Numbers 13 5

Numbers 13:5 kjv

Of the tribe of Simeon, Shaphat the son of Hori.

Numbers 13:5 nkjv

from the tribe of Simeon, Shaphat the son of Hori;

Numbers 13:5 niv

from the tribe of Simeon, Shaphat son of Hori;

Numbers 13:5 esv

from the tribe of Simeon, Shaphat the son of Hori;

Numbers 13:5 nlt

Simeon ? Shaphat son of Hori

Numbers 13 verses

Numbers 13 5 Meaning

Numbers 13:5 states the identity of one of the twelve tribal leaders chosen by God and Moses to serve as a spy in the land of Canaan: Shaphat, the son of Hori, from the tribe of Simeon. This verse signifies the formal and authoritative appointment of a specific individual, by lineage and tribal affiliation, for a critical reconnaissance mission on the eve of Israel's entry into the Promised Land.

Numbers 13 5 Context

Numbers chapter 13 records a pivotal moment in Israel's wilderness journey, occurring at Kadesh-barnea, at the southern border of Canaan. God commanded Moses to send one leader from each of the twelve tribes to spy out the land of promise before Israel entered it. This mission was intended to gather intelligence for the impending invasion. The listing of Shaphat, son of Hori, from the tribe of Simeon, is part of this formal enumeration of the twelve chosen leaders. This event immediately precedes the Israelites' major act of unbelief and rebellion (Numbers 14), which resulted in their 40-year wilderness wandering, as only Joshua and Caleb gave a faithful report and were permitted to enter the land. Historically and culturally, the emphasis on tribal identity, patrilineal descent ("son of"), and divinely appointed leadership was fundamental to Israel's social, military, and spiritual structure.

Numbers 13 5 Word analysis

• "Of the tribe": This phrase denotes official representation and corporate identity. In ancient Israel, tribal affiliation determined an individual's place within the community, their role in military musters, their inheritance, and their ancestral lineage. This emphasizes that Shaphat was a designated delegate, carrying the authority of his entire tribe, not acting on personal initiative.

• "Simeon" (שִׁמְעוֹן, Shim'on): Meaning "hearing" or "he has heard." Leah named her son Simeon because "the Lord has heard that I am hated, and has therefore given me this son also" (Gen 29:33).

  • Significance: The tribe of Simeon was associated with violence (Gen 34:25-30, along with Levi, in the revenge on Shechem). Jacob's prophecy over Simeon in Genesis 49:5-7 indicated their scattering and dispersion, a prophecy that found fulfillment in their lack of a distinct major territory within Canaan, instead inheriting portions within Judah (Josh 19:1-9). Their population also significantly declined between the first and second censuses in Numbers, making their continued representation vital, underscoring God's consistent inclusion of all tribes, despite their varied destinies.

• "Shaphat" (שָׁפָט, Shafat): Meaning "He has judged" or "Judge." The name carries connotations of discernment, governance, or justice.

  • Significance: The meaning of Shaphat's name ("He has judged") is tragically ironic given his role in the spy mission. While chosen to make a discerning judgment, he joined the majority who gave an unfaithful report, leading the nation to judge God's power insufficient and His promise unreliable (Num 14:1-10). His failure in judgment directly contributed to the collective failure of the generation. This individual is distinct from Shaphat, the father of Elisha the prophet mentioned in 1 Kings 19:16.

• "the son of": This standard biblical construct identifies an individual's paternal lineage, crucial for establishing tribal membership, land rights, and official status in patriarchal societies. It signifies legitimate birth and connection to a family head, grounding Shaphat's identity within his ancestral line.

• "Hori" (חוֹרִי, Hori): The name can mean "cave dweller" or "white" (from a root related to undyed material).

  • Significance: Little is known about Hori beyond his identity as Shaphat's father. The name appears elsewhere, notably associated with the Horites in Edomite genealogies (Gen 36:20), but this specific Hori is identified through his Israelite lineage in Simeon. His inclusion primarily serves to complete Shaphat's formal genealogical identification, adhering to the meticulous record-keeping found throughout the Numbers census lists.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "Of the tribe of Simeon, Shaphat the son of Hori": This full descriptive phrase provides a precise and formal genealogical identification. It highlights the deeply ordered and tribal structure of ancient Israel. God’s instructions explicitly called for one chief from each tribe (Num 13:2). The naming of each spy, complete with their tribal affiliation and father's name, serves several purposes: it demonstrates divine order in selecting leaders, establishes the legitimacy and authority of each representative, ensures accurate record-keeping for future tribal organization (such as land distribution), and ultimately lays the foundation for accountability concerning their actions and the resulting national consequences. It reflects the meticulous detail with which God interacted with His people and ordered their society.

Numbers 13 5 Bonus section

The act of explicitly naming all twelve spies, including their tribal and paternal affiliations (Numbers 13:4-15), goes beyond mere record-keeping. It signifies the solemn nature of their appointment and the high expectations placed upon them. Shaphat, like the others, was a nasi, a prince or leader of his tribe (Num 13:2). This elevation underscores that those given significant leadership roles in God's kingdom bear greater responsibility. Their public identification also ensured communal accountability, not just to Moses and God, but to the entire assembly of Israel, whom they were representing. Despite their esteemed position and direct commission, ten of these leaders, including Shaphat, succumbed to fear rather than courage and distrusted God's promise rather than relying on His omnipotence. Their collective failure stands as a biblical lesson on the pitfalls of unbelief, regardless of one's status or calling.

Numbers 13 5 Commentary

Numbers 13:5 serves as a concise, precise entry in the roster of tribal leaders chosen for the crucial reconnaissance mission into Canaan. The verse not only identifies Shaphat, son of Hori, as the delegate from Simeon but also underlines the emphasis on formal representation and tribal structure within Israel. While the listing highlights God's systematic appointment of leaders, it ironically precedes Shaphat's participation in the unfaithful majority report. This incident reveals that even divinely appointed leaders, selected with such specificity, are susceptible to human fear and lack of faith. It serves as a somber precursor to Israel's protracted wilderness wandering, emphasizing the profound responsibility of leadership and the dire consequences when human unbelief trumps God's promises and power. The brevity of the verse belies its connection to a foundational moment of failure in Israel's history, where chosen representatives failed to fully trust God.