Bible Strands
Numbers 13:8
from the tribe of Ephraim, Hoshea son of Nun;
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The text enumerates a tribal representative as part of a commissioned roster to scout Canaan. It appears in a continuous list of scouts sent by Moses.
The words — מַטֶּה (ma.Teh) translates literally to "tribe," and הוֹשֵׁעַ (ho.She.a') is the personal name Hoshea. The verse identifies the scout by tribal affiliation and paternal lineage.
The thread — This figure appears as Moses’ attendant in Exodus 24:13, responds to the spirit-bearing elders in Numbers 11:28, and is ordered to lead troops against the Amalekites in Exodus 17:9.
Why it lands — The verse demands exact tracking of tribal assignments and familial lines within a military delegation. It fixes the scout’s identity before any narrative action begins.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Of the tribe of Ephraim, Oshea the son of Nun.
Cross-references
- Exodus 24:13 So Moses set out with Joshua his attendant and went up on the mountain of God.
- Numbers 11:28 Joshua son of Nun, the attendant to Moses since youth, spoke up and said, “Moses, my lord, stop them!”
- Exodus 17:9 So Moses said to Joshua, “Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on the hilltop with the staff of God in my hand.”
- Exodus 32:17 When Joshua heard the sound of the people shouting, he said to Moses, “The sound of war is in the camp.”
- Numbers 13:16 These were the names of the men Moses sent to spy out the land; and Moses gave to Hoshea son of Nun the name Joshua.
- Numbers 27:18 And the LORD replied to Moses, “Take Joshua son of Nun, a man with the Spirit in him, and lay your hands on him.
- Deuteronomy 31:7 Then Moses called for Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you will go with this people into the land that the LORD swore to their fathers to give them, and you shall give it to them as an inheritance.
- Deuteronomy 31:14 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, the time of your death is near. Call Joshua and present yourselves at the Tent of Meeting, so that I may commission him.” So Moses and Joshua went and presented themselves at the Tent of Meeting.
- Deuteronomy 31:23 Then the LORD commissioned Joshua son of Nun and said, “Be strong and courageous, for you will bring the Israelites into the land that I swore to give them, and I will be with you.”
- Deuteronomy 32:44 Then Moses came with Joshua son of Nun and recited all the words of this song in the hearing of the people.