Numbers 13 16

Numbers 13:16 kjv

These are the names of the men which Moses sent to spy out the land. And Moses called Oshea the son of Nun Jehoshua.

Numbers 13:16 nkjv

These are the names of the men whom Moses sent to spy out the land. And Moses called Hoshea the son of Nun, Joshua.

Numbers 13:16 niv

These are the names of the men Moses sent to explore the land. (Moses gave Hoshea son of Nun the name Joshua.)

Numbers 13:16 esv

These were the names of the men whom Moses sent to spy out the land. And Moses called Hoshea the son of Nun Joshua.

Numbers 13:16 nlt

These are the names of the men Moses sent out to explore the land. (Moses called Hoshea son of Nun by the name Joshua.)

Numbers 13 verses

Numbers 13 16 Meaning

Numbers 13:16 signifies a pivotal moment as Moses renames Hoshea ("salvation") to Joshua ("The LORD saves"), underscoring a divine mandate and prophetic anointing. This name change transforms his identity, emphasizing that success in conquering and inheriting the Promised Land would come through God's power and provision, not human strength or strategy. It sets apart Joshua as a leader whose very name declares reliance on Yahweh for salvation and victory.

Numbers 13 16 Context

Numbers 13:16 occurs at the beginning of the crucial episode where Moses, under God's command, sends twelve tribal leaders to spy out the land of Canaan. This mission is meant to assess the land's fruitfulness, its inhabitants, and the feasibility of conquest, thereby building Israel's confidence for the upcoming entry. The previous verses (Num 13:1-15) list all the chosen spies. This particular verse, however, singles out one spy, Hoshea from the tribe of Ephraim, to highlight a unique and divinely significant event: Moses changing his name to Joshua. This re-naming signals the exceptional role Joshua is destined to play as the successor to Moses and the one who will actually lead Israel into the Promised Land, a stark contrast to the impending faithlessness and rebellion of most of the other spies and the generation. The historical-cultural context values names deeply, often reflecting a person's character, destiny, or a prophetic declaration. A name change by a divine figure (or God's agent) carried immense theological weight, signifying a new identity or purpose aligned with God's will.

Numbers 13 16 Word analysis

• These are the names: A formal introductory phrase common in biblical texts (e.g., Exod 1:1, Num 1:1), indicating a listing of significant individuals about to be detailed. It signals the importance of what follows.
• of the men: Refers to the twelve princes (nāśîʾ), chosen leaders, representing their respective tribes. Their high status made their mission, and subsequent failure, particularly grievous.
• whom Moses sent: Emphasizes divine commission through Moses. Moses acts as God's instrument in initiating this critical reconnaissance mission.
• to spy out the land: The specific purpose of the mission, from the Hebrew לָתוּר (lāthūr), "to search," "explore," "scout." This act was intended to gather intelligence but also became a test of faith for the people.
• And Moses called: This phrase marks a distinct action taken by Moses himself. It denotes an intentional, significant act of renaming, likely by divine inspiration or command.
• Hoshea: (הוֹשֵׁעַ - Hoshéaʿ) Means "salvation," "he saves," or "deliverance." It's a common Israelite name, generic in its implication of rescue. Its root verb, יָשַׁע (yāshaʿ), means "to save," "to deliver."
• the son of Nun: Standard biblical way of identifying individuals through their paternal lineage. Nun (נוּן - nūn) means "fish," a common and unexceptional name, indicating no special significance attached to his father.
• Joshua: (יְהוֹשֻׁעַ - Y'hošuʿa or Yehoshua) A compound name meaning "Yahweh is Salvation" or "The LORD saves." The significant change is the addition of the prefix יהו- (yĕhô- or yāh-), a shortened form of the Divine Name, YHWH (Yahweh), indicating the LORD's direct involvement in salvation.
• Moses called Hoshea... Joshua: This is the most crucial part. The renaming is a profound theological statement. It shifts the emphasis from general "salvation" (Hoshea, which implies human capability to save) to "Yahweh's salvation" (Joshua), highlighting that Israel's deliverance and success in inheriting the land would come from God's power and faithfulness, not the efforts of the spies or the strength of the Israelite army. This also served as a prophetic endorsement, designating Joshua as the leader through whom God would achieve salvation for His people. It implicitly combats any notion that success depended on human strength or shrewdness, instead proclaiming God as the true source of victory. This subtle polemic challenges the contemporary worldview that ascribed salvation and victory to national gods or military might.

Numbers 13 16 Bonus section

The specific timing of this name change is highly significant. It is not mentioned in the initial listing of the spies' names in Numbers 13:1-15, but is recorded here as a specific act Moses undertook before sending them. This deliberate inclusion draws special attention to Joshua among all the other spies. It elevates his stature and sets him apart, subtly foreshadowing his future unique role as the faithful leader. Many scholars suggest that this was a prophetic act by Moses, divinely inspired to identify the chosen successor who would fulfill the promise of leading Israel into Canaan. It was a clear indication that God had prepared and marked out Joshua for His salvific purpose from the outset of this critical mission, even when the rest of Israel's future was uncertain. Moses, by this act, essentially affirmed God's sovereign choice and provided a clear point of divine direction amidst human doubt.

Numbers 13 16 Commentary

Numbers 13:16 serves as a key theological marker in the narrative of Israel's journey to the Promised Land. The seemingly simple act of renaming Hoshea to Joshua is rich in prophetic and practical significance. It signifies more than just a change of identity; it's a declaration of divine purpose and an anointing for leadership rooted in God's saving power. By incorporating Yahweh's name into "Joshua," Moses prophetically declares that the man who will lead Israel into their inheritance is a direct instrument of God's salvation. This name change also stands in stark contrast to the prevailing fear and faithlessness that will soon emerge among the other spies. While they focused on the obstacles (Num 13:31-33), Joshua's new name proclaimed the solution: Yahweh's deliverance. This highlights that true faith recognizes God's ability to save, even against overwhelming odds. The name "Joshua" also points forward to Jesus (Greek: Iēsoús, derived from Hebrew Yeshua/Yehoshua), underscoring a typology where both figures lead their people into a promised inheritance and bring salvation. Just as Joshua led Israel into the physical land, Jesus leads His people into the spiritual rest and inheritance of God's kingdom.