Study Desk

This is what the Sovereign LORD says: "These are the boundaries by which you are to divide the land for an inheritance among the twelve tribes of Israel, with two portions for Joseph.

You are to divide it equally among them. Because I swore with uplifted hand to give it to your forefathers, this land will become your inheritance.

"This is to be the boundary of the land: "On the north side it will run from the Great Sea by the Hethlon road past Lebo ^(F150) Hamath to Zedad,

Berothah ^(F151) and Sibraim (which lies on the border between Damascus and Hamath), as far as Hazer Hatticon, which is on the border of Hauran.

The boundary will extend from the sea to Hazar Enan, ^(F152) along the northern border of Damascus, with the border of Hamath to the north. This will be the north boundary.

"On the east side the boundary will run between Hauran and Damascus, along the Jordan between Gilead and the land of Israel, to the eastern sea and as far as Tamar. ^(F153) This will be the east boundary.

"On the south side it will run from Tamar as far as the waters of Meribah Kadesh, then along the Wadi of Egypt to the Great Sea. This will be the south boundary.

"On the west side, the Great Sea will be the boundary to a point opposite Lebo Hamath. This will be the west boundary.

"You are to distribute this land among yourselves according to the tribes of Israel.

You are to allot it as an inheritance for yourselves and for the aliens who have settled among you and who have children. You are to consider them as native-born Israelites; along with you they are to be allotted an inheritance among the tribes of Israel.

In whatever tribe the alien settles, there you are to give him his inheritance," declares the Sovereign LORD .