This chapter begins with God setting out the boundaries of the land that Israel would possess.
The south began at the southern end of the Dead Sea, which borders extended to Edom and Kadesh-Barnea. From Kadesh-Barnea it extended along the river of Egypt, it was a dry river called ‘Wadi El-Arish’. It then extended to the Mediterranean Sea.
The western border was the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, but we don’t know far north this border extended.
The northern border reached from the Mediterranean Sea to Mount Hor, and then to Hamath, Zedad and Hazar-Enan.
The eastern border ran from Hazar-Enan south to the Sea of Galilee, south along the Jordan River, and eventually to the Dead Sea.
Coffman, in his commentary, says the following.
‘It should be particularly noted that the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh had requested their inheritance altogether outside the boundaries of the sacred land God promised Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. According to the boundaries here, the eastern bank of the Jordan was the eastern boundary of the Land of Promise.’
What is significant about these borders is that Israel for centuries never truly possesses all this land. The borders are mentioned in Joshua 15-19 / Ezekiel 47:13-20 / Ezekiel 48:28-29.
When we think about how long Israel had to wait to possess the Promised Land, when they finally did and divided the land, it would truly be a historic moment in their history.
Joshua and Eleazar were appointed to divide the land and notice the Lord asked twelve men to allot the land inheritance to each tribe according to the size of each tribe.
Lockyer, in his commentary, gives the following meaning of each of the men’s names.
The name Eleazar means God is helper.
The name Joshua means Jehovah is salvation.
The name Caleb means Bold, also ‘dog’ as applied to animals.
The name Shemuel means Heard of God.
The name Elidad means God has loved.
The name Bukki means Mouth of Jehovah.
The name Hanniel means Grace of God.
The name Kemuel means Congregation of God.
The name Elizaphan means God is protector.
The name Paltiel means Deliverer of the Lord.
The name Ahihud means Brother of honour.
The name Pedahel means God has saved.
Coffman, in his commentary, says the following.
‘None of these names is connected with a pagan god, and what a contrast this affords with the days of the monarchy under Saul when two of the king’s sons were Esh-Baal and Meri-Baal, named after the Canaanite pagan god, Baal.’
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."