Numbers 34:4,5 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Bible Comments

To the ascent of Akrabbim— Or to Maaleh-akrabbim, as it is rendered, Judges 15:3 which signifies, according to Bochart, the mount of scorpions; so called from the multitude of those creatures found there. See Deuteronomy 8:15 and Hieroz. lib. 4: cap. 29. Hence that tract adjoining to Idumea is called Arabatine, Genesis 5:3. Hazar-addar is, in the Vulgate, the village of Addar; which seems justified by Judges 15:3 where it is simply called Addar. The river of Egypt means, as we have explained it, Numbers 34:3 the Nile; as the sea means the Mediterranean sea, called Numbers 34:6-7 the great sea. It is certain, that the Jews never did extend their territories so far as the Nile; the present is to be considered only as a permission to do so. The words in Numbers 34:4 and the going forth thereof shall be from the south to Kadesh-barnea, Dr. Waterland renders, and its utmost limits on the south shall be Kadesh-barnea.

Numbers 34:4-5

4 And your border shall turn from the south to the ascent of Akrabbim, and pass on to Zin: and the going forth thereof shall be from the south to Kadeshbarnea, and shall go on to Hazaraddar, and pass on to Azmon:

5 And the border shall fetch a compass from Azmon unto the river of Egypt, and the goings out of it shall be at the sea.