Numbers 13:15 — Word Study
WLCלְמַטֵּ֣ה גָ֔ד גְּאוּאֵ֖ל בֶּן־ מָכִֽי׃
BSA[and] from the tribemaṭṭeh [a group of people] of GadGâd [the seventh son of Jacob] GeuelGᵉʼûwʼêl△ [an Israelite leader] sonbên [a descendant, or offspring] of MachiMâkîy△ [a father, or ancestor]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| לְמַטֵּ֣ה | for [the] tribe of | Preposition, noun common masculine singular construct |
| גָ֔ד | Gad | Noun proper masculine |
| גְּאוּאֵ֖ל | Geuel | Noun proper masculine |
| בֶּן־ | [the] son of | Noun common, masculine singular construct |
| מָכִֽי׃ | Maki | Noun proper masculine |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | and from the tribe of Gad, Geuel son of Machi. |
| KJV | Of the tribe of Gad, Geuel the son of Machi. |
| ASV | Of the tribe of Gad, Geuel the son of Machi. |
| YLT | For the tribe of Gad, Geuel son of Machi. |
| WEB | Of the tribe of Gad, Geuel the son of Machi. |
| BBE | Of the tribe of Gad, Gevel, the son of Machi. |
Where they part company is גְּאוּאֵ֖ל — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence is straightforward, presenting the tribe and the individual in a clear structure.
3 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Cambridge & more — read them ›
clause
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
2 of 5 occur nowhere else in the Old Testament — words chosen on purpose.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Numbers 13:15
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Names of the Spiesgenerated
Numbers 13:15 presents Geuel, son of Machi, as one of the leaders chosen to spy out the land of Canaan. This passage is part of a larger narrative where Moses selects representatives from each tribe to gather intelligence on the Promised Land, which is crucial for the Israelites' journey and settlement.
Cross References
The Key Word — גְּאוּאֵ֖ל, ge.'u.'Elgenerated
The name גְּאוּאֵל (Geuel) is a proper noun that means 'majesty of God.' It identifies a specific individual from the tribe of Gad, who played a role during the Israelites' wilderness journey. The parsing indicates that it is a masculine singular noun, emphasizing Geuel's unique identity as a leader among the spies.
Geuel is mentioned only once in the Bible, which highlights his specific role in the context of the Israelite exploration of Canaan. His identification as a leader suggests a position of responsibility and authority, reflecting the importance of leadership within the tribes of Israel.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main clause is governed by the prepositional phrase לְמַטֵּ֣ה (for the tribe of), which establishes the context of the statement. The noun phrases that follow identify the specific tribe and the individual: גָ֔ד (Gad) and גְּאוּאֵ֖ל (Geuel).
The structure emphasizes the lineage and identity of Geuel, as it is presented in a straightforward manner, typical of Hebrew prose, which often prioritizes clarity and directness.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates לְמַטֵּ֣ה as φυλῆς (phulēs), which means 'of the tribe.' This choice aligns with the Hebrew meaning of a tribal group, indicating continuity in the understanding of tribal identity.
For גְּאוּאֵ֖ל, the LXX uses γουδιηλ, which reflects the same name but may carry a different connotation in the Greek context, focusing on the individual rather than the meaning of the name.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Numbers 13:15 tells us that Geuel, the son of Machi, came from the tribe of Gad. This verse is part of a list of leaders chosen by Moses to explore the land of Canaan, showing the importance of each tribe's representation.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Geuel was a leader from the tribe of Gad, chosen by Moses as one of the spies to explore the Promised Land.
The name Geuel means 'majesty of God' and signifies his importance as a leader.
Lineage highlights the significance of family and tribal identity in Israel's history and governance.
The spies were sent to gather information about the land of Canaan to prepare the Israelites for their future settlement.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What can we learn about leadership from Geuel's role as a spy?
- How does understanding the tribes of Israel enhance our knowledge of their history?
- In what ways does lineage affect our identity today?
- How can we apply the lessons from the spies' exploration in our own lives?
Commentators on this verse — 3 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Numbers 13:15 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleOf the tribe of Gad, Geuel the son of Machi. [See comments on Numbers 13:4].
Read John Gill on Numbers 13 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryAnd these were their names: of the tribe of Reuben, Shammua the son of Zaccur. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Read Robert Jamieson on Numbers 13 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges1–24. The spies are sent out, and search the land.
Read Cambridge on Numbers 13 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
and from the tribe of Gad, Geuel son of Machi.
Of the tribe of Gad, Geuel the son of Machi.
and from the tribe of Gad, Geuel son of Machi.
from the tribe of Gad, Geuel son of Maki.
Tyndale line
Of the tribe of Gad, Geuel the son of Machi.
Of the tribe of Gad, Geuel the son of Machi.
Of the tribe of Gad, Geuel the son of Machi.
Of the tribe of Gad, Geuel the son of Machi.
Of the tribe of Naphtali, Nahbi the sonne of Vophsi:
Strictly literal
for the tribe of Gad, Geuel the son of Machi.
For the tribe of Gad, Geuel son of Machi.
for the tribe of Gad, Geuel son of Machi.
Of the tribe of Gad, Geuel the son of Machi.
from the tribe of Gad, Geuel son of Maki.
From the Latin
Of the tribe of Nephtali, Nahabi the son of Vapsi.
Simplified
Geuel, son of Machi, from the tribe of Gad.
Of the tribe of Gad, Gevel, the son of Machi.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text of Numbers 13:15 reads 'לְמַטֵּ֣ה גָ֔ד גְּאוּאֵ֖ל בֶּן־ מָכִֽי׃', which is generally supported by the Septuagint, as all five words match in a word-by-word correspondence. However, the Samaritan Pentateuch presents two differences: it uses 'גואל' (Gueal) instead of 'גְאוּאֵל' (Geuel) and 'מיכי' (Miki) instead of 'מָכִי' (Machi). The Dead Sea Scrolls (4Q27) have one word fully preserved and two partially restored, with the text indicating 'גואל' (Gueal) and 'בן מיכא' (son of Miki), which aligns with the Samaritan Pentateuch's variation. Thus, while the Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree, the Samaritan Pentateuch and the Dead Sea Scrolls present notable differences in the names used.
לְמַטֵּ֣ה גָ֔ד גְּאוּאֵ֖ל בֶּן־ מָכִֽי׃
5 of the 5 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
למטה גד גואל בן מיכי
2 words differ from the Masoretic Text: גואל (Geuel), מיכי (Maki)
[למטי] [גד] גואל בן מיכא
1 word on the leather — 2 partly restored, 2 supplied entire by an editor.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Numbers 13:15
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
מַטֶּה (mat-teh) refers to a staff, rod, or branch, and can also denote a tribe. It is derived from a root meaning to extend, and its uses include both literal and figurative meanings, such as a support or a means of correction. The lexicons consistently highlight its association with leadership and community.
מַטֶּה 251 n.m.
staff, rod, shaft
branch
tribe
base
H4294 מַטֶּה . staff, rod, shaft
. branch
. tribe
4294 matteh mat-teh'
or (feminine) mattah {mat-taw'}; from 5186; a branch (as
extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for
chastising (figuratively, correction), ruling (a sceptre),
throwing (a lance), or walking (a staff; figuratively, a
support of life, e.g. bread):--rod, staff, tribe.
see HEBREW for 05186
מַטֶּה (mat.teh) — tribe: rod.
: rod/staff
1) staff, branch, tribe
1a) staff, rod, shaft
1b) branch (of vine)
1c) tribe
1c1) company led by chief with staff (originally)
מַטֶּה (mat.teh) — tribe.
: tribe
1) staff, branch, tribe
1a) staff, rod, shaft
1b) branch (of vine)
1c) tribe
1c1) company led by chief with staff (originally)
מַטֶּה (mat.teh) — tribe: arrow.
: arrow
1) staff, branch, tribe
1a) staff, rod, shaft
1b) branch (of vine)
1c) tribe
1c1) company led by chief with staff (originally)
מַטֶּה (mat.teh) — tribe: stick.
: stick
1) staff, branch, tribe
1a) staff, rod, shaft
1b) branch (of vine)
1c) tribe
1c1) company led by chief with staff (originally)
מַטֶּה (mat.teh) — tribe: supply.
: supply
1) staff, branch, tribe
1a) staff, rod, shaft
1b) branch (of vine)
1c) tribe
1c1) company led by chief with staff (originally)
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular constructHR/Ncmsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
גָּד (Gad) refers to a son of Jacob and Zilpah, as well as the tribe descended from him. The name means 'troop' and is associated with a prophet during David's time. Gad is first mentioned in Genesis 30:11 and is noted for his role in David's reign, including contributions to musical arrangements and involvement in census events.
גָּד 71 n.pr.m. (fortunatus?)
son of Jacob and Zilpah
a prophet in David's time
base
H1410 גָּד . son of Jacob and Zilpah
. a prophet in David's time
1410 Gad gawd
from 1464; Gad, a son of Jacob, including his tribe and its
territory; also a prophet:--Gad.
see HEBREW for 01464
גָּד (gad) — Gad.
A man of the tribe of Gad living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.30.11;
son of: Israel (H3478) and Zilpah (H2153);
brother of: Asher (H0836);
half-brother of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144);
father of: Ziphion (H6837), Haggi (H2291), Shuni (H7764), Ezbon (H0675), Eri (H6179), Arod (H0720) and Areli (H0692)
§ Gad = "troop"
1) seventh son of Jacob by Zilpah, Leah's handmaid, and full brother of Asher.
2) the tribe descended from Gad
3) a prophet during the time of David; appears to have joined David when in the hold; reappears in connection with the punishment for taking a census; also assisted in the arrangements for the musical service of the "house of God"
גָּד (gad) — Gad.
N-proper — Noun proper masculineHNpm
Gad
Fortune; luck. (1.) Jacob’s seventh son, by Zilpah, Leah’s handmaid, and the brother of Asher (Gen. 30:11-13; 46:16, 18). In the Authorized Version of 30:11 the words, “A troop cometh: and she called,” etc., should rather be rendered, “In fortune [R.V., ‘Fortunate’]: and she called,” etc., or “Fortune cometh,” etc.
The tribe of Gad during the march through the wilderness had their place with Simeon and Reuben on the south side of the tabernacle (Num. 2:14). The tribes of Reuben and Gad continued all through their history to follow the pastoral pursuits of the patriarchs (Num. 32:1-5).
(a troop). Jacob’s seventh son, the first-born of Zilpah, Leah’s maid, and whole-brother to Asher. (Genesis 30;11-13; 46:16,18) (B.C. 1753-1740.) "The seer," or "the king’s seer," i.e. David’s (1 Chronicles 29:29; 2 Chronicles 29:25) was a "prophet" who appears to have joined David when in the old. (1 Samuel 22:5) (B.C. 1061.) He reappears in connection with the punishment inflicted for the numbering of the people. (2 Samuel 24:11-19; 1 Chronicles 21:9-19) He wrote a book of the Acts of David, (1 Chronicles 29:29) and also assisted in the arrangements for the…
Prosperity, fortune,
1. Son of Jacob and Zilpah, Leah’s servant, Ge 30:11. Leah called him Gad, and said, "A troop cometh." Compare Ge 49:19; but many Hebrew scholars prefer the rendering, good fortune or prosperity cometh. The tribe of Gad came out of Egypt in number forty-five thousand six hundred and fifty, Ge 46:16 Nu 1:24. After the defeat of the kings Og and Sihon, Gad and Reuben desired to have their allotment east of Jordan, alleging their great number of cattle. Moses granted their request, on condition that they should accompany their brethren, and assist in conquering the land west of Jordan, Nu 32:1-42. The…
a band; a troop
גְּאוּאֵל (Guw'el) refers to a proper name meaning 'majesty of God.' It is associated with Geuel, an Israelite from the tribe of Gad, who is mentioned in Numbers 13:15 as a spy sent to explore the land. The word is derived from roots meaning 'to redeem' and 'God,' but the primary focus is on its identification as a personal name.
גְּאוּאֵל n.pr.m. (majesty of Ēl) the spy of the tribe of Gad Nu 13:15.
done
H1345 גְּאוּאֵל
1345 Guw'el gheh-oo-ale'
from 1342 and 410; majesty of God; Geuel, an
Israelite:--Geuel.
see HEBREW for 01342
see HEBREW for 0410
גְּאוּאֵל (ge.u.el) — Geuel.
A man living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, only mentioned at Num.13.15;
son of: Machi (H4352)
§ Geuel = "majesty of God"
the Gadite chosen to spy out the land, son of Machi
N-proper — Noun proper masculineHNpm
gu'-el, ge-u'-el (ge'u'el, "majesty of God"): The spy from the tribe of Gad (Nu 13:15), sent by Moses to spy out the land of Canaan.
(majesty of God), son of Machi the Gadite spy. (Numbers 13:15) (B.C 1490.)
God's redemption
בֵּן (ben) means 'son' or 'male child' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including descendants, young animals, and even figurative uses like sparks or arrows. It can refer to members of a tribe or class and is used in various contexts throughout the Old Testament, such as in 1 Chronicles 24:26. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to build' and implies a connection to family or lineage.
בֵּן 4870 n.m. son
son, male child, born of a woman
children (male and female)
youth, young men
the young of animals
of plant shoots
fig. of lifeless things, sparks, stars, arrows
member of a guild, order or class
of animals son of (the) herd
ב׳ as n. relat. followed by word of quality, characteristic, etc.
n. relat. of age
base
בְּנוֹ 1 Ch 24:26, 27 as n.pr.m. in AV, RV, but render: the sons of Jaaziah his son, & the sons of Merari by Jaaziah his son, cf. VB & Be Öt.
done
H1121a בֵּן son . son, male child, born of a woman
. children (male and female)
. youth, young men
. the young of animals
. of plant shoots
. fig. of lifeless things, sparks, stars, arrows
. . member of a guild, order or class
. of animals son of (the) herd
. ב׳ as n. relat. followed by word of quality, characteristic, etc.
. n. relat. of age
H1121b בְּנוֹ as n. pr. m. in AV, RV, but render: the sons of Jaaziah his son, & the sons of Merari by Jaaziah his son
1121 ben bane
from 1129; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the
widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship,
including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition,
etc., (like 1, 251, etc.)):--+ afflicted, age, (Ahoh-)
(Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-)ite, (anoint-)ed one, appointed to,
(+) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-)ian, one born,
bough, branch, breed, + (young) bullock, + (young) calf, X
came up in, child, colt, X common, X corn, daughter, X of
first, + firstborn, foal, + very fruitful, + postage, X in, +
kid, + lamb, (+) man, meet, + mighty, + nephew, old, (+)
people, + rebel, + robber, X servant born, X soldier, son, +
spark, + steward, + stranger, X surely, them of, + tumultuous
one, + valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth.
see HEBREW for 01129
see HEBREW for 01
see HEBREW for 0251
בֵּן (ben) — son: child.
: child/son
בְּנוֹ (be.no) — Beno.
A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ch.24.26;
son of: Jaaziah (H3269);
brother of: Shoham (H7719), Zaccur (H2139I) and Ibri (H5681)
§ Beno = "his son"
the sons of Jaaziah and the sons of Merari by Jaahziah (his son)
בֵּן (ben) — son: descendant/people.
: descendant, people, tribe, nation
A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)
§ : child/son
בֵּן (ben) — son: young animal.
: calf/lamb/young(ANIMAL)
A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)
§ : descendant
בֵּן (ben) — son: type of.
: rebel/son(Belial)
A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)
§ : people/men/nation/tribe
בֵּן (ben) — son.
: [inheriting]son/heir
A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)
בֵּן (ben) — son: warrior.
: warrior/son(strong)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular constructHNcmsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
מָכִי (Maki) is a proper name referring to a man from the tribe of Gad, mentioned in Numbers 13:15 as the father of Geuel. The name is thought to mean 'decrease.' The entries indicate that it is derived from another Hebrew root, but they do not provide further details on its usage.
מָכִי n.pr.m. a Gadite Nu 13:15. 𝔊 Μα(κ)χι.
done
H4352 מָכִי
4352 Makiy maw-kee'
probably from 4134; pining; Maki, an Israelite:--Machi.
see HEBREW for 04134
מָכִי (ma.khi) — Machi.
A man living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, only mentioned at Num.13.15;
father of: Geuel (H1345)
§ Machi = "decrease"
father of Geuel the Gadite who was one of the 12 spies of Israel
N-proper — Noun proper masculineHNpm