Of the tribe of Asher, Sethur the son of Michael.

NUMBERS 13:13KJV
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What does Numbers 13:13 mean?

Numbers 13:13 lists Sethur, the son of Michael, as the representative chosen from the tribe of Asher for the mission to spy out the land of Canaan. This verse is part of a roster naming the twelve men, one from each tribe, sent by Moses at God's command.

In the setting of Numbers 13, Moses is preparing to send twelve leaders, each from a different tribe of Israel, to explore the land that God promised to give them. Numbers 13:13 simply identifies Sethur as the delegate from Asher, emphasizing the organized and inclusive approach to this important scouting mission.

Why Numbers 13:13 matters

  • Numbers 13:13 shows that every tribe, including Asher, had a voice in the exploration of Canaan, highlighting the unity and shared responsibility among the Israelites.
  • The verse helps readers track the lineage and tribal structure of Israel, which is important for understanding later events and genealogies in the Bible.
  • By listing each spy by name and tribe, the passage underscores the seriousness and accountability of the mission, as these men would later report back to the entire nation.

Where else these words appear

“Michael” Hebrew H4317 · used in 13 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 5:13 And their brethren of the house of their fathers were, Michael, and Meshullam, and Sheba, and Jorai, and Jachan, and Zia, and Heber, seven.
  • 1 Chronicles 8:16 And Michael, and Ispah, and Joha, the sons of Beriah;
  • Ezra 8:8 And of the sons of Shephatiah; Zebadiah the son of Michael, and with him fourscore males.

“Asher” Hebrew H836 · used in 41 verses

  • Genesis 30:13 And Leah said, Happy am I, for the daughters will call me blessed: and she called his name Asher.
  • Numbers 26:47 These are the families of the sons of Asher according to those that were numbered of them; who were fifty and three thousand and four hundred.
  • Judges 5:17 Gilead abode beyond Jordan: and why did Dan remain in ships? Asher continued on the sea shore, and abode in his breaches.