The Borders of the Land
The Lord GOD announces the boundaries by which the land is to be divided among the twelve tribes, with Joseph receiving two portions and the whole land shared equally as a sworn inheritance. The text then traces the borders in detail from north to east to south to west, fixing the restored land in clear territorial terms. The promised inheritance is thus both covenantal and carefully bounded.
T13his is what the Lord GOD says: “These are the boundaries by which you are to divide the land as an inheritance among the twelve tribes of Israel; Joseph shall receive two portions. 14You are to divide it equally among them. Because I swore with an uplifted hand to give it to your forefathers, this land will fall to you as an inheritance. 15This shall be the boundary of the land: 16On the north side it will extend from the Great Sea by way of Hethlon through Lebo-hamath to Zedad, Berothah, and Sibraim (which is on the border between Damascus and Hamath), as far as Hazer-hatticon, which is on the border of Hauran. 17So the border will run from the Sea to Hazar-enan, along the northern border of Damascus, with the territory of Hamath to the north. This will be the northern boundary. 18On the east side the border 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. This will be the eastern boundary. 19On the south side it will run from Tamar to the waters of Meribath-kadesh, and along the Brook of Egypt to the Great Sea. This will be the southern boundary. 20And on the west side, the Great Sea will be the boundary up to a point opposite Lebo-hamath. This will be the western boundary.
Israel is told to divide the land among the tribes, but the inheritance is not reserved only for native-born Israelites. Foreigners who dwell among them and have children are to be treated as native-born and receive allotment in the tribe where they live. The restored land therefore embodies not only order but also covenant inclusion for settled outsiders.
21You are to divide this land among yourselves according to the tribes of Israel. 22You shall allot it as an inheritance for yourselves and for the foreigners who dwell among you and who have children. You are to treat them as native-born Israelites; along with you, they shall be allotted an inheritance among the tribes of Israel. 23In whatever tribe a foreigner dwells, you are to assign his inheritance there,” declares the Lord GOD.