Numbers 13 10

Numbers 13:10 kjv

Of the tribe of Zebulun, Gaddiel the son of Sodi.

Numbers 13:10 nkjv

from the tribe of Zebulun, Gaddiel the son of Sodi;

Numbers 13:10 niv

from the tribe of Zebulun, Gaddiel son of Sodi;

Numbers 13:10 esv

from the tribe of Zebulun, Gaddiel the son of Sodi;

Numbers 13:10 nlt

Zebulun ? Gaddiel son of Sodi

Numbers 13 10 Cross References

VerseTextReference
Gen 30:19-20Leah conceived again... bore Jacob a sixth son. And Leah said, "God has endowed me... Call his name Zebulun."Birth of Zebulun, tribe's origin and name.
Gen 49:13Zebulun shall dwell by the seashore... a harbor for ships...Jacob's prophecy/blessing for Zebulun.
Deut 33:18-19Of Zebulun he said, "Rejoice, Zebulun, in your going out..."Moses' blessing for Zebulun and Issachar.
Josh 19:10-16The third lot came up for the people of Zebulun according to their clans...Allotment of Zebulun's tribal territory.
Judg 4:10Barak summoned Zebulun and Naphtali to Kedesh.Zebulun's participation in Deborah's war.
Judg 5:18Zebulun is a people who jeopardized their lives to the point of death...Zebulun's valor in the song of Deborah.
Num 13:1-2The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, "Send men to spy out the land of Canaan..."The divine command for the mission.
Num 13:3So Moses sent them from the wilderness of Paran, according to the command of the Lord...Moses obeys the Lord's command.
Num 13:4-16These were their names: from the tribe of Reuben, Shammua... (listing all 12)The complete list of the spies sent.
Num 1:4-16From each tribe a man... men who are heads of their fathers' houses.Establishment of leaders (princes) for census.
Num 2:1-32The Lord spoke to Moses... encamp opposite the tabernacle...Organization of tribes around the tabernacle.
Num 14:1-4Then all the congregation raised a loud cry... and spoke of stoning them.Israel's faithless reaction to the spies' report.
Num 14:6-9Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh... "The land... is an exceedingly good land."The faithful report from Joshua and Caleb.
Num 14:11The Lord said to Moses, "How long will this people despise me...?"God's disappointment at Israel's unbelief.
Deut 1:22-26"Then all of you came near me and said, 'Let us send men ahead...'"Moses' recount of the spy mission and rebellion.
Deut 1:34-36"And the Lord heard your words... Not one of these men... shall see the good land..."God's judgment against the unbelieving generation.
Ps 95:8-11"Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness..."Warning against similar disobedience.
Heb 3:7-12Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, "Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion..."NT warning using Israel's example of unbelief.
Heb 3:16-19For who were those who heard and yet rebelled?... They were unable to enter because of unbelief.Direct connection between rebellion and unbelief.
1 Cor 10:5-11Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness.Warning from Israel's history for believers.
Jude 1:5Now I want to remind you, although you once fully knew it, that Jesus, who saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe.Reminder of the fate of the unbelieving.

Numbers 13 verses

Numbers 13 10 Meaning

This verse identifies Gaddiel, son of Sodi, as the representative leader chosen from the tribe of Zebulun, one of the twelve men commanded by the Lord to Moses to scout the land of Canaan. It signifies God's structured approach to His people and highlights the specific individuals entrusted with a critical mission that would shape Israel's immediate destiny.

Numbers 13 10 Context

Numbers chapter 13 begins with the Lord's instruction to Moses to send twelve men, one from each ancestral tribe, to scout the land of Canaan. This mission was initiated from the wilderness of Paran, positioning Israel at the doorstep of the Promised Land. The immediate context of verse 10 is the specific listing of these twelve leaders (Num 13:4-15), detailing their tribal affiliations and paternal lineage. This roll call is crucial because these were not ordinary men but nasi' (princes/leaders), chosen for their standing and responsibility. Historically and culturally, such detailed lists were vital for record-keeping, emphasizing tribal identity, lineage, and the ordered structure of Israel as God's chosen nation. The outcome of this mission, particularly the faithless report by ten of the twelve spies (including Gaddiel), would directly lead to Israel's forty years of wandering in the wilderness, serving as a pivotal point demonstrating the consequences of unbelief and a lack of trust in God's promises.

Numbers 13 10 Word analysis

  • Of the tribe of: (מִמַּטֵּה - mimmaṭṭeh) This phrase indicates origin and affiliation, emphasizing that the chosen individual represents a specific tribal unit. In ancient Israel, tribal identity was paramount for social structure, military organization, land inheritance, and worship. Each tribe maintained its distinct lineage and customs within the larger national identity.
  • Zebulun: (זְבוּלֻן - Zevulun) This is one of the twelve sons of Jacob (born to Leah) and the progenitor of the tribe. The name is related to "dwelling" or "habitation," stemming from Leah's words in Genesis 30:20: "God has endowed me with a good dowry; now my husband will dwell with me." The tribe of Zebulun would eventually inherit land in the prosperous northern region of Canaan, engaging in trade and fishing, and played significant roles in Israel's history (Judg 4:6, 5:18).
  • Gaddiel: (גַּדִּיאֵל - Gaddiy'el) This personal name means "God is my fortune" or "God is my troop/might" (a compound of gad, meaning "fortune" or "troop," and el, referring to God). The name itself invokes divine blessing and strength, which contrasts starkly with Gaddiel's subsequent participation in the faithless report (along with eight other spies), effectively saying "God is not enough fortune/might for us to overcome." This provides an ironic twist to his name in light of his actions.
  • the son of Sodi: (בֶּן־סוֹדִי - ben-Sodiy) This is a common Hebrew patronymic construction ("son of Sodi"), vital for clear identification in ancient patriarchal societies. It reinforces Gaddiel's specific lineage and familial ties within his tribe. "Sodi" (סוֹדִי - Sodiy) can mean "my secret" or "my counsel." This detail highlights the importance of individual identity and family lines in the census and leadership selection of ancient Israel, making each leader accountable by name and ancestry.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "Of the tribe of Zebulun, Gaddiel": This structure emphasizes the dual identity of the individual: first as a representative of a tribal collective ("of the tribe of Zebulun"), and then his specific, personal name ("Gaddiel"). It underscores that he was not acting merely as an individual but as an embodiment of his tribe, carrying the trust and destiny of his people with him on this mission. This also highlights the highly organized and distinct nature of Israelite society, ordered by tribal affiliation.
  • "Gaddiel the son of Sodi": This specific designation highlights the importance of personal identity within a lineage. It confirms Gaddiel's specific place within the genealogical records of Zebulun. The detailing of father-son relationships was critical for establishing authenticity, hereditary rights, and responsibilities in ancient Israelite society, particularly for leaders, demonstrating that their selection was intentional and not random.

Numbers 13 10 Bonus section

The careful cataloging of each leader's name and tribal affiliation throughout Numbers, as seen in this verse, is a recurring biblical motif that underscores the divine emphasis on individual accountability and the collective destiny of God's people. While Gaddiel is one of the ten who brought a bad report, the text specifically lists all twelve without distinction initially. This detail of naming everyone indicates that no one was insignificant in God's eyes or without a role in His plan. The contrast with Joshua and Caleb's faithful report is often highlighted as the true test of their respective faith, rather than just their tribal identity. This passage subtly demonstrates that human names, often carrying meaning, sometimes stand in stark contrast to the actual conduct of the person, serving as a reminder of the ultimate importance of walking in faith regardless of one's given title or perceived strength.

Numbers 13 10 Commentary

Numbers 13:10, though seemingly a simple statement of identity, is profoundly significant within the narrative of the spies. Gaddiel, like the eleven others, was a nasi'—a prince or leader—chosen by God and Moses from his tribe. His name, "God is my fortune," takes on a poignant irony as he (along with eight others) delivered a report of fear and unbelief rather than one of faith in the "God of his fortune." This verse underscores the divine order and structure established for Israel's journey, where specific individuals bore immense responsibility for the spiritual and physical well-being of their tribal units and the nation as a whole. It reminds us that even divinely appointed leaders, endowed with powerful names, faced the critical choice between trusting God's promise and succumbing to human fear, a choice that had monumental consequences for an entire generation.