🔢WEB · Numbers 13:16
What does Numbers 13:16 mean?
"These are the names of the men who Moses sent to spy out the land. Moses called Hoshea the son of Nun Joshua."
— Numbers 13:16 (World English Bible)
Surrounding context
Of the tribe of Asher, Sethur the son of Michael.
Of the tribe of Naphtali, Nahbi the son of Vophsi.
Of the tribe of Gad, Geuel the son of Machi.
These are the names of the men who Moses sent to spy out the land. Moses called Hoshea the son of Nun Joshua.
Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, and said to them, “Go up this way by the South, and go up into the hill country.
See the land, what it is; and the people who dwell therein, whether they are strong or weak, whether they are few or many;
and what the land is that they dwell in, whether it is good or bad; and what cities they are that they dwell in, whether in camps, or in strongholds;
Explanation
Numbers 13:16 is a short editorial note tucked into the larger account of the twelve spies. On the surface it simply says that Moses sent men to explore the land of Canaan, and it singles out one detail: the man previously called Hoshea was renamed Joshua by Moses. The verse functions as a kind of footnote within the list of the twelve tribal representatives named in verses 4-15, drawing the reader's attention to this particular figure because he will play a major role later in Israel's story.
The book of Numbers records Israel's forty years of wandering in the wilderness after the exodus from Egypt, and this chapter falls early in that account, at Kadesh Barnea, as Israel prepares to enter the Promised Land. Moses, as leader, sent one representative from each of the twelve tribes to scout the land of Canaan and report back on its people, resources, and defenses. Hoshea, from the tribe of Ephraim, was Moses' close aide and eventual successor. The text notes that Moses changed his name to Joshua, though it does not explain the reason within this verse itself.
Names in the Old Testament often carry meaning tied to identity, calling, or divine purpose, and this small note anticipates that significance. "Hoshea" means "salvation" or "he saves," while "Jo
Compare translations
Go deeper with ScriptureCompanion AI
Ask questions about any verse, follow reading plans, write personal prayers, and track your daily habit — all grounded in verified scripture text.