Numbers 13:4
Numbers 13:4 in Multiple Translations
and these were their names: From the tribe of Reuben, Shammua son of Zaccur;
And these were their names: of the tribe of Reuben, Shammua the son of Zaccur.
And these were their names: Of the tribe of Reuben, Shammua the son of Zaccur.
And these were their names: of the tribe of Reuben, Shammua, the son of Zaccur.
Their names were: Shammua son of Zaccur, from the tribe of Reuben.
Then Moses sent them out of the wildernesse of Paran at the commandement of the Lord: all those men were heades of the children of Israel.
and these their names: For the tribe of Reuben, Shammua son of Zaccur.
These were their names: Of the tribe of Reuben, Shammua the son of Zaccur.
And these were their names: Of the tribe of Reuben, Shammua the son of Zaccur.
Moses did what the Lord had commanded, sending from the desert of Pharan, principal men, whose names are these:
These are the names of the men and the tribes they belonged to: Shammua, the son of Zaccur, from the tribe of Reuben;
Berean Amplified Bible — Numbers 13:4
BAB
Word Study
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Numbers 13:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/אֵ֖לֶּה
שְׁמוֹתָ֑/ם
לְ/מַטֵּ֣ה
רְאוּבֵ֔ן
שַׁמּ֖וּעַ
בֶּן
זַכּֽוּר
וְ/אֵ֖לֶּה
ʼêl-leh
H428
these
Conj | Pron
שְׁמוֹתָ֑/ם
shêm
H8034
name
N-mp | Suff
לְ/מַטֵּ֣ה
maṭṭeh
H4294
tribe
Prep | N-ms
רְאוּבֵ֔ן
Rᵉʼûwbên
H7205
Reuben
N-proper
שַׁמּ֖וּעַ
Shammûwaʻ
H8051
Shammua
N-proper
בֶּן
bên
H1121
son
N-ms
זַכּֽוּר
Zakkûwr
H2139
Zaccur
N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Numbers 13:4
וְ/אֵ֖לֶּה
ʼêl-leh
H428
"these"
Conj | Pron
This Hebrew word is used to point out specific people or things, like saying 'these' or 'those'. It appears in the book of Genesis, where God says 'let there be light' and separates the light from the darkness.
Definition: 1) these 1a) used before antecedent 1b) used following antecedent Aramaic equivalent: el.leh (אֵלֶּה "these" H0429)
Usage: Occurs in 697 OT verses. KJV: an-(the) other; one sort, so, some, such, them, these (same), they, this, those, thus, which, who(-m). See also: Genesis 2:4; Exodus 35:1; Deuteronomy 1:35.
שְׁמוֹתָ֑/ם
shêm
H8034
"name"
N-mp | Suff
In the Bible, a name represents a person's identity, honor, and character, like God's name symbolizing His power and authority. It appears in Genesis and other books, often referring to God's name or a person's reputation. This concept is central to understanding biblical identity.
Definition: 1) name 1a) name 1b) reputation, fame, glory 1c) the Name (as designation of God) 1d) memorial, monument Aramaic equivalent: shum (שֻׁם "name" H8036)
Usage: Occurs in 771 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] base, (in-) fame(-ous), named(-d), renown, report. See also: Genesis 2:11; Exodus 3:15; Deuteronomy 16:6.
לְ/מַטֵּ֣ה
maṭṭeh
H4294
"tribe"
Prep | N-ms
In the Bible, this word can mean a tribe, like the 12 tribes of Israel, or a staff, like the one Moses used to lead his people in Exodus 4:2.
Definition: : tribe 1) staff, branch, tribe 1a) staff, rod, shaft 1b) branch (of vine) 1c) tribe 1c1) company led by chief with staff (originally)
Usage: Occurs in 205 OT verses. KJV: rod, staff, tribe. See also: Genesis 38:18; Numbers 34:19; Psalms 105:16.
רְאוּבֵ֔ן
Rᵉʼûwbên
H7205
"Reuben"
N-proper
Reuben was the firstborn son of Jacob and Leah, and the ancestor of the tribe of Reuben. He is mentioned in Genesis as the brother of Simeon, Levi, and Judah, and the father of Hanoch and Pallu.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Reuben living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.29.32; son of: Israel (H3478) and Leah (H3812); brother of: Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074) and Dinah (H1783); half-brother of: Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); father of: Hanoch (H2585J), Pallu (H6396), Hezron (H2696) and Carmi (H3756) § Reuben = "behold a son" 1) the eldest son of Jacob by Leah 2) the tribe descended from Reuben 3) the territory inhabited by the tribe of Reuben
Usage: Occurs in 68 OT verses. KJV: Reuben. See also: Genesis 29:32; Deuteronomy 27:13; Ezekiel 48:31.
שַׁמּ֖וּעַ
Shammûwaʻ
H8051
"Shammua"
N-proper
Shammua was a man from the tribe of Levi who lived during the time of Exile and Return. He was the son of Galal and the father of Obadiah, and is also mentioned in 1 Chronicles 9:16 and Nehemiah 11:17.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Exile and Return, first mentioned at 1Ch.9.16; son of: Galal (H1559H); father of: Obadiah (H5662K); also called Shammua at Neh.11.17; Another name of she.ma.yah (שְׁמַעְיָ֫הוּ "Shemaiah" H8098F) § Shammua = "renowned" 1) son of Zaccur and the spy from the tribe of Reuben 2) son of David by his wife Bathsheba 2a) also 'Shammuah' and 'Shimea' 3) aLevite, son of Galal and father of Abda who lived in Jerusalem after the return from exile in the time of Nehemiah 3a) also 'Shemaiah' 4) a priest, head of the family of Bilgah in the time of Joiakim after the return from exile
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: Shammua, Shammuah. See also: Numbers 13:4; 1 Chronicles 14:4; Nehemiah 12:18.
בֶּן
bên
H1121
"son"
N-ms
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
זַכּֽוּר
Zakkûwr
H2139
"Zaccur"
N-proper
Zaccur means mindful, and was the name of seven Israelites, including a man who helped Nehemiah rebuild the wall in Nehemiah 13:13.
Definition: A man living at the time of Exile and Return, only mentioned at Neh.13.13; son of: Mattaniah (H4983P); father of: Hanan (H2605N) § Zaccur or Zacchur = "mindful" 1) father of Shammua, the Reubenite spy 2) a Simeonite of the family of Mishma 3) a Merarite Levite, son of Jaaziah 4) son of Asaph the singer 5) the son of Imri who assisted Nehemiah in rebuilding the wall 6) a Levite, or family of Levites, who signed the covenant with Nehemiah 7) a Levite whose son or descendant Hanan was one of the treasurers over the treasuries appointed by Nehemiah
Usage: Occurs in 10 OT verses. KJV: Zaccur, Zacchur. See also: Numbers 13:4; Ezra 8:14; Nehemiah 13:13.
Study Notes — Numbers 13:4
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — The Spies Explore Canaan
2“Send out for yourself men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites. From each of their fathers’ tribes send one man who is a leader among them.”
3So at the command of the LORD, Moses sent them out from the Wilderness of Paran. All the men were leaders of the Israelites,
4and these were their names: From the tribe of Reuben, Shammua son of Zaccur;
5from the tribe of Simeon, Shaphat son of Hori; 6from the tribe of Judah, Caleb son of Jephunneh;Numbers 13:4 Summary
This verse lists the names of the leaders who were chosen to explore the land of Canaan, starting with Shammua, the son of Zaccur, from the tribe of Reuben. These leaders were chosen by God to help the Israelites prepare to enter the Promised Land, as promised in Genesis 12:7. Just like the Israelites, we can trust in God's plan and provision for our lives, even when the future seems uncertain, as seen in Jeremiah 29:11. By studying this verse, we can learn more about God's character and His desire to guide and direct us, as seen in Psalm 32:8-11 and Proverbs 3:5-6.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did God instruct Moses to send out spies to explore the land of Canaan?
God instructed Moses to send out spies to explore the land of Canaan as part of His plan to give the land to the Israelites, as seen in Numbers 13:2 and Deuteronomy 1:22-23, and to prepare them for the challenges they would face in possessing the land.
What was the significance of choosing leaders from each of the tribes of Israel?
Choosing leaders from each of the tribes of Israel, as seen in Numbers 13:2-3, ensured that each tribe had a representative in the scouting party and that the report would be credible and trustworthy, much like the principle of having multiple witnesses in Deuteronomy 19:15.
What can we learn from the fact that Shammua, the son of Zaccur, was chosen to represent the tribe of Reuben?
The fact that Shammua, the son of Zaccur, was chosen to represent the tribe of Reuben, as seen in Numbers 13:4, shows that God values faithfulness and leadership, as demonstrated in Exodus 18:21 and 1 Timothy 3:1-13, and that He often chooses individuals with these qualities to carry out important tasks.
How does this verse relate to the wider story of the Israelites in the wilderness?
This verse is part of the larger narrative of the Israelites in the wilderness, where God is teaching them to trust and obey Him, as seen in Numbers 13-14, and preparing them to enter the Promised Land, as promised in Genesis 12:7 and Exodus 6:4.
Reflection Questions
- What does this verse reveal about God's character and His relationship with the Israelites?
- How does the selection of leaders from each tribe reflect the importance of unity and cooperation in the body of Christ, as seen in 1 Corinthians 12:12-31?
- What can we learn from the example of Shammua, the son of Zaccur, about leadership and faithfulness in our own lives?
- How does this verse encourage us to trust in God's plan and provision, even when the future seems uncertain, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6 and Jeremiah 29:11?
Gill's Exposition on Numbers 13:4
And these [were] their names, of the tribe of Reuben, Shammua the son of Zaccur.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 13:4
And these were their names: of the tribe of Reuben, Shammua the son of Zaccur. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Cambridge Bible on Numbers 13:4
1–24. The spies are sent out, and search the land.