John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 5. And the border shall fetch a compass , etc.] Not go on in a straight line, but turn about: from Azmon unto the river of Egypt ; the river Nile, as both the Targums of Jonathan and Jerusalem; but Aben Ezra seems to deny that that river is meant: and some think that Rhinocolura, which flows into the Mediterranean sea, is meant; or the “valley of Egypt”, Casiotis, which divided Judea from Egypt, as follows: and the goings out of it ; not of the river, but of the border: shall be at the sea ; the above sea, called in the next verse the great sea; all the Targums render it to the west.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-15 - Canaan was of small extent; as it is here bounded, it is but about 16 miles in length, and about 50 in breadth; yet this was the countr promised to the father of the faithful, and the possession of the see of Israel. This was that little spot of ground, in which alone, for many ages, God was known. This was the vineyard of the Lord, the garde enclosed; but as it is with gardens and vineyards, the narrowness of the space was made up by the fruitfulness of the soil. Though the eart is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof, yet few know him, and serv him; but those few are happy, because fruitful to God. Also, see ho little a share of the world God gives to his own people. Those who have their portion in heaven, have reason to be content with a smal pittance of this earth. Yet a little that a righteous man has, havin it from the love of God, and with his blessing, is far better and mor comfortable than the riches of many wicked. (Nu 34:16-29)
Original Hebrew ונסב5437 הגבול1366 מעצמון6111 נחלה5158 מצרים4714 והיו1961 תוצאתיו8444 הימה׃3220
