders of Dor on the west,Luke 5:1And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret,Joshua 19:35And the fenced cities are Ziddim, Zer, and Hammath, Rakkath, and Chinnereth,
Historical Context
The Sea of Galilee (Chinnereth) was known for abundant fishing and surrounded by fertile land. Its strategic location made it commercially valuable. Later divided between the tribes of Naphtali and Manasseh, this region became prominent during Jesus's Galilean ministry (Matthew 4:13-17). Riblah was later the site of tragic judgment on Judah's King Zedekiah (2 Kings 25:6-7).
Questions for Reflection
- How does the Sea of Galilee's role in both tribal boundaries and Jesus's ministry reveal God's long-term providential planning?
- What does God's concern for specific geographical details teach about His involvement in the material world?
- How should the fact that Jesus chose 'Galilee of the Gentiles' for His ministry shape your view of God's inclusive grace?
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Analysis & Commentary
And the coast shall go down from Shepham to Riblah, on the east side of Ain; and the border shall descend, and shall reach unto the side of the sea of Chinnereth eastward—The yam Kinneret (יָם כִּנֶּרֶת, 'Sea of Galilee,' literally 'harp-shaped sea') marks a crucial eastern boundary point. Riblah's identification remains uncertain, but the descent from highlands to the Sea of Galilee (700 feet below sea level) is geographically dramatic. God's boundaries embrace diverse terrain—mountains, valleys, seas.
Galilee later became central to Jesus's ministry. The same waters that bounded tribal inheritance witnessed Christ walking on waves, calming storms, and calling fishermen to be fishers of men. Geography and salvation history intertwine in God's providence.