🔢WEB · Numbers 13:9
What does Numbers 13:9 mean?
"Of the tribe of Benjamin, Palti the son of Raphu."
— Numbers 13:9 (World English Bible)
Surrounding context
Of the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh.
Of the tribe of Issachar, Igal the son of Joseph.
Of the tribe of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Nun.
Of the tribe of Benjamin, Palti the son of Raphu.
Of the tribe of Zebulun, Gaddiel the son of Sodi.
Of the tribe of Joseph, of the tribe of Manasseh, Gaddi the son of Susi.
Of the tribe of Dan, Ammiel the son of Gemalli.
Explanation
Numbers 13:9 is a brief, almost administrative verse identifying one member of a larger group: Palti, the son of Raphu, chosen to represent the tribe of Benjamin. On its own, the verse simply records a name and a lineage, but it belongs to a longer list found in Numbers 13:4-16, where Moses names the twelve men selected to scout the land of Canaan before Israel's planned conquest.
The context is the wilderness journey of Israel after the Exodus from Egypt. Moses, acting on God's command, chose one leader from each of the twelve tribes to explore the land of Canaan and report back on its inhabitants, resources, and fortifications. This reconnaissance mission was meant to prepare the people for entering the Promised Land. Each tribe sent its most prominent or trusted leader, and the text carefully records their names and tribal aff
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