· Translation: KJV

Numbers 13:4These were their names: Of the tribe of Reuben, Shammua the son of Zaccur.

The setting

Kadesh-barnea, southern Israel, ~1444 BC. Moses assembles twelve tribal leaders for reconnaissance mission into Canaan...

The emotion here: meticulous reverence recording sacred history

The original word

nasi (נָשִׂיא) — lifted up one, prince or leader chosen to represent the tribe

Why it matters

Shammua means 'heard' - his name reflected his parents' belief God heard their prayers

Read with care

What most readers miss in Numbers 13:4

This isn't just a roster - these men were specifically chosen as tribal representatives

Common misconceptionPeople skip genealogies as boring lists, but each name represents a family chosen by God with specific meaning and purpose in His plan.

Bible Genome reading

Numbers 13:4 — Bible Genome reading

SpeakerNarrator
Eraexodus
Primary emotionresting
Literary typegenealogy

Emotional genome

Comfort power10%
Quotability10%
Memorability20%
Crisis relevance10%
Standalone20%
Themes:genealogytribal identity

In context

No verse stands alone.

Read the conversation around it.

Open Numbers 13

Numbers 13:4 comes from the book of Numbers, written during the exodus period. These words are attributed to Narrator. The dominant emotion in this verse is resting, with a comfort power of 10% and a tone that is conversational. It belongs to the genealogy genre of biblical literature. Key themes include genealogy, tribal identity. Notable phrases: Shammua the son of Zaccur.

Your reflection

What does Numbers 13:4 mean to you, today?

A short note. A question. A prayer. Saved privately to your Soul Garden, dated, and tied to this verse forever.

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