Lexical Summary Nun or Non: Nun or Non Original Word: נוּן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Non, Nun Or Nown (1 Chron. 7:27) {nohn}; from nuwn; perpetuity, Nun or Non, the father of Joshua -- Non, Nun. see HEBREW nuwn NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom nun Definition father of Joshua NASB Translation Non (1), Nun (29). Brown-Driver-Briggs נוּן and (1 Chronicles 7:27) נוֺן proper name, masculine father of Joshua 1 Chronicles 7:27; elsewhere always (יְהוֺשֻׁעַ)בִּןנֿוּן Exodus 33:11; Numbers 11:28; Numbers 13:8,16 22t. Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua (J E D P); also Judges 2:8; 1 Kings 16:34; Nehemiah 8:17; ᵐ5 Ναυη (for Ναυν by error, compare Thes). Topical Lexicon Genealogical SettingNun appears in the tribal genealogy of Ephraim (1 Chronicles 7:20-27), being the son of Elishama and the father of Joshua. His name is the final link in a ten-generation list that starts with Ephraim and culminates in Israel’s great military leader. This placement identifies Nun as a bridge between the founding generations that entered Egypt and the generation that would finally enter Canaan. The prominence of his immediate forebear, Elishama (Numbers 1:10; 2:18), implies that Nun was born into a family already recognized for leadership within the camp of Israel. Historical Footprint in the Pentateuch Though Nun never speaks in Scripture, his influence is felt every time the phrase “Joshua son of Nun” appears—about thirty times across the Old Testament. The title first surfaces when Moses sends the twelve spies: “From the tribe of Ephraim, Hoshea son of Nun” (Numbers 13:8), and Moses later renames Hoshea “Joshua” (Numbers 13:16). That Nun’s son is chosen for such a mission shows that Nun’s household was considered trustworthy and spiritually minded during the wilderness era. Exodus 33:11 offers an early glimpse of Joshua’s devotion: “Joshua son of Nun, a young man, did not depart from the tent.” Joshua’s unfailing attendance at the Tent of Meeting surely reflects parental example. Scripture thus hints that Nun cultivated a home life that valued the presence of the LORD long before the conquest of Canaan began. Function of the Patronymic Scripture consistently ties Joshua’s identity to his father—never simply “Joshua” but “Joshua son of Nun.” The formula underscores: 1. Continuity of covenant promises from parent to child. The prominence of Nun’s name protects the narrative from a cult-of-personality view of Joshua by reminding readers that God works through ordinary families in unfolding redemptive history. Representative Occurrences • Exodus 33:11; Numbers 11:28 – Joshua’s youthful ministry under Moses Theological Significance 1. Covenant Faithfulness across Generations Joshua’s success in fulfilling the Abrahamic promise to possess the land (Joshua 21:43-45) is repeatedly traced back to Nun. The line of attribution signals that God preserves covenant continuity through family heritage (Genesis 17:7; Psalm 78:5-7). 2. Typology of Salvation Leadership Joshua’s Hebrew name (Yehoshua, “The LORD is salvation”) anticipates the greater Yeshua (Jesus). By attaching Joshua inseparably to Nun, Scripture grounds the typology in real history, demonstrating that God’s saving acts occur through incarnate, genealogically rooted servants. 3. Fruitfulness Theme Reflected in the Name The root behind Nun’s name carries connotations of flourishing and propagation. Psalm 72:17 (from the same root) prays, “May his name endure forever; may it flourish as long as the sun.” Joshua’s expansive conquest becomes a living illustration of this flourishing promise. Implications for Ministry • Spiritual legacy often operates quietly. Nun never stands center-stage, yet his faith-filled parenting undergirds a national deliverer. Summary Nun is a silent yet indispensable figure whose faith heritage shaped Joshua, facilitated Israel’s entry into the Promised Land, and contributed to the unfolding typology that points to the ultimate Savior. His life invites believers to invest in generational discipleship, confident that God will multiply that seed for His kingdom purposes. Forms and Transliterations נ֑וּן נ֔וּן נ֖וּן נ֗וּן נ֟וּן נ֠וּן נ֥וֹן נ֥וּן נֽוּן׃ נוּן֙ נון נון׃ nō·wn Non nōwn nun nūnLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 33:11 HEB: יְהוֹשֻׁ֤עַ בִּן־ נוּן֙ נַ֔עַר לֹ֥א NAS: the son of Nun, a young man, KJV: the son of Nun, a young man, INT: Joshua the son of Nun A young not Numbers 11:28 Numbers 13:8 Numbers 13:16 Numbers 14:6 Numbers 14:30 Numbers 14:38 Numbers 26:65 Numbers 27:18 Numbers 32:12 Numbers 32:28 Numbers 34:17 Deuteronomy 1:38 Deuteronomy 31:23 Deuteronomy 32:44 Deuteronomy 34:9 Joshua 1:1 Joshua 2:1 Joshua 2:23 Joshua 6:6 Joshua 14:1 Joshua 17:4 Joshua 19:49 Joshua 19:51 Joshua 21:1 30 Occurrences |
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