Numbers 13:5

KJV

Of the tribe of Simeon, Shaphat the son of Hori.

KJV (with Strong's)

Of the tribe {H4294} of Simeon {H8095}, Shaphat {H8202} the son {H1121} of Hori {H2753}.

Complete Jewish Bible

from the tribe of Shim'on, Shafat the son of Hori;

Berean Standard Bible

from the tribe of Simeon, Shaphat son of Hori;

American Standard Version

Of the tribe of Simeon, Shaphat the son of Hori.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 13:5 introduces Shaphat, son of Hori, the divinely appointed representative from the tribe of Simeon chosen to participate in the reconnaissance mission into the land of Canaan. This seemingly simple genealogical entry is a critical detail within the larger narrative of Israel's journey from Egypt to the Promised Land, highlighting God's meticulous organization and the corporate responsibility of the tribes in a pivotal moment of faith and obedience.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 13:5 is part of a comprehensive list found in [Numbers 13:1-16](/numbers/13-1 "Numbers 13:1-16 - The Spies Are Sent Out"), which details the twelve tribal leaders selected by Moses, at the Lord's command, to scout the land of Canaan. This list immediately follows God's instruction to Moses in [Numbers 13:1-2](/numbers/13-1 "Numbers 13:1-2 - God Commands the Spies' Mission") to send one leader from each ancestral tribe. The inclusion of each man's name and tribal affiliation underscores the meticulous nature of God's command and the corporate representation inherent in the mission. The subsequent narrative, from [Numbers 13:17](/numbers/13-17 "Numbers 13:17 - Moses' Instructions to the Spies") onwards, recounts the spies' journey, their report, and the catastrophic crisis of faith that ensued, leading to the forty-year wilderness wandering.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is the wilderness of Paran, approximately two years after the Exodus from Egypt, as Israel stood on the threshold of the Promised Land. Reconnaissance missions were a common military and strategic practice in the ancient Near East, designed to assess enemy strength, terrain, and resources before an invasion. The selection of tribal "leaders" (נָשִׂיא, _nasi_ - prince or chieftain) for this task was culturally significant, as these men were highly respected figures entrusted with their tribe's welfare. The land of Canaan was inhabited by various peoples, including the Anakim, Amorites, and Hittites, known for their fortified cities and formidable warriors, which would have been a significant concern for the Israelites, who had primarily known nomadic life.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several overarching themes in Numbers and the Pentateuch. It highlights **Divine Appointment and Leadership**, as God meticulously chooses and commissions individuals for specific tasks, emphasizing that true leadership flows from divine authority, not self-proclamation. The inclusion of each tribe's representative underscores **Tribal Representation and Unity**, demonstrating the corporate identity of Israel as a single people preparing to inherit the land promised to their forefathers, a promise reiterated from [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - God's Promise to Abraham"). Furthermore, the mission itself, and the subsequent response to the spies' report, powerfully illustrates the critical theme of **Faith versus Unbelief**. The actions of these twelve men, including Shaphat, would serve as a pivotal test of Israel's trust in God's power and promises, ultimately leading to a profound lesson on the consequences of disobedience, as seen later in [Numbers 14](/numbers/14 "Numbers 14 - The People Rebel and Are Punished").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Shaphat (Hebrew, _Shafat'_):** The name שָׁפָט (Shaphat) means "He has judged" or "He has provided judgment." This name carries significant theological weight within the context of Numbers 13-14. While the individual Shaphat's actions are not detailed, the collective report of the ten unfaithful spies, which he was part of, directly led to God's judgment upon the generation that refused to enter the Promised Land. The irony of a name meaning "he has judged" being associated with a mission that resulted in divine judgment against the people is striking.
* **Hori (Hebrew, _Chori'_):** The name חֹרִי (Hori) means "cave-dweller" or "noble." While less directly thematic than Shaphat, it identifies the father of Shaphat, providing a specific lineage. The Horites were also a people group mentioned in the Old Testament, particularly in relation to Edom [Genesis 36:20](/genesis/36-20 "Genesis 36:20 - The Sons of Seir the Horite"), though here it simply serves as a patronymic identifier.
* **Simeon (Hebrew, _Shim'on'_):** The tribal name שִׁמְעוֹן (Shim'on) means "hearing" or "heard," derived from the verb "to hear" (שָׁמַע, _shama_). This name, given by Leah because God "heard" that she was unloved [Genesis 29:33](/genesis/29-33 "Genesis 29:33 - Leah Names Simeon"), stands in stark contrast to the nation's failure to "hear" and believe God's promise and command to enter the land after the spies' report. The tribe of Simeon, notably, would later diminish in prominence and territory within Israel.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Of the tribe of Simeon,"**: This phrase immediately identifies Shaphat's tribal affiliation, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of the scouting mission, which included one representative from each of the twelve tribes of Israel. This tribal designation was crucial for identity, inheritance, and military organization within ancient Israel.
* **"Shaphat"**: This is the personal name of the individual chosen from the tribe of Simeon. His selection, along with the others, was not random but part of a divinely ordered process through Moses, highlighting his role as a designated leader and representative.
* **"the son of Hori."**: This patronymic identifies Shaphat's father, providing his lineage. Such genealogical details were vital in ancient Israel for establishing identity, tribal affiliation, and social standing, confirming that Shaphat was a recognized and respected figure within his tribe.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 13:5, though brief, employs several literary techniques. It functions as part of a **Roster** or **List**, a common feature in biblical narratives, particularly in Numbers, which frequently catalogs individuals, tribes, and their roles. This precise listing underscores the meticulous organization and divine order within Israel. The verse also serves as a **Genealogical Note**, providing the specific lineage of Shaphat, "the son of Hori," which establishes his identity and tribal connection. While seemingly straightforward, the names themselves introduce elements of **Ironic Naming** or **Foreshadowing**. The name "Shaphat" ("He has judged") ironically prefigures the divine judgment that would fall upon the generation due to the unfaithful report, of which Shaphat was a part. Similarly, the tribe of "Simeon" ("hearing") stands in stark contrast to Israel's collective failure to "hear" and obey God's voice, highlighting a tragic disconnect between name and action.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 13:5, while a simple listing, is pregnant with theological significance. It speaks to God's meticulous involvement in the details of His people's lives, even down to the selection of individual leaders for specific tasks. The corporate representation of the twelve tribes in this mission underscores the principle of corporate responsibility before God; the actions and faith (or lack thereof) of these chosen few would have profound consequences for the entire nation. It also highlights the tension between divine promise and human faithlessness, a recurring theme in Israel's wilderness journey. God had promised the land, but human fear and unbelief could delay or even forfeit the immediate realization of that promise.

* [Deuteronomy 1:22-23](/deuteronomy/1-22 "Deuteronomy 1:22-23 - Moses Recounts the Spies' Mission")
* [Hebrews 3:17-19](/hebrews/3-17 "Hebrews 3:17-19 - The Disobedient Generation")
* [Joshua 14:6-10](/joshua/14-6 "Joshua 14:6-10 - Caleb's Faithfulness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 13:5 reminds us that every individual, even those seemingly minor figures listed in a roster, plays a role in God's unfolding plan. Shaphat was chosen and commissioned for a specific, vital task. His story, though brief, is a sober reminder that divine calling comes with significant responsibility. Our response to God's commands and promises, especially when faced with daunting challenges, determines our spiritual trajectory and can influence the journey of those around us. It challenges us to consider our own "missions" within God's kingdom and whether we approach them with faith or fear. Just as God meticulously selected each spy, He has a purpose for each believer, calling us to faithful obedience even when the "giants" in our lives seem overwhelming.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the selection of Shaphat and the other spies illustrate God's meticulousness in preparing His people?**
* **In what ways does the story of the spies, initiated by this listing, challenge my own faith when faced with difficult circumstances or seemingly insurmountable obstacles?**
* **What responsibilities do I bear as a "representative" of Christ in my sphere of influence, and how does Shaphat's story inform my approach to those responsibilities?**

### FAQ

**Why is Numbers 13:5, a seemingly simple verse, considered important?**

Answer: Numbers 13:5 is important because it is part of a crucial list of individuals chosen by God to scout the Promised Land. This mission, though seemingly tactical, became a pivotal test of Israel's faith and obedience. The individual names listed, including Shaphat, represent the corporate body of Israel and signify God's direct involvement in the details of their journey. The subsequent actions of these spies, particularly their report and the people's reaction, led to the forty-year wilderness wandering, making this verse a foundational element in understanding a major turning point in Israel's history, as detailed in [Numbers 13-14](/numbers/13 "Numbers 13 - The Spies Sent Out") and [Numbers 14](/numbers/14 "Numbers 14 - The People Rebel").

**What happened to Shaphat the son of Hori?**

Answer: The Bible does not provide specific details about Shaphat's individual actions or fate beyond his inclusion in the list of spies. However, as one of the ten spies who brought back a negative report about the land, he would have been among those who "died by a plague before the Lord" [Numbers 14:37](/numbers/14-37 "Numbers 14:37 - The Ten Spies Die") as a consequence of their unbelief and their role in discouraging the people. Only Joshua and Caleb, who brought a good report, were permitted to enter the Promised Land.

**What is the significance of "the son of Hori"?**

Answer: "The son of Hori" is a patronymic, identifying Shaphat's father. In ancient Israelite society, lineage was extremely important for establishing identity, tribal affiliation, and social standing. It confirms that Shaphat was a recognized and legitimate leader within the tribe of Simeon, chosen not as an obscure individual but as a man whose family background was known and respected. While the name Hori itself doesn't carry a direct thematic message in this context, its inclusion underscores the meticulous nature of the biblical record and the importance of tribal and family identity.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 13:5, by introducing one of the chosen representatives sent to survey the promised inheritance, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus. Unlike Shaphat and the other unfaithful spies who brought a report of fear and unbelief, Jesus is the faithful "Spy" who truly entered the "land" of humanity, not to assess its dangers, but to secure its salvation. He is the ultimate and perfect representative of God to humanity and of humanity to God. Where the spies failed to lead Israel into their earthly inheritance due to unbelief, Jesus, through His perfect faith and obedience, leads His people into a far greater, eternal inheritance. He is the true [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") who takes away the sin of the world, and the [Son of Man](/mark/2-10 "Mark 2:10 - The Son of Man Has Authority") who has authority on earth, demonstrating that the true "land" of blessing is found in Him. His mission was not to merely scout, but to conquer sin and death, paving the way for all who believe to enter into God's eternal rest, a rest that the generation of the spies failed to enter due to their disobedience, as highlighted in [Hebrews 4:1-11](/hebrews/4-1 "Hebrews 4:1-11 - The Promise of Rest"). Jesus is the faithful Leader who does not falter, ensuring that His people will indeed inherit the promises of God.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.