The systematic delineation of the borders in chapter 34 underscores the certainty of God’s promise and reminds the new generation of the description of the area covered by the spies in chapter 13. The original promise of the land to the old generation is still valid for the new one (so Olson, page 187).

Your south side shall be …: The Hebrew text starts a new sentence here (see the comments on the previous verse). “The southern border” (Good News Translation) of the land corresponds with the southern border for the tribe of Judah in Josh 15.1-4 (so Noth, pages 248-249). See also Ezek 47.19.

From the wilderness of Zin along the side of Edom refers to the southeastern edge of the territory. For the wilderness of Zin, see 13.21; for the kingdom (or chiefdom) of Edom, see 20.14. Along the side of Edom refers to the western edge of Edom. La Nouvelle Bible Segond says “near Edom.”

And your southern boundary shall be …: This phrase goes back to the beginning of the southern border, resuming its description in more detail. So the translation should not give the wrong suggestion that this phrase continues the southern boundary where the previous verse left it. Good News Translation avoids this problem by translating “It will begin…” (similarly Bijbel in Gewone Taal). Compare also “Your southern boundary shall start…” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh; similarly La Nouvelle Bible Segond).

From the end of the Salt Sea on the east refers to the eastern tip of the southern border. For the Salt Sea, which is also called “the Dead Sea” (Good News Translation), see A Handbook on Genesis at Gen 14.3. Chewa says “the Lake of Salt.”

And your boundary shall turn south of the ascent of Akrabbim: The Hebrew word for ascent comes from the same root as the verb meaning “go up.” It refers to a mountain pass here. In many parts of the world such passes do not exist because there are no mountains, so translators will have to find a descriptive phrase, such as “mountain road” or “way through the mountain.” The name Akrabbim means “scorpion,” but no one knows for sure why this place had this name. It may indicate that this pass was especially steep and dangerous. Some versions may prefer to translate this name for easier comprehension, saying “Scorpion Pass” (Contemporary English Version). This clause is literally “and the border for you will turn from [the] south of the ascent of Akrabbim,” which means Akrabbim Pass lay within the border (so Rashi). De Nieuwe Bijbelvertaling makes this clear by saying “It goes in a curve southerly around the Scorpions Pass.”

And cross to Zin means the southern border will pass through the wilderness of Zin. New Century Version says “and go through the Desert of Zin.”

And its end shall be south of Kadesh-barnea is literally “and its extremities will be to the south of Kadesh-barnea,” which means the southern most point of the border will be just south of Kadesh-barnea. For the town of Kadesh-barnea, which is also called “Kadesh,” see 13.26. De Nieuwe Bijbelvertaling renders this clause as “then it goes directly to a point south of Kadesh-Barnea.” New Living Translation provides a helpful model, saying “Its southernmost point will be Kadesh-barnea.”

Then it shall go on to Hazar-addar, and pass along to Azmon: Hazar-addar and Azmon were cities on the southern border of Judah (see Josh 15.3-4). Good News Translation provides a helpful model here, saying “Then it will turn northwest to Hazar Addar and on to Azmon.”

And the boundary shall turn from Azmon to the Brook of Egypt: The Brook of Egypt probably refers to the Wadi El-Arish, which flows into the Mediterranean Sea and is located in the northeastern part of the Sinai Peninsula about 80 kilometers (50 miles) southwest of Gaza (so Noth, page 249). For the Hebrew word rendered Brook (nachal), see the comments on 13.23. De Nieuwe Bijbelvertaling provides a helpful model for the Brook of Egypt, saying “the wadi that forms the border with Egypt,” and so does SPCL with “the creek that borders with Egypt.”

And its termination shall be at the sea means the western end of the southern boundary will be the Mediterranean Sea. The sea in this context refers to the Mediterranean (compare 13.29). New Century Version makes this clear by rendering this clause as “and it will end at the Mediterranean Sea” (similarly Good News Translation).

Quoted with permission from de Regt, Lénart J. and Wendland, Ernst R. A Handbook on Numbers. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2016. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .