Joseph יוֹסֵף
Representative of Issachar among the spies
Who is Joseph in the Bible?
Joseph son of Igal was a representative of the tribe of Issachar among the twelve spies sent by Moses to scout the land of Canaan (Numbers 13:7). Along with one spy from each of Israel's tribes, Joseph spent forty days exploring the Promised Land before returning with his report to Moses and the congregation. However, Joseph was among the ten spies who delivered a discouraging account, focusing on the strength of Canaan's inhabitants and fortified cities rather than trusting God's promise (Numbers 13:26-33). His negative report, contrasted with the faith of Joshua and Caleb, contributed to the people's rebellion and their refusal to enter the land, resulting in God's judgment that the faithless generation would not possess what He had promised (Numbers 14:1-4). Joseph's account serves as a biblical example of how doubt and fear can undermine faith in God's provision.
Biography
Joseph, the son of Igal, was a member of the tribe of Issachar and one of the twelve spies sent by Moses to explore the land of Canaan (Num.13.7). The twelve spies, one from each tribe, were chosen to assess the land and its inhabitants before the Israelites entered the Promised Land (Num.13.1-2). After forty days of scouting the land, the spies returned with their report (Num.13.25). While Joshua and Caleb encouraged the people to trust God and take possession of the land, the other ten spies, including Joseph, brought back a discouraging report, emphasizing the strength of the land's inhabitants and cities (Num.13.26-33). This led to the people's rebellion against Moses and their refusal to enter the land (Num.14.1-4). As a result, God declared that the generation who had seen His miracles would not enter the Promised Land, except for Joshua and Caleb (Num.14.20-24).
Family
In Scripture
1 biblical bookNumbers 1 verse
- Numbers 13:7
"from the tribe of Issachar, Igal son of Joseph;"
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | יוֹסֵף | ywōsēp | Joseph , the name of seven Israelites |