The boundary of Canaan for Israel looked something like the map below (from the Tyndale Commentary on the Old Testament, Numbers, p. 260). Not all of the cities listed in the text can be located with certainty. All of the tribes of Israel, with the exception of Gad, Reuben, and Manasseh, would live within these boundaries. The land was more than sufficient to house all of God’s people, which speaks to the generosity of God in fulfilling his promises. Leaders were appointed by God for the purpose of allotting the land and their word would be final. Israel had learned from previous rebellions against leadership that once leaders were selected, rebellion would be fatal.
