1
וַיְדַבֵּ֥ר יְהוָ֖ה אֶל מֹשֶׁ֥ה לֵּאמֹֽר
And YHWH spoke to Moses, saying,
The standard prophetic-address formula opens the unit with asyndeton relative to the close of ch. 33; the wayyiqtol advances the narrative to introduce the chapter's oracle on the land's legal boundaries and their apportioners.
Word-by-word analysis· 5 words
וַיְדַבֵּ֥רand he spokeWayyiqtol 3ms · דָּבַר (H1696)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence — predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance, opening the unitדָּבַר (H1696) Piel 'to speak'; the standard verb of divine speech, almost always followed by the address formula אֶל...לֵאמֹר.
יְהוָ֖הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God; the divine subject of the border-legislation that follows, grounding the land's shape in his own decree.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase marking the addresseeאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks Moses as recipient of the divine word.
מֹשֶׁ֥הMosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Object of preposition (addressee)מֹשֶׁה (H4872), Israel's mediator-lawgiver; here receiving the chapter's boundary and apportionment instructions for transmission (cf. v. 13).
לֵּאמֹֽרsayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Infinitival complement introducing direct speech→ Infinitive construct: opens the quoted divine speechאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the לֵאמֹר formula is the standard hinge opening reported divine or human speech in narrative Hebrew.
2
צַ֞ו אֶת בְּנֵ֤י יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ וְאָמַרְתָּ֣ אֲלֵהֶ֔ם כִּֽי אַתֶּ֥ם בָּאִ֖ים אֶל הָאָ֣רֶץ כְּנָ֑עַן זֹ֣את הָאָ֗רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֨ר תִּפֹּ֤ל לָכֶם֙ בְּֽנַחֲלָ֔ה אֶ֥רֶץ כְּנַ֖עַן לִגְבֻלֹתֶֽיהָ
Command the sons of Israel and say to them: When you enter the land of Canaan, this is the land that shall fall to you as an inheritance — the land of Canaan according to its boundaries.
The imperative צַו launches Moses's charge; the verse both opens and closes with אֶרֶץ כְּנַעַן (an inclusio), announcing that גְּבֻלֹתֶיהָ 'its boundaries' — plural, precise — is the chapter's governing concern, not a vague territorial promise.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
צַ֞וcommandPiel impv 2ms · צִוָּה (H6680)Predicate verb (imperative, main clause)→ Volitional: direct commandצִוָּה (H6680) Piel 'to command, charge'; here launching Moses's charge to Israel about the land's boundaries.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל as the definite object of צַו.
בְּנֵ֤יsons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Direct object (construct head)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; construct בְּנֵי + gentilic/ethnonym is the standard idiom for 'the Israelites'.
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙IsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive (construct chain)יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478), Jacob's covenant name (Gen 32:29); here the addressed nation, about to receive its territorial charter.
וְאָמַרְתָּ֣and you shall sayconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms · אָמַר (H559)Weqatal continuing the imperative chain→ Weqatal: sequential instruction following the commandאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the weqatal form (וְ + perfect) carries imperatival force in legal instruction, continuing צַו.
אֲלֵהֶ֔םto themprep אֶל + 3mp suffix · אֶל (H413)Indirect object (addressee)אֶל (H413) with pronominal suffix, 'to them' — the sons of Israel as addressee of the following quotation.
כִּֽיwhenconj · כִּי (H3588)Subordinating conjunction (temporal)כִּי (H3588), here temporal 'when' introducing the circumstance of entry into the land, not causal.
אַתֶּ֥םyouindependent pron 2mp · אַתֶּם (H859)Subject (emphatic, resumptive with the verb)אַתֶּם (H859), 2mp independent pronoun; redundant with the verb's own person-marking, adding emphasis: 'you (yourselves)'.
בָּאִ֖יםenteringQal ptc mp abs · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate participle (imminent nuance)→ Participle: durative/imminent — the anticipated act of entryבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; the participle frames the boundary description as applying at the moment Israel crosses into Canaan.
אֶלintoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (goal)אֶל (H413) marking the land as the goal of entry.
הָאָ֣רֶץthe landart + N (c) sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Object of preposition, in apposition with כְּנָעַןאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land, earth'; here specifically the land of promise, defined by name and, in this chapter, by precise boundary.
כְּנָ֑עַןCanaanN proper · כְּנַעַן (H3667)Apposition (name of the land)כְּנַעַן (H3667), the land west of the Jordan named for its eponymous inhabitants; the chapter's boundary description defines this term legally.
זֹ֣אתthisdem pron f sg · זֹאת (H2063)Subject of the verbless clause (cataphoric)זֹאת (H2063), fem. demonstrative pointing forward to the boundary description that follows — a formulaic heading (cf. v. 12).
הָאָ֗רֶץthe landart + N (c) sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Predicate nominativeאֶרֶץ (H776); repeated here to identify the referent of the coming relative clause.
אֲשֶׁ֨רwhichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause markerאֲשֶׁר (H834), invariable relative particle 'who/which/that', introducing the clause defining the land's disposition.
תִּפֹּ֤לshall fallQal impf 3fs · נָפַל (H5307)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Yiqtol: modal/future — the land's destined allotmentנָפַל (H5307) 'to fall'; idiomatic of territory 'falling' to someone by lot or apportionment (cf. Josh 13ff.).
לָכֶם֙to youprep לְ + 2mp suffix · לְIndirect object / dative of destined possessionלְ, the preposition 'to/for' with 2mp suffix: the land's falling is 'for you' — dative of destined possession.
בְּֽנַחֲלָ֔הas an inheritanceprep בְּ + N f sg abs · נַחֲלָה (H5159)Adverbial accusative of manner/statusנַחֲלָה (H5159) 'inheritance, possession', from נָחַל 'to inherit'; the land's mode of tenure — allotted portion, not conquest spoil.
אֶ֥רֶץthe land ofN (c) sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Construct head (resumptive apposition)אֶרֶץ (H776), construct before כְּנַעַן; the verse closes with the same phrase that will govern the whole boundary list.
כְּנַ֖עַןCanaanN proper · כְּנַעַן (H3667)Genitive (construct chain)כְּנַעַן (H3667); repeated to bracket the verse — 'the land of Canaan' opens and closes v. 2.
לִגְבֻלֹתֶֽיהָaccording to its boundariesprep לְ + N f pl constr + 3fs suffix · גְּבוּל (H1367)Adverbial prepositional phrase (norm/standard)גְּבוּל (H1367) 'border, territory' — the chapter's keyword, here plural 'its boundaries', announcing a precise, legally binding perimeter.
3
וְהָיָ֨ה לָכֶ֧ם פְּאַת נֶ֛גֶב מִמִּדְבַּר צִ֖ן עַל יְדֵ֣י אֱד֑וֹם וְהָיָ֤ה לָכֶם֙ גְּב֣וּל נֶ֔גֶב מִקְצֵ֥ה יָם הַמֶּ֖לַח קֵֽדְמָה
Your south side shall be from the wilderness of Zin along the flank of Edom; your southern border shall run from the end of the Salt Sea on the east.
The recurring וְהָיָה לָכֶם formula (repeated within this verse) introduces the surveyor's report proper. פְּאַת נֶגֶב names the compass quarter; the southern line runs from the wilderness of Zin along Edom's flank (עַל יְדֵי, idiomatic 'alongside') to the eastern tip of the Salt Sea, i.e. the Dead Sea.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
וְהָיָ֨הand it shall beconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Weqatal opening the boundary-description formula→ Weqatal: legal-descriptive future — establishes the standing borderהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; the recurring וְהָיָה לָכֶם formula introduces each segment of the border list.
לָכֶ֧םfor youprep לְ + 2mp suffix · לְDative of possessionלְ + 2mp suffix, 'for/to you' — the border belongs to Israel corporately.
פְּאַתthe side/quarter ofN f sg constr · פֵּאָה (H6285)Subject (construct head)פֵּאָה (H6285) 'side, edge, quarter'; used regularly of compass directions (cf. Exod 27:9-13), here launching the southern boundary.
נֶ֛גֶבsouthN m sg abs · נֶגֶב (H5045)Genitive (construct chain: 'the south side')נֶגֶב (H5045) 'south, Negev'; both the compass direction and the arid region south of Judah bearing that name.
מִמִּדְבַּרfrom the wilderness ofprep מִן + N m sg constr · מִדְבָּר (H4057)Adverbial phrase (point of origin)מִדְבָּר (H4057) 'wilderness, steppe'; the wilderness of Zin lies south of the Dead Sea, the traditional starting point of the southern line.
צִ֖ןZinN proper · צִן (H6790)Genitive (construct chain)צִן (H6790), the wilderness bordering Edom near Kadesh (cf. 20:1; 27:14) — not to be confused with the wilderness of Sin (H5512) farther south.
עַלalongprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase (adjacency)עַל (H5921) 'upon, along'; here in the idiom עַל יְדֵי, 'alongside'.
יְדֵ֣יthe side ofN f/c dual constr · יָד (H3027)Object of preposition (idiom)יָד (H3027) 'hand'; the dual construct יְדֵי in עַל יְדֵי is a spatial idiom, 'alongside, by the flank of' (cf. Deut 2:37).
אֱד֑וֹםEdomN proper · אֱדוֹם (H123)Genitive (construct chain)אֱדוֹם (H123), the kingdom south-east of the Dead Sea descended from Esau; the border runs along its western flank without entering it.
וְהָיָ֤הand it shall beconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Weqatal resuming the formula→ Weqatal: legal-descriptive futureהָיָה (H1961); the formula's repetition within v. 3 marks a new clause — first the starting flank, now the terminus.
לָכֶם֙for youprep לְ + 2mp suffix · לְDative of possessionלְ + 2mp suffix, repeating the possessive formula.
גְּב֣וּלborderN m sg constr · גְּבוּל (H1366)Subject (construct head)גְּבוּל (H1366) 'border, territory' — the chapter's keyword, first named explicitly here as 'the south border'.
נֶ֔גֶבsouthN m sg abs · נֶגֶב (H5045)Genitive (construct chain)נֶגֶב (H5045); qualifying גְּבוּל as the southern border specifically.
מִקְצֵ֥הfrom the end ofprep מִן + N (c) sg constr · קָצֶה (H7097)Adverbial phrase (point of origin)קָצֶה (H7097) 'end, extremity'; marks the border's terminus at the sea, in the surveyor's-report style of the whole chapter.
יָםsea ofN m sg constr · יָם (H3220)Genitive (construct chain)יָם (H3220) 'sea'; construct before הַמֶּלַח, 'the Salt Sea' — the Dead Sea, the southeastern anchor point.
הַמֶּ֖לַחthe Salt (Sea)art + N m sg abs · מֶלַח (H4417)Genitive (in apposition, 'Sea of Salt')מֶלַח (H4417) 'salt'; יָם הַמֶּלַח, 'the Salt Sea', is the standard biblical name for the Dead Sea (Gen 14:3).
קֵֽדְמָהeastwardN m sg abs + directional ה · קֶדֶם (H6924)Adverbial accusative of directionקֶדֶם (H6924) 'east, front'; the directional ה־ marks orientation toward the east — the Dead Sea's eastern end anchors the south-east corner.
4
וְנָסַ֣ב לָכֶם֩ הַגְּב֨וּל מִנֶּ֜גֶב לְמַעֲלֵ֤ה עַקְרַבִּים֙ וְעָ֣בַר צִ֔נָה והיה וְהָיוּ֙ תּֽוֹצְאֹתָ֔יו מִנֶּ֖גֶב לְקָדֵ֣שׁ בַּרְנֵ֑עַ וְיָצָ֥א חֲצַר אַדָּ֖ר וְעָבַ֥ר עַצְמֹֽנָה
Your border shall turn from the south to the ascent of Akrabbim, and pass along to Zin, and its limits shall be south of Kadesh-barnea; then it shall go on to Hazar-addar, and pass along to Azmon.
A chain of weqatal verbs (סָבַב, עָבַר, יָצָא, עָבַר) traces the line's zigzag from the Arabah up the Scorpion Pass to Kadesh-barnea and on toward Azmon — a surveyor's report in miniature. The consonantal והיה immediately before the pointed וְהָיוּ֙ is a genuine textual crux, almost certainly an uncorrected scribal doublet (see chapter note).
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
וְנָסַ֣בand it shall turnconj וְ + Niphal weqatal 3ms · סָבַב (H5437)Weqatal — predicate verb (main clause)→ Weqatal: legal-descriptive future, marking a change of directionסָבַב (H5437) Niphal 'to turn, turn about'; the surveyor's-language verb marking each change of direction in the boundary description.
לָכֶם֩for youprep לְ + 2mp suffix · לְDative of possessionלְ + 2mp suffix, continuing the possessive formula of the border list.
הַגְּב֨וּלthe borderart + N m sg abs · גְּבוּל (H1366)Subjectגְּבוּל (H1366), now with the article — 'the border' as a continuing, identified entity being traced.
מִנֶּ֜גֶבfrom the southprep מִן + N m sg abs · נֶגֶב (H5045)Adverbial phrase (point of origin)נֶגֶב (H5045) 'south'; the border's southward starting point before it bends northeast.
לְמַעֲלֵ֤הto the ascent ofprep לְ + N m sg constr · מַעֲלֶה (H4610)Adverbial phrase (goal)מַעֲלֶה (H4610) 'ascent, pass', from עָלָה 'to go up'; מַעֲלֵה עַקְרַבִּים, 'the Ascent of Akrabbim' (Scorpion Pass), the steep pass south-west of the Dead Sea marking Judah/Edom's border also in Josh 15:3, Judg 1:36.
עַקְרַבִּים֙AkrabbimN proper (pl. form) · עַקְרַבִּים (shared under H4610)Genitive (construct chain, toponym)עַקְרָב 'scorpion'; the plural עַקְרַבִּים names the steep, switchback pass — 'Scorpion Ascent' — from its terrain or hazards, marking the southern border's turn from the Arabah toward Zin.
וְעָ֣בַרand it shall pass alongconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · עָבַר (H5674)Weqatal — predicate verb (main clause)→ Weqatal: legal-descriptive future — the line's continuing courseעָבַר (H5674) 'to pass over, cross'; a second surveyor's verb (alongside סָבַב, יָצָא, יָרַד, פָּגַע) marking the border's forward progress.
צִ֔נָהto ZinN proper + directional ה · צִן (H6790)Adverbial accusative of direction (goal)צִן (H6790) with directional ה־, 'to/toward Zin' — the wilderness named in v. 3 as the border's starting region, here the terminus of this leg.
והיהand it shall beconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms (unpointed) · הָיָה (H1961)Weqatal — doublet, textually redundant with the following word→ Weqatal: anticipates the following וְהָיוּהָיָה (H1961); this unpointed consonantal form immediately duplicates the sense of the next word וְהָיוּ and is widely read as an uncorrected scribal dittography preserved by the Masoretes — a genuine textual crux (see chapter note).
וְהָיוּ֙and they shall beconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp · הָיָה (H1961)Weqatal — predicate verb, agreeing with plural תּוֹצְאֹתָיו→ Weqatal: legal-descriptive futureהָיָה (H1961), plural to agree with תּוֹצְאֹת ('extremities'); this is the form the Masoretes actually pointed, the preceding והיה being superfluous.
תּֽוֹצְאֹתָ֔יוits limitsN f pl constr + 3ms suffix · תּוֹצָאָה (H8444)Subjectתּוֹצָאָה (H8444) 'outgoing, extremity, limit', from יָצָא 'to go out'; regularly plural of a border's terminus points — technical vocabulary of this boundary-survey chapter.
מִנֶּ֖גֶבsouth ofprep מִן + N m sg abs · נֶגֶב (H5045)Adverbial phraseנֶגֶב (H5045); locating Kadesh-barnea south of the border's limit at this point.
לְקָדֵ֣שׁto Kadeshprep לְ + N proper · קָדֵשׁ (H6947)Adverbial phrase (goal), first element of the toponymקָדֵשׁ (H6947) 'holy (place)'; קָדֵשׁ בַּרְנֵעַ, Kadesh-barnea, the great wilderness encampment (cf. 13:26; 20:1) and a fixed point on the southern line.
בַּרְנֵ֑עַBarneaN proper (shared toponym) · בַּרְנֵעַGenitive (second element of the toponym)בַּרְנֵעַ, of uncertain etymology, completing the compound place-name Kadesh-barnea.
וְיָצָ֥אand it shall go outconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · יָצָא (H3318)Weqatal — predicate verb (main clause)→ Weqatal: legal-descriptive futureיָצָא (H3318) 'to go out'; another of the chapter's technical surveying verbs, marking the border's next leg.
חֲצַרHazarN sg constr · חָצֵר (H2692)Genitive (construct, first element of toponym)חָצֵר (H2692) 'settlement, enclosure'; חֲצַר אַדָּר, 'Hazar-addar', a settlement on the southern border, distinct from חֲצַר עֵינָן of vv. 9-10.
אַדָּ֖רAddarN proper (shared toponym) · אַדָּרGenitive (second element of toponym)אַדָּר, of uncertain meaning, completing 'Hazar-addar' (called Addar alone in Josh 15:3).
וְעָבַ֥רand it shall pass alongconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · עָבַר (H5674)Weqatal — predicate verb (main clause)→ Weqatal: legal-descriptive futureעָבַר (H5674); the verse's final leg, continuing to Azmon.
עַצְמֹֽנָהto AzmonN proper + directional ה · עַצְמוֹן (H6111)Adverbial accusative of direction (goal)עַצְמוֹן (H6111), a site on the way to the Brook of Egypt (cf. v. 5; Josh 15:4), otherwise unidentified with certainty.
5
וְנָסַ֧ב הַגְּב֛וּל מֵעַצְמ֖וֹן נַ֣חְלָה מִצְרָ֑יִם וְהָי֥וּ תוֹצְאֹתָ֖יו הַיָּֽמָּה
And the border shall turn from Azmon to the Brook of Egypt, and its limits shall be at the sea.
נַחַל מִצְרַיִם is the Wadi el-Arish, the seasonal torrent-valley marking Egypt's frontier — not the Nile (יְאֹר), a frequent confusion. This closes the southern border at the Mediterranean, completing the line begun in v. 3.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
וְנָסַ֧בand it shall turnconj וְ + Niphal weqatal 3ms · סָבַב (H5437)Weqatal — predicate verb (main clause)→ Weqatal: legal-descriptive future, marking a change of directionסָבַב (H5437) Niphal 'to turn'; resuming the southern border's course toward its western end.
הַגְּב֛וּלthe borderart + N m sg abs · גְּבוּל (H1366)Subjectגְּבוּל (H1366), 'the border' as continuing subject of the surveyor's report.
מֵעַצְמ֖וֹןfrom Azmonprep מִן + N proper · עַצְמוֹן (H6111)Adverbial phrase (point of origin)עַצְמוֹן (H6111); resuming from v. 4's terminus.
נַ֣חְלָהto the brook ofN m sg constr + directional ה · נַחַל (H5158)Adverbial phrase (goal, construct head)נַחַל (H5158) 'wadi, torrent-valley'; נַחַל מִצְרַיִם is the Wadi el-Arish, the traditional south-western limit of the land (cf. Gen 15:18; 1 Kgs 8:65) — not the Nile (יְאֹר), a common confusion.
מִצְרָ֑יִםEgyptN proper · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitive (construct chain)מִצְרַיִם (H4714) 'Egypt'; here qualifying נַחַל as the seasonal wadi marking Egypt's frontier, not the land of Egypt itself.
וְהָי֥וּand they shall beconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp · הָיָה (H1961)Weqatal — predicate verb, agreeing with plural תּוֹצְאֹתָיו→ Weqatal: legal-descriptive futureהָיָה (H1961), plural, agreeing with the following תּוֹצְאֹתָיו.
תוֹצְאֹתָ֖יוits limitsN f pl constr + 3ms suffix · תּוֹצָאָה (H8444)Subjectתּוֹצָאָה (H8444) 'extremity, limit'; here the border's terminus at the Mediterranean.
הַיָּֽמָּהat the seaart + N m sg abs + directional ה · יָם (H3220)Adverbial accusative of direction/locationיָם (H3220) 'sea', with article and directional ה־; the Mediterranean (the Great Sea of v. 6), marking the south border's western end.
6
וּגְב֣וּל יָ֔ם וְהָיָ֥ה לָכֶ֛ם הַיָּ֥ם הַגָּד֖וֹל וּגְב֑וּל זֶֽה יִהְיֶ֥ה לָכֶ֖ם גְּב֥וּל יָֽם
And the west border: you shall have the Great Sea as a border; this shall be your west border.
The shortest and simplest of the four sides: the sea itself is the border, requiring none of the tracing verbs (סָבַב, יָצָא, יָרַד, פָּגַע) that govern the south, north, and east. הַיָּם הַגָּדוֹל, 'the Great Sea', is the standard biblical name for the Mediterranean.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וּגְב֣וּלand the border ofconj וְ + N m sg constr · גְּבוּל (H1366)Subject (construct head), casus pendensגְּבוּל (H1366); the construct 'border of (the) west' functions as a heading, resumed and completed by the verse's second clause.
יָ֔םwestN m sg abs · יָם (H3220)Genitive (construct chain, directional sense 'west')יָם (H3220) 'sea'; idiomatically 'west' (the Mediterranean's direction from Israel), heading the shortest of the four border sections.
וְהָיָ֥הand it shall beconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Weqatal — predicate verb (main clause)→ Weqatal: legal-descriptive futureהָיָה (H1961); resuming the chapter's recurring possession formula.
לָכֶ֛םfor youprep לְ + 2mp suffix · לְDative of possessionלְ + 2mp suffix.
הַיָּ֥םthe seaart + N m sg abs · יָם (H3220)Subjectיָם (H3220), now with article and adjective, 'the Great Sea' — the Mediterranean, named explicitly rather than left as directional shorthand.
הַגָּד֖וֹלthe greatart + Adj m sg abs · גָּדוֹל (H1419)Attributive adjective (agreeing with הַיָּם)גָּדוֹל (H1419) 'great, large'; הַיָּם הַגָּדוֹל, 'the Great Sea', the Bible's standard designation for the Mediterranean, distinguishing it from Chinnereth or the Salt Sea.
וּגְב֑וּלand borderconj וְ + N m sg abs · גְּבוּל (H1366)Predicate nominative (resumed subject)גְּבוּל (H1366), absolute here, resuming the heading of the verse's first word — the sea itself constitutes the border, uniquely requiring no tracing verbs.
זֶֽהthisdem pron m sg · זֶה (H2088)Subjectזֶה (H2088), masc. demonstrative pointing back to 'the Great Sea' just named.
יִהְיֶ֥הshall beQal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: modal/future — the fixed, standing borderהָיָה (H1961); the summarizing formula זֶה יִהְיֶה לָכֶם גְּבוּל closes each of the four border sections (cf. vv. 9, 12).
לָכֶ֖םfor youprep לְ + 2mp suffix · לְDative of possessionלְ + 2mp suffix, repeating the possessive formula.
גְּב֥וּלborderN m sg constr · גְּבוּל (H1366)Predicate nominative (construct head)גְּבוּל (H1366); construct before יָם, 'west border', closing the section with the same term that opened it.
יָֽםwestN m sg abs · יָם (H3220)Genitive (construct chain, directional 'west')יָם (H3220); the section's inclusio — 'border of west' both opens and closes this shortest of the boundary units.
7
וְזֶֽה יִהְיֶ֥ה לָכֶ֖ם גְּב֣וּל צָפ֑וֹן מִן הַיָּם֙ הַגָּדֹ֔ל תְּתָא֥וּ לָכֶ֖ם הֹ֥ר הָהָֽר
And this shall be your north border: from the Great Sea you shall mark out your line to Mount Hor.
תָּאָה 'to mark out' is a rare, technical surveying verb (only here, v. 8, and Ezek 47:20) — briefly Israel itself is cast as surveyor. This 'Mount Hor' is very likely a different peak from Aaron's Mount Hor near Edom (20:22-29; 33:37-39); its northern location (toward Lebo-hamath) has long puzzled geographers.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וְזֶֽהand thisconj וְ + dem pron m sg · זֶה (H2088)Subject (cataphoric)זֶה (H2088); opens the north-border section exactly as the west section began (v. 6), a recurring formulaic marker.
יִהְיֶ֥הshall beQal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: modal/future — the fixed, standing borderהָיָה (H1961); introduces the north-border section (cf. vv. 6, 9, 12).
לָכֶ֖םfor youprep לְ + 2mp suffix · לְDative of possessionלְ + 2mp suffix.
גְּב֣וּלborderN m sg constr · גְּבוּל (H1366)Predicate nominative (construct head)גְּבוּל (H1366); the keyword now qualified as 'north'.
צָפ֑וֹןnorthN f sg abs · צָפוֹן (H6828)Genitive (construct chain)צָפוֹן (H6828) 'north'; the third of the chapter's four compass sides.
מִןfromprep · מִן (H4480)Adverbial phrase (point of origin)מִן (H4480) 'from'; the northern line's starting point is the Mediterranean itself.
הַיָּם֙the seaart + N m sg abs · יָם (H3220)Object of prepositionיָם (H3220), the Great Sea, shared as the pivot between the west and north borders.
הַגָּדֹ֔לthe greatart + Adj m sg abs · גָּדוֹל (H1419)Attributive adjectiveגָּדוֹל (H1419); repeating the standard epithet of the Mediterranean.
תְּתָא֥וּyou shall mark outPiel impf 2mp · תָּאָה (H8376)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: instructional future — a technical surveying commandתָּאָה (H8376) Piel 'to mark out, delineate'; a rare, technical verb (elsewhere only v. 8 and Ezek 47:20) — Israel is briefly cast as surveyor, marking the line to a fixed landmark.
לָכֶ֖םfor yourselvesprep לְ + 2mp suffix · לְDative (benefactive/reflexive)לְ + 2mp suffix, reflexive-benefactive with the 2mp verb — 'mark out for yourselves'.
הֹ֥רHorN proper · הֹר (H2023)Adverbial accusative (goal, first element of toponym)הֹר (H2023); הֹר הָהָר, 'Mount Hor', here on the northern line — likely a different peak from the Mount Hor of Aaron's death near Edom (20:22-29; 33:37-39), to be sought near Lebanon/the Lebo-hamath approach.
הָהָֽרthe mountainart + N m sg abs · הַר (H2022)Apposition (second element, 'the Mountain')הַר (H2022) 'mountain'; הֹר הָהָר literally 'Hor the mountain' — built on the generic word for mountain, compounding the puzzle of its identity against Aaron's Hor.
8
מֵהֹ֣ר הָהָ֔ר תְּתָא֖וּ לְבֹ֣א חֲמָ֑ת וְהָי֛וּ תּוֹצְאֹ֥ת הַגְּבֻ֖ל צְדָֽדָה
From Mount Hor you shall mark out your line to Lebo-hamath, and the limits of the border shall be at Zedad.
Asyndeton continues directly from v. 7's landmark. לְבֹא חֲמָת is read either as 'the entrance of Hamath' or as the fixed toponym Lebo-hamath; either way it names an ideal northern limit Israel never actually controlled (cf. 1 Kgs 8:65).
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
מֵהֹ֣רfrom Horprep מִן + N proper · הֹר (H2023)Adverbial phrase (point of origin)הֹר (H2023); resuming the northern line from the Mount Hor of v. 7.
הָהָ֔רthe mountainart + N m sg abs · הַר (H2022)Appositionהַר (H2022); completing 'Mount Hor' as in v. 7.
תְּתָא֖וּyou shall mark outPiel impf 2mp · תָּאָה (H8376)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: instructional future — technical surveying commandתָּאָה (H8376), repeating v. 7's rare surveying verb for the line's next leg.
לְבֹ֣אto Leboprep לְ + Qal inf constr (treated as toponym) · בּוֹא (H935)Adverbial phrase (goal), first element of the toponymבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; לְבוֹא חֲמָת is read either as 'to the entrance of Hamath' or as the fixed place-name 'Lebo-hamath' near the Beqaa valley — OSHB tags it as a proper noun, though the verbal sense remains live in the versions.
חֲמָ֑תHamathN proper · חֲמָת (H2574)Genitive (second element of toponym)חֲמָת (H2574), the Syrian kingdom on the Orontes; Lebo-hamath marks the ideal northern limit of the land, well beyond any border Israel later actually held (cf. 1 Kgs 8:65; Ezek 47:20).
וְהָי֛וּand they shall beconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp · הָיָה (H1961)Weqatal — predicate verb, agreeing with plural תּוֹצְאֹת→ Weqatal: legal-descriptive futureהָיָה (H1961), plural, agreeing with תּוֹצְאֹת.
תּוֹצְאֹ֥תthe limits ofN f pl constr · תּוֹצָאָה (H8444)Subject (construct head)תּוֹצָאָה (H8444) 'extremity, limit'; construct before הַגְּבֻל, 'the limits of the border'.
הַגְּבֻ֖לthe borderart + N m sg abs · גְּבוּל (H1366)Genitive (construct chain)גְּבוּל (H1366), with article, the specific (northern) border under description.
צְדָֽדָהto ZedadN proper + directional ה · צְדָד (H6657)Adverbial accusative of direction (goal)צְדָד (H6657), a site on the northern line east of Lebo-hamath, plausibly modern Sadad in Syria.
9
וְיָצָ֤א הַגְּבֻל֙ זִפְרֹ֔נָה וְהָי֥וּ תוֹצְאֹתָ֖יו חֲצַ֣ר עֵינָ֑ן זֶֽה יִהְיֶ֥ה לָכֶ֖ם גְּב֥וּל צָפֽוֹן
Then the border shall go on to Ziphron, and its limits shall be at Hazar-enan. This shall be your north border.
The closing formula זֶה יִהְיֶה לָכֶם גְּבוּל matches vv. 6 and 12, marking off each side as a discrete, completed unit. Hazar-enan, the fixed northeast corner, is immediately reused in v. 10 as the starting point of the eastern line — the chapter's boundary points function as hinges between sides.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וְיָצָ֤אand it shall go outconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · יָצָא (H3318)Weqatal — predicate verb (main clause)→ Weqatal: legal-descriptive futureיָצָא (H3318); the surveying verb resumes for the line's next leg.
הַגְּבֻל֙the borderart + N m sg abs · גְּבוּל (H1366)Subjectגְּבוּל (H1366), the northern line as continuing subject.
זִפְרֹ֔נָהto ZiphronN proper + directional ה · זִפְרוֹן (H2202)Adverbial accusative of direction (goal)זִפְרוֹן (H2202), an otherwise unknown site on the northern line between Zedad and Hazar-enan.
וְהָי֥וּand they shall beconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp · הָיָה (H1961)Weqatal — predicate verb, agreeing with plural תּוֹצְאֹתָיו→ Weqatal: legal-descriptive futureהָיָה (H1961), plural, agreeing with תּוֹצְאֹתָיו.
תוֹצְאֹתָ֖יוits limitsN f pl constr + 3ms suffix · תּוֹצָאָה (H8444)Subjectתּוֹצָאָה (H8444) 'extremity, limit'.
חֲצַ֣רHazarN sg constr · חָצֵר (H2692/H2704)Genitive (construct, first element of toponym)חָצֵר (H2692) 'settlement'; חֲצַר עֵינָן, 'Hazar-enan', the fixed northeast corner, reused in v. 10 as the starting point of the eastern border.
עֵינָ֑ןEnanN proper (shared toponym) · עֵינָן (H2704)Genitive (second element of toponym)עֵינָן (H2704) 'spring(s)'; completing Hazar-enan, a key hinge-point between the northern and eastern lines.
זֶֽהthisdem pron m sg · זֶה (H2088)Subjectזֶה (H2088); closing formula, matching vv. 6, 12.
יִהְיֶ֥הshall beQal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: modal/future — the fixed, standing borderהָיָה (H1961); the north-border section closes with the same formula that closed the west (v. 6).
לָכֶ֖םfor youprep לְ + 2mp suffix · לְDative of possessionלְ + 2mp suffix.
גְּב֥וּלborderN m sg constr · גְּבוּל (H1366)Predicate nominative (construct head)גְּבוּל (H1366); construct before צָפוֹן, closing the section.
צָפֽוֹןnorthN f sg abs · צָפוֹן (H6828)Genitive (construct chain)צָפוֹן (H6828); the north-border section's inclusio, matching its opening in v. 7.
10
וְהִתְאַוִּיתֶ֥ם לָכֶ֖ם לִגְב֣וּל קֵ֑דְמָה מֵחֲצַ֥ר עֵינָ֖ן שְׁפָֽמָה
You shall mark out your eastern border from Hazar-enan to Shepham.
The surveying root תאה reappears, now in a Hitpael/reflexive formation ('mark out for yourselves') rather than the Piel of vv. 7-8 — a stylistic variation rather than a change of sense. Hazar-enan, the north-east hinge named in v. 9, becomes the eastern line's starting point.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
וְהִתְאַוִּיתֶ֥םand you shall mark outconj וְ + Hitpael weqatal 2mp · תָּאָה (H184)Weqatal — predicate verb (main clause)→ Weqatal: instructional future — reflexive surveying commandתָּאָה (root shared with H8376), here Hitpael; the reflexive/estimative stem nuances 'mark out for yourselves' — the same rare surveying verb as vv. 7-8, now in a different binyan for the eastern line.
לָכֶ֖םfor yourselvesprep לְ + 2mp suffix · לְDative (reflexive/benefactive)לְ + 2mp suffix, reflexive with the Hitpael verb.
לִגְב֣וּלfor a borderprep לְ + N m sg abs · גְּבוּל (H1366)Adverbial phrase (result/purpose)גְּבוּל (H1366); 'as a border' — the object marked out by the surveying verb.
קֵ֑דְמָהeastwardN m sg abs + directional ה · קֶדֶם (H6924)Genitive (qualifying גְּבוּל, 'eastern')קֶדֶם (H6924) 'east'; the fourth and final compass side to be surveyed.
מֵחֲצַ֥רfrom Hazarprep מִן + N sg constr · חָצֵר (H2704)Adverbial phrase (point of origin)חָצֵר (H2692) 'settlement'; חֲצַר עֵינָן, the northeast hinge-point named in v. 9, now serves as the eastern border's starting point.
עֵינָ֖ןEnanN proper (shared toponym) · עֵינָן (H2704)Genitive (second element of toponym)עֵינָן (H2704); completing Hazar-enan.
שְׁפָֽמָהto ShephamN proper + directional ה · שְׁפָם (H8221)Adverbial accusative of direction (goal)שְׁפָם (H8221), an otherwise unattested site marking the start of the eastern descent toward Riblah (v. 11).
11
וְיָרַ֨ד הַגְּבֻ֧ל מִשְּׁפָ֛ם הָרִבְלָ֖ה מִקֶּ֣דֶם לָעָ֑יִן וְיָרַ֣ד הַגְּב֔וּל וּמָחָ֛ה עַל כֶּ֥תֶף יָם כִּנֶּ֖רֶת קֵֽדְמָה
And the border shall go down from Shepham to Riblah, on the east side of Ain; and the border shall go down and reach the shoulder of the Sea of Chinnereth on the east.
יָרַד 'go down' now tracks real topography — the descent from the northern highlands into the Jordan Rift Valley, not merely compass direction. מָחָה, ordinarily 'wipe, blot out', is stretched here to a rare spatial sense 'touch, reach (a boundary)'. כִּנֶּרֶת is the earliest biblical name for the Sea of Galilee.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וְיָרַ֨דand it shall go downconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · יָרַד (H3381)Weqatal — predicate verb (main clause)→ Weqatal: legal-descriptive future — topographic descentיָרַד (H3381) 'to go down'; the border genuinely descends from the northern highlands into the Jordan Rift Valley — this verb tracks real topography, not just direction.
הַגְּבֻ֧לthe borderart + N m sg abs · גְּבוּל (H1366)Subjectגְּבוּל (H1366), the eastern line as continuing subject.
מִשְּׁפָ֛םfrom Shephamprep מִן + N proper · שְׁפָם (H8221)Adverbial phrase (point of origin)שְׁפָם (H8221); resuming from v. 10's terminus.
הָרִבְלָ֖הto Riblahart (or directional ה) + N proper · רִבְלָה (H7247)Adverbial accusative of direction (goal)רִבְלָה (H7247), a site on the Orontes later Nebuchadnezzar's headquarters (2 Kgs 25:6); OSHB parses the prefixed ה as the article, though a directional sense fits the context better.
מִקֶּ֣דֶםon the east sideprep מִן + N m sg abs · קֶדֶם (H6924)Adverbial phrase (location)קֶדֶם (H6924) 'east, front'; locating Riblah relative to Ain.
לָעָ֑יִןof Ainprep לְ + N proper · עַיִן (H5871)Adverbial phrase (reference point)עַיִן (H5871) 'spring'; an otherwise unknown site near Riblah, marking the border's easternmost reach in this stretch.
וְיָרַ֣דand it shall go downconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · יָרַד (H3381)Weqatal — predicate verb (main clause)→ Weqatal: legal-descriptive future — continued topographic descentיָרַד (H3381); repeated for the border's further descent into the Jordan valley.
הַגְּב֔וּלthe borderart + N m sg abs · גְּבוּל (H1366)Subjectגְּבוּל (H1366), repeated as subject of the second descent.
וּמָחָ֛הand it shall reachconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · מָחָה (H4229)Weqatal — predicate verb (main clause)→ Weqatal: legal-descriptive futureמָחָה (H4229), ordinarily 'to wipe, blot out'; here a rare spatial extension, 'to strike, touch (a boundary)' — a distinctive, almost unique usage in this surveyor's vocabulary.
עַלuponprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase (contact)עַל (H5921) 'upon'; marking the point of contact with the shoulder of the sea.
כֶּ֥תֶףthe shoulder ofN f sg constr · כָּתֵף (H3802)Object of preposition (construct head)כָּתֵף (H3802) 'shoulder'; a topographic metaphor for a ridge or flank — here the eastern flank of the Sea of Chinnereth.
יָםsea ofN m sg constr · יָם (H3220)Genitive (construct chain)יָם (H3220); construct before כִּנֶּרֶת, naming the Sea of Galilee.
כִּנֶּ֖רֶתChinnerethN proper · כִּנֶּרֶת (H3672)Genitive (construct chain)כִּנֶּרֶת (H3672), the harp-shaped lake later called the Sea of Galilee/Tiberias/Gennesaret; here its earliest biblical name.
קֵֽדְמָהon the eastN m sg abs + directional ה · קֶדֶם (H6924)Adverbial accusative of direction/locationקֶדֶם (H6924); specifying the eastern shoulder of the lake as the border point.
12
וְיָרַ֤ד הַגְּבוּל֙ הַיַּרְדֵּ֔נָה וְהָי֥וּ תוֹצְאֹתָ֖יו יָ֣ם הַמֶּ֑לַח זֹאת֩ תִּהְיֶ֨ה לָכֶ֥ם הָאָ֛רֶץ לִגְבֻלֹתֶ֖יהָ סָבִֽיב
And the border shall go down to the Jordan, and its limits shall be at the Salt Sea. This shall be your land, according to its boundaries all around.
The verse closes the entire boundary unit with the exact phrase that opened its heading in v. 2 (אֶרֶץ...לִגְבֻלֹתֶיהָ), now capped by סָבִיב 'all around' — a formal inclusio confirming a complete circuit, not a partial sketch. The Dead Sea, where the south border began (v. 3), is also where south and east both terminate.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וְיָרַ֤דand it shall go downconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · יָרַד (H3381)Weqatal — predicate verb (main clause)→ Weqatal: legal-descriptive future — final descentיָרַד (H3381); the border's last descent, down the Jordan valley to the Dead Sea.
הַגְּבוּל֙the borderart + N m sg abs · גְּבוּל (H1366)Subjectגְּבוּל (H1366), subject of the boundary's final leg.
הַיַּרְדֵּ֔נָהto the Jordanart + N proper + directional ה · יַרְדֵּן (H3383)Adverbial accusative of direction (goal)יַרְדֵּן (H3383) 'the Jordan', from יָרַד 'to descend' — the river's name embodies its own steep drop from Chinnereth to the Dead Sea.
וְהָי֥וּand they shall beconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp · הָיָה (H1961)Weqatal — predicate verb, agreeing with plural תּוֹצְאֹתָיו→ Weqatal: legal-descriptive futureהָיָה (H1961), plural, agreeing with תּוֹצְאֹתָיו.
תוֹצְאֹתָ֖יוits limitsN f pl constr + 3ms suffix · תּוֹצָאָה (H8444)Subjectתּוֹצָאָה (H8444) 'extremity, limit'; the border's final terminus.
יָ֣םsea ofN m sg constr · יָם (H3220)Genitive (construct chain)יָם (H3220); construct before הַמֶּלַח, closing the entire circuit at the Dead Sea where the southern border also began (v. 3).
הַמֶּ֑לַחthe Salt (Sea)art + N m sg abs · מֶלַח (H4417)Genitive (in apposition, 'Sea of Salt')מֶלַח (H4417); the Dead Sea named again, framing the whole circuit — south and east borders both terminate here.
זֹאת֩thisdem pron f sg · זֹאת (H2063)Subject of the summary clause (cataphoric)זֹאת (H2063); the summary formula echoing v. 2's opening heading, now closing the entire boundary description.
תִּהְיֶ֨הshall beQal impf 3fs · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: modal/future — the land's fixed, legally defined extentהָיָה (H1961), fem. agreeing with הָאָרֶץ; the closing counterpart to v. 2's תִּפֹּל, both governing 'the land'.
לָכֶ֥םfor youprep לְ + 2mp suffix · לְDative of possessionלְ + 2mp suffix.
הָאָ֛רֶץthe landart + N (c) sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Subjectאֶרֶץ (H776); the term that opened the chapter's heading (v. 2) now closes the boundary description, forming a ring.
לִגְבֻלֹתֶ֖יהָaccording to its boundariesprep לְ + N f pl constr + 3fs suffix · גְּבוּל (H1367)Adverbial prepositional phrase (norm/standard)גְּבוּל (H1367); repeating v. 2's exact phrase, completing the inclusio that frames the whole boundary unit (vv. 2-12).
סָבִֽיבall aroundN/adv m sg abs · סָבִיב (H5439)Adverbial accusative (manner)סָבִיב (H5439) 'round about, on every side'; the final word underlines that the description just given is a complete circuit, not a partial sketch.
13
וַיְצַ֣ו מֹשֶׁ֔ה אֶת בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל לֵאמֹ֑ר זֹ֣את הָאָ֗רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֨ר תִּתְנַחֲל֤וּ אֹתָהּ֙ בְּגוֹרָ֔ל אֲשֶׁר֙ צִוָּ֣ה יְהוָ֔ה לָתֵ֛ת לְתִשְׁעַ֥ת הַמַּטּ֖וֹת וַחֲצִ֥י הַמַּטֶּֽה
So Moses commanded the sons of Israel, saying, This is the land that you shall take as an inheritance by lot, which YHWH has commanded to be given to the nine and a half tribes.
Wayyiqtol resumes the narrative frame from v. 1, now with Moses as the commanding voice relaying YHWH's own command — the same root צוה occurs three times in the chapter (vv. 2, 13, 29). The verse pivots from the ideal geography just surveyed to the human process (lot, officials) by which it will actually be distributed.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
וַיְצַ֣וand he commandedconj וַ + Piel wayyiqtol 3ms · צִוָּה (H6680)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence — predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — Moses transmits YHWH's wordצִוָּה (H6680) Piel 'to command'; Moses now relays to Israel the very verb YHWH used to him in v. 2.
מֹשֶׁ֔הMosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subjectמֹשֶׁה (H4872); the mediator who received the command in v. 1 now transmits it, closing the frame begun there.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל as the object of Moses's command.
בְּנֵ֥יsons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Direct object (construct head)בֵּן (H1121); construct chain naming the addressed nation.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖לIsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive (construct chain)יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); the nation now instructed about the land's allotment procedure.
לֵאמֹ֑רsayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Infinitival complement introducing direct speech→ Infinitive construct: opens the quoted commandאָמַר (H559); the same לֵאמֹר hinge as v. 1, now for Moses's own speech.
זֹ֣אתthisdem pron f sg · זֹאת (H2063)Subject of the relative clause (cataphoric)זֹאת (H2063); echoing the identical formula of v. 2, applying the same land-definition to the inheritance procedure.
הָאָ֗רֶץthe landart + N (c) sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Predicate nominativeאֶרֶץ (H776); the land just bounded in vv. 2-12, now the subject of its allotment.
אֲשֶׁ֨רwhichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause markerאֲשֶׁר (H834), introducing the clause on how the land is to be apportioned.
תִּתְנַחֲל֤וּyou shall inheritHitpael impf 2mp · נָחַל (H5157)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Yiqtol: modal/future — reflexive/reciprocal inheritanceנָחַל (H5157) Hitpael 'to take possession for oneself, divide as an inheritance'; the reflexive stem stresses Israel's own active reception of the land.
אֹתָהּ֙[obj] itobj marker + 3fs suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (resumptive, referring to הָאָרֶץ)אֵת (H853) with 3fs suffix, resuming 'the land' (fem.) as the direct object of תִּתְנַחֲלוּ.
בְּגוֹרָ֔לby lotprep בְּ + N m sg abs · גּוֹרָל (H1486)Adverbial phrase (means)גּוֹרָל (H1486) 'lot'; the sacred-random method of allocation elaborated in Josh 13-19, entrusted to the officials named in vv. 17-29.
אֲשֶׁר֙whichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause marker (second relative, resumptive)אֲשֶׁר (H834), a second relative clause specifying YHWH's own command behind the allotment.
צִוָּ֣הhe commandedPiel perf 3ms · צִוָּה (H6680)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: a settled, prior divine decisionצִוָּה (H6680); YHWH's command stands behind Moses's own — the root's third occurrence in the chapter (vv. 2, 13, 29).
יְהוָ֔הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068); the ultimate authority behind the land's disposition, framing the whole chapter (vv. 1, 13, 16, 29).
לָתֵ֛תto giveprep לְ + Qal inf constr · נָתַן (H5414)Infinitival complement (purpose/content of the command)→ Infinitive construct: the content of YHWH's commandנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; specifying the aim of the command — the land is to be given, not simply divided.
לְתִשְׁעַ֥תto the nine ofprep לְ + numeral constr · תֵּשַׁע (H8672)Adverbial phrase (recipient), construct headתֵּשַׁע (H8672) 'nine'; the nine tribes (plus half of Manasseh, v. 14) receiving territory west of the Jordan.
הַמַּטּ֖וֹתthe tribesart + N m pl abs · מַטֶּה (H4294)Genitive (construct chain)מַטֶּה (H4294) 'staff, tribe'; a tribe as a rod/staff-bearing unit, the basic division of the inheritance.
וַחֲצִ֥יand half ofconj וְ + N m sg constr · חֵצִי (H2677)Coordinate (construct head)חֵצִי (H2677) 'half'; the recurring qualifier for Manasseh, split between Transjordan and Cisjordan (cf. vv. 14-15).
הַמַּטֶּֽהthe tribeart + N m sg abs · מַטֶּה (H4294)Genitive (construct chain)מַטֶּה (H4294); completing 'the nine and a half tribes' who receive land west of the Jordan.
14
כִּ֣י לָקְח֞וּ מַטֵּ֨ה בְנֵ֤י הָראוּבֵנִי֙ לְבֵ֣ית אֲבֹתָ֔ם וּמַטֵּ֥ה בְנֵֽי הַגָּדִ֖י לְבֵ֣ית אֲבֹתָ֑ם וַחֲצִי֙ מַטֵּ֣ה מְנַשֶּׁ֔ה לָקְח֖וּ נַחֲלָתָֽם
For the tribe of the Reubenites by their fathers' houses, and the tribe of the Gadites by their fathers' houses, have taken their inheritance, and the half-tribe of Manasseh has taken its inheritance,
כִּי grounds v. 13's arithmetic: only nine and a half tribes remain to inherit west of the Jordan because Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh already took theirs (cf. Num 32). לָקְחוּ 'have taken' (perfect) marks this as an already-completed fact, contrasting with the still-future תִּתְנַחֲלוּ of v. 13.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
כִּ֣יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Subordinating conjunction (causal)כִּי (H3588) 'for, because'; introduces the reason nine and a half (not twelve) tribes are in view — two and a half already have land.
לָקְח֞וּthey have takenQal perf 3cp · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed, prior act — already accomplished before this chapterלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; used of the Transjordan tribes' inheritance as an already-completed fact (cf. 32:33-42), contrasting with the still-future תִּתְנַחֲלוּ of v. 13.
מַטֵּ֨הthe tribe ofN m sg constr · מַטֶּה (H4294)Subject (construct head)מַטֶּה (H4294); heading the first of the three Transjordan tribal groups.
בְנֵ֤יthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive (construct chain)בֵּן (H1121); construct before the gentilic, 'the sons/tribe of the Reubenite'.
הָראוּבֵנִי֙the Reubeniteart + gentilic adj m sg · רְאוּבֵנִי (H7206)Genitive (construct chain)רְאוּבֵנִי (H7206), gentilic of רְאוּבֵן; Reuben's tribe, firstborn of Jacob's sons yet settled outside the promised land proper.
לְבֵ֣יתaccording to the house ofprep לְ + N m sg constr · בַּיִת (H1004)Adverbial phrase (distributive standard)בַּיִת (H1004) 'house'; לְבֵית אֲבֹתָם, 'by their fathers' houses' — the clan-based unit within the tribe, the standard census/allotment division (cf. chs. 1, 26).
אֲבֹתָ֔םtheir fathersN m pl constr + 3mp suffix · אָב (H1)Genitive (construct chain)אָב (H1) 'father'; plural 'fathers' denotes ancestral clan lines, not individual fathers.
וּמַטֵּ֥הand the tribe ofconj וְ + N m sg constr · מַטֶּה (H4294)Coordinate subject (construct head)מַטֶּה (H4294); the second Transjordan tribe joined to the first.
בְנֵֽיthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive (construct chain)בֵּן (H1121); construct before the gentilic, matching v. 14a's pattern.
הַגָּדִ֖יthe Gaditeart + gentilic adj m sg · גָּדִי (H1425)Genitive (construct chain)גָּדִי (H1425), gentilic of גָּד; Gad's tribe, the second of the Transjordan settlers (cf. 32:1-5).
לְבֵ֣יתaccording to the house ofprep לְ + N m sg constr · בַּיִת (H1004)Adverbial phrase (distributive standard)בַּיִת (H1004); repeating the clan-house formula for Gad.
אֲבֹתָ֑םtheir fathersN m pl constr + 3mp suffix · אָב (H1)Genitive (construct chain)אָב (H1); repeating the ancestral-house formula.
וַחֲצִי֙and half ofconj וְ + N m sg constr · חֵצִי (H2677)Coordinate/casus pendens subject (construct head)חֵצִי (H2677) 'half'; Manasseh alone is split, half remaining east of the Jordan (32:39-42) and half receiving land west (v. 23).
מַטֵּ֣הthe tribe ofN m sg constr · מַטֶּה (H4294)Genitive (construct chain)מַטֶּה (H4294); qualifying 'half' as half of the tribe.
מְנַשֶּׁ֔הManassehN proper · מְנַשֶּׁה (H4519)Genitive (construct chain)מְנַשֶּׁה (H4519), Joseph's elder son; uniquely divided between the two sides of the Jordan (cf. Josh 13:29-31; 17:1-6).
לָקְח֖וּhave takenQal perf 3cp · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb (resumptive, main clause)→ Perfective: a completed, prior actלָקַח (H3947); repeated for the third (half-)tribe, closing the list with the same verb that opened it.
נַחֲלָתָֽםtheir inheritanceN f sg constr + 3mp suffix · נַחֲלָה (H5159)Direct objectנַחֲלָה (H5159) 'inheritance'; the Transjordan tribes' allotment, already secured, explaining why only nine and a half remain to be apportioned by the men of vv. 17-29.
15
שְׁנֵ֥י הַמַּטּ֖וֹת וַחֲצִ֣י הַמַּטֶּ֑ה לָקְח֣וּ נַחֲלָתָ֗ם מֵעֵ֛בֶר לְיַרְדֵּ֥ן יְרֵח֖וֹ קֵ֥דְמָה מִזְרָֽחָה
The two and a half tribes have taken their inheritance across the Jordan from Jericho, eastward, toward the sunrise.
The round number 'two and a half tribes' recaps Reuben, Gad, and half-Manasseh in one phrase, located precisely opposite Jericho — the same geographic vantage as Deut 34:1-3. With the digression closed, v. 16 resumes the chapter's main narrative line.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
שְׁנֵ֥יtwo ofnumeral m dual constr · שְׁנַיִם (H8147)Subject (construct head)שְׁנַיִם (H8147) 'two'; here summarizing Reuben and Gad together as 'the two tribes'.
הַמַּטּ֖וֹתthe tribesart + N m pl abs · מַטֶּה (H4294)Genitive (construct chain)מַטֶּה (H4294); the article marks these as the specific tribes just named in v. 14.
וַחֲצִ֣יand half ofconj וְ + N m sg constr · חֵצִי (H2677)Coordinate subject (construct head)חֵצִי (H2677); adding Manasseh's half to complete 'two and a half tribes'.
הַמַּטֶּ֑הthe tribeart + N m sg abs · מַטֶּה (H4294)Genitive (construct chain)מַטֶּה (H4294); completing the summary total of v. 14's three groups.
לָקְח֣וּhave takenQal perf 3cp · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed, prior actלָקַח (H3947); the summary restates v. 14's verb, closing the digression before v. 16 resumes the main narrative.
נַחֲלָתָ֗םtheir inheritanceN f sg constr + 3mp suffix · נַחֲלָה (H5159)Direct objectנַחֲלָה (H5159); the Transjordan allotment, now located precisely.
מֵעֵ֛בֶרfrom acrossprep מִן + N m sg abs · עֵבֶר (H5676)Adverbial phrase (location)עֵבֶר (H5676) 'side, region across'; עֵבֶר הַיַּרְדֵּן, 'across/beyond the Jordan', the standard designation for Transjordan from a Cisjordan vantage point.
לְיַרְדֵּ֥ןthe Jordan ofprep לְ + N proper · יַרְדֵּן (H3383)Genitive (construct-like phrase, 'the Jordan by Jericho')יַרְדֵּן (H3383); here qualified by יְרֵחוֹ, locating the crossing point opposite Jericho — the same vantage as Deut 34:1-3.
יְרֵח֖וֹJerichoN proper · יְרִיחוֹ (H3405)Genitive (construct chain)יְרִיחוֹ (H3405), the 'city of palms' just across the river — the fixed reference point for locating the Transjordan tribes.
קֵ֥דְמָהeastwardN m sg abs + directional ה · קֶדֶם (H6924)Adverbial accusative of directionקֶדֶם (H6924) 'east'; reinforcing the tribes' location relative to the Cisjordan land just bounded.
מִזְרָֽחָהtoward the sunriseN m sg abs + directional ה · מִזְרָח (H4217)Adverbial accusative of direction (intensifying קֵדְמָה)מִזְרָח (H4217) 'sunrise, east', from זָרַח 'to rise (of the sun)'; paired with קֵדְמָה for emphasis — doubly marking the eastward location.
16
וַיְדַבֵּ֥ר יְהוָ֖ה אֶל מֹשֶׁ֥ה לֵּאמֹֽר
And YHWH spoke to Moses, saying,
Repeats v. 1's formula verbatim, marking the chapter's second major division: from the ideal geography of vv. 2-15 to the human personnel — Eleazar, Joshua, and the ten tribal chiefs — who will execute the apportionment in vv. 17-29.
Word-by-word analysis· 5 words
וַיְדַבֵּ֥רand he spokeWayyiqtol 3ms · דָּבַר (H1696)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence — predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance, opening a new unitדָּבַר (H1696) Piel 'to speak'; repeating v. 1's formula exactly, marking the chapter's second major division — from territory to personnel.
יְהוָ֖הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068); the same divine speaker as v. 1, now naming the men who will execute the apportionment.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase marking the addresseeאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks Moses as recipient of the divine word.
מֹשֶׁ֥הMosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Object of preposition (addressee)מֹשֶׁה (H4872); receiving the second oracle of the chapter, on the naming of the apportioners.
לֵּאמֹֽרsayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Infinitival complement introducing direct speech→ Infinitive construct: opens the quoted divine speechאָמַר (H559); the same לֵאמֹר hinge as v. 1, opening the roster of Eleazar, Joshua, and the tribal chiefs.
17
אֵ֚לֶּה שְׁמ֣וֹת הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֔ים אֲשֶׁר יִנְחֲל֥וּ לָכֶ֖ם אֶת הָאָ֑רֶץ אֶלְעָזָר֙ הַכֹּהֵ֔ן וִיהוֹשֻׁ֖עַ בִּן נֽוּן
These are the names of the men who shall apportion the land to you: Eleazar the priest and Joshua the son of Nun.
אֵלֶּה שְׁמוֹת is a standard heading formula for official rosters (cf. Exod 1:1). יִנְחֲלוּ (Qal, transitive with 'the land') stretches the ordinarily intransitive 'inherit' to mean 'apportion, allot' — distinct from the Hitpael תִּתְנַחֲלוּ of v. 13 describing Israel's own reception. Priest and military successor stand jointly at the head of the list.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
אֵ֚לֶּהthesedem pron c pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Subject (cataphoric)אֵלֶּה (H428), common plural demonstrative, heading the roster of officials exactly as similar formulas open genealogical/administrative lists elsewhere.
שְׁמ֣וֹתthe names ofN m pl constr · שֵׁם (H8034)Predicate nominative (construct head)שֵׁם (H8034) 'name'; heading formula אֵלֶּה שְׁמוֹת, 'these are the names of', standard for official rosters (cf. Exod 1:1).
הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֔יםthe menart + N m pl abs · אִישׁ (H376)Genitive (construct chain)אִישׁ (H376) 'man'; here specifically the officials about to be named and tasked with the land's division.
אֲשֶׁרwhorelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause markerאֲשֶׁר (H834), introducing the men's function.
יִנְחֲל֥וּshall apportionQal impf 3mp · נָחַל (H5157)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Yiqtol: modal/future — the officials' commissioned taskנָחַל (H5157) Qal, ordinarily intransitive 'to inherit'; here used transitively with 'the land' as object — a notable extension meaning 'apportion, allot as inheritance', distinct from the Hitpael תִּתְנַחֲלוּ of v. 13.
לָכֶ֖םfor youprep לְ + 2mp suffix · לְDative (beneficiary)לְ + 2mp suffix, marking Israel as beneficiary of the officials' apportionment.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking הָאָרֶץ as the object apportioned.
הָאָ֑רֶץthe landart + N (c) sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Direct objectאֶרֶץ (H776); the land bounded in vv. 2-12, now the object of administrative division.
אֶלְעָזָר֙EleazarN proper · אֶלְעָזָר (H499)Subject (in apposition, first named official)אֶלְעָזָר (H499) 'God has helped'; Aaron's son and successor as high priest (20:25-28), heading the apportionment alongside Joshua.
הַכֹּהֵ֔ןthe priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Apposition (title)כֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'; Eleazar's title, pairing sacral oversight with Joshua's civil/military leadership over the land's division.
וִיהוֹשֻׁ֖עַand Joshuaconj וְ + N proper · יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091)Subject (in apposition, second named official)יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091) 'YHWH is salvation'; Moses's successor (27:18-23), named here as co-supervisor of the land's apportionment even before the conquest begins.
בִּןson ofN m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive (construct head, patronymic)בֵּן (H1121); the standard patronymic construction identifying Joshua's father.
נֽוּןNunN proper · נוּן (H5126)Genitive (construct chain)נוּן (H5126), Joshua's father, otherwise unknown outside the genealogical notices of his son.
18
וְנָשִׂ֥יא אֶחָ֛ד נָשִׂ֥יא אֶחָ֖ד מִמַּטֶּ֑ה תִּקְח֖וּ לִנְחֹ֥ל אֶת הָאָֽרֶץ
And you shall take one chief from each tribe to apportion the land for inheritance.
The doubled נָשִׂיא אֶחָד...נָשִׂיא אֶחָד ('one chief... one chief') is the standard Hebrew distributive idiom for 'one from each'; it foreshadows the ten chiefs named individually, tribe by tribe, in vv. 19-28.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
וְנָשִׂ֥יאand a chiefconj וְ + N m sg abs · נָשִׂיא (H5387)Direct object (distributive, first of pair)נָשִׂיא (H5387) 'chief, leader, one lifted up'; from נָשָׂא 'to lift'; here the tribal representatives who will join Eleazar and Joshua.
אֶחָ֛דonenumeral m sg abs · אֶחָד (H259)Attributive/distributive numeralאֶחָד (H259) 'one'; the first half of the distributive doubling נָשִׂיא אֶחָד...נָשִׂיא אֶחָד, 'one chief... one chief', idiomatic for 'one from each'.
נָשִׂ֥יאa chiefN m sg abs · נָשִׂיא (H5387)Direct object (distributive, second of pair)נָשִׂיא (H5387); the repetition (rather than a plural or distributive particle) is itself the idiom for 'each one'.
אֶחָ֖דonenumeral m sg abs · אֶחָד (H259)Attributive/distributive numeralאֶחָד (H259); completing the distributive doubling — 'a chief from each tribe'.
מִמַּטֶּ֑הfrom a tribeprep מִן + N m sg abs · מַטֶּה (H4294)Adverbial phrase (source, distributive)מַטֶּה (H4294); indefinite/distributive here — 'from each tribe', matching the doubled נָשִׂיא.
תִּקְח֖וּyou shall takeQal impf 2mp · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb (main clause, imperatival force)→ Yiqtol: instructional future — a legal directiveלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; here of selecting/appointing officials, not physical taking.
לִנְחֹ֥לto apportionprep לְ + Qal inf constr · נָחַל (H5157)Infinitival complement (purpose)→ Infinitive construct: the chiefs' commissioned purposeנָחַל (H5157); repeating v. 17's transitive use — the chiefs' express purpose is to allot the land.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking הָאָרֶץ as the object of apportionment.
הָאָֽרֶץthe landart + N (c) sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Direct objectאֶרֶץ (H776); the land now to be divided among the tribes by these appointed men.
19
וְאֵ֖לֶּה שְׁמ֣וֹת הָאֲנָשִׁ֑ים לְמַטֵּ֣ה יְהוּדָ֔ה כָּלֵ֖ב בֶּן יְפֻנֶּֽה
And these are the names of the men: of the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh.
Caleb — the faithful spy of chs. 13-14 — heads the list for Judah, decades after his original mission and shortly before his reward of Hebron (Josh 14:6-15). His prominence as the very first named chief is a deliberate narrative echo.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
וְאֵ֖לֶּהand theseconj וְ + dem pron c pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Subject (cataphoric)אֵלֶּה (H428); a second heading, opening the itemized roster after v. 17's general heading.
שְׁמ֣וֹתthe names ofN m pl constr · שֵׁם (H8034)Predicate nominative (construct head)שֵׁם (H8034); repeating v. 17's heading formula for the detailed, tribe-by-tribe list.
הָאֲנָשִׁ֑יםthe menart + N m pl abs · אִישׁ (H376)Genitive (construct chain)אִישׁ (H376); the ten tribal chiefs about to be enumerated by name.
לְמַטֵּ֣הof the tribe ofprep לְ + N m sg constr · מַטֶּה (H4294)Adverbial phrase (reference, distributive heading)מַטֶּה (H4294); introduces each tribal entry in turn (cf. vv. 20-28), a fixed heading formula for the list.
יְהוּדָ֔הJudahN proper · יְהוּדָה (H3063)Genitive (construct chain)יְהוּדָה (H3063); the leading tribe heads the list, as often in Israelite tribal orderings.
כָּלֵ֖בCalebN proper · כָּלֵב (H3612)Subject (in apposition, named chief)כָּלֵב (H3612); the famous faithful spy of chs. 13-14, still active decades later — his selection here anticipates the reward of Hebron promised him (Josh 14:6-15).
בֶּןson ofN m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive (construct head, patronymic)בֵּן (H1121); patronymic formula, as with every chief in this list.
יְפֻנֶּֽהJephunnehN proper · יְפֻנֶּה (H3312)Genitive (construct chain)יְפֻנֶּה (H3312), Caleb's father, otherwise known only through his son (cf. 13:6; 32:12).
20
וּלְמַטֵּה֙ בְּנֵ֣י שִׁמְע֔וֹן שְׁמוּאֵ֖ל בֶּן עַמִּיהֽוּד
And of the tribe of the sons of Simeon, Shemuel the son of Ammihud.
This entry omits the title נָשִׂיא found in several others (vv. 22-28) — a minor formal irregularity within an otherwise uniform list. Simeon's own territory was later absorbed within Judah's allotment (Josh 19:1-9), unmentioned here.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
וּלְמַטֵּה֙and of the tribe ofconj וְ + prep לְ + N m sg constr · מַטֶּה (H4294)Coordinate adverbial phrase (list heading)מַטֶּה (H4294); the recurring list-formula introducing each successive tribe.
בְּנֵ֣יthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive (construct chain)בֵּן (H1121); construct before the tribal eponym, as regularly in this list.
שִׁמְע֔וֹןSimeonN proper · שִׁמְעוֹן (H8095)Genitive (construct chain)שִׁמְעוֹן (H8095), Jacob's second son; his tribe's territory was absorbed within Judah's allotment (Josh 19:1-9), a fact this list does not editorialize on.
שְׁמוּאֵ֖לShemuelN proper · שְׁמוּאֵל (H8050)Subject (in apposition, named chief)שְׁמוּאֵל (H8050) 'name of God' — not the later prophet Samuel, but Simeon's representative here.
בֶּןson ofN m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive (construct head, patronymic)בֵּן (H1121); the recurring patronymic formula.
עַמִּיהֽוּדAmmihudN proper · עַמִּיהוּד (H5989)Genitive (construct chain)עַמִּיהוּד (H5989) 'my people is majesty/splendor'; a name shared, coincidentally, with the father of Naphtali's chief in v. 28.
21
לְמַטֵּ֣ה בִנְיָמִ֔ן אֱלִידָ֖ד בֶּן כִּסְלֽוֹן
Of the tribe of Benjamin, Elidad the son of Chislon.
This entry lacks the leading וְ found in most others (cf. v. 20, 22ff.) — a minor asyndetic variation within an otherwise uniform list. Benjamin's territory lies between Judah's and Ephraim's.
Word-by-word analysis· 5 words
לְמַטֵּ֣הof the tribe ofprep לְ + N m sg constr · מַטֶּה (H4294)Adverbial phrase (list heading)מַטֶּה (H4294); here without a preceding conjunction, unlike most entries in the list — a minor stylistic variation.
בִנְיָמִ֔ןBenjaminN proper · בִּנְיָמִן (H1144)Genitive (construct chain)בִּנְיָמִן (H1144) 'son of the right hand/south'; Jacob's youngest son, whose territory lies between Judah and Ephraim.
אֱלִידָ֖דElidadN proper · אֱלִידָד (H449)Subject (in apposition, named chief)אֱלִידָד (H449) 'my God has loved'; otherwise unknown outside this list.
בֶּןson ofN m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive (construct head, patronymic)בֵּן (H1121); the recurring patronymic formula.
כִּסְלֽוֹןChislonN proper · כִּסְלוֹן (H3692)Genitive (construct chain)כִּסְלוֹן (H3692), Elidad's father, otherwise unattested.
22
וּלְמַטֵּ֥ה בְנֵי דָ֖ן נָשִׂ֑יא בֻּקִּ֖י בֶּן יָגְלִֽי
And of the tribe of the sons of Dan, a chief: Bukki the son of Jogli.
Unlike Simeon's untitled entry (v. 20) and Benjamin's asyndetic one (v. 21), Dan's entry restores both the leading conjunction and the title נָשִׂיא, the pattern the remaining entries (vv. 23-28) will now follow consistently.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
וּלְמַטֵּ֥הand of the tribe ofconj וְ + prep לְ + N m sg constr · מַטֶּה (H4294)Coordinate adverbial phrase (list heading)מַטֶּה (H4294); the recurring list-formula introducing the next tribe, Dan.
בְנֵיthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive (construct chain)בֵּן (H1121); construct before the tribal eponym, as regularly in this list.
דָ֖ןDanN proper · דָּן (H1835)Genitive (construct chain)דָּן (H1835), Jacob's fifth son (by Bilhah); the tribe here awaits its Cisjordan share, despite its later migration north (Judg 18).
נָשִׂ֑יאa chiefN m sg abs · נָשִׂיא (H5387)Apposition (title, introducing the named chief)נָשִׂיא (H5387) 'chief, leader'; explicitly titling Dan's representative, unlike the untitled entry for Simeon (v. 20).
בֻּקִּ֖יBukkiN proper · בֻּקִּי (H1231)Subject (in apposition, named chief)בֻּקִּי (H1231), Dan's chief here, otherwise unattested — a different man from the priestly Bukki son of Abishua (1 Chr 6:5, 51).
בֶּןson ofN m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive (construct head, patronymic)בֵּן (H1121); the recurring patronymic formula.
יָגְלִֽיJogliN proper · יָגְלִי (H3020)Genitive (construct chain)יָגְלִי (H3020), Bukki's father, otherwise unattested.
23
לִבְנֵ֣י יוֹסֵ֔ף לְמַטֵּ֥ה בְנֵֽי מְנַשֶּׁ֖ה נָשִׂ֑יא חַנִּיאֵ֖ל בֶּן אֵפֹֽד
Of the sons of Joseph: of the tribe of the sons of Manasseh, a chief: Hanniel the son of Ephod.
The double heading לִבְנֵי יוֹסֵף...לְמַטֵּה בְנֵי מְנַשֶּׁה groups Manasseh with Ephraim (v. 24) as Joseph's two tribes, reflecting the double portion of Gen 48's blessing; only here and at v. 24 does the list pause to name the grandfather tribe before the tribe itself.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
לִבְנֵ֣יof the sons ofprep לְ + N m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Adverbial phrase (superordinate list heading)בֵּן (H1121); a two-tier heading — Joseph's two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim, are grouped under their common ancestor before being listed separately in this verse and the next.
יוֹסֵ֔ףJosephN proper · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Genitive (construct chain)יוֹסֵף (H3130); Jacob's son whose two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, each received a full tribal share (cf. Gen 48).
לְמַטֵּ֥הof the tribe ofprep לְ + N m sg constr · מַטֶּה (H4294)Adverbial phrase (list heading)מַטֶּה (H4294); introducing Manasseh specifically within the Joseph grouping.
בְנֵֽיthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive (construct chain)בֵּן (H1121); construct before the tribal eponym.
מְנַשֶּׁ֖הManassehN proper · מְנַשֶּׁה (H4519)Genitive (construct chain)מְנַשֶּׁה (H4519); here specifically the western half-tribe receiving Cisjordan land, the eastern half having already been settled (cf. v. 14-15).
נָשִׂ֑יאa chiefN m sg abs · נָשִׂיא (H5387)Apposition (title, introducing the named chief)נָשִׂיא (H5387); titling Manasseh's representative.
חַנִּיאֵ֖לHannielN proper · חַנִּיאֵל (H2592)Subject (in apposition, named chief)חַנִּיאֵל (H2592) 'God has been gracious'; western Manasseh's chief here, otherwise unattested.
בֶּןson ofN m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive (construct head, patronymic)בֵּן (H1121); the recurring patronymic formula.
אֵפֹֽדEphodN proper · אֵפֹד (H641)Genitive (construct chain)אֵפֹד (H641), Hanniel's father, otherwise unattested — not to be confused with the priestly garment of the same name.
24
וּלְמַטֵּ֥ה בְנֵֽי אֶפְרַ֖יִם נָשִׂ֑יא קְמוּאֵ֖ל בֶּן שִׁפְטָֽן
And of the tribe of the sons of Ephraim, a chief: Kemuel the son of Shiphtan.
Completes the Joseph pair begun in v. 23 — Manasseh named first despite Ephraim's greater later prominence, following birth order rather than the reversed blessing-order of Gen 48.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
וּלְמַטֵּ֥הand of the tribe ofconj וְ + prep לְ + N m sg constr · מַטֶּה (H4294)Coordinate adverbial phrase (list heading)מַטֶּה (H4294); continuing the Joseph grouping (v. 23) with Ephraim, Manasseh's younger brother yet the more historically prominent tribe (cf. Gen 48:13-20).
בְנֵֽיthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive (construct chain)בֵּן (H1121); construct before the tribal eponym.
אֶפְרַ֖יִםEphraimN proper · אֶפְרַיִם (H669)Genitive (construct chain)אֶפְרַיִם (H669), Joseph's younger son whom Jacob blessed above Manasseh (Gen 48:13-20); his tribe forms the core of the later northern kingdom.
נָשִׂ֑יאa chiefN m sg abs · נָשִׂיא (H5387)Apposition (title, introducing the named chief)נָשִׂיא (H5387); titling Ephraim's representative.
קְמוּאֵ֖לKemuelN proper · קְמוּאֵל (H7055)Subject (in apposition, named chief)קְמוּאֵל (H7055) 'assembly of God'; Ephraim's chief here, distinct from Kemuel the father of Aram (Gen 22:21).
בֶּןson ofN m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive (construct head, patronymic)בֵּן (H1121); the recurring patronymic formula.
שִׁפְטָֽןShiphtanN proper · שִׁפְטָן (H8204)Genitive (construct chain)שִׁפְטָן (H8204), Kemuel's father, otherwise unattested.
25
וּלְמַטֵּ֥ה בְנֵֽי זְבוּלֻ֖ן נָשִׂ֑יא אֱלִיצָפָ֖ן בֶּן פַּרְנָֽךְ
And of the tribe of the sons of Zebulun, a chief: Elizaphan the son of Parnach.
Continues the uniform pattern of conjunction plus title (cf. v. 22) now established for the list's remaining entries.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
וּלְמַטֵּ֥הand of the tribe ofconj וְ + prep לְ + N m sg constr · מַטֶּה (H4294)Coordinate adverbial phrase (list heading)מַטֶּה (H4294); the recurring list-formula introducing the next tribe, Zebulun.
בְנֵֽיthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive (construct chain)בֵּן (H1121); construct before the tribal eponym.
זְבוּלֻ֖ןZebulunN proper · זְבוּלֻן (H2074)Genitive (construct chain)זְבוּלֻן (H2074), Jacob's tenth son (by Leah); his tribe settled along the shores near the Sea of Galilee (cf. Gen 49:13).
נָשִׂ֑יאa chiefN m sg abs · נָשִׂיא (H5387)Apposition (title, introducing the named chief)נָשִׂיא (H5387); titling Zebulun's representative.
אֱלִיצָפָ֖ןElizaphanN proper · אֱלִיצָפָן (H469)Subject (in apposition, named chief)אֱלִיצָפָן (H469) 'my God has hidden/protected'; a name shared with the Kohathite chief of Num 3:30, though this is a different man — Zebulun's tribal representative.
בֶּןson ofN m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive (construct head, patronymic)בֵּן (H1121); the recurring patronymic formula.
פַּרְנָֽךְParnachN proper · פַּרְנָךְ (H6535)Genitive (construct chain)פַּרְנָךְ (H6535), Elizaphan's father, otherwise unattested; etymology uncertain.
26
וּלְמַטֵּ֥ה בְנֵֽי יִשָׂשכָ֖ר נָשִׂ֑יא פַּלְטִיאֵ֖ל בֶּן עַזָּֽן
And of the tribe of the sons of Issachar, a chief: Paltiel the son of Azzan.
Continues the uniform conjunction-plus-title pattern (cf. vv. 22, 25) now standard for the list's remaining entries.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
וּלְמַטֵּ֥הand of the tribe ofconj וְ + prep לְ + N m sg constr · מַטֶּה (H4294)Coordinate adverbial phrase (list heading)מַטֶּה (H4294); the recurring list-formula introducing the next tribe, Issachar.
בְנֵֽיthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive (construct chain)בֵּן (H1121); construct before the tribal eponym.
יִשָׂשכָ֖רIssacharN proper · יִשָּׂשכָר (H3485)Genitive (construct chain)יִשָּׂשכָר (H3485), Jacob's ninth son (by Leah); his tribe settled the fertile Jezreel valley (cf. Gen 49:14-15).
נָשִׂ֑יאa chiefN m sg abs · נָשִׂיא (H5387)Apposition (title, introducing the named chief)נָשִׂיא (H5387); titling Issachar's representative.
פַּלְטִיאֵ֖לPaltielN proper · פַּלְטִיאֵל (H6409)Subject (in apposition, named chief)פַּלְטִיאֵל (H6409) 'God has delivered'; Issachar's chief here, otherwise unattested — distinct from Paltiel son of Laish (2 Sam 3:15).
בֶּןson ofN m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive (construct head, patronymic)בֵּן (H1121); the recurring patronymic formula.
עַזָּֽןAzzanN proper · עַזָּן (H5821)Genitive (construct chain)עַזָּן (H5821), Paltiel's father, otherwise unattested.
27
וּלְמַטֵּ֥ה בְנֵי אָשֵׁ֖ר נָשִׂ֑יא אֲחִיה֖וּד בֶּן שְׁלֹמִֽי
And of the tribe of the sons of Asher, a chief: Ahihud the son of Shelomi.
Continues the established pattern, one entry from the tribe's end.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
וּלְמַטֵּ֥הand of the tribe ofconj וְ + prep לְ + N m sg constr · מַטֶּה (H4294)Coordinate adverbial phrase (list heading)מַטֶּה (H4294); the recurring list-formula introducing the next tribe, Asher.
בְנֵיthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive (construct chain)בֵּן (H1121); construct before the tribal eponym.
אָשֵׁ֖רAsherN proper · אָשֵׁר (H836)Genitive (construct chain)אָשֵׁר (H836), Jacob's eighth son (by Zilpah); his tribe held the coastal strip north of Carmel (cf. Gen 49:20).
נָשִׂ֑יאa chiefN m sg abs · נָשִׂיא (H5387)Apposition (title, introducing the named chief)נָשִׂיא (H5387); titling Asher's representative.
אֲחִיה֖וּדAhihudN proper · אֲחִיהוּד (H282)Subject (in apposition, named chief)אֲחִיהוּד (H282) 'my brother is majesty'; Asher's chief here, otherwise unattested.
בֶּןson ofN m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive (construct head, patronymic)בֵּן (H1121); the recurring patronymic formula.
שְׁלֹמִֽיShelomiN proper · שְׁלֹמִי (H8015)Genitive (construct chain)שְׁלֹמִי (H8015), Ahihud's father, otherwise unattested; related to שָׁלוֹם 'peace, well-being'.
28
וּלְמַטֵּ֥ה בְנֵֽי נַפְתָּלִ֖י נָשִׂ֑יא פְּדַהְאֵ֖ל בֶּן עַמִּיהֽוּד
And of the tribe of the sons of Naphtali, a chief: Pedahel the son of Ammihud.
Closes the itemized roster begun in v. 19: ten named chiefs — one per tribe west of the Jordan, matching the nine full tribes plus half of Manasseh counted in v. 13 — stand ready with Eleazar and Joshua (v. 17) to apportion the land whose bounds vv. 2-12 have just fixed.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
וּלְמַטֵּ֥הand of the tribe ofconj וְ + prep לְ + N m sg constr · מַטֶּה (H4294)Coordinate adverbial phrase (list heading)מַטֶּה (H4294); the recurring list-formula, here introducing the last of the ten tribal chiefs, Naphtali.
בְנֵֽיthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive (construct chain)בֵּן (H1121); construct before the tribal eponym.
נַפְתָּלִ֖יNaphtaliN proper · נַפְתָּלִי (H5321)Genitive (construct chain)נַפְתָּלִי (H5321), Jacob's sixth son (by Bilhah); his tribe held the region west of the upper Jordan and Chinnereth (cf. Gen 49:21) — closing the roster with the last of the ten western tribes.
נָשִׂ֑יאa chiefN m sg abs · נָשִׂיא (H5387)Apposition (title, introducing the named chief)נָשִׂיא (H5387); titling Naphtali's representative, the tenth and final chief named.
פְּדַהְאֵ֖לPedahelN proper · פְּדַהְאֵל (H6300)Subject (in apposition, named chief)פְּדַהְאֵל (H6300) 'God has redeemed'; Naphtali's chief here, otherwise unattested.
בֶּןson ofN m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive (construct head, patronymic)בֵּן (H1121); the recurring patronymic formula.
עַמִּיהֽוּדAmmihudN proper · עַמִּיהוּד (H5989)Genitive (construct chain)עַמִּיהוּד (H5989) 'my people is majesty'; a name shared, coincidentally, with the father of Simeon's chief in v. 20.
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אֵ֕לֶּה אֲשֶׁ֖ר צִוָּ֣ה יְהוָ֑ה לְנַחֵ֥ל אֶת בְּנֵֽי יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל בְּאֶ֥רֶץ כְּנָֽעַן
These are the ones whom YHWH commanded to apportion the inheritance to the sons of Israel in the land of Canaan.
אֵלֶּה אֲשֶׁר צִוָּה יְהוָה closes both the officials' roster and the chapter as a whole, echoing the threefold use of צִוָּה (vv. 2, 13, 29) and returning one final time to אֶרֶץ כְּנַעַן — the term that opened the chapter's charge in v. 2. The land's precise boundaries (vv. 2-12) and its human apportioners (vv. 13-29) alike rest on one divine command.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
אֵ֕לֶּהthesedem pron c pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Subject (cataphoric, closing formula)אֵלֶּה (H428); closes the roster begun in v. 17, matching the chapter's habitual heading/closing demonstrative (cf. vv. 2, 12, 17, 19).
אֲשֶׁ֖רwhomrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause markerאֲשֶׁר (H834), introducing the clause naming YHWH as the ultimate authority behind the appointment.
צִוָּ֣הhe commandedPiel perf 3ms · צִוָּה (H6680)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: a completed, settled divine actצִוָּה (H6680); the root's third and final occurrence in the chapter (vv. 2, 13, 29), bracketing the whole with divine authorization.
יְהוָ֑הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068); the same divine name framing the chapter's opening (v. 1) now closes it, grounding both the land's boundaries and its apportioners in his single command.
לְנַחֵ֥לto apportion as an inheritanceprep לְ + Piel inf constr · נָחַל (H5157)Infinitival complement (purpose/content of the command)→ Infinitive construct: the commissioned purpose behind the appointmentנָחַל (H5157) Piel 'to give as an inheritance, apportion'; a third stem of this root used in the chapter (Hitpael v. 13, Qal vv. 17-18), each nuancing a different party's role in the land's transfer.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל as the object apportioned to.
בְּנֵֽיthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Direct object (construct head)בֵּן (H1121); construct chain naming the nation to whom the land is apportioned.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖לIsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive (construct chain)יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); the nation whose apportionment the whole chapter has been securing since v. 1.
בְּאֶ֥רֶץin the land ofprep בְּ + N (c) sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Adverbial prepositional phrase (location)אֶרֶץ (H776); the chapter's keyword returns one final time, locating the apportionment precisely.
כְּנָֽעַןCanaanN proper · כְּנַעַן (H3667)Genitive (construct chain)כְּנַעַן (H3667); the land named in the chapter's opening command (v. 2) now closes the whole unit — an inclusio spanning vv. 2-29.