Numbers 13 4

Numbers 13:4 kjv

And these were their names: of the tribe of Reuben, Shammua the son of Zaccur.

Numbers 13:4 nkjv

Now these were their names: from the tribe of Reuben, Shammua the son of Zaccur;

Numbers 13:4 niv

These are their names: from the tribe of Reuben, Shammua son of Zakkur;

Numbers 13:4 esv

And these were their names: From the tribe of Reuben, Shammua the son of Zaccur;

Numbers 13:4 nlt

These were the tribes and the names of their leaders: Tribe ? Leader
Reuben ? Shammua son of Zaccur

Numbers 13 verses

Numbers 13 4 Meaning

Numbers 13:4 serves as the opening statement in the official roster of the twelve tribal leaders chosen by Moses, under God's command, to explore the land of Canaan. Specifically, this verse introduces the first individual on that list: Shammua, the son of Zaccur, who represented the tribe of Reuben. It highlights the divine order and systematic approach to the critical mission of surveying the Promised Land.

Numbers 13 4 Context

Numbers chapter 13 begins at Kadesh-Barnea, shortly after Israel's departure from Mount Sinai and their continued journey through the wilderness. This verse is part of God's command to Moses (Num 13:1-2) to send twelve leaders, one from each ancestral tribe, to scout the land of Canaan before Israel's entry. The primary purpose was to assess the land's strength, its inhabitants, the cities, and the natural resources, enabling the Israelites to prepare for conquest. Verse 4 specifically inaugurates the detailed list of these chosen men, underscoring the structured, divinely ordained nature of the mission. The choice of these men, all "heads" of their tribes, emphasizes their significant standing and leadership responsibilities within their respective clans and for the nation as a whole. This reconnaissance mission becomes a pivotal turning point in Israel's history, as their response to the spies' report directly determined the course of their forty-year wilderness wanderings.

Numbers 13 4 Word analysis

• And: This conjunction links the divine instruction given in verses 1-3 ("Send thou men... every one a ruler among them. And these are their names:") directly to the following list. It indicates continuity and immediate fulfillment of the command.
• these were: Emphasizes the definitive nature of the listing; these are the precise individuals selected by divine decree.
• their names: Hebrew: שְׁמוֹת (shemot), meaning "names" or "reputations." In biblical culture, a name often carried significant meaning, representing character, destiny, or a prophetic message. The formal enumeration of names reinforces the importance and official character of the mission and the status of those selected. It highlights divine attentiveness to detail in human affairs and leadership.
• of the tribe of Reuben: Hebrew: לְמַטֵּה רְאוּבֵן (lə-maṭṭê rə’ûḇēn) – "for the tribe of Reuben." This specifies the tribal affiliation, indicating his role as a representative of that specific family group. Reuben was the firstborn son of Jacob and Leah. His tribe traditionally held the position of seniority, though Reuben personally lost his birthright due to misconduct (Gen 49:3-4), signifying a mix of inherent prominence and moral vulnerability that may, by extension, be subtly reflected in the later actions of the tribe's representative.
• Shammua: Hebrew: שַׁמּוּעַ (Shammua), meaning "heard" or "renowned." This name is potentially poignant in the context of the mission. Shammua was sent to "hear" the reports from the land, but tragically, he and the other ten spies ultimately led the people astray by disseminating a discouraging report which the people heard and believed, leading to their collective failure of faith rather than hearing God's promise.
• the son of Zaccur: Hebrew: בֶּן־זַכּוּר (ben-Zakkur) – "son of Zaccur." Zaccur (also spelled Zacchur or Zacur) means "remembered" or "mindful." The combined names, "Heard, son of Remembered," could carry an ironic undertone. While his lineage might imply one who should have "heard" and "remembered" God's faithfulness, the historical account reveals the spies, including Shammua, failed to remember God's power and promises when faced with the formidable inhabitants of Canaan, thus choosing to listen to fear.

Numbers 13 4 Bonus section

• The meticulous detailing of each spy by tribe and lineage emphasizes the communal responsibility of the task; these men were not acting as individuals but as official representatives of their entire tribes. This corporate responsibility made their report, whether faithful or unfaithful, consequential for the entire nation.
• The placement of Reuben, the firstborn, at the beginning of the list signifies ancient Israelite customs of honor and tribal order, despite Reuben's own ancestral struggles with leadership and the subsequent divided loyalty of his tribe later in history.
• The detailed enumeration also speaks to the meticulousness of the divine command and the divine intention for a disciplined and ordered approach to conquest and settlement, a stark contrast to the human chaos that would later ensue.
• The seeming "dryness" of such lists often obscures deep theological meaning. In Numbers, such detailed enumerations frequently preface moments of testing or significant transitions, calling attention to divine sovereignty and human accountability within a covenant relationship.

Numbers 13 4 Commentary

Numbers 13:4, though a seemingly simple genealogical entry, inaugurates a critically significant passage in Israel's wilderness journey. It meticulously records the appointment of the first of twelve tribal representatives chosen for the vital mission of surveying Canaan. This verse underscores God's organized leadership structure and His deliberate preparation for Israel's entry into the Promised Land. The listing of specific individuals, like Shammua from Reuben, emphasizes the divine call to each person to fulfill a specific role within God's larger plan. The deeper resonance lies in the chosen spy's name, "Shammua" meaning "heard," paired with his father's name, "Zaccur" meaning "remembered." This seemingly mundane detail becomes a subtle biblical foreshadowing: this "heard, son of remembered" was sent to gather intelligence, yet he and most of his fellow spies would fail to "hear" God's steadfast promises and "remember" His past faithfulness, instead yielding to fear. Their subsequent unfaithful report would have devastating consequences for an entire generation. Thus, this initial detail about Shammua, though small, quietly points to the themes of hearing, remembering, faith, and the tragic implications of unbelief that dominate the remainder of the chapter and indeed, the following forty years.