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Deuteronomy 11:24 - Divine promise: Israel's eternal borders?

Deuteronomy 11:24 - דברים 11:24

Hebrew Text

כָּל־הַמָּקוֹם אֲשֶׁר תִּדְרֹךְ כַּף־רַגְלְכֶם בּוֹ לָכֶם יִהְיֶה מִן־הַמִּדְבָּר וְהַלְּבָנוֹן מִן־הַנָּהָר נְהַר־פְּרָת וְעַד הַיָּם הָאַחֲרוֹן יִהְיֶה גְּבֻלְכֶם׃

English Translation

Every place whereon the sole of your foot shall tread shall be yours: from the wilderness to the Levanon, from the river, the river Perat, to the uttermost sea shall be your border.

Transliteration

Kol-hamakom asher tidrokh kaf-raglekhem bo lakhem yihyeh min-hamidbar vehalevanon min-hanahar nehar prat ve'ad hayam ha'acharon yihyeh gvulkhem.

Hebrew Leining Text

כׇּל־הַמָּק֗וֹם אֲשֶׁ֨ר תִּדְרֹ֧ךְ כַּֽף־רַגְלְכֶ֛ם בּ֖וֹ לָכֶ֣ם יִהְיֶ֑ה מִן־הַמִּדְבָּ֨ר וְהַלְּבָנ֜וֹן מִן־הַנָּהָ֣ר נְהַר־פְּרָ֗ת וְעַד֙ הַיָּ֣ם הָאַֽחֲר֔וֹן יִהְיֶ֖ה גְּבֻלְכֶֽם׃
כׇּל־הַמָּק֗וֹם אֲשֶׁ֨ר תִּדְרֹ֧ךְ כַּֽף־רַגְלְכֶ֛ם בּ֖וֹ לָכֶ֣ם יִהְיֶ֑ה מִן־הַמִּדְבָּ֨ר וְהַלְּבָנ֜וֹן מִן־הַנָּהָ֣ר נְהַר־פְּרָ֗ת וְעַד֙ הַיָּ֣ם הָאַֽחֲר֔וֹן יִהְיֶ֖ה גְּבֻלְכֶֽם׃

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Parasha Commentary

Overview of the Verse

The verse (Devarim 11:24) is part of Moshe Rabbeinu's address to Bnei Yisrael before their entry into Eretz Yisrael. It delineates the boundaries of the land promised to them by Hashem, emphasizing that wherever they set foot within these borders will become their inheritance.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (Devarim 11:24) explains that this promise was conditional upon Bnei Yisrael fulfilling the mitzvot. He notes that the phrase "כָּל־הַמָּקוֹם אֲשֶׁר תִּדְרֹךְ כַּף־רַגְלְכֶם בּוֹ" ("Every place whereon the sole of your foot shall tread") implies that they would need to actively conquer the land, as Hashem would not miraculously drive out the inhabitants without their effort. This aligns with the principle of "הבא להיטהר מסייעין אותו" ("One who comes to purify himself is aided from Above")—meaning divine assistance follows human initiative.

Boundaries of Eretz Yisrael

The verse specifies the borders of Eretz Yisrael:

  • "מִן־הַמִּדְבָּר וְהַלְּבָנוֹן" ("from the wilderness to the Levanon")—referring to the southern desert (Negev) and the northern mountainous region (Lebanon).
  • "מִן־הַנָּהָר נְהַר־פְּרָת" ("from the river, the river Perat")—indicating the eastern boundary at the Euphrates River.
  • "וְעַד הַיָּם הָאַחֲרוֹן" ("to the uttermost sea")—referring to the Mediterranean Sea to the west.

The Ramban (Devarim 11:24) elaborates that these borders represent the fullest extent of the land promised to Avraham in Bereishit 15:18, though Bnei Yisrael did not fully conquer this entire area during the times of Yehoshua or David HaMelech.

Midrashic Insights

The Midrash (Sifrei Devarim 51) connects this verse to the concept of כיבוש הארץ (conquering the land) as a mitzvah. It teaches that the land's sanctity is activated through Jewish settlement and observance of Torah. The phrase "לָכֶם יִהְיֶה" ("shall be yours") implies not just physical possession but spiritual ownership through fulfilling Hashem's will.

Halachic Implications

The Rambam (Hilchot Terumot 1:2) cites this verse when discussing the lands obligated in mitzvot hateluyot ba'aretz (agricultural commandments). He explains that the areas conquered by Bnei Yisrael under Yehoshua attained a unique sanctity, distinguishing them from territories later added by kings like David.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sotah 34b
The verse is cited in the context of the spies sent by Moses to scout the land of Canaan, discussing the boundaries of the land promised to the Israelites.
📖 Bava Batra 100a
Referenced in discussions about the division and inheritance of the land of Israel among the tribes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Deuteronomy 11:24 mean?
A: Deuteronomy 11:24 is part of Moshe's speech to Bnei Yisrael before entering Eretz Yisrael. It promises that wherever they walk in the land, it will become theirs, with borders stretching from the wilderness to Lebanon and from the Euphrates River to the Mediterranean Sea. Rashi explains that this was conditional upon their fulfillment of mitzvot—only through obedience to Hashem would they merit conquering and settling the land.
Q: Why is this verse important in Judaism?
A: This verse is central to the Jewish connection to Eretz Yisrael. It establishes the biblical borders of the land promised to the Jewish people and underscores that our right to the land is tied to our relationship with Hashem. The Rambam (Hilchot Melachim) cites this verse when discussing the mitzvah of settling the land, showing its halachic significance.
Q: Does this verse apply to Jews today?
A: Yes, Orthodox Judaism views this promise as eternally relevant. While the full borders described may only be realized in the Messianic era (as noted by the Ramban), the mitzvah of yishuv Eretz Yisrael (settling the land) remains binding. Contemporary halachic authorities emphasize that living in Israel today fulfills this divine imperative.
Q: What are the boundaries mentioned in this verse?
A: The verse describes borders from the wilderness (likely the Negev) in the south to Lebanon in the north, and from the Perat River (Euphrates) in the east to the 'uttermost sea' (Mediterranean) in the west. The Talmud (Gittin 8a) discusses these boundaries in detail, noting they represent the maximal extent of the land under Jewish sovereignty during King Shlomo's reign.
Q: How does this verse relate to the mitzvah of conquering the land?
A: This verse is the source for the mitzvah of kibbush ha'aretz (conquering/settling the land), one of the 613 mitzvot. The Sifrei (Devarim 53) derives from here that it's a communal obligation to possess the land. The Rambam (Sefer HaMitzvot, Positive Command 4) counts this among the mitzvot that apply in all generations.