Numbers 34 19

Numbers 34:19 kjv

And the names of the men are these: Of the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh.

Numbers 34:19 nkjv

These are the names of the men: from the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh;

Numbers 34:19 niv

These are their names: Caleb son of Jephunneh, from the tribe of Judah;

Numbers 34:19 esv

These are the names of the men: Of the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh.

Numbers 34:19 nlt

These are the tribes and the names of the leaders: Tribe ? Leader
Judah ? Caleb son of Jephunneh

Numbers 34 verses

Numbers 34 19 Meaning

Numbers 34:19 introduces the first of the specific tribal leaders chosen by divine command to oversee the distribution of the land of Canaan to the twelve tribes of Israel. Specifically, it identifies Shemuel, the son of Ammihud, as the appointed representative for the tribe of Simeon. This verse emphasizes the meticulous and orderly nature of God's plan for fulfilling His covenant promise of land inheritance to His people.

Numbers 34 19 Context

Numbers 34 is pivotal in the journey of the Israelites as it outlines the detailed plans for entering and possessing the Promised Land. The chapter begins by defining the precise geographical boundaries of Canaan (Num 34:1-12), ensuring there is no ambiguity about the extent of the promised inheritance. Following this, the chapter identifies the key leaders responsible for overseeing the complex task of land distribution (Num 34:16-29). Numbers 34:19 fits directly into this latter section, commencing the detailed list of tribal representatives appointed to assist Eleazar the priest and Joshua in parceling out the land by lot, as divinely commanded in Numbers 34:17-18. Historically, this occurs at the cusp of the new generation entering Canaan, fulfilling a promise made generations earlier, and establishing a structured administration for the settled life ahead. Culturally, the distribution of land was foundational to Israelite identity, economic stability, and adherence to the covenant.

Numbers 34 19 Word analysis

• And (וְאֵלֶּה - və'elleh): The Hebrew conjunction "and" links this statement to the preceding instructions regarding the land division, signaling a continuation of the divine command and a shift to naming specific individuals.

• these (אֵלֶּה - 'elleh): Refers directly back to the "men" appointed by the Lord for the task mentioned in Num 34:17. It highlights their designated role.

• are (omitted in Hebrew, implied by context): The Hebrew often omits the verb "to be," implying its presence. It states a direct identification.

• the names (שְׁמוֹת - shəmôṯ): Signifies personal identity and authority. The listing of names indicates specific individuals were chosen and accountable for this important work. In biblical culture, a name often carried significance or was linked to a person's character or role.

• of the men (הָאֲנָשִׁים - hā'ănāshîm): Denotes human agents who would carry out this divinely mandated task. Their selection was not arbitrary but chosen by divine instruction (Num 34:17).

• of the tribe (לְמַטֵּה - ləmaṭṭêh): Indicates the tribal affiliation, highlighting the representative nature of each man. Land was divided by tribe, so tribal representation was crucial. The phrase also reflects the deep-rooted genealogical and social structure of Israel.

• of Simeon (שִׁמְעוֹן - Shim'ōn): The second son of Jacob. Simeon's tribe was significantly reduced in numbers by the time of the second census in Numbers 26 (being the smallest tribe), and their eventual inheritance was encompassed within the territory of Judah (Josh 19:1-9). This highlights that even smaller or struggling tribes retained their designated place and representation in the land distribution.

• Shemuel (שְׁמוּאֵל - Shəmû'ēl): This name means "God has heard" or "Name of God." While this is a different individual from the more famous prophet Samuel (who lived much later and had a different father, Elkanah), the meaning is fitting for a person involved in the fulfillment of God's heard promise of land.

• the son of (בֶּן - ben): A crucial element in biblical genealogies, establishing lineage and identity. It signifies tribal and familial continuity.

• Ammihud (עַמִּיהוּד - 'Ammîhûd): Means "my kinsman is glory/majesty" or "my people are glorious." This name also carries positive connotations, reflecting the hope or status of the family line within the tribe. Shemuel's identity is tied to his ancestry.

• "And these are the names of the men": This phrase serves as an introduction to a divinely ordained list of individuals. It underscores that these specific people were selected by a higher authority (Num 34:17) for a crucial task rather than being self-appointed or randomly chosen. It points to order and intentionality in God's plan.

• "of the tribe of Simeon, Shemuel the son of Ammihud": This segment pinpoints the individual and his tribal and familial identification. It ensures that the specific responsibility for Simeon's portion of the inheritance falls to an identifiable, authorized representative. It also implicitly highlights God's fairness in ensuring every tribe, even those with reduced numbers like Simeon, had proper representation.

Numbers 34 19 Bonus section

• Divine Selection: It is crucial that these individuals were not chosen by the tribes themselves, but commanded by the LORD to be appointed by Moses and Eleazar (Num 34:16-17), ensuring a centralized, God-ordained authority for the division.
• Not Just Any Leaders: The list of names for land division is distinct from other lists of tribal leaders mentioned elsewhere in Numbers (e.g., those for the census, camp marching order, or spies), indicating the specific nature and importance of this particular commission.
• Simeon's Portion: The choice of Shemuel for Simeon is particularly poignant given that Simeon’s allotted territory eventually came from within the larger portion of Judah, due to Simeon's diminishing size and possibly also as a consequence of Jacob's prophetic words in Gen 49:7, "I will scatter them in Jacob and disperse them in Israel." Despite this, Simeon still received a defined, inherited portion and a chosen leader to oversee its distribution, demonstrating God's consistent provision.
• Foundation for Future Generations: The precision of naming these leaders and their assigned task provided a documented basis for all future land claims and served as a tangible link between the fulfillment of God's ancient promise and the reality of life in the Promised Land for generations to come.

Numbers 34 19 Commentary

Numbers 34:19, though brief, encapsulates critical biblical themes: God's faithfulness, divine order, and human responsibility. The detailed listing of names, starting here with Shemuel, is not mere bureaucratic record-keeping but a testament to God's meticulous care in fulfilling His covenant promises to Israel. The appointment of specific leaders for each tribe for the land division highlights that the inheritance of Canaan was not to be a chaotic grab, but an orderly and equitable process governed by divine principles. It emphasizes that even in a grand, miraculous event like receiving the Promised Land, God utilizes human instruments who are clearly identified and held accountable. Shemuel's role underscores that every tribe, regardless of its size or prior challenges (like Simeon's reduced population or their association with the incident in Num 25:6-14), was deemed worthy of having its own, divinely recognized, representative in this foundational act of settling the land.