Numbers 34 21

Numbers 34:21 kjv

Of the tribe of Benjamin, Elidad the son of Chislon.

Numbers 34:21 nkjv

from the tribe of Benjamin, Elidad the son of Chislon;

Numbers 34:21 niv

Elidad son of Kislon, from the tribe of Benjamin;

Numbers 34:21 esv

Of the tribe of Benjamin, Elidad the son of Chislon.

Numbers 34:21 nlt

Benjamin ? Elidad son of Kislon

Numbers 34 verses

Numbers 34 21 Meaning

Numbers 34:21 identifies Pedahel, son of Ammihud, as the chosen representative from the tribe of Benjamin. He was divinely appointed, along with others, to assist Eleazar the priest and Joshua in the critical task of dividing the land of Canaan among the tribes of Israel, ensuring each tribe received its promised inheritance in an orderly fashion. This highlights God's faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises and His meticulous organization.

Numbers 34 21 Context

Numbers chapter 34 provides the divine mandate for the precise boundaries of the land of Canaan that Israel is to inherit, a detailed geographic description directly from God to Moses. Following this, God instructs Moses to appoint specific leaders from each tribe who would oversee the equitable and orderly distribution of this land among the Israelite tribes. These individuals were essential for executing God’s will in settling His people. Verse 21, specifically naming Pedahel from Benjamin, is part of this crucial list (Numbers 34:17-29). Historically, this context signifies the impending fulfillment of God's covenant promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob – that their descendants would inherit the land. It marks a critical transition from nomadic wandering to established nationhood, with a divinely ordered socio-economic structure founded on specific tribal land holdings. This systematic approach underscored God's faithfulness and meticulous planning for His people.

Numbers 34 21 Word analysis

• of the tribe: Designates specific group identity and belonging. The Hebrew word is mišpāḥâ (מִשְׁפָּחָה), often translated as "clan" or "family," which within tribal structures refers to the immediate sub-grouping under the broader "tribe" (šēḇeṭ, שֵׁבֶט). This indicates that the chosen leader represents not just the tribe generally, but a particular established family line within it.
• Benjamin: (בִּנְיָמִין - Binyamin). This refers to one of the twelve tribes of Israel, descended from Benjamin, the youngest son of Jacob and Rachel. The tribe of Benjamin was known for its warrior prowess and fierce independence, yet it was also a tribe that, at times, faced significant challenges and near extinction (Judg 20).
• Pedahel: (פְּדַהְאֵל - Pedahel). This personal name means "God has redeemed" or "Redeemed of God." The element "El" (אֵל) signifies "God." The name itself carries theological weight, acknowledging God's redemptive work, which aligns with the overall narrative of God redeeming Israel from slavery and giving them the Promised Land. This suggests the person holding such a name might have been seen as specially blessed or chosen.
• the son of: A common biblical Hebrew genealogical marker indicating patrilineal descent and family lineage. This affirms Pedahel's legitimate identity and position within his tribal structure through his father.
• Ammihud: (עַמִּיהוּד - Ammihud). This personal name means "My kinsman is glory" or "People of majesty/splendor." "Am" (עַם) can mean "people" or "kinsman," and "hud" (הוּד) means "glory" or "splendor." This name could denote prominence or a distinguished background for Pedahel's father, giving Pedahel added social standing for his appointment.
• Words-group analysis:
  • "of the tribe of Benjamin": This phrase precisely links the individual, Pedahel, to his specific tribal affiliation, which is paramount in the context of land allocation. The entire system of land distribution in Israel was based on tribal and familial inheritance.
  • "Pedahel the son of Ammihud": This complete identification provides the full name and paternal lineage of the appointed leader. Such detail in genealogical lists not only confirms identity but also validates the person's authority and legitimate claim to represent his tribal portion, rooted in a recognizable and likely prominent family within Benjamin.

Numbers 34 21 Bonus section

The systematic naming of these leaders across different lists in Numbers (e.g., leaders for the census, leaders for sending spies, leaders for offerings, and now leaders for land division) emphasizes the profound administrative structure and divine attention to detail within the Israelite nation. This repetitive pattern stresses the divine order necessary for the execution of God's plan. The role of these chosen individuals, like Pedahel, was not merely ceremonial but active; they were to ensure fairness and uphold the divine will in a task foundational to the nation's existence and future stability. The fact that the list is given after specifying the land boundaries suggests the readiness for immediate action once the conquest was complete, highlighting proactive divine planning.

Numbers 34 21 Commentary

Numbers 34:21, though seemingly a simple entry in a list, underscores the divine order and precise fulfillment of God's promises. The meticulous naming of "Pedahel the son of Ammihud" for the tribe of Benjamin highlights the importance of chosen, qualified leadership in implementing God's commands. It demonstrates that the allocation of the Promised Land was not a chaotic process but a divinely structured undertaking. This verse signifies God's faithfulness to His covenant, ensuring each tribe received its rightful inheritance through responsible and authorized human agents. The very names "Pedahel" (God has redeemed) and "Ammihud" (My kinsman is glory) can be seen as small theological statements, reflecting the broader narrative of God's redemptive glory displayed in bringing His people into their promised inheritance.