Numbers 13 12

Numbers 13:12 kjv

Of the tribe of Dan, Ammiel the son of Gemalli.

Numbers 13:12 nkjv

from the tribe of Dan, Ammiel the son of Gemalli;

Numbers 13:12 niv

from the tribe of Dan, Ammiel son of Gemalli;

Numbers 13:12 esv

from the tribe of Dan, Ammiel the son of Gemalli;

Numbers 13:12 nlt

Dan ? Ammiel son of Gemalli

Numbers 13 verses

Numbers 13 12 Meaning

Numbers 13:12 specifies Ammiel, son of Gemalli, as the selected leader from the tribe of Dan, one of the twelve spies dispatched by Moses to survey the land of Canaan. This verse serves to meticulously list each delegate representing their respective ancestral tribe, underpinning the communal responsibility of this mission, which held profound consequences for Israel's journey toward the Promised Land.

Numbers 13 12 Context

Numbers chapter 13 is pivotal in the wilderness narrative, recounting Moses' sending of twelve spies, one leader from each tribe, to survey the land of Canaan before the Israelites' anticipated entry. This event occurs at Kadesh-barnea, geographically positioned at the threshold of the Promised Land. The immediate context of verse 12 is the enumeration of these selected individuals. The broader biblical context positions this reconnaissance as a critical juncture that tested Israel's faith. Though intended to gather strategic intelligence, the mission culminated in a predominantly negative report, casting doubt on God's power to conquer the formidable inhabitants of Canaan. This fear-driven disbelief, opposed by the faithful reports of Joshua and Caleb, incited the nation's rebellion against God and Moses. Consequently, this generation was condemned to wander for forty years in the wilderness until all those who doubted had perished, delaying the fulfillment of God's promise to grant them the land. Thus, this seemingly simple listing of names precedes one of the most significant demonstrations of national unbelief and divine judgment in Israel's history.

Numbers 13 12 Word analysis

• Of the tribe (מִמַּטֵּה, mi-maṭṭêh): The prefix mi- denotes "from" or "of," specifying origin. Mattêh (מַטֶּה) refers to a staff or rod, but commonly signifies a distinct tribal division or clan in this context. Its usage here emphasizes Ammiel's direct representation of his specific ancestral lineage, underscoring the structured and communal nature of the Israelite nation.
• Dan (דָּן, Dân): Meaning "He judged" or "Judge." Dan was Jacob's fifth son, born to Bilhah. The tribe of Dan was one of the largest at the Exodus. Ironically, despite its name meaning "judge," the tribe of Dan later struggled with maintaining covenant fidelity, eventually succumbing to idolatry and migrating from their assigned territory, a detail that retrospectively shades the character of its representatives.
• Ammiel (עַמִּיאֵל, `Ammî'êl): This Hebrew name translates to "My kinsman is God" or "People of God," formed from `am (עַם, "people" or "kinsman") and ’el (אֵל, "God"). The name expresses a close, familial connection to the divine. However, the subsequent unfaithful report given by Ammiel (along with nine other spies) contradicts the promise inherent in his name, serving as a reminder that an individual's name does not guarantee their actions or their faith.
• the son of (בֶּן, ben): A standard Hebrew term signifying paternal lineage or direct descent. This phrase grounds Ammiel's identity within his immediate family unit, crucial for distinguishing individuals in a culture where names often repeat.
• Gemalli (גְּמַלִּי, Gmâllı̂y): The father of Ammiel, this name appears only in this biblical verse. Its precise meaning is uncertain, but suggestions include "camel driver" or perhaps relating to the verb "to recompense" or "to reward," possibly "rewarded by Yahweh." As a singular occurrence, it primarily serves a genealogical function for identification.

Words-group analysis:

• "Of the tribe of Dan": This specific identification places Ammiel within Israel's distinct tribal framework. The spies were not chosen arbitrarily but specifically as tribal representatives, making their report and subsequent actions consequential for the entire nation. This highlights the covenantal responsibility held by each tribe collectively.
• "Ammiel the son of Gemalli": This full nomenclature identifies the specific individual selected for the mission. Such precise identification underscores the formality and importance of their appointment as leaders sent to scout the land, linking their personal actions directly to their tribal identity and familial standing.

Numbers 13 12 Bonus section

The later history of the tribe of Dan, after this wilderness event, is marked by significant spiritual decline. While initially a large tribe, they famously migrated northward from their allotted territory (Jos 19:40-48) to Laish, which they renamed Dan (Jg 18). There, they established a major center of idolatry, setting up a carved image and becoming pioneers of syncretistic worship (Jg 18:30-31), a significant departure from the monotheistic covenant with God. This tribal trajectory retrospectively darkens Ammiel's inclusion, underscoring a possible pervasive spirit of disobedience within the tribe that may have contributed to his faithless report. The profound symbolism of this tribal apostasy is further amplified by Dan's striking omission from the list of the 144,000 sealed tribes in Revelation 7, a point of significant theological discussion suggesting a strong biblical condemnation or symbolic removal for their historical unfaithfulness, providing a long-term theological consequence of the foundational failures, like those initiated by the spies.

Numbers 13 12 Commentary

Numbers 13:12, a succinct listing, introduces Ammiel of the tribe of Dan, a leader chosen for a mission that dramatically altered Israel's destiny. Despite his name "My kinsman is God," Ammiel, like the majority of the spies, succumbed to fear rather than trusting in the power and promises of God to overcome the obstacles in Canaan. Their faithless report focused on the overwhelming might of the Canaanites, directly contravening the divine assurance that God would give them the land. This fear-driven perspective highlights a recurring human tendency to rely on perceived human limitations and sight over God's omnipotence. The consequence of Ammiel's, and the other nine spies', failure to walk by faith led to God's severe judgment, condemning the entire adult generation (excluding Joshua and Caleb) to perish in the wilderness, preventing their immediate entry into the Promised Land. The verse thus subtly prefigures the tragic unfolding of national unbelief and the direct correlation between trust in God and the fulfillment of His promises.