במדבר, פרק ל״ד, פסוק ח׳

Tracing the northern boundary of the Land of Israel involves moving inland, following specific markers that define the edge of the territory. The path is not a simple straight line; rather, it shifts in both direction and width as it progresses. The route begins at Mount Hor, turning and extending eastward along the northern edge until reaching a location known as Levo Hamath [רש״י]. The exact identity of this spot is a matter of discussion. Some identify it as the city of Antioch [רש״י]. Alternatively, it may describe the physical road leading to the city of Hamath, or perhaps it refers to a specific settlement situated within the broader region of Hamath [ביאור שטיינזלץ].

From that point, the boundary line continues toward the city of Zedad [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. It is at Zedad that the outer limits of the border are established. When this concept of a boundary limit appears in biblical geography, it points to one of two possibilities. Either the border stops completely at this spot and goes no further, or it marks a sharp turning point where the line shifts into a diagonal angle, meaning the previous width of the territory comes to an end [רש״י]. In this specific context, the boundary line from Zedad onward turns southward, running from west to east. As a result of this shift, the actual territory of the Land of Israel becomes narrower in this region, while the land outside the boundary grows wider [שפתי חכמים].