Numbers 34:3

Authorized King James Version

Then your south quarter shall be from the wilderness of Zin along by the coast of Edom, and your south border shall be the outmost coast of the salt sea eastward:

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְהָיָ֨ה
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
לָכֶ֧ם
H0
#3
פְּאַת
quarter
properly, mouth in a figurative sense, i.e., direction, region, extremity
#4
נֶ֔גֶב
Then your south
the south (from its drought); specifically, the negeb or southern district of judah, occasionally, egypt (as south to palestine)
#5
מִמִּדְבַּר
shall be from the wilderness
a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert
#6
צִ֖ן
of Zin
tsin, a part of the desert
#7
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#8
יְדֵ֣י
along by the coast
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
#9
אֱד֑וֹם
of Edom
edom, the elder twin-brother of jacob; hence the region (idumaea) occupied by him
#10
וְהָיָ֤ה
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#11
לָכֶם֙
H0
#12
גְּב֣וּל
border
properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e., (by implication) a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed
#13
נֶ֔גֶב
Then your south
the south (from its drought); specifically, the negeb or southern district of judah, occasionally, egypt (as south to palestine)
#14
מִקְצֵ֥ה
shall be the outmost coast
an extremity
#15
יָם
sea
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
#16
הַמֶּ֖לַח
of the salt
properly, powder, i.e., (specifically) salt (as easily pulverized and dissolved)
#17
קֵֽדְמָה׃
eastward
the front, of place (absolutely, the fore part, relatively the east) or time (antiquity); often used adverbially (before, anciently, eastward)

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Numbers Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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