And the names of the men are these: Of the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh.

NUMBERS 34:19KJV
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Numbers 34:19 (KJV)

What does Numbers 34:19 mean?

Numbers 34:19 identifies Caleb as the man chosen from Judah to help divide the land among the people of Israel. The verse begins a list of representatives from the tribes who would take part in that task.

The words “son of Jephunneh” distinguish this Caleb from anyone else with the same name. His place in the list also connects the coming division of the land with the Caleb who had earlier explored it (Numbers 13:6).

Why Numbers 34:19 matters

  • The division of the land involved representatives from the tribes, not only the chief leaders. Verse 17 names Eleazar and Joshua, while verse 18 calls for a leader from each tribe.
  • Caleb had seen the land years before the division described here. Numbers 14:24 singles him out after the report of the men sent to explore it.

Where else these words appear

“Jephunneh” Hebrew H3312 · used in 16 verses

  • Numbers 13:6 Of the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh.
  • Numbers 32:12 Save Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite, and Joshua the son of Nun: for they have wholly followed the LORD.
  • Joshua 15:13 And unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh he gave a part among the children of Judah, according to the commandment of the LORD to Joshua, even the city of Arba the father of Anak, which city is Hebron.

“Caleb” Hebrew H3612 · used in 35 verses

  • Numbers 13:6 Of the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh.
  • Joshua 14:14 Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite unto this day, because that he wholly followed the LORD God of Israel.
  • Judges 1:20 And they gave Hebron unto Caleb, as Moses said: and he expelled thence the three sons of Anak.