« | Numbers 34 | » |
1 Then the LORD said to Moses,
2 "Give these instructions to the Israelites: When you come into the land of Canaan, which I am giving you as your special possession, these will be the boundaries.
3 The southern portion of your country will extend from the wilderness of Zin, along the edge of Edom. The southern boundary will begin on the east at the Dead Sea.
4 It will then run south past Scorpion Pass in the direction of Zin. Its southernmost point will be Kadesh-barnea, from which it will go to Hazar-addar, and on to Azmon.
5 From Azmon the boundary will turn toward the Brook of Egypt and end at the Mediterranean Sea.
6 "Your western boundary will be the coastline of the Mediterranean Sea.
7 "Your northern boundary will begin at the Mediterranean Sea and run east to Mount Hor,
8 then to Lebo-hamath, and on through Zedad
9 and Ziphron to Hazar-enan. This will be your northern boundary.
10 "The eastern boundary will start at Hazar-enan and run south to Shepham,
11 then down to Riblah on the east side of Ain. From there the boundary will run down along the eastern edge of the Sea of Galilee,
12 and then along the Jordan River to the Dead Sea. These are the boundaries of your land."
13 Then Moses told the Israelites, "This territory is the homeland you are to divide among yourselves by sacred lot. The LORD has commanded that the land be divided among the nine and a half remaining tribes.
14 The families of the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh have already received their grants of land
15 on the east side of the Jordan River, across from Jericho toward the sunrise."
16 And the LORD said to Moses,
17 "Eleazar the priest and Joshua son of Nun are the men designated to divide the grants of land among the people.
18 Enlist one leader from each tribe to help them with the task.
19 These are the tribes and the names of the leaders: Tribe Leader Judah Caleb son of Jephunneh
20 Simeon Shemuel son of Ammihud
21 Benjamin Elidad son of Kislon
22 Dan Bukki son of Jogli
23 Manasseh son of Joseph Hanniel son of Ephod
24 Ephraim son of Joseph Kemuel son of Shiphtan
25 Zebulun Elizaphan son of Parnach
26 Issachar Paltiel son of Azzan
27 Asher Ahihud son of Shelomi
28 Naphtali Pedahel son of Ammihud
29 These are the men the LORD has appointed to divide the grants of land in Canaan among the Israelites."
The New Living Translation (NLT)
The New Living Translation (NLT) is a modern English translation of the Bible that aims to make the Scriptures accessible and engaging for contemporary readers. First published in 1996 by Tyndale House Publishers, the NLT was conceived as an effort to create a translation that combines both accuracy and readability. Unlike many other translations that focus on a word-for-word rendering of the original texts, the NLT employs a thought-for-thought translation philosophy, also known as dynamic equivalence. This approach prioritizes conveying the meaning and message of the original texts in a way that is natural and understandable in modern English.
One of the defining features of the NLT is its commitment to clarity and simplicity. The translators, a team of over 90 evangelical scholars, aimed to create a text that would be approachable for a wide audience, including those who may find traditional translations challenging to read. The NLT’s language is contemporary and conversational, making it particularly effective for public reading, teaching, and personal study. This emphasis on readability helps ensure that the profound messages of the Bible are easily grasped and retained by readers from various backgrounds and levels of biblical knowledge.
The NLT also incorporates a rich array of study aids designed to enhance the reader’s understanding of the biblical text. These include book introductions, footnotes, cross-references, and explanatory notes that provide historical, cultural, and theological context. These features are particularly useful for readers who seek a deeper comprehension of the Scriptures and their application to modern life. The translation also includes clear and concise headings that help guide readers through the narrative and thematic structure of each book, making it easier to follow and comprehend the overall message.
Despite its many strengths, the New Living Translation has faced some criticism, particularly from those who favor more literal translations. Critics argue that the dynamic equivalence approach, while making the text more readable, can sometimes result in a loss of the precise nuances and literary qualities of the original languages. Some scholars believe that certain theological concepts might be oversimplified in the process of making the text more accessible. Nevertheless, the NLT remains one of the most popular and widely used translations today, valued for its readability, clarity, and ability to convey the timeless truths of the Bible in a way that resonates with contemporary readers.