Lexical Summary Gemalli: Gemalli Original Word: גְּמַלִּי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Gemalli Probably from gamal; camel-driver; Gemalli, an Israelite -- Gemalli. see HEBREW gamal NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom gamal Definition a Danite NASB Translation Gemalli (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs גְּמַלִּי proper name, masculine a Danite Numbers 13:12. גמם (Arabic Topical Lexicon Biblical Occurrence Numbers 13:12: “from the tribe of Dan, Ammiel son of Gemalli.” This solitary mention places Gemalli in the wilderness generation whose names were recorded when Moses sent twelve respected tribal leaders to explore Canaan. Historical Context The census lists of Numbers preserve the family heads who shaped Israel’s early national identity. Gemalli’s son Ammiel is identified as a “leader” (Numbers 13:3), implying that Gemalli himself belonged to the upper tier of tribal elders in the camp of Dan. The year is roughly two years after the Exodus (Numbers 10:11–12). Israel is encamped at Kadesh-barnea on the edge of the Promised Land; faith and fear now collide within each tribe. Tribal Representation and Significance Dan’s positioning on the northern flank of the camp (Numbers 2:25) meant that the tribe often served as a rear-guard during marches. By giving the expedition one of its twelve spokesmen, Dan publicly shared responsibility for the collective verdict. Though the narrator focuses on the spies, the fathers’ names remain in the text as reminders that entire households were implicated in their sons’ decisions (Numbers 14:31–33). Outcome of the Mission Ammiel joined the ten who “spread a bad report about the land they had scouted” (Numbers 13:32). The unbelief of these leaders brought forty years of wandering and the death of the entire adult generation except Caleb and Joshua. Thus, Gemalli’s line, like most of Israel, watched an inheritance slip away because of fear-driven leadership. Theology of the Name Gemalli is built on the Hebrew root גמל (gamal), “to deal fully, to repay, to reward.” The name can be viewed in two complementary ways: In either nuance, the narrative of Numbers 13–14 dramatizes the doctrine that God repays faith with blessing and unbelief with loss (compare Deuteronomy 1:34–36; Hebrews 3:16–19). Spiritual Lessons 1. Godly legacy is fragile. A respected household can forfeit fruitfulness when faith falters in the next generation. Ministry Applications • Family discipleship: cultivate courageous faith so that the next generation speaks in alignment with God’s promises. Key Cross-References Numbers 14:24; Deuteronomy 1:34–36; Psalm 116:7; Hebrews 3:12–19; Revelation 2:10. Summary Gemalli’s lone appearance reminds readers that even a single line in Scripture carries enduring theological weight. His family account stands as a cautionary emblem of how quickly fear can dismantle hope and how faithfully God repays belief or unbelief, just as His covenant name declares. Forms and Transliterations גְּמַלִּֽי׃ גמלי׃ gə·mal·lî gemalLi gəmallîLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Numbers 13:12 HEB: עַמִּיאֵ֖ל בֶּן־ גְּמַלִּֽי׃ NAS: Ammiel the son of Gemalli; KJV: Ammiel the son of Gemalli. INT: Ammiel the son of Gemalli 1 Occurrence |
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become much or abundant, 
abundance, much, 
collection (of water), company (of people)).