Numbers 13:10 — Word Study
WLCלְמַטֵּ֣ה זְבוּלֻ֔ן גַּדִּיאֵ֖ל בֶּן־ סוֹדִֽי׃
BSAfrom the tribemaṭṭeh [a group of people] of ZebulunZᵉbûwlûwn [a son of Jacob and founder of one of the twelve tribes] GaddielGaddîyʼêl△ [meaning God is my fortune] sonbên [a descendant, or offspring] of SodiÇôwdîy△
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| לְמַטֵּ֣ה | for [the] tribe of | Preposition, noun common masculine singular construct |
| זְבוּלֻ֔ן | Zebulun | Noun proper masculine |
| גַּדִּיאֵ֖ל | Gaddiel | Noun proper masculine |
| בֶּן־ | [the] son of | Noun common, masculine singular construct |
| סוֹדִֽי׃ | Sodi | Noun proper masculine |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | from the tribe of Zebulun, Gaddiel son of Sodi; |
| KJV | Of the tribe of Zebulun, Gaddiel the son of Sodi. |
| ASV | Of the tribe of Zebulun, Gaddiel the son of Sodi. |
| YLT | For the tribe of Zebulun, Gaddiel son of Sodi. |
| WEB | Of the tribe of Zebulun, Gaddiel the son of Sodi. |
| BBE | Of the tribe of Zebulun, Gaddiel, the son of Sodi. |
Where they part company is in the rendering of Gaddiel's name — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence is straightforward, with a main clause introducing Gaddiel and his lineage in a clear structure.
3 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Cambridge & more — read them ›
clause
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
2 of 5 occur nowhere else in the Old Testament — words chosen on purpose.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Numbers 13:10
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Spies Sent to Canaangenerated
Numbers 13:10 is part of a larger narrative where Moses sends leaders from each tribe to scout the land of Canaan before the Israelites enter. This verse specifically mentions Gaddiel from the tribe of Zebulun, highlighting the diversity of the representatives chosen for this important task.
Cross References
The Key Word — מַטֶּה, le.ma.Tehgenerated
The word מַטֶּה (mat-teh) refers to a tribe, as in the 12 tribes of Israel, or a staff, like the one Moses used. It is derived from a root meaning to extend, and its uses include both literal and figurative meanings, such as a support or a means of correction.
In this verse, it denotes the tribe of Zebulun, indicating the group of people represented by Gaddiel. The parsing as a preposition with a noun shows its role in linking Gaddiel to his tribal identity.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses the phrase from the tribe of Zebulun.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The structure of the verse centers around the prepositional phrase לְמַטֵּה, for the tribe of, which serves as the introduction to the noun phrases that follow. The main subject is Gaddiel, with his lineage indicated by the phrase בֶּן־, son of, leading to his father's name.
This construction emphasizes Gaddiel's identity and lineage, establishing him as a representative of Zebulun.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates מַטֶּה as φυλῆς, which means 'of the tribe'. This choice reflects a direct correspondence to the Hebrew meaning, maintaining the tribal identity in the Greek text.
The translation of Gaddiel as γουδιηλ shows a consistent rendering of the name, preserving its significance as 'God is my fortune'.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Numbers 13:10 tells us that Gaddiel, the son of Sodi, was chosen from the tribe of Zebulun to be one of the spies sent to explore the land of Canaan. This verse highlights his lineage and tribal affiliation.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Gaddiel was a leader from the tribe of Zebulun, chosen by Moses to spy out the land of Canaan.
The name Gaddiel means 'God is my fortune' in Hebrew.
Zebulun was one of the twelve tribes of Israel, founded by Zebulun, the sixth son of Jacob.
Spies were sent to gather information about the land of Canaan before the Israelites entered it.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What can we learn from the selection of leaders like Gaddiel for important tasks?
- How does understanding Gaddiel's background enhance our comprehension of the tribes of Israel?
- In what ways does Gaddiel's name reflect the relationship between God and His people?
- How can we apply the lessons from this verse about leadership and representation in our own lives?
Commentators on this verse — 3 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Numbers 13:10 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleOf the tribe of Zebulun, Gaddiel the son of Sodi. [See comments on Numbers 13:4].
Read John Gill on Numbers 13 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryAnd these were their names: of the tribe of Reuben, Shammua the son of Zaccur. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Read Robert Jamieson on Numbers 13 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges1–24. The spies are sent out, and search the land.
Read Cambridge on Numbers 13 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
from the tribe of Zebulun, Gaddiel son of Sodi;
Of the tribe of Zebulun, Gaddiel the son of Sodi.
from the tribe of Zebulun, Gaddiel son of Sodi;
from the tribe of Zebulun, Gaddiel son of Sodi;
Tyndale line
Of the tribe of Zebulun, Gaddiel the son of Sodi.
Of the tribe of Zebulun, Gaddiel the son of Sodi.
Of the tribe of Zebulun, Gaddiel the son of Sodi.
Of the tribe of Zebulun, Gaddiel the son of Sodi.
Of the tribe of Beniamin, Palti the sonne of Raphu:
Strictly literal
for the tribe of Zebulun, Gaddiel the son of Sodi;
For the tribe of Zebulun, Gaddiel son of Sodi.
for the tribe of Zebulun, Gaddiel son of Sodi;
Of the tribe of Zebulun, Gaddiel the son of Sodi.
from the tribe of Zebulun, Gaddiel son of Sodi;
From the Latin
Of the tribe of Benjamin, Phalti the son of Raphu.
Simplified
Gaddiel, son of Sodi, from the tribe of Zebulun.
Of the tribe of Zebulun, Gaddiel, the son of Sodi.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text reads: לְמַטֵּ֣ה זְבוּלֻ֔ן גַּדִּיאֵ֖ל בֶּן־ סוֹדִֽי. The Septuagint agrees with the Masoretic Text in the word order and meaning, matching all five words. The Samaritan Pentateuch also agrees word for word with the Masoretic Text. The Dead Sea Scrolls (4Q27) contain three words that match the Masoretic Text, but one word is partly restored and another is supplied by an editor, indicating a partial agreement with the Masoretic Text while also showing some textual variation.
לְמַטֵּ֣ה זְבוּלֻ֔ן גַּדִּיאֵ֖ל בֶּן־ סוֹדִֽי׃
5 of the 5 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
למטה זבולן גדיאל בן סודי
Agrees with the Masoretic Text here, word for word.
למטי זבולון גדיאל [בן] סודי
3 words on the leather — 1 partly restored, 1 supplied entire by an editor.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Numbers 13:10
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
מַטֶּה (mat-teh) refers to a staff, rod, or branch, and can also denote a tribe. It is derived from a root meaning to extend, and its uses include both literal and figurative meanings, such as a support or a means of correction. The lexicons consistently highlight its association with leadership and community.
מַטֶּה 251 n.m.
staff, rod, shaft
branch
tribe
base
H4294 מַטֶּה . staff, rod, shaft
. branch
. tribe
4294 matteh mat-teh'
or (feminine) mattah {mat-taw'}; from 5186; a branch (as
extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for
chastising (figuratively, correction), ruling (a sceptre),
throwing (a lance), or walking (a staff; figuratively, a
support of life, e.g. bread):--rod, staff, tribe.
see HEBREW for 05186
מַטֶּה (mat.teh) — tribe: rod.
: rod/staff
1) staff, branch, tribe
1a) staff, rod, shaft
1b) branch (of vine)
1c) tribe
1c1) company led by chief with staff (originally)
מַטֶּה (mat.teh) — tribe.
: tribe
1) staff, branch, tribe
1a) staff, rod, shaft
1b) branch (of vine)
1c) tribe
1c1) company led by chief with staff (originally)
מַטֶּה (mat.teh) — tribe: arrow.
: arrow
1) staff, branch, tribe
1a) staff, rod, shaft
1b) branch (of vine)
1c) tribe
1c1) company led by chief with staff (originally)
מַטֶּה (mat.teh) — tribe: stick.
: stick
1) staff, branch, tribe
1a) staff, rod, shaft
1b) branch (of vine)
1c) tribe
1c1) company led by chief with staff (originally)
מַטֶּה (mat.teh) — tribe: supply.
: supply
1) staff, branch, tribe
1a) staff, rod, shaft
1b) branch (of vine)
1c) tribe
1c1) company led by chief with staff (originally)
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular constructHR/Ncmsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
זְבוּלֻן (Zebulun) refers to the sixth son of Jacob and Leah, as well as his tribe and territory. The name is linked to the concept of habitation and is first mentioned in Genesis 30:20. The entries consistently identify Zebulun as a significant figure in the genealogies of Israel.
זְבוּלֻן, זְלֻבוּן n.pr.m. Zebulun
sixth son of Jacob and Leah
the tribe of Zebulun
territory of the tribe
base
H2074 זְבוּלֻן, זְלֻבוּן Zebulun
2074 Zbuwluwn zeb-oo-loon'
or Zbuluwn {zeb-oo-loon'}; or Zbuwlun {zeb-oo-loon'}; from
2082; habitation; Zebulon, a son of Jacob; also his territory
and tribe:--Zebulun.
see HEBREW for 02082
זְבוּלֻן (ze.vu.lun) — Zebulun.
A man of the tribe of Zebulun living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.30.20;
son of: Israel (H3478) and Leah (H3812);
brother of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Issachar (H3485) and Dinah (H1783);
half-brother of: Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144);
father of: Sered (H5624), Elon (H0356H) and Jahleel (H3177)
§ Zebulun = "exalted"
1) the 10th of the sons of Jacob, 6th and last of Leah; progenitor of Zebulun
2) the tribe descended from Zebulun
3) the land allocated to the tribe of Zebulun
N-proper — Noun proper masculineHNpm
zeb'-u-lun (zebhulun, also written zebuwlun and zebuluwn; the first form occurs only in Jud 1:30; the other two are frequent, and are used interchangeably; Zaboulon): In Ge 30:20 Leah exclaims, "God hath endowed me with a good dowry," which suggests a derivation of Zebulun from zabhadh, "to bestow," the (d) being replaced by (l). Again she says, "Now will my husband dwell with me (or "honor me"): and she called his name Zebulun"; the derivation being from zabhal, "to exalt" or "honor" (OHL, under the word).
Zebulun was the 10th son of Jacob, the 6th borne to him by Leah in Paddan-aram. Nothing is known of this patriarch's life, save in so far as it coincides with that of his brethren. Targum Pseudo-Jonathan says that he first of the five brethren was presented to Pharaoh by…
Zebulun
Dwelling, the sixth and youngest son of Jacob and Leah (Gen. 30:20). Little is known of his personal history. He had three sons (46:14).
(a habitation), the tenth of the sons of Jacob, according to the order in which their births are enumerated, the sixth and last of Leah. (Genesis 30:20; 35:23; 46:14; 1 Chronicles 2:1) His birth is mentioned in (Genesis 30:19,20) Of the individual Zebulun nothing is recorded. The list of Genesis46 ascribes to him three sons, founders of the chief families of the tribe (comp.) (Numbers 26:26) at the time of the migration to Egypt. The tribe is not recorded to have taken part, for evil or good, in any of the events of the wandering or the conquest. The statement of Josephus is probably in the main correct, that it reached on the one side to the Lake of Gennesareth and on the…
1. Or ZABULON, Re 7:8, the sixth son of Jacob and Leah, born in Mesopotamia, Ge 30:20. Moses gives us few particulars respecting him. His tribe was respectable for numbers, Nu 1:30 26:26; and its portion in the Holy Land accorded with the prediction of Jacob, Ge 49:13, extending from the Mediterranean sea at Carmel to the sea of Gemnesaret, between Issachar on the south, and Naphtali and Asher on the north and north-west, Jos 19:10. His posterity are often mentioned in connection with Issachar, his nearest brother, De 33:18. They were entangled with the Phoenicians…
גַּדִּיאֵל (Gaddiy'el) is a proper name meaning 'God is my fortune.' It refers to a man from the tribe of Zebulun, mentioned in Numbers 13:10 as one of the spies sent to explore Canaan. The name is composed of elements meaning 'fortune' and 'God,' indicating a connection to divine favor.
גַּדִּיאֵל n.pr.m. (Ēl is my fortune) a man of Zebulun Nu 13:10.
done
H1427 גַּדִּיאֵל
1427 Gaddiy'el gad-dee-ale'
from 1409 and 410; fortune of God; Gaddiel, an
Israelite:--Gaddiel.
see HEBREW for 01409
see HEBREW for 0410
גַּדִּיאֵל (gad.di.el) — Gaddiel.
A man living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, only mentioned at Num.13.10;
son of: Sodi (H5476)
§ Gaddiel = "God is my fortune"
the spy from the tribe of Zebulun sent by Moses to spy out the land of Canaan
N-proper — Noun proper masculineHNpm
gad'-i-el (gaddi'el, "blest of God"):
One of the twelve men sent by Moses from the wilderness of Paran to spy out the land of Canaan. He represented the tribe of Zebulun (Nu 13:10).
Gaddiel
Fortune (i.e., sent) of God, the representative of the tribe of Zebulum among the twelve spies (Num. 13:10).
(fortune of God) a Zebulunite, one of the twelve spies. (Numbers 13:10) (B.C. 1490.)
goat of God; the Lord my happiness
בֵּן (ben) means 'son' or 'male child' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including descendants, young animals, and even figurative uses like sparks or arrows. It can refer to members of a tribe or class and is used in various contexts throughout the Old Testament, such as in 1 Chronicles 24:26. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to build' and implies a connection to family or lineage.
בֵּן 4870 n.m. son
son, male child, born of a woman
children (male and female)
youth, young men
the young of animals
of plant shoots
fig. of lifeless things, sparks, stars, arrows
member of a guild, order or class
of animals son of (the) herd
ב׳ as n. relat. followed by word of quality, characteristic, etc.
n. relat. of age
base
בְּנוֹ 1 Ch 24:26, 27 as n.pr.m. in AV, RV, but render: the sons of Jaaziah his son, & the sons of Merari by Jaaziah his son, cf. VB & Be Öt.
done
H1121a בֵּן son . son, male child, born of a woman
. children (male and female)
. youth, young men
. the young of animals
. of plant shoots
. fig. of lifeless things, sparks, stars, arrows
. . member of a guild, order or class
. of animals son of (the) herd
. ב׳ as n. relat. followed by word of quality, characteristic, etc.
. n. relat. of age
H1121b בְּנוֹ as n. pr. m. in AV, RV, but render: the sons of Jaaziah his son, & the sons of Merari by Jaaziah his son
1121 ben bane
from 1129; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the
widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship,
including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition,
etc., (like 1, 251, etc.)):--+ afflicted, age, (Ahoh-)
(Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-)ite, (anoint-)ed one, appointed to,
(+) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-)ian, one born,
bough, branch, breed, + (young) bullock, + (young) calf, X
came up in, child, colt, X common, X corn, daughter, X of
first, + firstborn, foal, + very fruitful, + postage, X in, +
kid, + lamb, (+) man, meet, + mighty, + nephew, old, (+)
people, + rebel, + robber, X servant born, X soldier, son, +
spark, + steward, + stranger, X surely, them of, + tumultuous
one, + valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth.
see HEBREW for 01129
see HEBREW for 01
see HEBREW for 0251
בֵּן (ben) — son: child.
: child/son
בְּנוֹ (be.no) — Beno.
A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ch.24.26;
son of: Jaaziah (H3269);
brother of: Shoham (H7719), Zaccur (H2139I) and Ibri (H5681)
§ Beno = "his son"
the sons of Jaaziah and the sons of Merari by Jaahziah (his son)
בֵּן (ben) — son: descendant/people.
: descendant, people, tribe, nation
A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)
§ : child/son
בֵּן (ben) — son: young animal.
: calf/lamb/young(ANIMAL)
A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)
§ : descendant
בֵּן (ben) — son: type of.
: rebel/son(Belial)
A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)
§ : people/men/nation/tribe
בֵּן (ben) — son.
: [inheriting]son/heir
A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)
בֵּן (ben) — son: warrior.
: warrior/son(strong)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular constructHNcmsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
סוֹדִי (so.di) refers to a man from the tribe of Zebulun, mentioned in Numbers 13:10 as the father of Gaddiel, one of the spies sent into Canaan. The name is derived from a root meaning 'confidant' or 'acquaintance.' There is no significant disagreement among the lexicons regarding this word.
סוֹדִי n.pr.m. a Zebulunite Nu 13:10
ref
H5476 סוֹדִי
5476 Cowdiy so-dee'
from 5475; a confidant; Sodi, an Israelite:--Sodi.
see HEBREW for 05475
סוֹדִי (so.di) — Sodi.
A man living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, only mentioned at Num.13.10;
father of: Gaddiel (H1427)
§ Sodi = "acquaintance"
father of Gaddiel, the spy selected from the tribe of Zebulun
N-proper — Noun proper masculineHNpm
so'-di (codhi): One of the spies, representing the tribe of Zebulun (Nu 13:10).
(intimate), the father of Geddiel, the spy selected from the tribe of Zebulun. (Numbers 13:10) (B.C. 1490.)
my secret
→ A man of the tribe of Zebulun Nu 13:10