בראשית, פרק י׳, פסוק י״ט

The detailed mapping of national territories in the Bible serves a much greater purpose than a simple geography lesson. It lays the groundwork for the future promise of the land to the Israelites. While the lands of other nations are mentioned briefly, Canaan’s territory receives specific attention because this very region is destined to be given to the people of Israel [חזקוני, קאסוטו]. The Canaanites settling in this area fulfill a distinct historical role: preparing the land, building homes, and planting vineyards for the Israelites who will eventually replace them. Having been cursed with servitude, the Canaanites effectively function as a servant preparing a home for his master [רד״ק].

Carefully defining these borders also secures Israel's historical claim to the land. The boundaries reveal that the territory of the Philistines originally belonged to Canaan before the Philistines forcefully conquered it, thereby preserving Israel's ultimate right to inherit it [ביאור יש״ר, מלבי״ם]. Furthermore, Abraham and Isaac established a practical, lived-in claim over these exact regions—stretching from Gerar in the west to the Sodom area in the east—by dwelling there, digging wells, and building altars to God [קאסוטו].

When mapping a territory, a border specifically marks the extreme outer edge of the land rather than the area as a whole [רש״י, מזרחי, גור אריה]. The tracing of Canaan’s borders begins in the north with Sidon, referring not merely to the city itself but to the entire surrounding northern region of Phoenicia [קאסוטו, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. From this northern point, the boundary is described as a guided journey. The primary approach among commentators views this description as if one person is giving travel directions to a friend, pointing out the paths to take until reaching a specific destination [רש״י, שד״ל, גור אריה, מחוקקי יהודה]. Others view it simply as a general marker of direction rather than direct speech [מזרחי]. In practice, it indicates the specific route turning toward a destination [ביאור שטיינזלץ], marking the final endpoint of the journey where one actually arrives at the location [קאסוטו]. This western border stretches down into the Negev toward the city of Gerar [ביאור שטיינזלץ, מחוקקי יהודה], continuing all the way to Gaza, which served as the final stop on the road to Egypt [קאסוטו].

From Gaza, the border turns eastward toward Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboiim. Together, the names of these four cities function as a single concept representing the entire Jordan Valley [קאסוטו]. The tracing of the border concludes at its easternmost extreme, a location known as Lasha. While the exact identity of this site remains uncertain, some identify it as an area where hot springs flow into the Dead Sea [שד״ל]. Others suggest it was a remote desert settlement located far beyond Zoar, marking the absolute final edge of the Canaanite territory [קאסוטו].