Numbers 13 13

Numbers 13:13 kjv

Of the tribe of Asher, Sethur the son of Michael.

Numbers 13:13 nkjv

from the tribe of Asher, Sethur the son of Michael;

Numbers 13:13 niv

from the tribe of Asher, Sethur son of Michael;

Numbers 13:13 esv

from the tribe of Asher, Sethur the son of Michael;

Numbers 13:13 nlt

Asher ? Sethur son of Michael

Numbers 13 verses

Numbers 13 13 Meaning

Numbers chapter 13 verse 13 presents the representative chosen from the tribe of Asher to spy out the land of Canaan: Sethur, son of Michael. This verse is part of a crucial list detailing the twelve tribal leaders selected by Moses, at the Lord's command, for a pivotal reconnaissance mission before Israel's entry into the Promised Land. The listing of each spy's tribe, name, and father's name emphasizes the official and representative nature of this mission and the significance of these individuals within their tribal structures.

Numbers 13 13 Context

Numbers chapter 13 begins at Kadesh-barnea, where the Israelites have arrived at the threshold of the Promised Land after their exodus from Egypt. At the command of the Lord, Moses is instructed to send one leader from each of the twelve ancestral tribes to scout out the land of Canaan. These chosen men were specifically "every one a leader among them" (Num 13:2), indicating they were men of stature, reputation, and authority within their respective tribes. Their mission was to gather intelligence on the land's characteristics, its inhabitants (whether strong or weak, few or many), the nature of their settlements (camps or strongholds), and the fertility of the soil. Numbers 13:13 lists Sethur, son of Michael, as the representative from the tribe of Asher. The subsequent narrative reveals that ten of these twelve spies, including Sethur (by implication, as only Caleb and Joshua are named as faithful), brought back a report filled with fear and disbelief, leading to the people's rebellion, God's judgment, and the subsequent forty years of wilderness wandering.

Numbers 13 13 Word analysis

• Of the tribe of Asher (מִמַּטֵּה אָשֵׁר - mi-mattêh Asher):
  • מִמַּטֵּה (mi-mattêh): "From the tribe" or "from the staff/rod." "Matteh" refers to a tribal division, lineage, or a staff/rod symbolic of authority and leadership, appropriate for representatives chosen for their standing.
  • אָשֵׁר (Asher): "Happy" or "Blessed." The name comes from Leah's exclamation when Zilpah (her servant, Jacob's concubine) bore her second son, expressing her happiness that other women considered her blessed (Gen 30:13). The tribe of Asher later settled in a fertile region, yielding rich produce (Gen 49:20; Deut 33:24-25), aligning with their name's meaning. The tribe's representation here signifies the unity of all Israel in this mission.
• Sethur (סְתוּר - Sᵉtûr):
  • Meaning "hidden" or "concealed." This name might carry a poignant irony in hindsight. As a spy, his mission was to "see" and "report," yet his own heart and the true nature of his faith (or lack thereof) may have been "hidden." He implicitly belonged to the majority who lacked faith in God's power, unlike Joshua and Caleb, whose unwavering faith was publicly manifest. His ultimate fate, like the others, was to die in the wilderness for disbelief, thus his future blessing in the Promised Land was "hidden" from him.
• the son of Michael (בֶּן-מִיכָאֵל - ben Mîkhā'ēl):
  • בֶּן (ben): "Son of." Standard Hebrew patronymic.
  • מִיכָאֵל (Mîkhā'ēl): "Who is like God?" This is a powerful rhetorical question in Hebrew, asserting God's unparalleled might and uniqueness. This name creates a dramatic tension within the narrative. Sethur, son of "Who is like God?," despite his lineage from a man whose very name declares God's omnipotence, participates in a report that essentially questions God's ability to fulfill His promise and defeat the "giants" of Canaan. This highlights the disconnect between knowledge of God's power and faith in that power when faced with perceived insurmountable obstacles. It serves as a subtle theological commentary on the failure of the spies: if they truly believed in a God to whom no one is comparable, their fear would be dispelled.

Numbers 13 13 Bonus section

The seemingly simple act of naming the spy from Asher in Numbers 13:13 highlights the meticulousness of the divine record and the significance placed on individual and tribal representation in ancient Israelite society. Every tribe had a stake, and every chosen man bore a great responsibility. The fact that most of these chosen leaders—men of repute—failed the test of faith serves as a perpetual warning throughout scripture. It demonstrates that spiritual leadership, prestige, or a blessed lineage are not guarantees against spiritual failure or the consequences of unbelief. This foundational event became a stark illustration for later generations, a lesson echoed in Psalms, Hebrews, and Corinthians, emphasizing the importance of a steadfast, obedient faith, even when faced with overwhelming odds or personal fear. The names themselves can be seen as foreshadowing the tragic irony of their actions and the national implications.

Numbers 13 13 Commentary

Numbers 13:13, though brief, contributes to a vital list that sets the stage for a turning point in Israel's wilderness journey. The naming of Sethur, son of Michael, from the tribe of Asher, along with the other eleven spies, underscores the broad representation of all Israel in this crucial endeavor. These men were not common folk, but chosen leaders, signifying the serious and representative nature of their mission.

The significance of the individual names, particularly "Sethur" (hidden) and "Michael" (Who is like God?), adds a layer of depth when viewed through the lens of the subsequent narrative. Sethur, whose name suggests "hidden," ironically comes forth as a scout yet contributes to a report that obscures God's promise and power, and his own faith remained "hidden" or absent when it was needed most. His father's name, Michael, profoundly contrasts with the fear-driven counsel that Sethur and the majority of the spies ultimately offered. By bringing a faithless report, they essentially answered the question "Who is like God?" by implicitly saying, "Not strong enough to defeat these giants!" This stands in stark opposition to the true declaration of God's omnipotence.

This verse, therefore, quietly emphasizes the tragic human element of the larger story: even divinely selected, esteemed leaders from blessed tribes (like Asher) could fail to demonstrate the faith necessary for God's purposes. Their failure was not merely a personal lapse but had national consequences, leading to generational suffering and highlighting the ever-present human temptation to prioritize visible threats over divine promises.