The concept of the Promised Land holds profound religious and historical significance in the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible or Old Testament). According to biblical narratives, God made a covenant with Abraham and his descendants, vowing to grant them a land of their own. In this post, we will explore the boundaries of this sacred territory, tracing its journey through the generations and its relevance in modern times.
History of the Promised Land Concept
The Covenant with Abraham: A Land for His Offspring
At the heart of the Promised Land lies the covenant God made with Abraham, a pivotal moment in biblical history. In Genesis 12:1-3, God instructed Abraham to leave his homeland and embark on a journey to an unknown destination. In return for his faith and obedience, God promised Abraham that He would make him a great nation and bless him.
The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.”
Genesis 12:1-3
In Genesis 13:14-17, God reaffirmed His covenant, promising the land to Abraham’s descendants forever. This divine promise became the cornerstone of the Abrahamic faiths, namely Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, as each regards Abraham as a revered patriarch. Abraham’s unwavering faith and trust in God set in motion a profound legacy that would shape the destiny of his offspring.
It was given again in Genesis 15:18–21:
On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram and said, “To your descendants I give this land, from the Wadi of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates – the land of the Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites, Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaites, Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites and Jebusites.”
Genesis 15:18–21:
The Journey of Isaac and Jacob: Inheriting the Divine Promise
Abraham’s son, Isaac, and grandson, Jacob (also known as Israel), inherited the divine promise of the Promised Land. God’s covenant was passed down through the generations, reinforcing the notion that this sacred territory was destined for the descendants of Abraham. Jacob’s life was marked by a series of divine encounters, including the famous dream of a ladder connecting heaven and earth at Bethel (Genesis 28:10-19).
It was during this dream that God reaffirmed the covenant made with Abraham, promising to give Jacob and his offspring the vague “land on which you are lying” (the land upon which he slept). Jacob’s name change to Israel signified not only his personal transformation but also the establishment of a chosen nation linked to the Promised Land.
Moses and the Exodus: Towards the Land of Milk and Honey
The narrative of the Exodus from Egypt represents a defining moment in the journey toward the Promised Land. Led by the prophet Moses, the Israelites were liberated from slavery in Egypt and guided through the wilderness by divine intervention. As they ventured towards Canaan, they entered into a covenant with God at Mount Sinai, receiving the Ten Commandments and the Mosaic Law. The wilderness experience became a significant chapter in the Israelites’ spiritual growth and trust in God’s guidance. However, due to their disobedience, a whole generation was destined to wander the wilderness until they were ready to enter the Promised Land.
The Book of Exodus describes the Promised Land in terms of the territory from the River of Egypt to the Euphrates River (Exodus 23:31).
The Conquest of Canaan: Entering the Promised Land
Under the leadership of Joshua, the successor of Moses, the Israelites embarked on a military campaign to conquer the land of Canaan, also known as the Promised Land. The conquest began with the miraculous crossing of the Jordan River, akin to the parting of the Red Sea during the Exodus. Key victories, such as the capture of Jericho, demonstrated the divine assistance granted to the Israelites in fulfilling God’s promise. Over time, various tribes were allotted specific regions within the Promised Land, with the Levites designated to serve in the religious duties of the Tabernacle.
The United Kingdom of Israel: Peak of Promised Land’s Borders
During the reigns of David and Solomon, the Promised Land reached its zenith in terms of territorial extent and prosperity. David united the tribes of Israel, expanding the borders of the kingdom and establishing Jerusalem as its capital. Under Solomon’s reign, the First Temple was built on Mount Moriah (the Temple Mount), becoming the religious center of the Israelite nation. The kingdom’s boundaries extended from the River of Egypt to the Euphrates River, as prophesied in Genesis. It was during this period that the Promised Land was at its largest geographical extent in biblical history.
Exile and Return: Continuity of the Promised Land’s Significance
Despite periods of exile and foreign domination, the significance of the Promised Land endured throughout Israel’s history. The Babylonian Exile marked a devastating period when the Israelites were forcibly removed from their homeland. However, the return of the exiles to Judah and the rebuilding of the Second Temple in Jerusalem represented a remarkable chapter in the continuity of the Promised Land’s spiritual significance. The concept of the land as a sacred inheritance became an anchor for the Jewish people in the diaspora, sustaining their identity and hopes for eventual restoration.
Geographical Extent & Borders of the Promised Land
The biblical references to the geographical boundaries of the Promised Land are not precise, leading to various interpretations among scholars and historians.
Boundaries of the ‘Promised Land’ given in the Book of Numbers (chapter 34)
The South border – (v. 3) “Then your south quarter shall be from the wilderness of Zin along by the coast of Edom, and your south border shall be the outmost coast of the salt sea eastward : (v. 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 Kadesh-barnea, and shall go on to Hazar-addar, and pass on to Azmon : (v. 5) And the border shall fetch a compass from Azmon unto the river of Egypt, and the goings out of it shall be at the sea.”
The Western border – (v. 6) “And as for the western border, ye shall even have the great sea for a border : this shall be your west border.”
The North border – (v. 7) “And this shall be your north border : from the great sea ye shall point out for you mount Hor : (v. 8) From mount Hor ye shall point out your border unto the entrance of Hamath ; and the goings forth of the border shall be to Zedad : (v 9) And the border shall go on to Ziphron, and the goings out of it shall be at Hazar-enan : this shall be your north border.”
The East border – (v. 10) “And ye shall point out your east border from Hazar-enan to Shepham : (v. 11) And the coast shall go down from Shepham to Riblah, on the east side of Ain ; and the border shall descend, and shall reach unto the side of the sea of Chinnereth eastward : (v. 12) And the border shall go down to Jordan, and the goings out of it shall be at the salt sea : this shall be your land with the coasts thereof round about.”
Boundaries of the ‘Promised Land’ given by Jerome c.400
You may delineate the Promised Land of Moses from the Book of Numbers (ch. 34): as bounded on the south by the desert tract called Sina, between the Dead Sea and the city of Kadesh-Barnea, and continues to the west, as far as the river of Egypt, that discharges into the open sea near the city of Rhinocolara; as bounded on the west by the sea along the coasts of Palestine, Phoenicia, Coele-Syria, and Cilicia; as bounded on the north by the circle formed by the Taurus Mountains and Zephyrium and extending to Hamath, called Epiphany-Syria; as bounded on the east by the city of Antioch Hippos and Lake Kinneret (now called Tiberias), and then the Jordan River which discharges into the salt sea (now called the Dead Sea).
However, the exact extent of these boundaries remains a topic of debate. Some interpretations view the Promised Land as a broader spiritual concept representing a spiritual connection rather than specific geographical borders. Nevertheless, the Jordan River, which marks the eastern border of Canaan, holds significant biblical importance in defining the Promised Land’s boundaries.
Many academic studies have been done on the topic of the boundaries of the Promised Land. In his book “The Promise of the Land: The Inheritance of the Land of Canaan by the Isrælites“, Moshe Weinfeld synthesizes the biblical material on this theme, approaching his subject from three viewpoints: historical, using the Bible as a source; literary-comparatist, comparing Patriarchal stories of settlement with Greek and Roman foundation myths; exegetical, explaining that in Judaism land is a gift from God.
Modern Interpretations and Political Implications
In the present day, the notion of the Promised Land remains a complex and multifaceted topic, evoking diverse interpretations and political implications. For many Jews, the connection to the land of Israel remains an integral aspect of their faith and identity. The establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 marked a significant milestone in the Jewish people’s return to their ancestral homeland after centuries of dispersion.
However, the issue of territorial boundaries continues to be a contentious subject, especially concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Today, the Promised Land symbolizes not only a historical and spiritual heritage but also a contemporary geopolitical reality that involves intricate negotiations and delicate balances.
Conclusion
The boundaries of the Promised Land, as described in the Tanakh, signify a divine covenant between God and the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. From its origins in the call to Abraham to the historical events of the Exodus and the conquest of Canaan, the Promised Land stands as a symbol of hope, faith, and national identity for the Jewish people. Despite evolving interpretations and complex political dynamics, the concept of the Promised Land continues to resonate with believers and historians alike, leaving an indelible mark on the history and faith of the world.
