9½ tribes in Canaan + 2½ tribes beyond Jordan (Numbers 34)
Precise Dimensions: 424 km north to south × 114 km at widest point (modern coordinates)
33°11'N - 31°33'N (north-south) | 34°17'E - 35°41'E (west-east)
Proportions: 1:3.7 (west-east : north-south)
Coordinates: 31°-33° N, 34°-36° E
Archaeological data: Confirmed by excavations
Water bodies: Precise positioning
Click on a spiritual symbol on the map for information
Click on a tribal territory for information
From the Dead Sea via Scorpion Pass to Zin, then to Kadesh-barnea, Hazar-addar, Azmon to the Brook of Egypt and Mediterranean Sea
The coast of the Mediterranean Sea
From Mediterranean Sea to Mount Hor, then to Lebo-hamath, Zedad, Ziphron to Hazar-enan
From Hazar-enan to Shepham, Riblah east of Galilee, along Jordan River to Dead Sea
Eleazar (priest) and Joshua (commander) are types of Christ, who as both priest and king divides the heavenly Canaan for spiritual Israel.
Distribution by lot shows that inheritance comes according to the Father's will (Ephesians 1:11), not human preferment.
"Little is much when God is in it" (Psalm 37:16). Small territory compensated by extraordinary fertility - quality over quantity.
The Dead Sea boundary served as a constant reminder of God's judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah - a warning against the sins that destroyed those cities.
Many boundaries served as natural fortifications, reminding Israel that the God of nature was their defender and with His favor crowned them as with a shield.
The Brook of Egypt boundary reminded them of Egyptian slavery and their miraculous deliverance from it.
Each boundary had a spiritual lesson and served God's purposes for His people
Mountains and seas as God's shield, reminding Israel that the God of nature was their defender
Boundaries served as constant reminders of past judgments and deliverances
Ein el-Qudeirat
Southern boundary
Labweh, Lebanon
Northern boundary
Wadi el-Arish
Southwest boundary
31°33' N
Eastern point
Every boundary established by God with specific purpose
Land size matched the needs of the people
Seas, rivers and mountains as God's protection
Sources: Numbers 34 | Archaeological Data | Historical Coordinates | MacArthur Study Bible | Matthew Henry Commentary
"Sadly, the actual conquests were much narrower than these boundaries" - MacArthur Commentary