Numbers 13:14 — Word Study
WLCלְמַטֵּ֣ה נַפְתָּלִ֔י נַחְבִּ֖י בֶּן־ וָפְסִֽי׃
BSAfrom the tribemaṭṭeh [a group of people] of NaphtaliNaphtâlîy [a son of Jacob, one of the twelve tribes of Israel] NahbiNachbîy△ [an Israelite, a spy] sonbên [a descendant, a child] of VophsiVophçîy△ [a father, an Israelite living during the time of the wilderness]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| לְמַטֵּ֣ה | for [the] tribe of | Preposition, noun common masculine singular construct |
| נַפְתָּלִ֔י | Naphtali | Noun proper masculine |
| נַחְבִּ֖י | Nahbi | Noun proper masculine |
| בֶּן־ | [the] son of | Noun common, masculine singular construct |
| וָפְסִֽי׃ | Vopshi | 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 Naphtali, Nahbi son of Vophsi; |
| KJV | Of the tribe of Naphtali, Nahbi the son of Vophsi. |
| ASV | Of the tribe of Naphtali, Nahbi the son of Vophsi. |
| YLT | For the tribe of Naphtali, Nahbi son of Vopshi. |
| WEB | Of the tribe of Naphtali, Nahbi the son of Vophsi. |
| BBE | Of the tribe of Naphtali, Nahbi, the son of Vophsi. |
Translations agree on the identity and lineage of Nahbi, with no significant variations.
The sentence is structured with a main clause followed by a subject and a descriptor, clearly identifying the individual and his lineage.
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 13:14
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 into Canaangenerated
Numbers 13:14 identifies Nahbi as one of the spies sent by Moses to explore the land of Canaan. This event is part of a larger narrative where leaders from each tribe are chosen to assess the land promised to Israel. The mention of tribes emphasizes the organization of the Israelite community and their connection to their ancestral heritage.
Cross References
The Key Word — נַחְבִּי, nach.Bigenerated
Nahbi, a proper noun, refers to an individual from the tribe of Naphtali who was chosen as a spy. His name, derived from a root meaning 'hidden', suggests a possible significance regarding his role in the exploration of Canaan.
As a member of the Naphtali tribe, Nahbi's identity ties him to the legacy of Jacob's sons, and his inclusion in this list highlights the importance of representation from each tribe in significant undertakings.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
Translations agree in identifying Nahbi as a spy from the tribe of Naphtali.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main clause is introduced by the prepositional phrase לְמַטֵּ֣ה, for the tribe of, followed by the noun phrase נַפְתָּלִ֔י, Naphtali, and then the subject noun phrase נַחְבִּ֖י, Nahbi, indicating his role as a descendant of Vophsi.
The structure emphasizes the lineage and tribal affiliation of Nahbi, showcasing the importance of family and heritage in the Israelite community.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates לְמַטֵּ֣ה as φυλῆς, meaning 'of the tribe', which aligns with the Hebrew meaning but uses the Greek term for tribe, indicating a direct correspondence in the concept of tribal identity.
The choice of ναβι for נַחְבִּי reflects a straightforward transliteration, maintaining the name's recognition while adapting it for a Greek-speaking audience.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Numbers 13:14 lists Nahbi as a spy from the tribe of Naphtali, the son of Vophsi. This verse is part of the account where Moses sends spies to explore Canaan, highlighting the organization of the Israelite tribes.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Nahbi was an Israelite from the tribe of Naphtali, chosen as one of the twelve spies to scout the Promised Land.
Naphtali is one of the twelve tribes of Israel, descended from Jacob's son Naphtali, and represents a significant part of Israel's heritage.
Moses sent spies to gather information about the land of Canaan before the Israelites entered, to assess its conditions and inhabitants.
The name Nahbi means 'hidden', which may reflect his role as a spy.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- How does understanding Nahbi's background enhance our view of the Israelite tribes?
- What does it mean for us to represent our heritage in our communities today?
- In what ways can we learn from the actions of the spies in this narrative?
- How do names and identities shape our understanding of biblical characters?
Commentators on this verse — 3 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Numbers 13:14 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleOf the tribe of Naphtali, Nahbi the son of Vophsi. [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 Naphtali, Nahbi son of Vophsi;
Of the tribe of Naphtali, Nahbi the son of Vophsi.
from the tribe of Naphtali, Nahbi son of Vophsi;
from the tribe of Naphtali, Nahbi son of Vopshi;
Tyndale line
Of the tribe of Naphtali, Nahbi the son of Vophsi.
Of the tribe of Naphtali, Nahbi the son of Vophsi.
Of the tribe of Naphtali, Nahbi the son of Vophsi.
Of the tribe of Naphtali, Nahbi the son of Vophsi.
Of the tribe of Asher, Sethur the sonne of Michael:
Strictly literal
for the tribe of Naphtali, Nahbi the son of Vophsi;
For the tribe of Naphtali, Nahbi son of Vopshi.
for the tribe of Naphtali, Nahbi son of Vopshi;
Of the tribe of Naphtali, Nachbi the son of Vophsi.
from the tribe of Naphtali, Nahbi son of Vophsi;
From the Latin
Of the tribe of Aser, Sthur the son of Michael.
Simplified
Nahbi, son of Vophsi, from the tribe of Naphtali.
Of the tribe of Naphtali, Nahbi, the son of Vophsi.
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 is supported by the Samaritan Pentateuch, which agrees word for word. The Septuagint also matches the Hebrew text closely, though the word order differs. The Dead Sea Scrolls contain no text for this verse, as it was restored by an editor.
לְמַטֵּ֣ה נַפְתָּלִ֔י נַחְבִּ֖י בֶּן־ וָפְסִֽי׃
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 נפתלי נחבי בן ופסי
Agrees with the Masoretic Text here, word for word.
[למטי] [נפתלי] [נחבי] [בן] [ופסי]
nothing on the leather here — 5 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 13:14
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…
נַפְתָּלִי (Naphtali) refers to a son of Jacob and the tribe that descended from him, as well as the territory assigned to that tribe. The name is derived from a root meaning 'my wrestling.' He is first mentioned in Genesis 30:8, and is noted to be the second son of Jacob by Bilhah, Rachel's handmaid.
נַפְתָּלִי 61 n.pr.m. et trib. Naphtali
base
H5321 נַפְתָּלִי Naphtali
5321 Naphtaliy naf-taw-lee'
from 6617; my wrestling; Naphtali, a son of Jacob, with the
tribe descended from him, and its territory:--Naphtali.
see HEBREW for 06617
נַפְתָּלִי (naph.ta.li) — Naphtali.
A man of the tribe of Naphtali living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.30.8;
son of: Israel (H3478) and Bilhah (H1090A);
brother of: Dan (H1835H);
half-brother of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144);
father of: Jahzeel (H3183), Guni (H1476), Jezer (H3337) and Shillem (H8006)
Also named: Nephthaleim (Νεφθαλείμ "Naphtali" G3508)
§ Naphtali = "wrestling"
1) the 5th son of Jacob and the 2nd by Bilhah the handmaid of Rachel
2) the tribe descended from Naphtali the son of Jacob
3) the territory assigned to the tribe of Naphtali
נַפְתָּלִי (naph.ta.li) — (Kedesh)-naphtali.
Combined with qe.desh (קֶ֫דֶשׁ "Kedesh" H6943)
§ Naphtali = "wrestling"
N-proper — Noun proper masculineHNpm
naf'-ta-li (naphtali; Nephthaleim):
I. THE PATRIARCH
1. Name
2. Circumstances of His Birth
3. Historical and Traditional Details
II. TRIBE OF NAPHTALI
1. Its Relative Position
2. Its Location in Palestine
3. Physical Features
4. Distinction of the Tribe
5. Sites and Inhabitants
6. Labors of Jesus in This District
I. The Patriarch.
1. Name:
The 5th son of Jacob, and the 2nd born to him by Rachel's handmaid, Bilhah. He was full brother of Da (Ge 30:7).
At his birth Rachel is said to have exclaimed, naphtule 'Elohim niphtalti, "wrestlings of God"--i.e. "mighty wrestlings"--"have I wrestled."
2. Circumstances of His Birth:
Her sister's fruitfulness was a sore trial to the barren Rachel. By her artifice she had obtained children, the offspring of her maid ranking as her own; and thus her reproach of childlessness was removed. The name Naphtali given to…
Naphtali
My wrestling, the fifth son of Jacob. His mother was Bilhah, Rachel’s handmaid (Gen. 30:8). When Jacob went down into Egypt, Naphtali had four sons (Gen. 46:24). Little is known of him as an individual.
(wrestling), the fifth son of Jacob; the second child name to him by Bilhah, Rachel’s slave. His birth and the bestowal of his name are recorded in (Genesis 30:8) When the census was taken at Mount Sinai the tribe of Naphtali numbered no less than 53,400 fighting men, (Numbers 1:43; 2:50) but when the borders of the promised land were reached, its numbers were reduced to, 45,400. (Numbers 26:48-50) During the march through the wilderness Naphtali occupied a position on the north of the sacred tent with Dan and Asher. (Numbers 2:25-31) In the apportionment of the land, the lot of Naphtali was enclosed on three sides by those of other tribes. On the west lay Asher, on the…
The sixth son of Jacob, by Bilhah, Rachel’s handmaid, Ge 30:8. We know but few particulars of the lie of Naphtali. His sons were four, Ge 46:24. The patriarch Jacob, when he gave his blessing, said, as it is in the English Bible, "Naphtali is a hind let loose; he giveth goodly words," Ge 49:21. For an illustration of this passage, see HIND.
The tribe of Naphtali, called Nephtalim in Mt 4:15, were located in a rich and fertile portion of northern Palestine; having Asher on the west, the upper Jordan and part of the sea of Tiberias on the east; and running north into the Lebanon range, some lower offshoots of which prolonged to the south formed the "mountains of Naphtali,"…
נַחְבִּי (Nachbiy) refers to a man named Nahbi, a Naphtalite who was one of the twelve spies sent to scout the Promised Land, as noted in Numbers 13:14. The name is derived from a root meaning 'hidden.' There is a brief mention of him in the lexicons, with no significant disagreement among them.
נַחְבִּי n.pr.m. a Naphtalite, one of the Hebrew spies Nu 13:14 (P).
done
H5147 נַחְבִּי
5147 Nachbiy nakh-bee'
from 2247; occult; Nachbi, an Israelite:--Nakbi.
see HEBREW for 02247
נַחְבִּי (nach.bi) — Nahbi.
A man living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, only mentioned at Num.13.14;
son of: Vophsi (H2058)
§ Nahbi = "hidden"
son of Vophsi, a Naphtalite, and one of the 12 spies sent to spy out the promised land
N-proper — Noun proper masculineHNpm
na'-bi (nachbi): The representative of Naphtali among the 12 spies (Nu 13:14).
Nahbi
Hidden, one of the twelve spies sent out to explore the land of Canaan (Num. 13:14).
(hidden), the son of Vophsi, a Naphtalite, and one of the twelve spies. (Numbers 13:14)
very secret
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…
וָפְסִי (Vophciy) refers to a man from the tribe of Naphtali, mentioned in Numbers 13:14 as the father of Nahbi, one of the spies sent to explore Canaan. The name is thought to mean 'rich.' The entries indicate that Vophsi is primarily recognized as a personal name without significant additional meanings.
וָפְסִי n.pr.m. a man of Naphtali, Nu 13:14
ref
H2058 וָפְסִי
2058 Vophciy vof-see'
probably from 3254; additional; Vophsi, an
&Š Israelite:--Vophsi.
see HEBREW for 03254
וׇפְסִי (voph.si) — Vophsi.
A man living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, only mentioned at Num.13.14;
father of: Nahbi (H5147)
§ Vophsi = "rich"
father of Nahbi, the man chosen as the spy for Naphtali
N-proper — Noun proper masculineHNpm