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Numbers 34:5 - Egypt's wadi: Israel's southern border?

Numbers 34:5 - במדבר 34:5

Hebrew Text

וְנָסַב הַגְּבוּל מֵעַצְמוֹן נַחְלָה מִצְרָיִם וְהָיוּ תוֹצְאֹתָיו הַיָּמָּה׃

English Translation

and the border shall turn about, from ῾Ażmon to the wadi of Miżrayim, and its limits shall be at the Sea.

Transliteration

Ve'nasav hagvul me'atzmon nachla mitzrayim ve'hayu totz'otav hayama.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְנָסַ֧ב הַגְּב֛וּל מֵעַצְמ֖וֹן נַ֣חְלָה מִצְרָ֑יִם וְהָי֥וּ תוֹצְאֹתָ֖יו הַיָּֽמָּה׃
וְנָסַ֧ב הַגְּב֛וּל מֵעַצְמ֖וֹן נַ֣חְלָה מִצְרָ֑יִם וְהָי֥וּ תוֹצְאֹתָ֖יו הַיָּֽמָּה׃

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Parasha Commentary

Geographical Context in the Torah

The verse (Joshua 15:4) describes the southern border of the territory allotted to the tribe of Judah as part of the division of the Land of Israel. The border runs from Atzmon to the Wadi of Egypt (Nachal Mitzrayim) and ends at the Mediterranean Sea (HaYam). This delineation is significant in establishing the boundaries of Eretz Yisrael as promised to Avraham Avinu (Bereishit 15:18).

Rashi's Commentary

Rashi (on Joshua 15:4) explains that Nachal Mitzrayim refers to the river that marks the border between Egypt and the Land of Israel. He identifies it as the same river mentioned in Bamidbar 34:5, which serves as the southwestern boundary of the Land. Rashi emphasizes that this boundary is not merely geographical but also carries halachic implications, as certain mitzvot (such as terumot and ma'aserot) apply only within these borders.

Rambam's Perspective

Rambam (Hilchot Terumot 1:6) discusses the halachic significance of these borders, noting that the Wadi of Egypt is a defining marker for the mitzvot hateluyot ba'aretz (commandments dependent on the Land). He rules that agricultural laws like shmita apply only within these boundaries, reinforcing the sanctity of Eretz Yisrael as distinct from surrounding lands.

Midrashic Insights

  • The Midrash Tanchuma (Kedoshim 8) connects the borders of Eretz Yisrael to the concept of kedusha (holiness), teaching that the Land's sanctity is intrinsically linked to its divinely ordained boundaries.
  • The Sifrei (Devarim 51) interprets the phrase "its limits shall be at the Sea" as a reminder that Hashem's promise to Avraham extends "from the river of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates" (Bereishit 15:18), with the Mediterranean Sea serving as a western boundary.

Halachic Implications

The Chazon Ish (Shevi'it 3:16) discusses practical applications of these borders in modern times, particularly regarding areas near Gaza and the Sinai Peninsula. He analyzes whether contemporary political boundaries align with the Torah's description, concluding that the Wadi of Egypt likely corresponds to the Wadi El-Arish, as per the consensus of earlier commentators like the Radbaz.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the meaning of the border described in Numbers 34:5?
A: Numbers 34:5 describes part of the southern border of the Land of Israel as it was designated for the Israelites. According to Rashi, this verse specifies that the border runs from 'Atsmon' to the 'Nachal Mitzrayim' (Wadi of Egypt), ending at the Mediterranean Sea. This was one of the divinely ordained boundaries of the Promised Land.
Q: Why is the 'Nachal Mitzrayim' (Wadi of Egypt) mentioned as a border?
A: The Nachal Mitzrayim (Wadi of Egypt) is mentioned as a natural geographical marker that helped define the southern border of Eretz Yisrael. The Rambam (Hilchot Terumot 1:6) explains that this was a clear, recognizable boundary that distinguished between the Land of Israel and Egypt, with different agricultural laws applying on each side.
Q: How does this verse about borders apply to Jews today?
A: While the exact borders described in the Torah applied primarily during biblical times when the Israelites first entered and settled the land, these boundaries remain significant halachically. Many mitzvot (like terumot and ma'aser) depend on whether one is inside or outside these biblical borders. The verse reminds us of the sanctity and divinely-given nature of Eretz Yisrael.