And the border shall go on to Ziphron, and the goings out of it shall be at Hazarenan: this shall be your north border.

NUMBERS 34:9KJV
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Numbers 34:9 (KJV)

What does Numbers 34:9 mean?

Numbers 34:9 identifies part of the northern edge of the land the Israelites were to receive. The line is described by named places: it continues to Ziphron and reaches its endpoint at Hazarenan. The verse tells the people where that side of the land ends.

God is giving Moses instructions for the Israelites before they enter the land. After the places named in verse 8, Numbers 34:9 brings the description of the northern border to a close. The KJV phrase “the goings out of it” pictures the boundary line reaching its end.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 34:9

  • “goings out” — תּוֹצָאֹת (totsaʾot): This word can refer to exits or endpoints. Here, it describes where the boundary line comes out at the end of its course.
  • “border” — גְּבוּל (gevul): This word can mean a boundary or the territory within a boundary. Here, it refers to the line marking an edge of the land, not to a wall.

Why Numbers 34:9 matters

  • The named places serve as markers for a described boundary. “Ziphron” and “Hazarenan” locate the line, though their precise modern locations are uncertain.
  • The verse identifies which edge is being described. “This shall be your north border” distinguishes the line from the other sides of the land described in the surrounding passage.

Where else these words appear

“Hazarenan” Hebrew H2704 · used in 3 verses

  • Numbers 34:10 And ye shall point out your east border from Hazarenan to Shepham:
  • Ezekiel 48:1 Now these are the names of the tribes. From the north end to the coast of the way of Hethlon, as one goeth to Hamath, Hazarenan, the border of Damascus northward, to the coast of Hamath; for these are his sides east and west; a portion for Dan.

“out” Hebrew H8444 · used in 23 verses

  • Numbers 34:4 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:
  • Joshua 16:3 And goeth down westward to the coast of Japhleti, unto the coast of Bethhoron the nether, and to Gezer: and the goings out thereof are at the sea.
  • Joshua 19:14 And the border compasseth it on the north side to Hannathon: and the outgoings thereof are in the valley of Jiphthahel:

“north” Hebrew H6828 · used in 141 verses

  • Genesis 13:14 And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward:
  • 1 Chronicles 26:17 Eastward were six Levites, northward four a day, southward four a day, and toward Asuppim two and two.
  • Ezekiel 21:4 Seeing then that I will cut off from thee the righteous and the wicked, therefore shall my sword go forth out of his sheath against all flesh from the south to the north: