Numbers 34:17 (KJV)

What does Numbers 34:17 mean?

Numbers 34:17 states that Eleazar the priest and Joshua the son of Nun are the two men chosen to oversee the division of the land among the Israelites. This verse identifies the specific leaders responsible for making sure the land is distributed fairly as the Israelites prepare to enter Canaan.

In this passage, God is speaking to Moses and giving instructions about how the Promised Land should be divided among the tribes. Eleazar, who is the high priest, and Joshua, who will succeed Moses as leader, are named to ensure the process is carried out with both spiritual and practical oversight. This sets the stage for the detailed allotment of land that follows in the chapter.