Numbers 13:16

16 These were the names of the men whom Moses sent to spy out the land. And Moses called ¹Hoshea the son of Nun Joshua.

Numbers 13:16 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 13:16

These [are] the names of the men which Moses sent to spy out
the land
Which is observed after the catalogue is given of them, ( Numbers 13:4-15 ) ; and this is repeated that their names may be taken notice of, which stand on record to the disgrace of the greater number of them, and to the honour of two only, Joshua and Caleb; and on the former the following remark is made;

and Moses called Oshea the son of Nun, Jehoshua;
whether it was at this time that Moses gave him this name is not certain; if it was, then he is called so before by anticipation, for he is several times called so before this, and even the first time we hear of him, ( Exodus 17:9 ) ; wherefore Chaskuni reads it, Moses had called; but Jarchi thinks it was now given him, and that Moses prayed for him (Keyvwy hy) , "Jah" or "Jehovah" save thee from the counsel of the spies: the name is the same with Jesus, as appears from ( Hebrews 4:8 ) ; and a type he was of Christ the Saviour, whose name is so called, because he saves his people from their sins, ( Matthew 1:21 ) ; and brings them to heaven, as Joshua was the instrument of saving the Israelites and bringing them into the land of Canaan.

Numbers 13:16 In-Context

14 from the tribe of Naphtali, Nahbi the son of Vophsi;

15 from the tribe of Gad, Geuel the son of Machi.

16 These were the names of the men whom Moses sent to spy out the land. And Moses called Hoshea the son of Nun Joshua.

17 Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan and said to them, "Go up into the Negeb and go up into the hill country,

18 and see what the land is, and whether the people who dwell in it are strong or weak, whether they are few or many,

Cross References

• 1. [See ver. 8 above]