Numbers 13:8
New International Version
from the tribe of Ephraim, Hoshea son of Nun;

New Living Translation
Ephraim Hoshea son of Nun

English Standard Version
from the tribe of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Nun;

Berean Standard Bible
from the tribe of Ephraim, Hoshea son of Nun;

King James Bible
Of the tribe of Ephraim, Oshea the son of Nun.

New King James Version
from the tribe of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Nun;

New American Standard Bible
from the tribe of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Nun;

NASB 1995
from the tribe of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Nun;

NASB 1977
from the tribe of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Nun;

Legacy Standard Bible
from the tribe of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Nun;

Amplified Bible
from the tribe of Ephraim, Hoshea [that is, Joshua] the son of Nun;

Christian Standard Bible
Hoshea son of Nun from the tribe of Ephraim;

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Hoshea son of Nun from the tribe of Ephraim;

American Standard Version
Of the tribe of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Nun.

English Revised Version
Of the tribe of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Nun.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Hoshea, son of Nun, from the tribe of Ephraim;

International Standard Version
From Ephraim's tribe, Nun's son Hoshea;

NET Bible
from the tribe of Ephraim, Hoshea son of Nun;

New Heart English Bible
Of the tribe of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Nun.

Webster's Bible Translation
Of the tribe of Ephraim, Oshea the son of Nun.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
from the tribe of Ephraim, Hoshea son of Nun;

World English Bible
Of the tribe of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Nun.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
for the tribe of Ephraim, Oshea son of Nun;

Young's Literal Translation
For the tribe of Ephraim, Oshea, son of Nun.

Smith's Literal Translation
For the tribe of Ephraim: Oshea, son of Nun.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Of the tribe of Ephraim, Osee the son of Nun.

Catholic Public Domain Version
from the tribe of Ephraim, Hosea the son of Nun;

New American Bible
for the Josephites, from the tribe of Ephraim, Hoshea, son of Nun;

New Revised Standard Version
from the tribe of Ephraim, Hoshea son of Nun;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
From the tribe of Ephraim, Hosea the son of Nun.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
From the tribe of Aphreim: Husha son of Nun.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Of the tribe of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Nun.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Of the tribe of Ephraim, Ause the son of Naue.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Spies Explore Canaan
7from the tribe of Issachar, Igal son of Joseph; 8from the tribe of Ephraim, Hoshea son of Nun; 9from the tribe of Benjamin, Palti son of Raphu;…

Cross References
Joshua 14:6-9
Then the sons of Judah approached Joshua at Gilgal, and Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him, “You know what the LORD said to Moses the man of God at Kadesh-barnea about you and me. / I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh-barnea to spy out the land, and I brought back to him an honest report. / Although my brothers who went with me made the hearts of the people melt with fear, I remained loyal to the LORD my God. ...

Joshua 15:13-19
According to the LORD’s command to him, Joshua gave Caleb son of Jephunneh a portion among the sons of Judah—Kiriath-arba, that is, Hebron. (Arba was the forefather of Anak.) / And Caleb drove out from there the three sons of Anak—the descendants of Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai, the children of Anak. / From there he marched against the inhabitants of Debir (formerly known as Kiriath-sepher). ...

Judges 1:12-15
And Caleb said, “To the man who strikes down Kiriath-sepher and captures it, I will give my daughter Acsah in marriage.” / So Othniel son of Caleb’s younger brother Kenaz captured the city, and Caleb gave his daughter Acsah to him in marriage. / One day Acsah came to Othniel and urged him to ask her father for a field. When she got off her donkey, Caleb asked her, “What do you desire?” ...

1 Chronicles 4:15
The sons of Caleb son of Jephunneh: Iru, Elah, and Naam. The son of Elah: Kenaz.

Deuteronomy 1:36
except Caleb son of Jephunneh. He will see it, and I will give him and his descendants the land on which he has set foot, because he followed the LORD wholeheartedly.”

Joshua 14:13-14
Then Joshua blessed Caleb son of Jephunneh and gave him Hebron as his inheritance. / Therefore Hebron belongs to Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite as an inheritance to this day, because he wholly followed the LORD, the God of Israel.

Joshua 15:13
According to the LORD’s command to him, Joshua gave Caleb son of Jephunneh a portion among the sons of Judah—Kiriath-arba, that is, Hebron. (Arba was the forefather of Anak.)

Judges 3:9-11
But when the Israelites cried out to the LORD, He raised up Othniel son of Caleb’s younger brother Kenaz as a deliverer to save them. / The Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he became Israel’s judge and went out to war. And the LORD delivered Cushan-rishathaim king of Aram into the hand of Othniel, who prevailed against him. / So the land had rest for forty years, until Othniel son of Kenaz died.

Joshua 14:12
Now therefore give me this hill country that the LORD promised me on that day, for you yourself heard then that the Anakim were there, with great and fortified cities. Perhaps with the LORD’s help I will drive them out, as the LORD has spoken.”

Joshua 14:10-11
Now behold, as the LORD promised, He has kept me alive these forty-five years since He spoke this word to Moses, while Israel wandered in the wilderness. So here I am today, eighty-five years old, / still as strong today as I was the day Moses sent me out. As my strength was then, so it is now for war, for going out, and for coming in.

Joshua 21:12
But they had given the fields and villages around the city to Caleb son of Jephunneh as his possession.

Joshua 14:15
(Hebron used to be called Kiriath-arba, after Arba, the greatest man among the Anakim.) Then the land had rest from war.

Joshua 15:14
And Caleb drove out from there the three sons of Anak—the descendants of Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai, the children of Anak.

Joshua 21:11
They gave them Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron), with its surrounding pasturelands, in the hill country of Judah. (Arba was the father of Anak.)

Joshua 15:16-17
And Caleb said, “To the man who strikes down Kiriath-sepher and captures it, I will give my daughter Acsah in marriage.” / So Othniel son of Caleb’s brother Kenaz captured the city, and Caleb gave his daughter Acsah to him in marriage.


Treasury of Scripture

Of the tribe of Ephraim, Oshea the son of Nun.

Oshea

Numbers 13:16
These are the names of the men which Moses sent to spy out the land. And Moses called Oshea the son of Nun Jehoshua.

Numbers 11:28
And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of Moses, one of his young men, answered and said, My lord Moses, forbid them.

Numbers 27:18-22
And the LORD said unto Moses, Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay thine hand upon him; …

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Numbers 13
1. The names of the men who were sent to search the land
17. Their instructions
21. Their acts
26. Their relation














from the tribe of Ephraim
Ephraim was one of the two sons of Joseph, born to him in Egypt. The tribe of Ephraim held a significant position among the tribes of Israel, often representing the northern kingdom in later biblical history. Ephraim was blessed by Jacob in Genesis 48:19, where Jacob prophesied that Ephraim would become a multitude of nations. This tribe was known for its strength and influence, as seen in its leadership role in the northern kingdom of Israel. The land allotted to Ephraim was fertile and strategically located, contributing to its prominence.

Hoshea son of Nun
Hoshea, later known as Joshua, was the son of Nun and a member of the tribe of Ephraim. His name, Hoshea, means "salvation," which is significant as he would later lead the Israelites into the Promised Land, symbolizing deliverance and fulfillment of God's promises. Moses changed his name to Joshua (Numbers 13:16), meaning "The LORD is salvation," which foreshadows his role as a type of Christ, who leads believers into the ultimate Promised Land. Joshua's leadership and faithfulness are highlighted throughout the biblical narrative, particularly in the conquest of Canaan. His life and actions are often seen as a precursor to the salvation and leadership provided by Jesus Christ.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Hoshea (Joshua) son of Nun
Originally named Hoshea, meaning "salvation," Moses later renames him Joshua, meaning "The LORD is salvation." He is a key figure in Israel's history, known for his faithfulness and leadership in bringing the Israelites into the Promised Land.

2. Tribe of Ephraim
One of the twelve tribes of Israel, Ephraim was a significant tribe, often associated with leadership and strength. Joshua, being from this tribe, highlights the tribe's prominence.

3. The Spying of Canaan
This event involves Moses sending twelve spies, one from each tribe, to explore the land of Canaan. It is a pivotal moment in Israel's journey to the Promised Land, testing their faith and obedience to God.
Teaching Points
Leadership and Faithfulness
Joshua's selection as a spy and later as a leader underscores the importance of faithfulness and trust in God. His life exemplifies how God prepares and uses those who are committed to Him.

The Power of a Name
The change from Hoshea to Joshua signifies a deeper spiritual truth: our identity and mission are rooted in God's salvation. This transformation is a reminder of the new identity believers receive in Christ.

Courage in the Face of Challenges
Joshua's role as a spy and leader required immense courage. Believers today are called to face challenges with the same courage, trusting in God's promises and presence.

The Role of Community
The involvement of the twelve tribes in the spying mission highlights the importance of community and collective responsibility in fulfilling God's purposes.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Numbers 13:8?

2. How does Numbers 13:8 highlight the importance of faith in God's promises?

3. What can we learn from Ephraim's representation in Numbers 13:8 for today?

4. How does Numbers 13:8 connect to Joshua's leadership role in later chapters?

5. How can we apply the example of Ephraim's representative in our lives?

6. What does Numbers 13:8 teach about trusting God's plan despite challenges?

7. Why was the tribe of Ephraim chosen for representation in Numbers 13:8?

8. How does Numbers 13:8 reflect the leadership qualities valued in biblical times?

9. What is the significance of Hoshea's name change to Joshua in the context of Numbers 13:8?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Numbers 13?

11. What are key events in Joshua's life?

12. What is the summary of Joshua's life and leadership?

13. What is the Tribe of Ephraim?

14. 1 Chronicles 7:20–29 – Are there historical or archaeological records supporting Ephraim’s vast numbers and territorial claims listed here?
What Does Numbers 13:8 Mean
from the tribe

Numbers 13:2 records the LORD’s command: “Send out for yourself men to scout out the land of Canaan; from each of their fathers’ tribes send one man, every one a leader among them.” Hoshea is therefore chosen as the official representative of his entire tribe.

• His selection underscores both personal reliability and God-ordained structure—each tribe is given a voice in the reconnaissance, showing fairness and unity (compare Deuteronomy 1:22-23).

• The collective mission anticipates a shared inheritance; each spy’s report would influence all twelve tribes (Numbers 14:2-4).


of Ephraim

• Ephraim, though the younger son of Joseph, had been prophetically placed ahead of Manasseh (Genesis 48:19). By Moses’ day the tribe held substantial prominence (Joshua 16:5-10).

Isaiah 7:17 and Jeremiah 31:9 treat “Ephraim” as representative of the northern tribes, revealing its long-lasting influence.

• Sending Ephraim’s leader stresses that even a strong, influential tribe must submit to God’s directive and join the collective obedience of Israel (Numbers 13:17).


Hoshea

Numbers 13:8 names him “Hoshea,” while 13:16 notes, “Moses called Hoshea son of Nun Joshua.” The renaming signals divine commissioning, echoing Abram-Abraham (Genesis 17:5) and Simon-Peter (John 1:42).

• His faith stands out in contrast to the fearful majority (Numbers 14:6-9, 30). The verse quietly introduces the man who will later lead Israel into Canaan (Joshua 1:1-2), demonstrating how God often begins great callings in seemingly small details.

• His early obedience here lays the groundwork for later victories such as Jericho (Joshua 6:2-5).


son of Nun

• “Son of Nun” roots Joshua in a real family line, emphasizing historicity (Exodus 33:11). Scripture consistently anchors leaders in genealogy, affirming the literal, factual nature of the narrative.

• Nun belonged to the tribe of Ephraim (1 Chronicles 7:27), showing continuity between father and son in faithful service.

Deuteronomy 34:9 records that “Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom” after Moses laid hands on him, confirming God’s choice that began in Numbers 13:8.


summary

Numbers 13:8 may appear as a simple roster line, yet it highlights God’s orderly plan: each tribe represented, Ephraim’s prominence acknowledged, a future leader introduced, and a real lineage affirmed. The verse quietly reassures us that the LORD knows every name, every family, and every assignment, weaving them into His larger purpose of bringing His people into the promises He has spoken.

(8) Of the tribe of Ephraim.--It has been supposed that there is some displacement of the text in this verse. Thus far the order of the tribes is the same as in Numbers 1:5-8. After Issachar, Zebulun (the sixth son of Leah) would naturally follow, as in Numbers 1:9, and Ephraim and Manasseh would naturally be connected, as in Numbers 1:10. This supposition is supported by the occurrence of the name of Joseph in Numbers 13:7; Numbers 13:11. The order of the remaining four tribes is the same as in Numbers 1, except that the tribe of Naphtali is placed before, instead of after, that of Gad.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
from the tribe
לְמַטֵּ֥ה (lə·maṭ·ṭêh)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4294: A staff, rod, shaft, branch, a tribe

of Ephraim,
אֶפְרָ֖יִם (’ep̄·rā·yim)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 669: Ephraim -- a son of Joseph, also his descendants and their territory

Hoshea
הוֹשֵׁ֥עַ (hō·wō·šê·a‘)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1954: Hoshea -- 'salvation', the name of several Israelites

son
בִּן־ (bin-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Nun;
נֽוּן׃ (nūn)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5126: Nun -- father of Joshua


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OT Law: Numbers 13:8 Of the tribe of Ephraim Hoshea (Nu Num.)
Numbers 13:7
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