Numbers 34:18
Numbers 34:18 in Multiple Translations
Appoint one leader from each tribe to distribute the land.
And ye shall take one prince of every tribe, to divide the land by inheritance.
And ye shall take one prince of every tribe, to divide the land for inheritance.
And you are to take one chief from every tribe to make the distribution of the land.
Have one leader from each tribe help in the distribution of the land.
And ye shall take also a prince of euerie tribe to deuide the land.
and one prince — one prince — for a tribe ye do take to give the land by inheritance.
You shall take one prince of every tribe, to divide the land for inheritance.
And ye shall take one prince of every tribe, to divide the land by inheritance.
And one prince of every tribe,
But one leader from each of the twelve tribes will help them divide the land.
Berean Amplified Bible — Numbers 34:18
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Numbers 34:18 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/נָשִׂ֥יא
אֶחָ֛ד
נָשִׂ֥יא
אֶחָ֖ד
מִ/מַּטֶּ֑ה
תִּקְח֖וּ
לִ/נְחֹ֥ל
אֶת
הָ/אָֽרֶץ
וְ/נָשִׂ֥יא
nâsîyʼ
H5387
leader
Conj | N-ms
אֶחָ֛ד
ʼechâd
H259
one
Adj
נָשִׂ֥יא
nâsîyʼ
H5387
leader
N-ms
אֶחָ֖ד
ʼechâd
H259
one
Adj
מִ/מַּטֶּ֑ה
maṭṭeh
H4294
tribe
Prep | N-ms
תִּקְח֖וּ
lâqach
H3947
to take
V-Qal-Imperf-2mp
לִ/נְחֹ֥ל
nâchal
H5157
to inherit
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
הָ/אָֽרֶץ
ʼerets
H776
land
Art | N-cs
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Numbers 34:18
וְ/נָשִׂ֥יא
nâsîyʼ
H5387
"leader"
Conj | N-ms
This word refers to a leader or a high-ranking official, like a king or a captain. It can also describe a rising mist, as seen in Isaiah 60:13. In the Bible, it often symbolizes power and authority.
Definition: one lifted up, chief, prince, captain, leader
Usage: Occurs in 120 OT verses. KJV: captain, chief, cloud, governor, prince, ruler, vapour. See also: Genesis 17:20; Numbers 34:26; Psalms 135:7.
אֶחָ֛ד
ʼechâd
H259
"one"
Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means one or united, and is used to describe something that is single or unique. It is often translated as one, first, or alone. For example, in Genesis 1:5, God calls the light day and the darkness night, and separates them into one thing from another.
Definition: 1) one (number) 1a) one (number) 1b) each, every 1c) a certain 1d) an (indefinite article) 1e) only, once, once for all 1f) one...another, the one...the other, one after another, one by one 1g) first 1h) eleven (in combination), eleventh (ordinal)
Usage: Occurs in 739 OT verses. KJV: a, alike, alone, altogether, and, any(-thing), apiece, a certain, (dai-) ly, each (one), [phrase] eleven, every, few, first, [phrase] highway, a man, once, one, only, other, some, together, See also: Genesis 1:5; Exodus 36:26; Numbers 7:70.
נָשִׂ֥יא
nâsîyʼ
H5387
"leader"
N-ms
This word refers to a leader or a high-ranking official, like a king or a captain. It can also describe a rising mist, as seen in Isaiah 60:13. In the Bible, it often symbolizes power and authority.
Definition: one lifted up, chief, prince, captain, leader
Usage: Occurs in 120 OT verses. KJV: captain, chief, cloud, governor, prince, ruler, vapour. See also: Genesis 17:20; Numbers 34:26; Psalms 135:7.
אֶחָ֖ד
ʼechâd
H259
"one"
Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means one or united, and is used to describe something that is single or unique. It is often translated as one, first, or alone. For example, in Genesis 1:5, God calls the light day and the darkness night, and separates them into one thing from another.
Definition: 1) one (number) 1a) one (number) 1b) each, every 1c) a certain 1d) an (indefinite article) 1e) only, once, once for all 1f) one...another, the one...the other, one after another, one by one 1g) first 1h) eleven (in combination), eleventh (ordinal)
Usage: Occurs in 739 OT verses. KJV: a, alike, alone, altogether, and, any(-thing), apiece, a certain, (dai-) ly, each (one), [phrase] eleven, every, few, first, [phrase] highway, a man, once, one, only, other, some, together, See also: Genesis 1:5; Exodus 36:26; Numbers 7:70.
מִ/מַּטֶּ֑ה
maṭṭeh
H4294
"tribe"
Prep | N-ms
In the Bible, this word can mean a tribe, like the 12 tribes of Israel, or a staff, like the one Moses used to lead his people in Exodus 4:2.
Definition: : tribe 1) staff, branch, tribe 1a) staff, rod, shaft 1b) branch (of vine) 1c) tribe 1c1) company led by chief with staff (originally)
Usage: Occurs in 205 OT verses. KJV: rod, staff, tribe. See also: Genesis 38:18; Numbers 34:19; Psalms 105:16.
תִּקְח֖וּ
lâqach
H3947
"to take"
V-Qal-Imperf-2mp
This Hebrew word means to take or get something, and it is used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to take a wife, to take possession of something, or to receive a gift. For example, in Genesis 2:22, God takes a rib from Adam to create Eve.
Definition: : take 1) to take, get, fetch, lay hold of, seize, receive, acquire, buy, bring, marry, take a wife, snatch, take away 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to take, take in the hand 1a2) to take and carry along 1a3) to take from, take out of, take, carry away, take away 1a4) to take to or for a person, procure, get, take possession of, select, choose, take in marriage, receive, accept 1a5) to take up or upon, put upon 1a6) to fetch 1a7) to take, lead, conduct 1a8) to take, capture, seize 1a9) to take, carry off 1a10) to take (vengeance) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be captured 1b2) to be taken away, be removed 1b3) to be taken, brought unto 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to be taken from or out of 1c2) to be stolen from 1c3) to be taken captive 1c4) to be taken away, be removed 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be taken unto, be brought unto 1d2) to be taken out of 1d3) to be taken away 1e) (Hithpael) 1e1) to take hold of oneself 1e2) to flash about (of lightning)
Usage: Occurs in 909 OT verses. KJV: accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, infold, [idiom] many, mingle, place, receive(-ing), reserve, seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win. See also: Genesis 2:15; Genesis 34:17; Exodus 30:23.
לִ/נְחֹ֥ל
nâchal
H5157
"to inherit"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
This Hebrew verb means to inherit or to take possession of something, as seen in the story of the Israelites inheriting the Promised Land in Joshua 1:6. It can also mean to distribute or divide something among people, like the division of the land in Joshua 13-19. The word is used in various forms throughout the Bible.
Definition: 1) to get as a possession, acquire, inherit, possess 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to take possession, inherit 1a2) to have or get as a possession or property (fig.) 1a3) to divide the land for a possession 1a4) to acquire (testimonies) (fig.) 1b) (Piel) to divide for a possession 1c) (Hithpael) to possess oneself of 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to give as a possession 1d2) to cause to inherit, give as an inheritance 1e) (Hophal) to be allotted, be made to possess
Usage: Occurs in 57 OT verses. KJV: divide, have (inheritance), take as a heritage, (cause to, give to, make to) inherit, (distribute for, divide (for, for an, by), give for, have, leave for, take (for)) inheritance, (have in, cause to, be made to) possess(-ion). See also: Exodus 23:30; Joshua 17:6; Psalms 69:37.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
הָ/אָֽרֶץ
ʼerets
H776
"land"
Art | N-cs
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.
Study Notes — Numbers 34:18
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Leaders to Divide the Land
16Then the LORD said to Moses,
17“These are the names of the men who are to assign the land as an inheritance for you: Eleazar the priest and Joshua son of Nun.
18Appoint one leader from each tribe to distribute the land.
19These are their names: Caleb son of Jephunneh from the tribe of Judah; 20Shemuel son of Ammihud from the tribe of Simeon;Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Numbers 1:4–16 | And one man from each tribe, the head of each family, must be there with you. These are the names of the men who are to assist you: From the tribe of Reuben, Elizur son of Shedeur; from Simeon, Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai; from Judah, Nahshon son of Amminadab; from Issachar, Nethanel son of Zuar; from Zebulun, Eliab son of Helon; from the sons of Joseph: from Ephraim, Elishama son of Ammihud, and from Manasseh, Gamaliel son of Pedahzur; from Benjamin, Abidan son of Gideoni; from Dan, Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai; from Asher, Pagiel son of Ocran; from Gad, Eliasaph son of Deuel; and from Naphtali, Ahira son of Enan.” These men were appointed from the congregation; they were the leaders of the tribes of their fathers, the heads of the clans of Israel. |
Numbers 34:18 Summary
This verse, Numbers 34:18, tells us that God instructed Moses to appoint one leader from each tribe to help divide the land among His people. This was an important step in fulfilling God's promise to give the land to the Israelites, as seen in Genesis 12:7. By involving leaders from each tribe, God ensured that everyone had a say in the process and that the land was divided fairly, as emphasized in Deuteronomy 1:17. This reminds us that God values fairness, equality, and wise leadership, and that we should strive to follow His example in our own lives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was it necessary to appoint one leader from each tribe to distribute the land?
This was necessary to ensure that each tribe had a representative in the process of dividing the land, as seen in Numbers 34:18, and to prevent any one tribe from dominating the others, as warned against in Deuteronomy 1:17.
How did the leaders from each tribe contribute to the distribution of the land?
The leaders from each tribe, along with Eleazar the priest and Joshua son of Nun, were responsible for assigning the land as an inheritance for the people, as stated in Numbers 34:17, and for overseeing the division of the land according to the instructions given by God through Moses.
What qualities would have been essential for the leaders appointed to distribute the land?
The leaders would have needed to be wise, fair, and honest, as emphasized in Exodus 18:21, and to have a deep understanding of God's instructions and plans for the division of the land, as seen in Numbers 33:53-54.
How does this verse relate to the broader theme of God's sovereignty over the land and His people?
This verse highlights God's sovereign plan to give the land to His people, as promised in Genesis 12:7, and to divide it among them according to His will, as stated in Numbers 26:52-56.
Reflection Questions
- What does this verse reveal about God's desire for fairness and equality among His people?
- How can we, as believers, apply the principle of fair representation and leadership in our own communities and churches?
- What can we learn from the example of the leaders appointed to distribute the land about the importance of wisdom, integrity, and obedience to God's instructions?
- In what ways can we, like the leaders in this verse, seek to honor God and follow His plans in our own lives and decisions?
Gill's Exposition on Numbers 34:18
And ye shall take one prince out of every tribe,.... That is, out of the nine tribes and the half, which are ten in all; of the tribes of Reuben and Gad none were taken, because they had had their
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 34:18
These are the names of the men which shall divide the land unto you: Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun. Names of the men which shall divide the land.
Ellicott's Commentary on Numbers 34:18
(18) And ye shall take one prince of every tribe . . . —In addition to Eleazar the high priest, and Joshua the commander of the army, one chief man, or prince, was to be selected out of each of the ten tribes which were interested in the division, as at the first census one out of each tribe was associated with Moses and Aaron (Numbers 1:4), and as was probably the case at the second census under Moses and Eleazar. (Comp. Numbers 27:2.) Security was thus afforded for the equity and impartiality of the allotment; the position of the territory only, and not its dimensions, being determined by lot. With the exception of Caleb, the names of the princes selected for this purpose are not mentioned elsewhere.
Cambridge Bible on Numbers 34:18
16–29. Ten princes were appointed to superintend the allotment of the land, one from each of the nine and a halt tribes who settled west of the Jordan. In supreme command are Joshua and Eleazar, the successors of Moses and Aaron as the civil and religious beads of the nation.